Vol 29 - Have you been waiting long for me?

Happy Friday,

Gagacabana, Met Gala drama, Fetty Wap Forever, mystery “smoke,” Spotify investors cash out 💰

Have thoughts on this week’s news? Just hit reply.

New Music Friday

What you need to know about today’s new releases

🎶 New albums and EPs from Kali Uchis, PinkPantheress, Sleep Token, Forrest Frank, Spacey Jane, Men I Trust, André 3000, Erika de Casier, Cuco, KALEO, Key Glock, Thomas Rhett, Galdive, EMELINE…

♪ Notable singles from Miley Cyrus, Tyla, Labrinth, KAROL G, Mark Ambor, Kid Cudi, jigitz, Fiona Apple, Stormzy, Caamp…

Each week, we go through Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists to highlight releases you should know about…

#1 - Miley Cyrus claims the top spot (but not the top banner) with ‘More to Lose’ a stripped, emotional ballad from Something Beautiful.

#2 - London alternative metal group Sleep Token snag the cover of NMF and release their album Even In Arcadia, with the titular track making the playlist.

#5 - PinkPantheress makes her official return with the release of 'Illegal', the lead track from her emotionally charged nine-track mixtape Fancy That out today.

#8 - Morgan Wallen trades barstools for dad bars on ‘Superman,’ the song he wrote for his son, the final tease before his 37-song album drops next Friday.

#10 - In an unexpected collaboration, Moses Sumney & Hayley Williams join forces on ‘I Like It I Like It.’

#22 - Men I Trust gets ‘Carried Away’ with Equus Caballus, rounding out their b2b double album release.

#49 - XL client Nourished by Time shares his first single of the year with ‘Max Potential.’

#59 - Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard drop new track ‘The Spirit,’ ahead of their forthcoming joint album Tall Tales.

#60 - André 3000 follows up his flute album with ‘bluffing in the snow’ and 6 other tracks off of 7 piano sketches.

⭐ #84 - Jenevieve returns after a 3 year hiatus with ‘Haiku.’

#85 - Indonesian duo Galdive’s titular track off their new album Blue lands on NMF this morning.

⭐ = our pick of the week. Usually an under the radar artist to keep an eye on.

The Schedule

Notable upcoming releases

Morgan Wallen, Aminé, Rico Nasty, Damiano David, Matt Maltese, MØ, Spill Tab, Tune-Yards, Lido Pimienta, Miso Extra, Pelican, Shanti Celeste, Chuck D, Billy Nomates, Jlin, Ezra Furman & Dan Mangan all have new projects expected to come out next week.

JID, Duke Dumont, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, YUNGBLUD, Soccer Mommy (stripped), Nourished by Time, Matty Matheson’s Pig Pen, U.S. Girls, all announced new albums this week.

ICYMI

Industry news that mattered this week

Lady Gaga played to 2.1 million fans in Rio, the biggest concert crowd for a female artist ever. But, behind the scenes, police say they quietly disrupted a bomb plot targeting the event and LGBTQIA+ fans. Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' streams double after her tour kickoff. The tour will take Bey around some of the biggest venues in the U.S. and a couple in Europe as well. Spotify early investor TCV sells nearly $190M worth of shares, marking a significant liquidation of its holdings. This follows CEO Daniel Ek selling ~$29M of company shares. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin sued for alleged copyright infringement over 'Dazed and Confused,' with Jake Holmes claiming rights to the song's composition. Doechii demands more umbrellas at Met Gala. The Weeknd explains how sleep paralysis inspired his ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ film, hitting theatres next Friday.

Fetty Wap drops new single ‘Forever,’ his first since prison.

Zach Bryan’s taking us to church and turning it into the Jack Kerouac Center. Fiona Apple releases first new song in 5 years, a powerful tribute to mothers in detention. Diddy’s sex trafficking trial began with jury selection in NY, as potential jurors were questioned about celebrities like Michael B. Jordan and Kid Cudi. Country icon Jeannie Seely is recovering after multiple surgeries and a battle with pneumonia. Smokey Robinson was hit with $50M lawsuit over sexual assault allegations from former four housekeepers. FTC issues ticketing fee rules, cracking down on speculative sellers and misleading prices. Adam Lambert joins Hollywood Bowl's ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ as Judas. ROSALÍA is working hard to remember her lines on Euphoria. Halsey freaks out over new song with Amy Lee for Ballerina movie.

small print

Updates on companies, acquisitions, takeovers and more

• Spotify update approved after court orders Apple to allow alternative payments

• Create Music Group acquired electronic music label Monstercat

• Warner dropped a new app called WMG Pulse so artists and writers can finally track their streams, fans, and money all in one place

• YouTube is testing a new two-person Premium plan in India, France, Taiwan and Hong Kong

• Snap Inc. renews music licensing deals with major publishers, reaffirming agreements first signed two years ago

• Shazam launched global ‘Viral Charts’

• Global Citizen launched music-driven anti-poverty initiative with support from Universal Music Group

• Samsung’s Harman acquired parent Company of Bowers & Wilkins and Denon

• Yamaha unveiled $50 million fund to support music and media startups

Group Chat

The section that’ll probably get us in trouble one of these days

Did she fuck up?

Fuck this is a good post…

Mystery “smoke”

Fresh Ink

Interesting artist signings

Easily the biggest signing of the year so far, The Weeknd signed a worldwide deal with Ben Totis, Brian Cohen & John Marx of WME for future touring. Christian Carino, Ferry Rais-Shaghaghi & Darryl Eaton of CAA will continue to represent The Weeknd's current tour.

