Shows / The Price of Music
The Price of Music
The Price of Music: your essential weekly music biz explainer – with Stuart Dredge and Joe Sparrow.
Become a Price of Music Superfan and get extra content every week – at patreon.com/ThePriceofMusic
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For sponsorship email - joe@musically.com
The Price of Music is a Music Ally production:
https://musically.com/
joe@musically.com
Episodes
- The Price of Music
What is slop and spam music? (And why is there so much of it?) Daft Punk Lego! What makes venues "fair" for artists? Killing Grannies! Michael Bublé! And more...
Stuart is back, back, BACK, baby, and he returns with some giant numbers, a lot of slop, and hypothetically granny-murdering AI chatbots. In this week's…
- The Price of Music
Is music radio making a comeback? Or did it never go away? And what is different about music radio in 2026? We find out...
With Stuart under the weather and taking a well-earned rest to recover his lost voice, Joe wrangles full control of the podcast for one week only, and gets…
- The Price of Music
How much should billionaires pay for music? What would you pay for unheard Oasis gig recordings? How many songs has Peppa Pig made? And when is it too early to listen to Christmas songs?
This week on The Price Of Music, we end up talking philosophically about the, erm, price of music (as well as the actual philosophical value of it): → If you…
- The Price of Music
Viagogo gets feisty over new accusations; How much are Oasis tickets selling for?; UK anti-touting laws?; Sylvan Esso reluctantly back on Spotify; and more extreme weather show cancellations
This week on The Price Of Music, there's a vague but tangible 'us vs them' theme, and lot of hoo-ha about secondary ticketing: Secondary-ticketing firm Viagogo…
- The Price of Music
Making sense of the Ed Sheeran situation; The million-pound fake vinyl factory; Will there be a new Oasis album?; AI pioneer speaks to TPOM; and The Ace Of Shatner!
It's a MEGA-BUMPER episode this week, as Stu and Joe not only go over the biggest stories of the week, but also track down the man who pioneered AI generated…
- The Price of Music
Beyoncé's $900 record box (records not included); Macklemore, Ed Sheeran and politics on-stage; The giant streaming platform you've never heard of; The UK 'homegrown' artist chart; and more!
This week, Stu and Joe tread verrrrrry carefully around a bunch of hot-button topics: on-stage politics, billionaires billionaire-ing, and whether AI music is…
- The Price of Music
Artists sue Suno! Soft rock! Virtual snarky record-shop clerks! A 16-year old 'song of the summer'! And... chicken ice cream?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. As ever, Stu and Joe take a closer look at this week's music industry news, including: → TikTok’s…
- The Price of Music
Grand Theft Cliff; Are festivals being cancelled because of the climate crisis?; Gina's Pet Bangers!; SoundCloud sells WAVs and much more
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe plan an ultraviolent trip through the criminal underworld* as they take a look…
- The Price of Music
Should Netflix offer music streaming too? Are YouTube view counts meaningless now? Is music blogging back (inside Spotify?) Which song would you remix? Christian Metal vs KPop Demon Hunters!
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe show their age as they reference 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s pop culture whilst…
- The Price of Music
Artists pressure Andy Burnham over oil; Grammys removes foot from mouth; More popstar football sponsors; and why aren't Berlin clubbers drinking as much?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe revel in an extremely varied week of music biz news (including some more great…
- The Price of Music
Is the music streaming boom over? Is an AI-song about to become a real hit? Which lower league Welsh football club would YOUR favourite artist sponsor? And much more...
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe wade into share prices, EU Law, and German legal judgements... NO WAIT, COME…
- The Price of Music
Music streaming fraud – how does it work, who's making millions, and why does it need so much AI music?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe pivot the podcast to the popular TRUE CRIME format in order to woo a giant…
- The Price of Music
Andy Burnham gives UK grassroots venues hope; Spotify takes on YouTube; Emo is big in Mexico; Suno user data hacked; and... K-POP SHARKS!
