Have world tours stopped doing the "tour" part?; Apple Music had 2bn(!) fraudulent streams in 2025; Spotify pays out $11bn; and Bonnie Tyler speaks out!
Wed Feb 04 2026
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works – and this week Steve and Stu grapple with Harry Styles, Bonnie Tyler and Bruno Mars...
Don't forget - you can become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and access an extra 20 mins of show each week!
Stu's big number is $11bn - and that’s how much Spotify paid out to the music industry in 2025. But will that be enough to get its critics off its back?
Apple Music identified up to 2 billion fraudulent streams on its service in 2025 alone. But did it pay any money out for them?
Music is now a third of all the time people spend watching YouTube. But is that good news?
UK venues complained bitterly about proposed changes to business rates tax which would increase ticket prices and force small venues to close: now the government has announced some changes…
Remember when we talked about Bonnie Tyler’s Spotify royalties in a show last year? Both Bonnie and Spotify have chipped in with a follow-up to that story…
Harry Styles’ "world tour" is only playing in seven cities. Is this a new model for superstar touring?
Bruno Mars’ latest concert attracted 12.8 million people! But what's the twist?
No one wanted a global chart for AI-generated music - but here it is anyway!
And in the special post-show lock-in section just for our Patreon Superfans, Steve and Stu prop themselves at the bar to chat about:
Steve and Stu reflect on last week's excellent interview with Ricky from Southampton Joiners - and the pressures on venues; and the changes in touring routes.
... and also the dubious reality for young gig-goers: who's putting gigs on for them – and do they even want gigs?
Football’s January transfer window has just closed in most of the big countries, which made us think: what if there was an equivalent for bands...
If you’ve been wondering what Liza Minnelli, Art Garfunkel and the Pope think about AI music… it’s your lucky week!
===================================
As ever, we welcome your feedback, emails and – in particular – any questions you might have about how the music biz works!
Email us: thepriceofmusicpodcast@gmail.com
See you next week!
Steve and Stuart
======
TPOM online: http://tpom.uk/
Support The Price of Music on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/ThePriceofMusic
Follow Steve on X - @steve_lamacq
Follow Stuart on X - @stuartdredge
Follow The Price of Music on X - @PriceofMusicpod
For sponsorship opportunities, please email - joe@musically.com
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Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works – and this week Steve and Stu grapple with Harry Styles, Bonnie Tyler and Bruno Mars... Don't forget - you can become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and access an extra 20 mins of show each week! Stu's big number is $11bn - and that’s how much Spotify paid out to the music industry in 2025. But will that be enough to get its critics off its back? Apple Music identified up to 2 billion fraudulent streams on its service in 2025 alone. But did it pay any money out for them? Music is now a third of all the time people spend watching YouTube. But is that good news? UK venues complained bitterly about proposed changes to business rates tax which would increase ticket prices and force small venues to close: now the government has announced some changes… Remember when we talked about Bonnie Tyler’s Spotify royalties in a show last year? Both Bonnie and Spotify have chipped in with a follow-up to that story… Harry Styles’ "world tour" is only playing in seven cities. Is this a new model for superstar touring? Bruno Mars’ latest concert attracted 12.8 million people! But what's the twist? No one wanted a global chart for AI-generated music - but here it is anyway! And in the special post-show lock-in section just for our Patreon Superfans, Steve and Stu prop themselves at the bar to chat about: Steve and Stu reflect on last week's excellent interview with Ricky from Southampton Joiners - and the pressures on venues; and the changes in touring routes. ... and also the dubious reality for young gig-goers: who's putting gigs on for them – and do they even want gigs? Football’s January transfer window has just closed in most of the big countries, which made us think: what if there was an equivalent for bands... If you’ve been wondering what Liza Minnelli, Art Garfunkel and the Pope think about AI music… it’s your lucky week! =================================== As ever, we welcome your feedback, emails and – in particular – any questions you might have about how the music biz works! Email us: thepriceofmusicpodcast@gmail.com See you next week! Steve and Stuart ====== TPOM online: http://tpom.uk/ Support The Price of Music on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePriceofMusic Follow Steve on X - @steve_lamacq Follow Stuart on X - @stuartdredge Follow The Price of Music on X - @PriceofMusicpod For sponsorship opportunities, please email - joe@musically.com