Universal Music Group News

Universal Music Group and Lionsgate have signed a multiyear first-look television deal, according to Variety. This deal will have the companies developing original scripted and unscripted television projects drawn from UMG's portfolio of labels, artists and music.

Glass Handel is one of two innovative and thought-provoking world premiere productions that highlight O18, the second edition of Opera Philadelphia's annual season-opening festival. Staged on September 22, 23 and 30 in the expansive Annenberg Court of Philadelphia's Barnes Foundation, home to O17's The Wake World, the new work is an immersive, multidisciplinary operatic installation headlined and created by American countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo – “a bona-fide star” (New Yorker) – in collaboration with producer Cath Brittan and avant-garde fashion/art company Visionaire. Under their curation, music by Baroque master George Frederic Handel and living legend Philip Glass meets the worlds of art, fashion, dance, and film through collaboration with a host of luminaries: fine artist George Condo; designer Raf Simons from fashion house Calvin Klein; choreographer Justin Peck; ballet dancers David Hallberg and Patricia Delgado; performance artist Ryan McNamara; and filmmakers including James Ivory, Maurizio Cattelan, Mickalene Thomas and Mark Romanek. Opera Philadelphia's world premiere production also marks the official launch of ARC, Costanzo's solo album debut, a collection of Glass and Handel arias due for September 21 release on Decca Gold.

The Rolling Stones and Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music entertainment, today announced an expansive worldwide agreement covering the band's iconic recorded music and audio-visual catalogues, archival support, global merchandising and brand management.

After the bombshell of its delicious first-half live lineup last month, BIGSOUND has again stepped it up a notch today, welcoming Australian music legend Paul Kelly for a keynote interview. Reflecting on both his career and the future of Australian music, Paul Kelly will educate and inspire both those new to the industry and veterans needing a reminder of why Australian music is the best in the world. 

The sound of this summer is going to come from the concerts of Demi Lovato, Fall Out Boy, and Shawn Mendes. But what about the sound of next summer and beyond?

X Ambassadors Launches Project: Aloft Star 2018 with Aloft Hotels & Universal Music Group

Aloft Hotels, Marriott International's brand for music lovers and music makers, and Universal Music Group & Brands (UMGB), the brand strategy division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today launched the 2018 edition of Aloft Hotels' artist discovery competition Project: Aloft Star, and unveiled the first-ever Project: Aloft Star Tour, a five-city tour celebrating UMG's emerging artists.

On March 6, 1963, John Coltrane and his Classic Quartet - McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones - recorded an entire studio album at the legendary Van Gelder Studios. This music, which features unheard originals, will finally be released 55 years later. This is, in short, the holy grail of jazz.

Hologram USA Networks Inc. today announced the date for the launch of its new hologram stage show, Higher & Higher: The Jackie Wilson Story. The show, from the leader of hologram technology founded by Greek billionaire Alki David,  tracks the wild life of the R&B star, dubbed Mr. Excitement, all the way to the end when Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley paid his hospital bills. In the same 30-minute narrative format that Hologram USA pioneered with its successful show, Billie Holiday Alive!,  the new show dramatizes scenes from the legend's life--including the sex, drugs and rock & roll-- in addition to presenting his stage presence in all its glory.

Hologram USA Networks Inc. today announced the date for the launch of its new hologram stage show, Higher & Higher: The Jackie Wilson Story. The show, from the leader of hologram technology founded by Greek billionaire Alki David, tracks the wild life of the R&B star, dubbed Mr. Excitement, all the way to the end when Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley paid his hospital bills. In the same 30-minute narrative format that Hologram USA pioneered with its successful show, Billie Holiday Alive!, the new show Higher & Higher dramatizes scenes from the legend's life--including the sex, drugs and rock & roll-- in addition to presenting his stage presence in all its glory.

Hologram USA Networks Inc. today announced the date for the launch of its new hologram stage show, Higher & Higher: The Jackie Wilson Story. The show, from the leader of hologram technology founded by Greek billionaire Alki David,  tracks the wild life of the R&B star, dubbed Mr. Excitement, all the way to the end when Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley paid his hospital bills. In the same 30-minute narrative format that Hologram USA pioneered with its successful show, Billie Holiday Alive!,  the new show dramatizes scenes from the legend's life--including the sex, drugs and rock & roll-- in addition to presenting his stage presence in all its glory.

This just in - Escape to Margaritaville, the new musical featuring the songs of singer-songwriter-author Jimmy Buffett, will play its final Broadway performance at the Marquis Theatre on Sunday, July 1, 2018, after 29 preview and 124 regular performances.

21 year old, Swedish producer and DJ, Steerner has teamed up with the team at Universal Music Group to present ' I Wouldn't Lie' . Armed with playful synth patterns, a deliciously catchy dance-floor beat and powerful vocals, the track exemplifies everything your summer Spotify playlist needs. Following his first release from Universal Music Sweden, 'Nowhere' , Steerner has garnered a significant amount of traction in producing official remixes for Miguel's track 'Remember Me' from Disney/Pixars COCO and The Chainsmokers smash single 'Everybody Hates Me' .

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical has announced that a limited number of $40 same day tickets will be available via a digital lottery for select performances starting May 25th.

The Shanghai Orchestra Academy and Residency Partnership continues this summer with activities on two continents. The New York Philharmonic travels to Shanghai for its fourth annual residency, July 1-7, 2018, with concerts conducted by Music Director Designate Jaap van Zweden and Bramwell Tovey. This follows students from the Shanghai Orchestra Academy traveling to New York City for a week-long immersion in the life of an orchestral musician, June 9-16, 2018, as part of the New York Philharmonic Global Academy Fellowship Program. Starr International Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of the Shanghai Orchestra Academy and Residency Partnership.

2017 and 2018 have been stellar years for Gold Coast singer/songwriter Amy Shark and the celebrations are far from over after it was announced today that she has taken out the top prize in the 2018 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition with 'Adore'.

Tina Tchen, Chair of the Recording Academy's newly formed task force on diversity and inclusion, announced the names of the 16 members joining her in examining barriers and biases affecting women and other underrepresented voices in the music industry and, specifically, the Recording Academy. 

Now you won't have to stop dancing after the curtain comes down on SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical. Beginning tonight Bond 45 in its new location next door to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street), will host an after-party after every performance of SUMMER. The celebration will continue downstairs at Bond 45 with dancing to all of SUMMER's greatest hits and a themed menu of signature SUMMER cocktails including 'Hot Stuff,' 'Bad Girls,' and 'Last Dance.'.

SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical opened on Broadway last night, Monday, April 23, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street. We're taking you inside the cast's opening night party! Check out the pictures below!

SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical opened on Broadway last night, Monday, April 23, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street. Check out photos below of the cast taking their opening night bows!