NEWS FROM INSIDE THE ELECTRONIC
DANCE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Welcome to the weekly INDUSTRY INSIDER – created by IMS and RECORD OF THE DAY. We've teamed up to create a digest of global electronic industry news, across the full spectrum of the genre, to help you get straight to the stories that matter. INDUSTRY INSIDER will follow the template of Record of the Day but focus on what’s relevant for this genre and demographic…
BEN TURNER
Co-Founder, International Music Summit
Pete Tong's Essential New Tune
Be The One
Adam Port, SG Lewis, Keinemusik
Keinemusik
out now
Comment
"Adam Port and SG Lewis met in Los Angeles in 2023, and they hit it off immediately, utilising the time in between Coachella weekends to go into the studio together. They refined and road-tested this in the months that followed, and it's finally seen the light of day as a record that thrives on both artists', mutual penchant for captivating hooks and heartwarming, emotional depth. SG Lewis says, 'Be The One' was a result of wanting to create a song that soundtracks the moment on the dance floor when the sun rises. Adam Port's life changed when he had his hit 'Move' a couple of years ago, and we think he's got another big, big tune on his hands. This week's ENT is 'Be The One' from Adam Port and SG Lewis."
This week's featured Essential New Tune was featured in last week’s Friday show on BBC Radio 1. Listen again and forward to 37.49 here. 
Contact
Label: Keinemusik
Radio: Jacko, James Marsh & Charlie Poole, Listen Up 
28 Apr 2026
Business
  • Universal Music and Sony Music aggressively push to obtain Warner Music’s Suno agreement terms amid discovery dispute — as another ‘rolling cipher’ decision comes down. (DMN) 
  • Live Nation has bought the UK’s largest independent electronic music promoter, Louder Entertainment. (LN) Louder is behind Brighton’s On The Beach festival, and also organises shows at London’s Silverworks Island venue, runs club nights, and mini festivals. 
News and Features
  • IMS Ibiza 2026:
    IMS Ibiza unveiled the IMS Electronic Music Business Report 2025/6. (RotD, Midia, DJ Mag, Attack) The report provides a detailed view of the global electronic music economy, tracking both its commercial trajectory and its cultural momentum. The sector reached a value of $15.1bn in 2025, up 7% year-on-year.
    What was the Electronic Music Industry worth this year? 7 Takeaways from the 2026 IMS Business Report (Billboard)
    The Pete Tong DJ Academy has announced the winners and top ten for its Future Talent Awards 2026. The Grand Prix was jointly awarded to UK artist Marc De Groot and Philippines-based Miaow. (RA) 
    Sama’ Abdulhadi joined DJ Mag for How I DJ session at IMS Ibiza. (DJ Mag) 
  • Audoo announced a partnership with Sabam, the Belgian association for authors, composers and publishers, to deliver a new approach to DJ reporting powered by Audoo’s Audio Meter technology. (RotD) 
  • Record Store Day UK sales up 25% in 2026. (Skiddle) 
Digital
  • Anthropic’s Claude AI adds Spotify and StubHub as ‘connectors’. (MusicAlly) 
  • Spotify is quietly introducing a new feature that exposes artificial intelligence contributions within track credits, making a notable step in platform-level transparency. That comes with the caveat that these labels are all self-reported, however. (DMN) 
  • As Spotify turns 20, it is unveiling the most streamed artists, albums, songs, podcasts, and audiobooks in its history. (Spotify) 
Live
  • The Miami City Commission has approved a new 20-year deal for Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park. (EDMTunes) 
    Miami's Downtown Neighbors Alliance has filed a lawsuit against Ultra Music Festival‘s parent company a day before the city's commission approved a 20-year Bayfront deal. (EDM) 
  • ULTRA Mexico 2026 returns to Mexico City this November. (EDMTunes) 
  • AMAAD (A Man About A Dog), the promoter behind Junction 2 Festival, The Bridge series and LWE, has announced a partnership with Testbed, the independent music and event space in Leeds. (RotD) 
  • Primavera Bits taps Carl Cox, Joseph Capriati, BLOND:ISH, and Greta for Sunday closing party. (DJ Mag) 
  • Residents' group Protect Brockwell Park has launched a third judicial review against Lambeth Council over planning permission granted for large-scale festivals in Brockwell Park in London. (RA) 
Comment, Opinion and Analysis
  • The album is dissolving. And it’s not a bad thing. (Enzi) 
  • Social media doesn’t feel social anymore – so where does online community go from here? (Midia - Laura Fisher) 
  • Multi-dimensionality in music isn’t new – but it’s overdue for a comeback. (Midia - Olivia Jones)
Tech
  • “Everyone is using these tools, artists at all levels – but they don't want to talk about it”: How AI is changing electronic music. (MusicRadar) 
  • AlphaTheta RMX-Ignite is the effects and sampling box that nobody asked for but everyone will want. (MusicTech) 
Beatport
  • Alok takes aim at the club on first Hellbent Records release, 'My Own Thang EP' (Beatportal)
  • DJ Tennis launches ‘Peak Time Archives’ series on Life And Death with Jennifer Loveless, PAURRO & More. (Beatportal)
  • Playlist of the Week: Kander (Beatportal)
  • 2026 California Dance/Electronic Festivals [Updating] (Beatportal)
  • Elton John shares his six favourite dance tracks (Beatportal)
  • Meet the winners of the Beatport Awards (2026) (Beatportal)
Clubs
  • Ibiza:
    RESISTANCE Ibiza announces full season 5 line-up. (EDMTunes)
    Sam Divine's 555 champions house legends and rising stars at Cova Santa. (Ibiza Spotlight) 
    David Guetta welcomes established comrades to Galactic Circus at [UNVRS]. (Ibiza Spotlight)
Streams & Podcasts
  • Armin van Buuren B2B Adam Beyer (presenting Techno Trance) live at Coachella 2026 (Quasar) (Armin van Buuren) 
  • Artist on Artist: Armin van Buuren x Adam Beyer at Coachella 2026 (Coachella) 
  • Subtronics - Coachella (Weekend 1) (Subtronics) 
  • Kaskade x Coachella 2026 (Kaskade) 
  • NOTION | Mixmag Lab London (Mixmag) 
  • 24 Hours With: The Martinez Brothers at Pal Norte and Ultra Miami (DJ Mag) 
  • Deep Dish ‘Flashdance’ | The Making Of A House Hit (DJ Mag) 
  • RA.1036 Tony Humphries (RA) 
Artist and Music Features
  • On Billboard On the Record, Apple Music vp Oliver Schusser talks the decline of streaming exclusives, Spatial Audio and the rise of AI songs. ‘I really need the content providers and the labels to take responsibility’. (YouTube) 
  • Is the streaming model failing EDM producers? (Hypebot) To survive the algorithmic traps of digital distribution, some artists are building owned digital infrastructure to directly monetise superfan communities. 
  • u-he head honcho Urs Heckmann talks us through the development of Zebra 3, staying relevant in an era of sample packs and AI, and weathering industry storms for 25 years. (Attack) 
  • Major labels have been gobbling up independents — and each other — in recent times through a series of mergers and acquisitions. So where does this leave the distribution and release of independent music? In a saturated market, how do labels with small budgets even meet the payment thresholds on streaming services? What does it mean to be independent in today’s market? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of takeovers and consolidations? (DJ Mag) 
  • How ZHU found his way back to the dancefloor through new album, ‘BLACK MIDAS’. (EDM) 
  • Mane character energy: part-nag pop provocateur HorsegiirL on burnout, eco tunes and pompous idiot DJs. (Guardian) 
  • Gio Elia selects ten essential Miami anthems (DJ Mag) 
  • Meet IceMorph, the Willy Wonka-type world builders of UK bass. (Mixmag) 
  • Feel like me forever: Why viral success won't change NOTION (Mixmag) 
  • Why no one is actually dancing on dancefloors anymore. (EDM) 
  • Sober festivals are no longer a niche — they’re a signal of where live music is headed. (Decibel) 
  • Recognise 104: Terrence Dixon (DJ Mag)
  • 6 artists pushing electronic music forward worldwide. (Red Bull) 
Artist News
  • Boards of Canada confirm new album, Inferno. (RA) 
  • Tricky announces new album, ‘Different When It’s Silent’. (DJ Mag) 
  • The Chainsmokers announce new EP with Oaks, ‘Love Is Kind’. (EDM) 
  • Kaskade uses long-awaited Coachella return to announce new album, ‘Origin //’. (EDM) 
  • Kaleena Zanders is Billboard’s Up-and-Coming Dance Artist of the Month for April 2026. (Billboard) 
Recent newsletters

