IMS Industry Insider

27 Apr 2026

News and Features

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)

Digital

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

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)
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)
ULTRA Mexico 2026 returns to Mexico City this November. (EDMTunes)
The Miami City Commission has approved a new 20-year deal for Ultra Music Festival at Bayfront Park. (EDMTunes)

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)
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)

Clubs

Ibiza:
RESISTANCE Ibiza announces full season 5 line-up. (EDMTunes)

Artist and Music Features

Recognise 104: Terrence Dixon (DJ Mag)
Why no one is actually dancing on dancefloors anymore. (EDM)
Feel like me forever: Why viral success won't change NOTION (Mixmag)
How ZHU found his way back to the dancefloor through new album, ‘BLACK MIDAS’. (EDM)
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)
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.
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)

Artist News

Kaskade uses long-awaited Coachella return to announce new album, ‘Origin //’. (EDM)
The Chainsmokers announce new EP with Oaks, ‘Love Is Kind’. (EDM)
Tricky announces new album, ‘Different When It’s Silent’. (DJ Mag)
Boards of Canada confirm new album, Inferno. (RA)

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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.

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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.

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