Twenty-nine seasons in, and The Voice is still finding new ways to shake up the competition.

On Monday (March 9), the singing competition series announced the introduction of new mentor roles as well as a whole new game within the game. The show, which premiered its 29th season last month, will see the return of familiar faces, new advisors stepping up to the plate and an all-new all-star competition.

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Three iconic The Voice coaches are returning to the show to help mentor contestants as they try to sing their way to victory. Original The Voice coach CeeLo Green will serve as a Mega Mentor for Adam Levine and John Legend’s teams. Meanwhile Michael Bublé, who judged the previous three seasons of the show, will be a Mega Mentor for Kelly Clarkson’s contestants. Jennifer Hudson will also return as an Alumni Coach to help mentor Team Kelly during coaching rehearsals.

The three returning coaches aren’t the only ones stepping onto The Voice stage as mentors: The Voice Australia coach and Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden will join Levine as an advisor during the battle rounds. Meanwhile, Grammy-winning R&B singer Muni Long will assist Team Legend as a battle advisor.

On top of the new mentor roles, The Voice is also reintroducing some alumni contestants to the show. In the new in-season all-star competition, each of the three coaches will bring back two artists from their teams in previous seasons to compete in head-to-head sing-off battles. CeeLo will serve as the judge for the All-Star Showdown and determine the winner. Representing Team Adam in the in-season competition are season 1 winner Javier Colon and season 9 winner Jordan Smith. Team Kelly will be represented by season 21 winner Girl Named Tom and season 17 winner Jake Hoot. Season 16 winner Maelyn Jarmon and season 27 fan favorite RENZO will represent Team Legend. The coach with the most sing-off wins will be guaranteed a second finalist in the finale. With the new showdown format, these returning contestants may help determine the winner of the season.

The Voice airs weekly Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and is available for streaming the next day on Peacock.

Despite what headlines you might have read, Jack White does not in fact think Taylor Swift‘s music is boring.

On Monday (March 9), White shared a lengthy text post to his Instagram, with the White Stripes co-founder explaining that he’s putting the post up for just a day and then taking it down. White then gets straight into business. “I didn’t say I think Taylor Swift’s music is ‘boring,’” White says. “Or whatever click bait the net is trying to scrape together.”

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The post is a direct response to backlash from a Sunday interview with The Guardian. When asked if any of his songs were entirely autobiographical, White said that they are not. “Now it’s become very popular in the Taylor Swift way of pop singers writing about all of their publicly aired break-ups.” He then says that he doesn’t find this style of songwriting “interesting at all.”

Naturally, the Internet quickly went ablaze. Less than 24 hours after the interview was published, publications recirculated the quote under headlines announcing that White was “throwing shade” at the “Anti-Hero” singer. Insider Hook‘s managing editor Bonnie Stiernberg shared a think piece titled “There Is ‘No Right’ Way to Write a Song.” And, of course, Swifties were quick to defend their queen. Some called out White for being a “hypocrite,” stating that half of his music was about his divorce with Karen Elson. Others pointed out that White’s comments came out on International Women’s Day. One simply said “not all men but always a man.”

In response to the flak, the “Seven Nation Army” singer clears the air in his Instagram post. He explains that his point was that he found writing about himself in his lyrics uninteresting, and that imaginary characters are “more attractive for me as a writer.”

He continues to acknowledge Swift’s and other similar songwriters’ success in the industry and says that he is “very happy for them that they’ve succeeded in engaging with so many music lovers in their own way.”

After clearing up what he meant regarding songwriting and Swift’s style, White turns his attention to journalists.

“These are the times where I’m made less and less interested in doing interviews,” he says. “Because in the age of this massive demand for click bait and content, any scrape of anything interesting or off the beaten path that can be turned into drama is swarmed over and spit out as bait.”

As a result, White finds himself less willing to give answers with “any sort of romance or passion or reflection” as he feels they may be misconstrued and used to boost page views.

Hopefully, White’s post — which at the time of publication is still up — will lay to bed the newly manufactured beef between the rocker and pop star.

A group of independent artists, songwriters and producers has brought a new copyright infringement lawsuit accusing Google of training its Lyria 3 artificial intelligence model on unlicensed music pulled from YouTube.

The complaint, filed on Friday (March 6) and reviewed by Billboard, follows a series of copyright cases brought by music rightsholders against AI song generators Suno and Udio over the past two years. This is the first such lawsuit to go after Google, which launched Lyria 3 through the Gemini app last month, allowing users to generate up to 30-second AI songs based on text and image prompts.

