SoundCloud partnered with elasticStage, a platform that offers a “print-on-demand model” for physical music releases. Through the deal, SoundCloud’s Artist Pro users can list their vinyl releases for sale on a dedicated website and sell vinyl on demand as orders come in. ElasticStage handles all processing, shipping and customer service requests. “Vinyl sales have surged over 300% since 2016, yet most independent artists have been excluded from this growth due to high manufacturing costs and logistical limitations,” said SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton in a statement, adding that the “partnership is another step toward ensuring that every artist — no matter their size — has the tools to build a sustainable career.” Artists can join the waitlist here.
Reservoir Media invested in London-based entertainment company Lightroom, which develops immersive entertainment experiences around IP — which Reservoir will provide as part of the deal. According to a press release, Lightroom is in five cities and will be in 12 by the end of 2025. The release reports that Lightroom’s experiences have played to more than one million visitors globally. “We see meaningful opportunity in this high-growth vertical, and this investment is an opportunity to enhance the value of our music assets, capitalizing on milestone moments, as well as our evergreen music catalog, to create shows rooted in IP,” said Reservoir founder/CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi in a statement.
Music rights technology company Chordal signed a multi-year deal with TikTok for the platform’s pre-cleared commercial music library (CML). Through the pact, rights holders of fractionally owned songs can use Chordal’s enterprise synch licensing technology, InstantClear, to opt into TikTok’s CML, pre-clear their fractional shares and automate payments. “We are looking to help evolve the micro-licensing industry to take advantage of the speed and scale of digital advertising and short-form video,” said Chris Marion, manager of commercial music at TikTok, in a statement. “Our goal is to provide brands with a safe, expansive library of music to use in their content, while opening up new revenue streams for the artists that power it.”
Symphonic Distribution signed a deal to utilize the IP enforcement services of Third Chair (previously known as Watchdog) to monitor social media usages of music under Symphonic’s Bodega Sync division. According to a press release, Third Chair “makes it easy for anyone to monitor social media for brand use of their content, streamline licensing negotiations, and recover missed revenue without adding headcount.” Symphonic CEO/founder Jorge Brea said of the deal, “Our partnership with Third Chair is a natural fit as the issues around music usage on social media become more pronounced, and we look forward to putting their IP monitoring and monetization solutions into the hands of all our independent music creators.”
Legends/ASM Global renewed its partnership with the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority in Michigan, extending its contract as venue manager and food & beverage operator for Van Andel Arena, DeVos Performance Hall and the DeVos Place convention center — and, in the future, Acrisure Amphitheater (set to open in May 2026) and Amway Stadium (spring 2027). The agreement amendment takes effect on July 1, 2026, for a 15-year period, with a 10-year renewal option.
Universal Music India signed a licensing agreement with physical music distributor Blisstainment. Under the deal, Blisstainment will be the official licensor and distributor of vinyl records from Universal Music India’s repertoire domestically, including remastered vinyl editions of Hindi film soundtracks and I-pop albums. The first three releases via the pact are the soundtracks of the films Bombay, Yeh Vada Raha and Rocky.
Downtown-owned B2B distributor FUGA signed a global partnership with Arketyp Group, a new indie label founded by Swedish music manager and YEAR0001 label co-founder Oskar Ekman. FUGA will provide digital and physical distribution, marketing support and synch services across Arketyp’s artist and label client rosters, which includes artists on YEAR0001 — a FUGA client since 2022. Under the expanded Arketyp umbrella, the label has released music from punk band Viagra Boys and Miike Snow.
Antwerp, Belgium-based management and booking agency Darkroom Bookings joined Tomorrowland’s artist agency One World Artists. With the move, Darkroom brings four emerging artists — NOVAH, BYØRN, Callush, and EMILIJA — to the One World roster.
