Our Music Industry + Music Education Conference returns in November. We've just announced details of our key themes for this year on the website - bit.ly/4mJ2NM7 - plus I have a discount code you can use to still get tickets at the early bird rate of £25 (it's mime50).

Earlier today I got to deliver the first online lecture for the very latest programme from the Eastern European Music Academy, all about making money from music. Lots of great questions as always - too many in fact - but we have another session on Thursday to go through the rest.

Busy day for music + copyright legal news with the big Anthropic settlement; a plethora of amicus briefs supporting ISP Cox in its billion dollar battle with the major labels; + SoundExchange appealing the ruling that say's it can't sue. Read my reports at completemusicupdate.com

Over on ThisWeek Culture we select + summarise recent developments in the culture business. This week: the $1.5 billion settlement in the authors v Anthropic case; Equity responds to dismissal of Spotlight fees litigation; new culture minister - bit.ly/3Vc13yW

Currently on my way to Bristol for the first of four FAC Artist Days. I'll be joining Kelli-Leigh, Guvna B + Ollie Judge from Squid + a plethora of brilliant music industry guests to discuss the business of being an artist in music in 2025. Hope to see some of you there!

Over on ThisWeek Culture we select + summarise recent developments in the culture business. This week: Equity to appeal Spotlight ruling; Creative UK highlights 'worrying underrepresentation' in sector; Royal Court launches Young Playwrights Award - bit.ly/4nrD1vY

We had a great FAC Artist Day in Bristol last weekend. The next edition is this weekend in Newcastle, on Saturday, where I'll be dissecting the business of being an artist in music with Geoff Kirkwood, Ruth Lyon and Jaff from The Futureheads. Info: bit.ly/3Iubdbn

Next Thursday I'll be in Belfast for this year's Output. Join me for 'Music + AI: What The F*ck Is Going On Right Now?' - I'll present a CMU speed briefing and then dissect the big AI debates with Naomi Pohl from the Musicians' Union and Jude Copeland from Cleaver Fulton Rankin.

I'm in Newcastle! For the first time since a trip to the Gateshead Garden Festival in 1990. Obviously I've gone through Newcastle Station countless times heading to Edinburgh, but this time I got off the train! I'm here for the next FAC Artist Day happening tomorrow at The Cluny.

Great time in Newcastle for the FAC Artist Day. Never figured out what this little pot of water above the door of my hotel room was for - maybe it keeps the ghosts at bay. I mean, I didn’t see any ghosts the whole time I was there.

Another quick reminder about our MIME Conference that is taking place in Manchester on 22 Nov. Find out about this year's big topics here: bit.ly/4mqrewM - and if you think you could support the event as a sponsor, info on that here: bit.ly/3W1k1bS

Earlier this year we put together a Pathways Into Music advisory board made up of twelve brilliant people who have been providing insights and ideas to inform our various programmes that are connecting music industry and music education. Meet them here: bit.ly/4gMkA2T

On my way to Belfast for the magnificent Output. I'm hosting two sessions this year, including 'Get Played, Get Paid: How Music Streaming Really Works', where I will be joined by Sarah Johnston from EmuBands, and Tom Gray wearing many hats I'm sure, including Ivors Academy Chair.

A really great day here at Output in Belfast, as is always the case! Thanks to Naomi, Jude, Sarah and Tom for joining me at my two sessions, and to everyone who came along to listen. And unlike my Output trip last year, I don't now have an overnight bus/flight to Berlin!

I can report that Room 124 at Belfast's Bullitt hotel was very nice indeed, but I'm still wondering what extras I'd have got had I'd stayed down the corridor in "The Good Room". At least I have something to aspire to for the next time I visit. And now, back to London.

My favourite station platform view once again. Heading down to Brighton to do more planning for this year’s MIME Conference, which takes place on 22 Nov in Manchester. Get your tickets now! Info here - bit.ly/4mqrewM - make sure you use the discount code mime50.

Recent developments in the culture business over on ThisWeek Culture: Comedians criticised for performing at Saudi Arabia comedy festival; Sadler's Wells under increased pressure over Barclays sponsorship; Equity and MU make demands of government: bit.ly/3KwGE5s

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 - bit.ly/4mqrewM - then use the code mime50 when buying tickets to get at 50% discount!

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.

Pondering deeply at Output last week. Maybe about the copyright obligations of AI companies + 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 + Ellen Blair for the photo.