A crucial element in reviewing mergers in the music sector is what’s at stake for the ecosystem and cultural diversity. A new paper published by IMPALA predicts that the proposed UMG/Downtown acquisition carries significant risks for both the quantity and diversity of independent releases.

IMPALA has released its fifth Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Report, providing insights into its ongoing efforts in this area. Published on the anniversary of the organisation’s EDI Charter, the report is the result of work by IMPALA’s taskforce, which for the past year was co-chaired by Eva Karman Reinhold and Ben Wynter, and supported by advisor Keith Harris OBE.

The highly anticipated Music Moves Europe Awards 2026 are excited to unveil the 15 outstanding artists nominated for this year’s awards. Representing the most exciting and innovative talent from across Europe, these artists are ready to make their mark on the international stage, showcasing fresh sounds and bold creativity.

beatBread, a leader in funding for independent labels and musicians, has announced the launch of the Global Independence Fund (GIF), a new $100 million fund designed to provide independent labels and distributors with flexible financial support.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #9 on BandCamp is now out.

Independent music leaders today published 100 Voices, a campaign with a clear message – Universal Music Group’s proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings should be blocked.

Spotify and Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independents, today announced the renewal of their global, multi-year licensing partnership. This agreement reinforces the vital role of independent music on Spotify and provides Merlin members continued access to a platform that reaches fans worldwide.

IMPALA today launches the pilot version of its new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Toolkit, developed with support from its EU network grant. The toolkit combines a self-assessment tool, a training platform and IMPALA’s EDI survey into one integrated framework designed specifically for the independent music sector.

We, the undersigned organisations from across Europe’s music sector, welcome the European Commission’s proposal to establish AgoraEU for 2028–2034 and its commitment to strengthen Europe’s cultural and creative sectors (CCS). With CCS contributing €354 billion in value added and employing 6.3% of the EU workforce, this investment is vital.1distributor relationships and platform specific tools.

Join the next Digital Forward webinar from CMU and IMPALA where we will explore how independent labels can leverage streaming platform tools to market releases. While playlist placement often dominates the conversation, success on Ps requires an understanding of an often complex and confusing ecosystem of algorithmic signals,
distributor relationships and platform specific tools.

Join the next Digital Forward webinar from CMU and IMPALA where we will explore how independent labels can leverage streaming platform tools to market releases. While playlist placement often dominates the conversation, success on Ps requires an understanding of an often complex and confusing ecosystem of algorithmic signals,
distributor relationships and platform specific tools.

In 2025, WIN partnered with IMPALA to collaborate under its new program of work co-funded by the EU and strengthen cross-border cooperation between the global and European independent music sectors.

As part of its EU network project, IMPALA is announcing the first iteration of the European Independent Music Summit, a high-level strategic meeting taking place on Wednesday 29 October in Zagreb. This year, the Summit is organised in collaboration with RUNDA Adria, the association of independent music companies in the Adria region, as part of IMPALA’s ongoing focus on boosting the independent music sector in the region.

IMPALA is delighted to reveal the recipients of the 2025 Artist and Label Camps, a programme co-funded by the European Union to strengthen the independent music ecosystem across Europe.

The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) has announced the program and speakers for its annual global conference WINCON, taking place October 15–16 in Sofia, Bulgaria, organized in partnership with ANMIP-BG (the Association of Independent Music Publishers & Producers – Bulgaria) and hosted by SoAlive Music Conference. Marking its 10th anniversary, WINCON 2025 will bring together leaders from over 40 countries to shape the future of the independent music sector.

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the EU Court’s « RAAP ruling ». Heads of European music industry bodies and EU parliamentarians agree this anniversary is a new opportunity to commit to concrete action and renew their call on the European Commission to come forward with a legislative fix.

Kees van Weijen has spent over fifty years in the music industry, including senior roles such as Executive Vice President at Universal, before focusing on strengthening the independent sector, including through his independent distribution business Rough Trade which was sold to [PIAS]. As Board Member as well as former Chairman and President of IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, and founder of the Dutch independent network STOMP, he has long been a leading advocate for cultural diversity and fair competition in music.

Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the international network that brings together 37 independent music trade associations operating in 43 territories, has released its 2024-25 Annual Report. The report provides an overview of the activities carried out by the organization from July 2024 to June 2025, highlighting progress in supporting, developing and further connecting the independent community.

Representing a broad coalition of European and global authors, performers, publishers,
producers and other rightsholder organisations, we wish to formally express our dissatisfaction
with the published GPAI Code of Practice, the GPAI Guidelines, and the Template for disclosure
of a sufficiently detailed summary of training data under Article 53 of the EU AI Act.

IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies representing over 6,000 independent music companies and associations, welcomes the European Commission’s decision to open a detailed investigation (phase two) into the proposed merger between Universal Music Group (UMG) and Downtown Music Holdings.