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Google’s entry into the AI music market differs from existing services because it already owns YouTube, home to millions of songs uploaded by artists and labels. Friday’s lawsuit alleges Google used this position “to pivot from distributor to competitor,” supposedly extracting audio elements from YouTube videos and feeding them into the Lyria training set without paying artists.

“Google had every opportunity to develop this product legally,” reads Friday’s lawsuit. “It owns YouTube and runs Content ID. It has long-standing relationships with major labels and distributors. It has the technical infrastructure, financial resources and industry connections to clear rights before training. Google chose not to do so, not because licensing was impossible, but because copying was faster and cheaper.”

Reps for Google did not immediately return a request for comment on the lawsuit on Monday (March 9). In a statement to Billboard last month, the company said Lyria 3 is mindful of copyright concerns and only trains on music that YouTube and Google have “a right to use under our terms of service, partner agreements and applicable law.”

The lawsuit was filed by an all-indie group of music creators: singer/songwriter Sam Kogon, composer/producer Magnus Fiennes, songwriter/producer Michael Mell, R&B group Attack the Sound, father-and-son folk rock duo Stan Burjek and James Burjek, and the Chicago-based band Directrix.

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All of those artists publish music on YouTube and therefore allege their work was likely included in the Lyria 3 training dataset. They’re bringing copyright infringement claims against Google as to both publishing and recorded music rights, plus various other intellectual property, privacy and consumer protection claims.

The case is a proposed class action, meaning the plaintiffs want relief for all indie artists who have allegedly been harmed by Google’s conduct. They’re seeking financial damages and noting that music produced by Lyria 3 is taking real work, such as sync licensing opportunities, away from human beings.

“Google markets these outputs for the same uses, and to the same buyers, as the music plaintiffs create and license,” reads the lawsuit. “The result is not incidental competition from a tool with a different purpose. It is direct, designed-in market substitution at a scale that individual human creators cannot match.”

The same group of artists previously brought similar copyright lawsuits against Suno, Udio and AI music generator Mureka. Another indie artist, Tony Justice, also has pending class action lawsuits against both Suno and Udio.

The more closely watched front in the AI music copyright war, however, is litigation brought by the three major label groups. Back in 2024, Universal Music Group (UMG), Warner Music Group (WMG) and Sony Music teamed up to sue both Suno and Udio for allegedly training on stolen work “at an almost unimaginable scale.”

Udio settled with both UMG and WMG near the end of 2025, striking landmark licensing deals that promise to compensate rightsholders and keep songs generated on the service within a so-called “walled garden.” WMG then signed a settlement with Suno, which allowed licensed AI music to be downloaded and distributed on streaming.

UMG is continuing to hold out in its fight against Suno, and Sony has not settled either case. For the claims that remain, Suno and Udio are mounting a defense that their AI training was permissible under the principle of “fair use” — a tenet of copyright law that allows unlicensed work to be used in “transformative” fashion.


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Powerhouse lawyer Brian Steel is looking to join Lil Durk’s legal team. Steel filed legal documents on Friday (March 6), viewed by Billboard, looking to replace attorney Jonathan M. Brayman, who has been representing Durk in the Chicago rapper’s murder-for-hire case.

Steel submitted a pending application to board Durk’s team pro hac vice, which means he isn’t licensed to practice law in California, where Durk’s case is being tried, but won’t be committing unauthorized practice of law if he’s approved. If the application is approved, Steel will join a high-profile team that includes decorated attorney Drew Findling, who has celebrity clients including Cardi B, Gucci Mane and Donald Trump.

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Per Steel’s filing, he’s currently in good standing to practice law in the state of Georgia.

Steel saw his own celebrity rise while representing Young Thug in the YSL RICO trial. Steel initially met Thug in the early 2010s and later represented him in the sprawling RICO case, which saw the Atlanta rapper remain behind bars from May 2022 through October 2024, when Thug was sentenced to 15 years of probation and time served.

“I get very close to my clients. I meet their families,” Steel told Billboard in an interview earlier this month. “Because if I’m going to defend somebody, I gotta be invested. I gotta believe in the person. I gotta make it where if I lose this case, it’s going to ruin my life.”

He continued: “I just want to help people, ethically and zealously. And I don’t want to hurt anybody, and God willing, something good will come out.”

