Music Music rights as financial assets: KBRA rated $12.9 billion in royalty-backed ABS bonds since 2020 market The music rights business is moving deeper into structured finance and global investment: KBRA says it has rated $12.9 billion in music royalty-backed bonds since 2020, as streaming income, catalog acquisitions, publishing rights and industry consolidation reshape how songs, recordings and royalties are valued May 19, 2026 at 7:01 AM · Culture & events desk
Music Paul McCartney on SNL Season 51 finale with new album, Wings classic and Coming Up return Paul McCartney performed on the Season 51 finale of Saturday Night Live with Will Ferrell, Chad Smith and the songs Days We Left Behind, Band on the Run and Coming Up. The televised appearance linked the upcoming album The Boys of Dungeon Lane with classics from his solo and Wings catalog May 18, 2026 at 8:16 PM · Culture & events desk
Music The Smashing Pumpkins Announce The Rats In A Cage Tour For Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness Anniversary The Smashing Pumpkins have announced the North American The Rats In A Cage Tour, marking the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. The shows will combine alternative rock, arena production, the band’s wider catalog and stage imagery tied to the album’s moonlit and cage-like motifs May 18, 2026 at 8:14 PM · Culture & events desk
Music Spotify changes Premium subscription prices in Canada and India while dropping the Premium Lite plan Spotify has changed Premium subscription prices in Canada and India. While Canadian users now face higher Individual, Duo and Family plan costs, the Standard plan in India returns to a lower monthly price and Premium Lite disappears from the offer May 18, 2026 at 8:06 PM · Culture & events desk
Music Shakira and Spain’s tax authority: court victory after years of disputes over tax and residency status Shakira has won her final tax dispute in Spain after a court rejected the tax authority’s claims over her 2011 residency status. The case raises questions about public pressure, proof of residence and the way global music stars face complex tax scrutiny May 18, 2026 at 8:04 PM · Culture & events desk
Music Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2026 win: DARA, Bangaranga and the grand final in Vienna Bulgaria won Eurovision for the first time as DARA’s Bangaranga dominated the grand final at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle. The article covers the performance, voting, Bulgaria’s return, Croatia’s LELEK, and the musical and staging context of the contest’s 70th edition May 17, 2026 at 6:38 AM · Culture & events desk
Music Drake releases three albums at once: Iceman, Maid of Honour and Habibti with 43 new songs Drake has released Iceman, Maid of Honour and Habibti at the same time, delivering 43 tracks, new videos and major guest features. The projects mix rap, R&B and club-oriented production, with appearances from Future, 21 Savage, Central Cee, Sexyy Red and PARTYNEXTDOOR May 16, 2026 at 7:30 AM · Culture & events desk
Music Lady Gaga releases Mayhem Requiem, a live album and concert film from the gothic Mayhem era on Apple Music Lady Gaga has released Apple Music Live: Mayhem Requiem, a live album and concert film recorded at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The release features new arrangements of songs from Mayhem, gothic stage design, piano, synthesizers and a final look at one of her most theatrical pop eras May 16, 2026 at 7:25 AM · Culture & events desk
Music Eurovision 2026 in Vienna: Full grand final lineup completed after second semi-final night Eurovision 2026 in Vienna has its complete grand final lineup after the second semi-final. Ten more countries qualified for Saturday’s show, while the jubilee edition is marked by voting rule changes, a large-scale Wiener Stadthalle stage and political tensions surrounding Israel’s participation May 15, 2026 at 4:57 PM · Culture & events desk
Music Coca-Cola rejects Johnny Cash voice claim in ad dispute over music rights and ELVIS Act Coca-Cola disputes allegations from Johnny Cash’s estate that a college football ad used an unauthorized voice resembling the country icon. The Nashville lawsuit highlights the growing legal debate over voice protection, tribute performers, advertising, music rights and Tennessee’s ELVIS Act May 15, 2026 at 7:21 AM · Culture & events desk
Music These Hands Melt launches THM Artist Services for independent artists and underground labels Rome-based label These Hands Melt is expanding with THM Artist Services, a new division supporting independent artists and underground labels. The focus is on dark emotional music, physical releases, distribution, promotion and catalogue development for niche scenes May 14, 2026 at 8:19 PM · Culture & events desk
Music Dua Lipa and Samsung TV box dispute over Austin City Limits festival photo and image rights Dua Lipa is suing Samsung over the alleged use of a photo from Austin City Limits on television packaging. Samsung says the image came from a content partner for Samsung TV Plus and denies intentionally misusing the British pop star’s image in a commercial context May 14, 2026 at 7:19 AM · Culture & events desk