21 Apr 2026

Repeat - Vanco & DEELA
"It comes from Vanco, who's following up his huge breakout single, Ma Tnsani (Yalla Habibi), which became one of the...

14 Apr 2026

Freaky 1 - Max Styler, Vintage Culture & Ali Love
"It's built for peak-time dance floors, and it brings together three names I rate very highly. One's emerged from the...

07 Apr 2026

Blessings - Liva K & OVEOUS
"This record, I think, is versatile. It can fit in many sets. It's dark, it's got groove, it's got uplifting...

31 Mar 2026

Vocoder - Jepe
"It goes to Jepe, who heralds from Portugal and has previously released on labels like Get Physical and Cecille. He...

24 Mar 2026

Actin' Tough - Dean Turnley
"It's done the double. It was Sarah Story's Track ID on Future Dance if you're listening live earlier, and talk...

17 Mar 2026

Darkness - Chris Stussy
"As he prepares to release his most expansive and personal statement to date, with 'Lost, Found & Forgotten, which comes...

About IMS

IMS: International Music Summit is a global educational and motivational thought-leadership platform dedicated to the continued development of electronic music primarily through the presentation of global summits for the industry. 

About Beatport

Beatport is the worldwide home of music for DJs, producers, and their fans. Founded in 2004, the Beatport family of companies includes Beatport, the preeminent store for electronic music DJs, Beatsource for the open-format DJ community, and Loopmasters, Loopcloud and Plugin Boutique for music producers. Follow us on Twitch, Facebook and Twitter, and Instagram.

About AFEM

AFEM: A global voice for electronic music; representing our culture and commerce. AFEM's membership spans all industry sectors, with over 250 company members across 25 countries, the organisation connects its worldwide membership to develop opportunities and enable change.

About ROTD

Record of the Day has produced a subscription-based daily publication for the music industry for over 23 years, featuring all the best news and comment, along with an editorially-chosen future hit. Sign up for a free trial here.
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