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Steel also joined Diddy’s defense team in April, which came six months before the embattled Bad Boy mogul was sentenced to 50 months in prison for violating federal prostitution laws. Combs ended up dodging the much heftier charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

As for Durk (born Durk Banks), the OTF (Only the Family) rapper has been in jail since October 2024, when he was arrested, as federal agents believed he was attempting to take a private flight to Italy. Despite Durk’s objections, his trial has once again been delayed, from April to Aug. 20. Durk’s co-defendants have asked to be separated from his trial, but Judge Michael Fitzgerald denied the request.

Prosecutors allege that Durk organized a plot to have rival rapper Quando Rondo killed during a 2022 shooting in Los Angeles. However, Rondo’s cousin, Lul Pap (Saviay’a Robinson), was killed amid the crossfire.

The prosecution believes that Durk ordered the hit on Rondo in retaliation for the 2020 killing of rapper King Von (Dayvon Bennett), who was Durk’s close friend and frequent collaborator.


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Hilary Duff bared her soul on new album Luck … or Something, and in a new interview, the singer-actress opened up about key moments in her life — from her divorce to her struggles with family and the Disney Channel machine — leading up to it.

On a new episode of On Purpose With Jay Shetty posted Monday (March 9), Duff reflected on some of the biggest personal fallouts she’s faced, starting with her 2014 split from ex-husband Mike Comrie. “I felt like in that time of my life, I was so ready to get married … I was ready to have a baby,” she told Shetty. “I was ready to have something of my own, you know, that I could just like, focus on and it be mine.

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“I’ve been pretty open about, you know, being a divorced person and what that’s like, and being a single mom,” she continued. “Choosing to end a family is a huge, horrible choice to make. But I also co-parent … with that person. And we do a great job mostly.”

The Lizzie McGuire alum married the former NHL star in 2010, staying together for four years and welcoming son Luca before separating. Their divorce was finalized in 2016, and Duff is now married to songwriter Matthew Koma, with whom she’s welcomed three more kids over the years.

Another separation that’s affected Hilary has been that of her parents, Robert and Susan, who divorced in 2008. She’s been open about having “complicated” dynamics with her mom and dad as well as her older sister, Haylie, both of which she addressed on the podcast.

“To be in a family that, you know, your parents aren’t together, and you don’t have relationships with both of your parents, it’s devastating,” she told Shetty. “You want your parents to feel like they care about you. And a big portion of my existence hasn’t felt like that. I don’t know if that’s the truth, but that’s how it feels.”

“My sister and I don’t speak,” Hilary added of her rift with Haylie, which inspired “We Don’t Talk,” one of the former’s new songs on Luck … or Something. “It’s very hard to be a person who’s had their life exposed in the industry for 25 years, and we were talking about, you know, that earlier tiptoeing around what the outcome has been for some of it … It’s a very vulnerable song, and it’s a very raw part of my existence. I hope it’s not forever, but it’s for right now.”

Beyond prying eyes into her family and personal life, the How I Met Your Father star also went in to more ways that finding fame through her work with Disney as a preteen had negative impacts on her. “Probably around 15 was when I feel like the world started getting very interested in what I was wearing, who I was dating, what I was eating … I feel like I lost some serious innocence,” she told Shetty.

For a brief time, Hilary says the scrutiny led her to poor body image and disordered eating. “I was dealing with people commenting on my body at a young age and starting to get photographed and people, like, asking you how many times you weigh yourself or comparing you to people that were thinner than you or other girls in your line of work,” she said. “I definitely struggled for a little while there, just trying to fit a certain mold and have control over something in my life. Thankfully that was pretty short-lived. Um, but definitely toyed with it.”

Luck … or Something dropped Feb. 20, debuting at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. In June, she’ll kick off a world arena tour in support of the LP, which marks her first in more than a decade.

If you or someone you know need support for an eating disorder, visit the National Eating Disorders Association for more information.

Watch Hilary’s full interview on On Purpose With Jay Shetty below.


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Grab your Crunchwraps and Beefy 5-Layer Burritos: Taco Bell is hosting a Live Más Live event with a few major recording artists.

The fast food chain’s concert-meets-launch event will be held at Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood Palladium on March 10, blending the worlds of gastronomy and music in a match-up that is just as good as the chain’s Nacho Fries and cheese sauce. The fast-food-fueled spectacle will be hosted by Vince Staples and will feature guest appearances from artists Doja Cat, Benson Boone, Anderson .Paak and Travis Barker. Essentially, the event is a sort of variety show that unveils Taco Bell’s new menu items, peppered with comedy sketches and music performances.