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe comb their Emo fringes, use a tie as a belt, and pout about this week's music…
- The Price of Music
Over 50% of new songs uploaded are now AI-made(!); Lorde bashes Meta and Spotify; Why is Keith Richards in Roblox?; Is the Michael Jackson movie Bad or a Thriller?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe are back from two weeks' holiday in Rhyl – and immediately hop into a golf cart…
- The Price of Music
Making records out of recycled plastic bottles for Coldplay and Lorde
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe are still on their summer holidays in Rhyl, but before they packed their bags…
- The Price of Music
StubHub UK fined for ticket pricing; Artists' AI training pressure; Suno gives artists money; James Blake vs journalists; Artists' open letter for Fossil Fuel Treaty.
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe get ready for their summer holidays and punt a beachball at this week's music…
- The Price of Music
Music prediction markets: a half-billion dollar business based on guessing what will happen in music...
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe focus on one very interesting and rapidly-developing story in the music biz…
- The Price of Music
The Happy Mondays want to sell you a giant pill; World Cup songs: reviewed; Lionel Richie's phrases trademarked; YouTube's AI clause; Tupac is back (again); plus much more...
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week, Stu and Joe go football crazy and stick a reducer early doors on this week's music biz…
- The Price of Music
The UK's fan-led live music revolution: saving grassroots venues & fixing ticket rip-off pricing – with Lord Kevin Brennan and Shain Shapiro
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. This week: two very special guests talk about how to actually make important change happen in the…
- The Price of Music
Boards of Canada beef with, erm, The White House; Turning text message drama into songs; Universal says "no" to $55bn; Stream League lets you play Fantasy A&R; Last•fm goes indie; and more!
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in…
- The Price of Music
Ozzy Osbourne is... back?; Spotify's new tickets-for-fans feature; Does recycled vinyl sound good?; Drake's hit trio of albums; and Badger Badger Badger Badger...
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in…
- The Price of Music
Bangaranga post-Eurovision; Zara Larsson’s virtual pyjamas; Steve’s big announcement; How many songs have you heard on Spotify?; Plus: World Cup Muppets!
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in…
- The Price of Music
Los Campesinos! share US tour costs; Blue Dot Fever; 37% of UK grassroots venues in danger; AI label has AI band making AI music for AI fans; Drink beer, support artists!; and much more...
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in…
- The Price of Music
William Shatner's metal album; The Jimi Hendrix High Court Experience; Recycled vinyl; The UK's ban on touting/scalping is on pause; Big Spotify numbers; and more...
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in…
- The Price of Music
Which pub was Olivia Rodrigo drinking Guinness in? Can AIs run a record label? Taylor Swift trademarks her speaking voice; AND... Heavy metal dinosaurs.
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in…
- The Price of Music
Live Nation loses in court; Strong Opinions On Geese (of course); Live royalty argy-bargy; and live music reform in the UK...
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in bonus…
- The Price of Music
Radiohead's secret bunker; the Kanye/Wireless fallout; and how is the world's oldest record shop preparing for Record Store Day 2026? We chat to owner Ashli Todd to find out...
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in bonus…
- The Price of Music
Is merch getting unaffordable?; Bands cancelling gigs due to low ticket sales; Are we in a "Pop Slump"?; Music in space; Do you have irrational hate for a specific artist?; and Celine Dion is back?!
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in bonus…
- The Price of Music
Twigs Vs Twigs! Just how big is country music in the UK now?; Timbaland's new artist is unreal; Digging for deep cuts; and how much is AI Slop worth?
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in bonus…
- The Price of Music
Radiohead's twenty-show limit; Spotify lets you tweak its algorithm; Steve's SXSW debrief; BTS' mega-livestream; and... Salt-n-Pepa!
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy the exclusive weekly Lock-in bonus…
- The Price of Music
Asking fans to help wind the cables: Picture Parlour on what it's really like to be a touring indie band in 2026
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy a weekly Superfan Lock-in section!…
- The Price of Music
Radiohead and Kesha are furious; Artists are struggling to tour; Football cosies up to music; and buying a slice of your favourite artist
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy a weekly Superfan Lock-in section!…
- The Price of Music
Phonk: the biggest genre you've (probably) not heard of; Only 20% of the 2025 UK Top 100 were performed by UK artists; What is 'radio plugging'?; and your ashes in an urn that's also a speaker...
