A BLOG OF SORTS FROM CHRIS COOKE
October 2025 Updates
Udio is THRILLED
It’s the brave new world of AI music licensing deals – and yet everyone is still “THRILLED”. Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez “couldn’t be more THRILLED” about his big Universal Music deal. Can’t the robots think of a better word? Meanwhile, here’s my CMU report on the UMG/Udio news.
Sneaky shortcut
Given all the many changes at Tottenham Court Road Station in recent years, I’m pleased this secret sneaky shortcut to the east bound Central Line platform still exists! I utilised it today after a quick visit to Soho for a rather marvellous Katie Melua lunchtime gig at Ronnie Scott’s.
Nuno Saraiva op-ed
There was lots of interesting discussion about the evolving streaming model and Universal’s Downtown deal at SoAlive in Sofia earlier this month. Nuno had those discussions on stage during two panels I saw – and now he’s written an op-ed for CMU providing more of his perspectives. Read it here.
Back at NTU
Back at NTU in Whitechapel to deliver another lecture – today, collecting societies. Or collective management organisations, if you prefer. Or performing rights organisations. Or music licensing companies. Why have one term when you can have four!
One month to MIME
So, it’s now one month to go until this year’s MIME Conference, bringing together music industry + music education to discuss how to better support future music talent. Check the schedule + get tickets here.
Sound.Waves.
Looking forward to heading to Ireland next month for Sound.Waves. taking place in Adare, County Limerick on 12 and 13 Nov – a great new conference that is putting the spotlight on music, podcasting and content creation. More info on the podnews website here.
Artist Days
With November insisting on getting ever closer, probably a good time to plug the fact there are two editions of the FAC Artist Day with CMU happening next month – one in Leicester and one in Leeds. Do spread the word to any artists you know in those two cities – info and free tickets here.
Bulgaria globe
I couldn’t find a Bulgaria snow globe at Sofia Airport yesterday, but there was this mini-globe from Bulgaria, which I figured was close enough. I’m back in London and – to celebrate – am heading over to Fulham to talk about music copyright for two hours.
Plugs
Despite my wifi dramas on arrival at Sofia’s Astoria Grand Hotel, and its Cold Showers Only Wednesday scheme, I did appreciate this little note in my room. If you’re one of those hotels with hidden power sockets in slightly odd places, it’s good if can you tell us where to find them!
More SoAlive
Another great day at SoAlive – listening instead of talking today, with insightful panels on the state of music journalism and the so called ‘artist-centric’ model, plus Rob Garza in conversation. Hope to check out at least one more panel tomorrow before returning to London.
Sofia view
The view from my hotel room in Sofia. Shoddy wifi, no hot water and terrible customer service, but hurrah for the view! Back at the brilliant SoAlive today for a panel on showcase festivals and music conferences.
I’m in Sofia!
I’m in Sofia! They even let me through the automatic border gates with my British passport – hurrah for Bulgaria! Sitting on a bean bag trying to get some CMU news stories written before my 5.15pm speed briefing on TikTok and YouTube, friend or foe?
Heading to Bulgaria
As well as my speed briefing on Tuesday at the SoAlive Music Conference in Bulgaria, I’m also moderating this panel on the Wednesday. If you’re heading to Sofia for the festivities, hope to see you there!
Double lecture day
Double lecture day today. I was at ICMP in Kilburn earlier to talk all things music and AI – the big copyright debates and beyond. Now I’m back at NTU in Whitechapel to talk about record and publishing deals, all the options, plus pros and cons of different approaches.
DLR news
My YouTube feed at the moment is basically 50% stand-ups doing crowd work and 50% deeply depressing political discussions. But it’s good to know the algorithm is remembering to still stick the big train news stories in there too.
TW:Backstage
It’s my latest TW Backstage Round-Up over on ThisWeek Culture: MPs told about challenges faced by Edinburgh’s festivals; Tilly Norwood prompts new calls for AI protections; Edinburgh Fringe announces partner for website overhaul.
Heading to Bulgaria
Next week I’ll be heading to Bulgaria for the first time, which is rather exciting. If you’re attending the SoAlive Music Conference, do check out my speed briefing on the Tuesday: ‘UGC + Social Media Platforms – Friend Or Foe?’
Pondering
Pondering deeply at Output last week. Maybe about the copyright obligations of AI companies and the debate over creator consent in the context of AI. Or maybe over whether or not my on-stage Zoom link to Naomi at MU was going to work. Thanks to Output and Ellen Blair for the photo.
At NTU
I’m at Nottingham Trent University… Whitechapel campus, which is slightly more convenient for those of us who are based in Leyton. Here to deliver the first in a series of lectures, today all about – and a big surprise here! – MUSIC COPYRIGHT.
MIME schedule
We’ve published an outline of the panels, presentations and interviews that will feature at this year’s Music Industry + Music Education Conference on 22 Nov. Check the schedule here, then use the code mime50 when buying tickets to get at 50% discount!