Other celebrity attendees will include Ariana Madix, Ashley Park, Ego Nwodim and Jackson White. For the first time ever, the event will be available to stream via Peacock with a subscription to the service. A standard monthly subscription with ads will run users just $7.99 a month, while a Premium subscription without ads goes for $10.99 a month. A standard subscription is a budget-friendly option for those looking to gain access to Peacock’s wide array of movies and shows, while the Premium subscription is a little more expensive, but also offers subscribers access to live sports and events.

If you’re looking to subscribe to the streaming service for free, Walmart+ is the best option, since Peacock no longer has a free trial. When you sign up for a Walmart+ membership, $8.17 a month or $98 annually, you’ll gain access to Peacock’s Premium plan. This little workaround will give you access to Live Más Live for $8.17, less than the $10.99 a month Peacock Premium fee.

“Taco Bell has some of the most passionate fan bases and I’ve been a fan of the brand since I was young,” host Vince Staples said in a Taco Bell release. “I’m excited to partner with them on something that feels true to who they are and how people actually connect with their brand.”

In 2025, Taco Bell’s Live Más Live event took place at New York’s Brooklyn Paramount and was hosted by Ashley Park. All the focus was on the launch of 30 new menu items: steak and queso crunchwrap sliders, rolled poblano quesadillas, quesocrisp tacos and others.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Hot Topic has new KPop Demon Hunters merch that we’re kind of obsessed with.

Even though the film came out in June 2025, the animated film’s popularity hasn’t waned. From two 2026 Oscar nominations to a soundtrack that continues to dominate the Billboard charts, the flick has maintained a steady dominance in pop culture. This fame and relevance has translated into a ton of cute merch that’s great for gifting both kids and adults alike, from top brands such as Funko, Target, Old Navy, Loungefly and PacSun, just to name a few.

Hot Topic’s KPop Demon Hunters merch collection just recently dropped, and it’s a must-have for superfans. The collection features everything from fuzzy Derpy-inspired hoodies, HUNTR/X-themed enamel pins and comfy cargo pants, and so much more — all for less than $70. You can shop the full collection both in store and online at Hot Topic. Below, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite pieces from Hot Topic’s merch line that you can browse and buy bellow.

What to shop from Hot Topic's 'KPop Demon Hunters' collection.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Derpy Tiger Fuzzy Hoodie

This hoodie is inspired by the fan-favorite character Derpy. The tiger’s likeness is translated into a fuzzy oversized hoodie.


Derpy is a cerulean blue supernatural tiger from the film, heavily inspired by Korean babo horangi — or “idiot/foolish tiger” folk art. This beloved big, blue fuzzy tiger was translated into an oversized zip-up hoodie, complete with his distinctive stripes and the tiger’s cute little ears. The hoodie comes in sizes XS to 3XL and is made of a fuzzy material designed to mimic Derpy’s coat. The stripes mentioned are embroidered on the sleeves, hood and down the back. The front is equipped with hefty pockets for extra warmth and comfort. With spring in full swing, this hoodie could come in handy when combating the chill still lingering in the air.  

What to shop from Hot Topic's 'KPop Demon Hunters' collection.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X Cargo Pants

Stylish and cozy, these cargo pants feature motifs of the HUNTR/X girls. The bottoms have a drawstring closure and an elasticized waist for comfort.


HUNTR/X has captured the fascination of many, much like real K-pop girl groups. This piece captures the essence of members Rumi, Zoey and Mira with colorful motifs printed throughout gray baggy cargo pants. These bottoms come in sizes XS to 3XL. Cargo pants like these focus on both comfort and style with the ample pockets, drawstring closure and elasticized waist for those days when you want to look put together but not constricted or uncomfortable.

What to shop from Hot Topic's 'KPop Demon Hunters' collection.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Derpy Tiger & Sussie Bird Plush Scrunchie Set

This pair of scrunchies is made to look like Derpy and his sidekick, Sussie. These scrunchies are made of a plush, non-snagging fabric.


Scrunchies like these from Hot Topic are an easy and fun way to zhuzh up your regular updo. The set includes scrunchies made to look like Derpy and Sussie, a six-eyed, black-and-white magpie wearing a small black Korean Gat stolen from her companion, Derpy. These scrunchies are made from a plush fabric that is said to prevent hair breakage or snagging. 