Your easy weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy a weekly Superfan Lock-in section! This…
- The Price of Music
Bigger than Ed Sheeran – have you heard of Mrs Green Apple? Why are so many old bands in the album charts? (And so few in the singles chart?) Plus: The Wiggles!
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. Become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and enjoy a weekly Superfan Lock-in section! This…
- The Price of Music
“Managers do a lot more than they used to...” – super-manager Niamh Byrne on Gorillaz, how the role of manager is changing, and more
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works: don't forget - you can become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and access an extra 20 mins of…
- The Price of Music
Why did Taylor Swift snub YouTube? Did Bad Bunny's Superbowl show boost his streaming numbers? Do teenagers want to go to gigs any more?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works: don't forget - you can become a Superfan of the podcast for free – and access an extra 20 mins of…
- The Price of Music
Have world tours stopped doing the "tour" part?; Apple Music had 2bn(!) fraudulent streams in 2025; Spotify pays out $11bn; and Bonnie Tyler speaks out!
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works – and this week Steve and Stu grapple with Harry Styles, Bonnie Tyler and Bruno Mars... Don't forget -…
- The Price of Music
The battle to keep one of the UK's great grassroots venues alive, buying the venue with the help of the community, and the many challenges small venues face in 2026 – with Ricky Bates of The Joiners
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works – and this week they speak to Ricky Bates, head of booking and promotion at the Joiners in Southampton…
- The Price of Music
Over 50 million songs got zero streams in 2025 – and other eye-popping data on music streaming
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works – and this week, Stu’s Big Number is also the Big Story – and here are some mind-boggling facts to…
- The Price of Music
Elon Musk versus the music industry; AI slop vs human artists - who gets paid?; How can YOU make and sell vinyl records?; and all hail the London Metal Ladies
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works – and this week, it’s a Billionaire Special! Stu’s big figure has three commas: Beyonce is now worth a…
- The Price of Music
Looking ahead to 2026: Live music's pivotal year; More reunion tours; How influential is the UK record industry now?; And Oasis: Knebworth in 2026 – or 2027?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. And it’s a bumper episode as Steve and Stu take a look ahead into 2026: what will the big stories be…
- The Price of Music
The Price of Music Christmas Quiz 2025!
Here it is! The long awaited, much feared Great Price of Music Christmas Quiz 2025 – which sees Steve pitted against Stu in a battle for the ages, as both vie…
- The Price of Music
Los Campesinos! share their streaming money data (and it's... sobering); Could a new budget policy be "the death knell for small venues"?; And what are Steve & Stu's Spotify Wrapped 'listening ages'?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. In this week’s episode of The Price of Music, Steve and Stu get stuck into a late-year flurry of big…
- The Price of Music
Spotify Wrapped is here (and why is it a big deal?); Why aren't there any matinee gigs?; Olivia Dean takes on Ticketmaster; and Jorja Smith takes on AI clones
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. In this week’s episode of The Price of Music, Steve and Stu pull on their Santa hats and get stuck in…
- The Price of Music
Exploding toilet cancels gig - but will the band and fans get their money back?; Is Spotify putting up prices again?; and yet more Baby Shark news
Get more TPOM in the post-show "lock-in" – try it for FREE!: https://www.patreon.com/c/thepriceofmusic/membership ==== Your weekly guide to the music biz…
- The Price of Music
Why don't venues advertise set times for gigs?; Ticket resale prices capped in the UK; Megadeth brew beer; *How many* people are already listening to "All I Want For Christmas Is You"?; & much more...
