Hypebot published a summary of the most read music business stories from the previous week on January 4, 2026. Key topics included Live Nation's antitrust lawsuit defense, Bandcamp Friday's 2026 schedule, and industry predictions for the coming year. The roundup highlighted various expert insights and practical guides for music professionals.
The music industry saw several notable developments in the week leading up to January 4, 2026, as outlined in Hypebot's roundup of top-read posts. Live Nation took further steps to dismiss a Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit, arguing there was 'zero proof' of wrongdoing. This ongoing legal battle continues to draw attention amid broader scrutiny of the ticketing giant.
Bandcamp announced its Friday event dates for all of 2026, offering artists a platform for direct sales with reduced fees. This initiative remains a vital support for independent musicians. Industry predictions featured prominently, with Hypebot compiling key takeaways from experts across the sector, including eight forecasts for 2026 and specific insights from Dmitri Vietze of Rock Paper Scissors PR and Jacob Varghese of Noctil.
Other highlights included a guide to promoting new music via Apple Music for Artists and an explanation of Tickets For Good, a program aiding charitable ticketing. The roundup also covered nine upcoming conferences for independent music professionals and explored reasons behind the numerous festival cancellations in 2025. Additionally, Jewish rapper Kosha Dillz shared experiences performing on Hanukkah in 2025, adding a personal perspective to cultural events in music.
Bruce Houghton, Hypebot's editor, curated these stories to keep professionals informed on trends and opportunities.