What to shop from Hot Topic's 'KPop Demon Hunters' collection.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ HUNTR/X Blind Bag Enamel Pin

This is a set of six enamel pins depicting scenes from the Netflix animated film. You’ve got Rumi, Mira and Zoey, along with Derpy and a HUNTR/X logo.


If you’re looking to accessorize your tote bags, jackets or hats, enamel pins are the way to go. These six pins inspired by KPop Demon Hunters depict motifs of HUNTR/X members Zoey, Mira and Rumi slurping up ramen along with the famed Derpy and a good old HUNTR/X logo. These pins can be used to add color and charm to any piece. You also won’t have to worry about these pins fading or breaking. Enamel is extremely durable and the colored material remains pretty vibrant after years of use.

What to shop from Hot Topic's 'KPop Demon Hunters' collection.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Rumi Replica Earring Set

$11.92 $14.90 20% off

Buy Now at hot topic

This jewelry is meant to mimic the pieces worn by Rumi in the animated film. You’ve got a total of three pieces for 20% off.


Channeling your inner Rumi has never been so easy with this set of three pieces of jewelry. These are inspired by the character’s own jewelry in the animated film. The shapes also take inspo from all the HUNTR/X members’ weapons. The three-piece includes ear cuffs and chains for 20% off.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Before he became a Grammy Award-winning rapper, 2 Chainz, born Tauheed Epps, was a street hustler from College Park, Ga., on the pathway to self-destruction. And now, the hip-hop star has released a new book about his life before stardom and his spiritual journey to turn his life around.

On sale for $19.60 (regularly $28) on Amazon, The Voice In My Head Is God, co-authored by Derrick Harriell (Come Kingdom: Poems), also follows how 2 Chainz’s faith put him on the path for success in the music industry, with some help from Lil Wayne and Ludacris.

$19.60 $28.00 30% off

Buy Now On Amazon

If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can order now and The Voice In My Head Is God, which is a No. 1 bestseller from the retail giant, will be delivered to your home in less than two days, thanks to Prime Delivery.

Not a member? Sign up for a 30-day free trial to take advantage of all that Amazon Prime has to offer, including access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Photos; fast, free shipping in less than two days with Prime Delivery; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market; access to exclusive shopping events — such as Prime Day in July and Black Friday in November — and much more. Learn more about Amazon Prime and its benefits here.

In addition, the biography is available at BookShop.org for $26.10 (regularly $28), while The Voice In My Head Is God can be purchased at Barnes & Noble priced at $25 (regularly $28).

How to buy 'The Voice In My Head Is God' by 2 Chainz and Derrick Harriell online

‘The Voice In My Head Is God’

$19.60 $28 30% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Written by 2 Chainz and Derrick Harriell


Meanwhile, The Voice In My Head Is God is available as an Audible audiobook, which is free to listen to for subscribers only.

If you’re not a subscriber, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial. Audible starts at $8.99 per month and grants you access to one bestseller or new release title per month, a library of thousands of podcasts, audiobooks and originals, exclusive discounts and more. Once signed up, you’ll receive one credit for any audiobook on Audible, including The Voice In My Head Is God.

$19.60 $28.00 30% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox dealsstudio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

If you’ve ever wondered why we’ve never gotten a Lady Gaga x Diplo collab, we finally have an answer — according to the DJ, anyway.

In honor of International Women’s Day on Sunday (March 8), Diplo posted an Instagram collage of the women artists he’s worked with. Beyoncé, Charli xcx, Madonna, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj are just some of the musicians featured in the post. In the caption, Diplo expresses his gratitude for the women he’s “been lucky enough to work with” and thanks them for their inspiration, collaboration and “telling [him] when [his] ideas were trash.”

Many in the comments were quick to share their opinions on the post and some of the inclusions. Some expressed discontent with Minaj making appearance, with a few referring to the rapper as “MAGA Minaj.” BLACKPINK fans were excited to see their favorite K-pop group featured in the image. And singer Julia Michaels called out Diplo for not adding her to the post, commenting, “You always forget me” with a laughing emoji.

Michaels was not the only person notably missing from the post. One fan left a question that would be on any dedicated Little Monster’s mind: Where’s Gaga?

Diplo replied explaining in simple terms why Mother Monster was not included in the collage. “She never text back,” the “Where Are U Now” producer said. Despite past rumors of a collaboration, Mother Monster and Diplo have yet to work together.

Billboard has reached out to Gaga’s rep for comment.