One more round? The post-show "lock-in" is just for our Patreon Superfans - try it for FREE!: https://www.patreon.com/c/thepriceofmusic/membership ====…
- The Price of Music
Why have The 1975 deleted a song? Can YOU tell the difference between AI music & real music (Answer: no.); An answer to why Fleetwood Mac are *still* popular; And music made £8bn for the UK in 2024…
Have you heard the now-legendary post-show "lock-in" section, just for our Patreon Superfans? Try it for FREE!…
- The Price of Music
Major label Universal to make AI-music service with Udio; How did Billie Eilish annoy Billionaires?; Spotify under fire over controversial ICE ads; Why are there no rap tracks in the US Top 40?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. And in this week’s episode of The Price of Music, Steve and Stu grapple with: Stu's Big Number is 11.5…
- The Price of Music
Fans First: Lord Kevin Brennan on fixing live music from the ground up - Bonus Episode
Bonus episode! Steve is joined by Lord Kevin Brennan, the ex-MP – and now member of the UK's House of Lords – who is also a musician, and has been described as…
- The Price of Music
Steve & Stu answer listener's questions: Why do ticket prices vary so much at the same venue? Why are some songwriter credits missing on streaming platforms (and do they still get paid)?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. In this week’s episode of The Price of Music, Steve and Stu dip into the postbag and answer some very…
- The Price of Music
Spotify will launch an AI-music service... but what might it be – and will artists get paid? MTV shuts its music video channels; The Irish basic income for musicians; and Stu sings Baby Shark (again)
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. In this week’s episode of The Price of Music, Steve and Stu crunch the numbers and figure out…
- The Price of Music
How difficult is it to put on a music festival these days, anyway?
A special episode for you this week - where TPOM wonders: just how hard is it to run a festival in 2025, anyway? Spoiler: it's tricky, but rewarding! To find…
- The Price of Music
Coldplay's first single is now worth *how much*? The best new band Steve's seen in months; An AI vs human band dust up; A splendidly indignant speech from RAYE; and Steve & Stu vs ‘Baby Shark’
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. And in this week’s episode of The Price of Music, Steve and Stu wrap their minds around... How much…
- The Price of Music
Steve reflects on working as a music journalist in the 1990s – and has lots to say on music journalism today; Spotify deletes 75 million "spam songs"; and why is TikTok so important to music?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. And goodness me, there's a lot in this week’s episode of The Price of Music for our dynamic duo to get…
- The Price of Music
Massive Attack pull music from Spotify in protest; Ticketmaster sued by US government; Lizzo thinks that music videos are dead; More album-filing dilemmas; & people are listening to "My Humps" again?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. In this week’s multi-faceted episode of The Price of Music our intrepid duo get to grips with... Stu’s…
- The Price of Music
*How many* AI-generated songs are uploaded to streaming each week? Why are Radiohead's fans angry about tickets? Why has Spotify given users lossless music for free? And much more...
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. In this week’s action-packed episode of The Price of Music: a bunch of extremely interesting music biz…
- The Price of Music
Morrissey, Mazzy Star, and, erm, Bonnie Tyler: selling The Smiths’ songs, and the truth on music streaming royalties – do artists REALLY get such a bad deal?
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. In this week’s The Price of Music: an urgent-ish delve into the news that Morrissey has announced he…
- The Price of Music
The Weeknd’s big streaming milestone; ABBA Gold’s long chart run; Ready for friends to slide into your Spotify DMs?; Apple Music Radio expands; and Radiohead’s ‘Let Down’ gets a TikTok boost.Th
Your weekly guide to the music biz and how it all works. In this week’s The Price of Music: Steve takes over Big Number duties to reveal how many weeks ‘ABBA…
- The Price of Music
Coldplay's never-ending world tour keeps selling tickets; K-Pop Demon Hunters!; What on earth is "speculative ticketing"?; Bandcamp's $3.5m Friday; and has Steve actually “gone deaf for a living?”
If you want an easy guide to the music biz and how it all works – here we are! In this week's The Price of Music: Stuart’s Big Number involves Coldplay, a lot…
- The Price of Music
Spotify's prices go up again; Which album's songs are in the wrong order?; Napster are being sued (is it 1999 again?); How easy is it to get a #1 album?; Steve's tip for getting into a sold-out gig
Steve and Stu have questions – so many questions. Fortunately they also have answers! In this episode: Stuart's Big Number is 217.5 million... and what does it…