Following on our previous statement, IMPALA calls on EU policy makers to #StayTrueToTheAct and uphold the principles of transparency, consent, and protection of creators, as illustrated in the video sharing ‘Sophia’s Story’.

A coalition of leading European and international independent music companies and trade associations have issued an open letter to Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera at the European Commission, urging the Commission to conduct a deep investigation of Universal Music Group’s (UMG) proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings. This follows a Financial Times exclusive this morning, available here.

The European cultural sector has come together to call on the European Commission, European Parliament and Member States to reinforce the Creative Europe programme in the next EU long-term budget (MFF).

In an open letter sent to the European Commission’s Vice-President and Commissioner for Competition Teresa Ribera, WIN CEO Noemí Planas adds her voice to that of WIN’s sister organization IMPALA in Europe and our Spanish member UFi in calling for a detailed investigation into the UMG/Downtown acquisition. The eyes of the independent music community worldwide are on the EC for leadership to set the standard globally and block this acquisition outright.

At the board meeting ahead of summer and its annual general meeting in October, IMPALA confirmed its strategic priorities and brainstormed on the questions including the current economic climate, its impact on businesses and associations in the sector, as well as streaming reform and consolidation.

As part of its overall EU Network Programme, IMPALA members held its first Blue-sky session to brainstorm on implementation of the new project so far.

Op-ed by IMPALA’s Executive Chair Helen Smith originally released on Music Ally on 25 June 2025.

“Unimaginable in any other sector”

All markets need big companies.

And the world’s biggest music company is more than that. UMG is innovative and bullish. And a great collaborator on so many issues.

The only question is whether there is a point at which big becomes too big?

IMPALA is launching a new initiative designed to foster cross-border collaboration, peer learning and capacity building among independent labels across Europe. This new ‘Label Camp’ project is part of IMPALA’s EU network programme, which co-funds certain projects, boosting the organisation’s work to reinforce the independent music ecosystem.

We’re pleased to invite you to our upcoming IMPALA x CMU webinar taking place this Friday, 27th June at 15:00 CET / 14:00 GMT, as part of our Digital Forward project, co-funded by the European Union.

Webinar title: ‘How do you build sustainable marketing strategies beyond streaming platforms?’ – Friday, 27 June – 15:00 CET / 14:00 GMT. This session will explore the findings of our newly released report: ‘Digital Marketing for Independent Record Labels PART 1 – Mastering Off-Platform Strategies’, the first publication under our Digital Forward series.

IMPALA is pleased to announce the release of its very first report as part of our new Digital Forward project, co-funded by the European Union, titled: ‘Digital Marketing for Independent Record Labels PART 1 – Mastering Off-Platform Strategies’. This report explores practical approaches to off-platform marketing — marketing activities that take place outside of streaming platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music.

The European commission has today started its formal investigation into UMG’s acquisition of Downtown, with a provisional deadline of 22nd July to reach an initial conclusion.

We want to stress again the importance for all IMPALA members of making sure their rights are reserved in the context of AI training/machine learning.

Former Chief Economist of the UK competition authority, as well as musician and independent music label co-founder, Professor Amelia Fletcher of the University of East Anglia, has sent a letter to the Vice President of the European Commission Teresa Ribera urging her to conduct an in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition.

Nearly five years on from the EU’s RAAP ruling, French Socialist MEP Emma Rafowicz and fellow MEPs from across the political spectrum and from various EU member states have asked Executive Vice President of the European Commission Henna Virkkunen to share the EC’s timeline for clarifying conformity of the principle of reciprocity with EU law.

A new report “Combating the Emergence of a Two-Tier Music Streaming Market” has been published today. Analysing recent evolutions in the music streaming market, the report warns that a two-tier industry is emerging which requires “immediate attention”.

With this year’s EU Green Week focus on “Circular Solutions for a Competitive EU,” IMPALA – the European association of independent music companies – is calling on policymakers to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the cultural and creative sectors have equitable access to clean energy and climate transition tools.

As we close European Diversity Month, IMPALA presents its remuneration playbook* – a reminder of some of the basic components of a comprehensive strategy for decision makers to boost revenues and diversity. This is important as the independent sector accounts for 80% of all new musical releases in Europe today and is made up of thousands of micro, small and medium sized businesses, playing a key role in taking risks, boosting diversity and partnering artists in their careers.

IMPALA is pleased to announce the 2025 recipient of its revamped Changemaker Award: MEWEM, a pioneering mentoring programme that supports women and gender minorities, including female, trans, and non-binary talents, encouraging them to become entrepreneurs and to increase representation within the music industry.