Renown Italian singer Andrea Bocelli signed a 5-year exclusive agreement with AEG Presents for the creation and management of all his ticketed live events globally starting Jan 1st, 2026. The crooner also signed with Kirk Sommer & David Levy of WME for worldwide bookings.

American singer-songwriter Zach Bryan re-upped his contract with Warner Records. Bryan has released 3 albums with Warner via his imprint Belting Bronco since 2021. Additionally, he has reportedly sold his publishing catalog for an undisclosed amount.

Electronic producer, DJ & musician ILLENIUM, on the other hand, has left Warner to start a new chapter at Republic Records. Since signing, the producer/songwriter has hinted at new music, teasing collaborations with acts like Kid Cudi, Hayla & Ryan Tedder.

In more dance music news, Dutch electronic artist Joris Voorn signed a joint venture with Armada Music. The indie dance label will release Voorn's newest project as well as collaborate with the producer on nurturing new talent across all genres in the dance space.

Range Music launched a dedicated composer division, which manager Jeff Jernigan will lead. He brings over clients such as Disasterpeace, Raffertie, Steven Price, Tom Howe & more.

Vancouver-based label Nettwerk Music Group has added a slew of artists to its roster in the past week including Saudi singer Hajaj, Inner Wave, Møme, Kazuma Okabayashi & others.

Founders and managers Kendall Creedon (prev. Scale Management) & Kyle Avenarius (prev. AWAL) have launched LA-based management company Hard Launch Partner Group. The group's first clients include Rygo, Scout Willis, Noah Davis & EMELINE, who recently signed and released her EP with UnitedMasters today.

+180 signings on ROSTR this week

The Live World

Tour, festival and other live news

🎸 Biggest tours announced this week: Lorde, Bad Bunny, Benson Boone, The Who, Royel Otis, Big Thief, Duckwrth, Bladee

Jam For Good announced their Buck-A-Seat program, which calls on artists, managers, venues & more to pledge $1/seat from a show in September to their local children’s hospital for cancer awareness month.

Chicago cancelled its Michelada Fest, citing visa issues affecting Mexican corrido artists under the Trump administration. The festival released a statement explaining they were "no longer able to guarantee the full experience we had dreamed up for you and all your favorite artists. Although we tried to push through, it became clear we wouldn't be able to deliver the full lineup as planned.

Morgan Wallen is set to play a one-off show in London on May 28th. This marks the country artist's only performance outside of the United States so far this year.

John Summit is slated to play a one-off show, too, and it’s his largest headline show yet. The DJ will play the 50K capacity Folsom Field at University of Colorado Boulder in October.

Julien Baker & TORRES cancelled their "Send A Prayer My Way" tour, citing Baker's need to prioritize her well-being and health. How fitting.

Armin van Buuren’s residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza will kick off on June 8th with a 6-hour open-to-close set. While van Buuren claimed he doesn't do open-to-close sets often, "Ibiza holds a special place in [his] heart." Ours, too, man.

Blue Note Jazz Club confirmed it will open its flagship UK space in London early 2026. The 350-capacity venue faced opposition from local residents and the Metropolitan Police Service who purported the venue would undermine the "prevention of crime and disorder."

The Minns Labor Government announced its plan to incentivize global touring artists to choose local Australian acts as support when they play at venues across NSW. The government will offer a reduced venue hire fee (~$20K) at key NSW venues in exchange for choosing a local act to support the show.

🎟️ Festival Headlines:

• Austin City Limits unveiled its lineup with headlining performances from Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Doja Cat, Luke Combs, The Strokes, John Summit & Doechii

• Weezer, Car Seat Headrest, Janelle Monáe, Bright Eyes, AURORA, Sylvan Esso & more will headline Seattle’s Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival in September

• Australian music festival Split Milk announced Kendrick Lamar and Doechii will headline the four-day event with Sara Landry, Dominic Fike & Schoolboy Q also set to play

• Roots Picnic Pride returns to Philadelphia for its second year with Lenny Kravitz, D'Angelo, Latto, Tems, GloRilla, KAYTRANADA & more billed on the lineup

On The Move

New hires, exec moves and other people news

Rolling Stone has appointed Gus Wenner as executive chairman and Julian Holguin as its new CEO. Andrew Spencer has been named COO of AEG Presents Europe. Capitol Music Group has appointed Sara Nix and Joe Mortimer as Co-Heads of Creative. Downtown Music Pub has named Jason Taylor VP of Biz Dev and expanded Bea Koramblyum’s role to Global Head of Business Affairs & VP of Biz Dev. Alexis Rosenberg was named Head of External Relations for WME Nash.

Reliant Talent Agency expands Talent Division with four new agents. Executive search firm Saxton Bampfylde has recruited former Universal Music UK Communications Director Jonathan Badyal. Music and entertainment law firm Boyarski Fritz LLP has promoted Alex Stolls to Partner. Rich Orchard joins Horus Music as MD. Christian record label Centricity Music has elevated five, see who here. After 13 years with UMG Nashville, Lori Christian has exited her role as Executive VP of Marketing.

Dope Jobs

Interesting jobs in music

• Project Manager at Black Box in Los Angeles

• VP, Head of Marketing at Avex Music Group in West Hollywood

• Senior Devops Engineer at Opendate (Anywhere)

• Sr. CRM and Marketing Manager at Syntho in the UK

• Sr. A&R Manager - Label at Bamboo Artists in Berlin

↗ Find these and 260+ open roles at Jobs by ROSTR