IMS Industry Insider

26 May 2026

News and Features

Three Six Zero, which represents Calvin Harris, Muse and others, announced the launch of a sports management division. (RotD)
Tomorrowland Academy launches revamped platform with new DJ and production courses. (DJMag)
The UK government has been accused of siphoning off £1.2m of the £6m raised via a voluntary ticket levy in support of grassroots venues via “stealth” VAT charges. (DJMag)
Britain’s night time economy is undergoing a profound structural shift, with new data revealing that 28.9% of late-night venues have disappeared since March 2020. (RotD)
NTIA delivered a blunt warning that the Government’s summer VAT cut is a politically convenient but economically flawed measure that excludes the UK’s struggling night-time and live events sector. (RotD)

Digital

Distributor FUGA announced the renewal and expansion of its partnership with electronic music specialist Insomniac Music Group. (RotD)
Music creation platform Splice announced a partnership with ElevenLabs to build next generation AI-powered creative tools. (RotD)
Spotify announced Reserved by Spotify: a new experience for Premium subscribers (ages 18+) in the US that identifies an artist's most dedicated fans and holds two tickets just for them, before they go on sale to the general public. (Spotify)
Spotify’s 2026 Investor Day recap. (Spotify)
Remarks From Spotify Co-CEOs Alex Norström and Gustav Söderström. (Spotify)

Live

EDC Las Vegas to expand in 2027 with 12-Day ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ concept. (Billboard)
Bridge Conference 2026 arrives in Umag this week with CAA, WME, EXIT and Sziget confirmed amongst speakers. (RotD)

Comment, Opinion and Analysis

A third handover of gatekeeping power has just begun, and most of the music industry isn’t paying attention. (TheSoundHack - George Ergatoudis)

Clubs

Ibiza:
Dom Dolla returns to Hï Ibiza in 2026, this time for a peak-season Friday night residency. (IbizaSpotlight)

Deals

Material Music Group has launched a publishing arm, created in partnership with Downtown Music Publishing. (RotD) The first signing is songwriter and producer Richard Atkins, who has written and produced for Girls Don’t Sync, Becky Hill, Rudimental, Jax Jones, and more.

Streams & Podcasts

Tom Leek on building UNUM Festival and Albania’s underground music scene. (Loud&Unfiltered)
Kaskade Live at EDC Las Vegas 2026 (Insomniac)
LEVEL UP Live at EDC Las Vegas 2026 (Insomniac)
Hardwell - Live at EDC Las Vegas 2026 (Insomniac)
Subtronics Live at EDC Las Vegas 2026 (Insomniac)
Underworld Live at EDC Las Vegas 2026 (Insomniac)

Artist and Music Features

Blimps, DJ booking stunts, art installation disasters: we look back at some of the most bizarre and unexpectedly influential rollouts. (RA)
Anyma: 21st-century futurist (DJMag)
Omar+ is bringing R&B back to dance music spaces, blending vocals inspired by the sounds of his youth with crisp modern house. In the middle of a huge year, he speaks about his early inspirations, his rise to prominence, and his relaxed approach to creativity. (DJMag)
What happens when you blend generative AI, quantum computing, and a visionary electro artist? Something entirely new hits your ears—without borrowing a single note from anyone else. (FuturaSciences)

Artist News

Shannen SP curates South African electronic underground compilation for TraTraTrax. (DJMag)
Paul van Dyk returns to ADE with open-to-close performance. (Skiddle)
DJ Harvey will play his only UK set of 2026 at Ministry Of Sound this summer. (RA)
Amelie Lens announces debut album AURA. (RA)
Skrillex’s new creative platform Contra will debut in Berlin with Knock 2, Bladee, Skrill himself and more. (Billboard)
Philipp Jung, cofounder of Get Physical Music and one half of M.A.N.D.Y., has died aged 55. (RA)
Scottish DJ and producer Harvey Mckay has died. (DJMag)

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