Europe’s creative sectors call on EU policymakers to uphold transparency, consent, and creators’ rights in AI Act implementation

IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, has launched a new EU-funded support scheme aimed at boosting sector-led initiatives working on equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and environmental sustainability.

The EDI taskforce is pleased to invite you to an online roundtable, “Amplifying voices: supporting LGBTQ+ musicians in the face of discrimination,” taking place on Thursday, 22nd May at 3pm CET / 2pm GMT.

Musicians and industry leaders from the UK and Europe have joined forces to demand urgent action to remove the barriers to touring across the EU.

IMPALA is proud to announce the launch of its new Artist Camp project, co-funded by the European Union as part of IMPALA’s 2025–2028 network programme.

IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, welcomes the European Commission’s decision to investigate the proposed merger between Universal Music Group (UMG) and Downtown Music Holdings, home to companies such as Fuga, CD Baby, Songtrust, Curve, AdvRev, as well as other businesses in the music sector.

This week, IMPALA exchanged with European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef, for an in-depth discussion on the future of Europe’s cultural sectors and how music has a key role within it.

This Earth Day, Merlin is proud to support the launch of the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund. The fund is a new, multi-year joint initiative between Merlin and IMPALA, designed to accelerate the independent music community’s transition toward a more sustainable future.

The following MBW op/ed comes from Ruth Barlow, Chair of the UK’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) and Director of Live Licensing at the Beggars Group. Barlow’s career in music spans 25+ years, with experience across radio, live music strategy and licensing, and she is a long-term champion for the rights of independent labels, artists, and their partners. Barlow also serves on the board of UK Music and is a board observer for Earth Agency and BPI Council.

Following formal requests by national competition authorities to the European regulator to open an investigation into UMG/Downtown, an influential European parliamentarian, Aurore Lalucq (chair of the economic affairs committee) has also raised concerns in a written question.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #8 on PANDORA is now out.

Universal Music Group’s (UMG) acquisition of Downtown Music faces EU scrutiny following a referral request from an EU member state, as first reported last week. This deal was part of a wave of acquisitions by UMG including independent labels PIAS and 8Ball Music, all announced within a few months of each other. Further strategic acquisitions are also expected.

IMPALA is taking its digital strategy to the next level with Digital Forward, a new initiative designed to equip independent music companies with the insights they need to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape. Developed in cooperation with Complete Music Update (CMU) as part of IMPALA’s new programme of work co-funded by the EU for the next four years, the project will provide IMPALA members with in-depth intelligence on streaming, digital trends, market dynamics, emerging business models and more.

Below is a joint statement published today by a broad coalition of creator and rightholder organisations, including IMPALA, coming out strongly against the third draft of the GPAI Code of Practice.

IMPALA is pleased to announce the 100 Artists to Watch for 2025, in partnership with YouTube, marking the fourth consecutive year of this exciting initiative. This year’s lineup features a vibrant and diverse selection of emerging talent from across Europe’s independent music scene, providing a fresh outlook on the future of the industry while celebrating the rich cultural diversity that is at the heart of independent music.

IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, is joining forces with the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) on a new WINHUB project, part of IMPALA’s new programme of work co-funded by the EU for the next four years. This collaboration will amplify WINHUB’s reach with an exclusive community platform and new events designed to enhance global connections and export opportunities for independent music businesses.

IMPALA has awarded its Outstanding Contribution Award to Eva Karman Reinhold, chair of SOM (Swedish Independent Music Producers) and founder and co-chair of IMPALA’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) task force, in recognition of her exceptional dedication to the independent sector.

As we warned in our statement last week, UMG’s juggernaut strategy of rapid acquisitions continues, with 8Ball Music, a Dutch independent label and IMPALA member, being the latest independent to be bought.

As the IMPALA EDI task force marks its fifth anniversary, along with the launch of the EDI Charter, we sat down with Eva Karman Reinhold, co-chair of the EDI task force, for a conversation on International Women’s Day. With this year’s theme, Accelerate Action, emphasising the urgency of advancing gender equality, she reflects on the journey so far, sharing insights into IMPALA’s achievements, the challenges faced, key lessons learned, and her vision for the future of IMPALA’s EDI task force.

IMPALA, the voice of Europe’s independent records labels, is warning that music industry giant Universal Music Group (UMG) could increase its stranglehold over the music market if it is allowed to buy up key distribution companies and other services labels and artists need to reach fans.

Last week in Ljubljana, during the annual MENT Showcase and Industry Conference, a group of trade associations members introduced a new initiative—the CEE Independent Music Academy, supported by IMPALA.

IMPALA’s Strategic Primers’ project with Music Ally is all about maximising streaming opportunities for independents. Our Primer #6 on Instagram and #7 on TikTok are now out. Join us on 27th February for a Q&A session with Music Ally.