Spotify-Kobalt AI Deal, StubHub Kills CA Price Cap - Friday, August 14

Email us hereSpotify's AI remix tool is gaining publisher momentum, StubHub's $3.4M lobbying effort just killed California's ticket resale cap, and a federal securities fraud suit lands on Selena Gomez and Wondermind. Meanwhile, Midia Research sees recorded music hitting $121 billion by 2033 — and generative AI claiming 38% of music software revenues along the way. Deals & M&A • Spotify signs Kobalt for AI fan-made covers and remixes tool, joining UMG and Merlin. • AEG Presents partners with Creativeman Productions, operator of Japan's Summer Sonic festival. • Suno launches Studio 2.0 browser DAW with MIDI, stem separation, and unlimited downloads. • UMG shares down ~40% over 12 months; HSBC downgrades to "reduce" with €12.10 target. Lawsuits & AI • Federal securities fraud suit filed against Selena Gomez, her mother, and Wondermind co-founder over $1.175M in unaccounted investor funds. • Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board votes to add Trump's name and approve two-year shutdown, defying prior court orders. • Amazon exec admits Twitch AI training must be opt-out because "nobody would opt in." Streaming & Tech • Midia Research forecasts global recorded music revenues reach $121.1B by 2033, up from $74.3B in 2025. • Generative AI projected to account for 38% of music software and services revenues by 2033. • India forecast to become the third-largest music subscriber market globally by 2033. • Spotify India rolling out subscriber rewards to convert free users to paid tiers. Live & Touring • California's Fans First Act — 10% resale price cap — dies in Senate committee after StubHub spends $3.4M lobbying against it. • Anti-bot companion bill AB 1349 survives the same hearing and advances to a California floor vote. • AEG developing two new Japan arenas: 17,000-cap IG Arena and an 18,000-seat Osaka Arena breaking ground in 2027. Artists & Releases • New Music Friday: Ayra Starr, Phoebe Bridgers, Trippie Redd, KATSEYE, Fridayy, and Open Mike Eagle drop albums today. International • Summer Sonic's 25th anniversary runs August 14–16 in Tokyo and Osaka, headlined by The Strokes, Jamiroquai, JENNIE, and David Byrne. • TikTok Music on Stage global emerging-artist competition returns; auditions open August 15 across 20-plus regions. Five minutes, six categories, zero fluff.