The biggest music industry news | September 2026 roundup
Spotify’s latest artist initiatives, streaming growth in the US and Spain, Instagram’s new AI labels and fresh developments in AI music and copyright. Plus, RouteNote joins a wider industry effort to tackle streaming fraud.
RouteNote joins the Music Fights Fraud Alliance
RouteNote has joined the Music Fights Fraud Alliance (MFFA), an industry-wide initiative bringing together more than 35 organisations to tackle streaming fraud and other fraudulent activity in digital music. The alliance aims to improve how the industry detects, prevents and responds to fraud through greater collaboration between distributors, streaming services and rights organisations. The move builds on RouteNote’s existing fraud prevention work, while giving the company an opportunity to share knowledge and contribute to wider industry efforts to protect legitimate artists and labels.
US recorded music revenue approaches $6 billion
US recorded music revenue grew 6.9% year-on-year to $5.97 billion in the first half of 2026, according to the RIAA, with streaming accounting for around 82% of the total. CDs saw a surprising resurgence, with revenue climbing 58.6%, while vinyl revenue rose 17.7%, bringing physical music revenue up 25.9%. Sync licensing also recorded strong growth, increasing 18.2% to $231.8 million, while permanent downloads continued to decline. The figures highlight a market still dominated by streaming but increasingly supported by physical formats and licensing opportunities.
Spain’s recorded music market grows 11.6%
Spain’s recorded music market grew 11.6% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, generating €181.4 million in wholesale revenue, according to PROMUSICAE. Digital music accounted for 88.5% of revenue, with streaming making up the largest share and paid subscriptions growing 15.1% to €121 million. Physical music also saw growth, with vinyl revenue rising 27.7% and CDs increasing by 4.3%. Spain’s growth outpaced the US and Germany over the same period, highlighting the continued expansion of one of Europe’s major music markets.
Instagram introduces AI-generated profile labels
Instagram is introducing a new label to help users identify profiles built around AI-generated people. Accounts identified as unlabelled AI profiles could lose recommendation eligibility across Reels, Explore and suggested content, limiting their reach. Creators who use AI tools without presenting an AI-generated identity won’t need the label.
Suno appears to be expanding into merchandise
Suno appears to be preparing a new merchandise store, with a “Coming soon” page already live at shop.suno.com. As sources report, the store is being built with creator commerce platform Fourthwall, although Suno hasn’t revealed what it plans to sell. The move follows Suno’s upcoming vinyl service, which will let users turn their AI-generated music into physical records.
Spotify launches Fresh Finds Forward
Spotify has launched Fresh Finds Forward, a new 12-month programme offering support to around 10,000 emerging independent artists each year. Building on its Fresh Finds playlist network, the initiative offers eligible artists resources including studio time, premium creative tools, industry events, wellness support and access to selected Spotify opportunities. Artists featured on eligible Fresh Finds playlists from the 1st of January 2026 onwards can be invited to join through Spotify for Artists.
Suno v6 faces user backlash and new copyright lawsuit
Suno’s new v6 AI music models have faced criticism from users who say the updated system produces muffled, compressed and less convincing music, with some calling for older models to return. Meanwhile, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment have filed a second copyright lawsuit against Suno, alleging it copied 60,202 recordings without permission. The labels argue that v6 may still have inherited information from earlier models allegedly trained on unlicensed music, despite Suno’s claims that it was built from scratch.
Spotify tests early access for Premium users in India
Spotify is testing a new release model in India that gives Premium subscribers up to 72 hours of early access to selected new music before it reaches free listeners. The trial forms part of a wider Universal Music Group strategy to encourage paid streaming in a market where music listening is widespread, but subscriptions remain relatively low. Selected artists and labels can choose to participate, making early access another potential way to build anticipation around major releases.