Spotify's AI Remix Tool Gets Believe Deal, Meta Shadow Library Order - Wed, Oct 21

Email us here Spotify's AI-powered remix and covers tool is gaining licensing momentum, with Believe and TuneCore joining UMG, Merlin, and Kobalt — though Sony and Warner remain unsigned. Meta faces escalating legal pressure as a federal magistrate orders the company to name every employee who approved sourcing AI training data from shadow libraries. Meanwhile, Too Lost Music Group continues its APAC expansion and live events platform Hive closes a $27M raise. Deals & M&A • Too Lost acquires Melbourne-founded Xelon Entertainment, its second APAC distributor deal in three months. • Live events marketing platform Hive raises $27M Series B, serving 1,600+ venues and driving $1B+ in ticket sales. Lawsuits & AI • Federal judge orders Meta to identify every employee who approved AI training data from Anna's Archive and LibGen. • New York judge dismisses Morgan Carey's $20M defamation suit against Mariah Carey over her 2020 memoir. • Puppy Songs creator Matt Hobbs sues Kroger and LG for using viral TikTok track "Cheese Tax" without sync licenses. Streaming & Tech • Spotify's AI remix and covers tool adds Believe and TuneCore; Sony and Warner still not signed on. • Spotify now requires Family Plan members to verify same-household residency via QR code or face account lockout. Live & Touring • Sam Fender announces nine-date 2027 UK and Ireland stadium tour, including two Wembley nights and St. James' Park. • Rolling Loud India, Weverse Con, Sydney Summertime, and US country festival GoldenSky headline new festival wave. Artists & Releases • UMG Southeast Asia signs Thai artist Jeff Satur, targeting global breakthrough as "T-Pop's first global superstar." International • Philippines recorded music market grew ~15% in 2025, driven by a young mobile-first population. • UK artists hold ~4% of global on-demand audio streams in 2026; 79% of UK respondents identify as regular listeners. Five minutes, six categories, zero fluff.