Exploding toilet cancels gig - but will the band and fans get their money back?; Is Spotify putting up prices again?; and yet more Baby Shark news

Get more TPOM in the post-show "lock-in" – try it for FREE!: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/thepriceofmusic/membership⁠====Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. In this week’s episode of The Price of Music, Steve and Stu unwrap the week's music biz goings-on:An exploding toilet caused a gig cancellation – but what now for the band, fans and the venue?Stu’s Big Number is $2.45bn - it’s big, but why might it feel scary to artists and labels?Spotify might also put their prices by a dollar in the US - who will welcome this (and who won’t?)Three AI music-making companies have struck deals with major labels - but who and why?The UK ticket levy to help smaller grassroots venues is taking off – so what's next? Stu's been chatting to an MP to find out.TPOM’s continued role as your Primary Baby Shark News Resource continues as Stu explains how many millions of dollars it made last year (it was a lot).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 once flew several thousand miles to watch a band, only for them to quit after a mere three songs. But which now-massive band was it?Who are Steve and Stu's artists of the year? (Including Wet Leg and Self Esteem)What was the annual Reader's Poll like behind the scenes at the NME for Steve?More unusual gig cancellation stories - including pigeons pooping on Kings of Leon, Neil Young’s sandwiches, and moreWhat’s the city of Manchester doing to support local venues and promoters?As ever, we welcome your feedback, emails and – in particular – any questions you might have about how the music biz works!Email us: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠See you next week!Steve and Stuart======Support The Price of Music on Patreon:⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/ThePriceofMusic⁠⁠Follow Steve on X - @steve_lamacqFollow Stuart on X - @stuartdredgeFollow The Price of Music on X - @PriceofMusicpodFor sponsorship opportunities, please email - ⁠⁠[email protected]