The “Bad Romance” singer is no stranger to collaborating with DJs and electronic dance producers. Zedd produced “G.U.Y.” off of her 2013 album, ARTPOP. In 2021, Gaga and lead Chromatica producer Bloodpop released Dawn of Chromatica, a remix album of newly imagined versions of every Chromatica track by artists such as Arca, A. G. Cook and more. Just last year, she and French producer Gesaffelstein collaborated on “Killah” off of her latest studio album, MAYHEM.


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For the past few years, Harry Styles, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Sam Fender and more have been doing their bit to support the grassroots music scene, as all have pledged proceeds from their tours (at least £1 from every ticket sold) to be donated to the LIVE Trust, a freshly established group that features stakeholders from across the industry.

So far, £5 million has been raised for the cause. Now, a portion of that money (£125,000) is about to be distributed to eligible artists for the very first time via a series of new initiatives — the second-largest of which is the newly formed U.K. Artist Touring (UKAT) Fund.

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The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has announced that applications for the first portion of the UKAT Fund will open on Wednesday (March 11). The partnership, arranged by the FAC alongside the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and the Musicians’ Union (MU), is designed to respond to what the FAC calls the “cost of touring crisis” in grassroots live music. U.K. Music and Arts Council England have also backed and assisted the plans.

The UKAT Fund will offer “top-up” contributions to existing tours to help reduce shortfalls in touring budgets — a key issue for both emerging and established acts in the current climate. Many have reported that they’re operating at significant losses.

“It’s a desperately needed intervention,” David Martin, chief executive of the FAC, tells Billboard U.K. of the plans. “We want to get newer artists out there and play to build their live footprint. We’re trying to allow artists to present themselves how they want to be seen as a live act.”

Applicants can apply for a total of £7,000, or a maximum of 40% of total eligible tour expenditure. They must play three U.K. headline shows of capacities between 75 and 2,000 before October 31, 2026, and must have released new original music in the past three years. Submissions are due before 11:59 p.m. on March 20. See the full list of criteria here.

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The fund and application process have been hammered out following discussions with stakeholders. Martin says the scheme is open to artists of all genres.

In a statement to Billboard U.K., emerging artist SOFY says, “I am so excited by this initiative and the invaluable experiences it’s going to create for artists and fans alike, as well as opening up opportunities for touring professionals such as engineers and TMs. This feels like an important step in the right direction, and something the UK music industry has needed for as long as I can remember — towards more accessible, safer and higher quality tours for everyone involved.”

While the voluntary donations to the LIVE Trust by a number of big names have been celebrated, Martin acknowledges there has been a gap in understanding what those funds will be used for — but adds that the UKAT Fund can make it “really tangible” for fans and industry. “Once we’re able to say, ‘here are shows that are happening because of the donation,’ it’ll be much easier to grasp the concept for the artists and teams that have decided to pay in.”

In 2024, a landmark Parliamentary report by the Culture, Media & Sport Committee highlighted that the number of artists who are able to head “out to tour across the UK and abroad” has fallen “by as much as 74% compared to pre-pandemic numbers,” and that the cost of touring — incuding accommodation, transport and equipment — has risen significantly in line with the U.K. cost of living crisis. In 2022, inflation in the U.K. was measured at 11% on the Consumer Prices Index, and in 2026, it sits at 3% year-on-year — significantly higher than the 2% target rate set by the Bank of England. The Music Venue Trust reported that in 2025, 53% of grassroots music venues in the United Kingdom were unable to turn a profit.

Martin says that tours have become shorter but also less varied in location; artists are more likely to play shows in major hubs (including London, Manchester and Birmingham) rather than head to smaller regional towns and venues, ultimately passing costs onto the consumers who must travel to shows. 

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“We’re trying to sustain careers, and we’re also trying to push music into regions,” Martin says. “It’s funding the whole pipeline that makes tours happen — from the supply chain of personnel and services, accommodation, travel managers, agents that rely on that activity for their income — [and helps] the artists expand their audiences.”

Having greater exposure to the arts, Martin adds, can address the problem of class inequality in the arts. “You’ve got a class of people who just cannot afford to participate in the music industry,” he says. “All these niche scenes that we export globally — be it pop, punk, drum’n’bass — come from underground working class movements.”

According to Martin, the initiative shows the industry that a “harmonious” approach to problem-solving can benefit all involved. “We’re really poor in this country when talking about the expenditure of money as investment, but surely you can see these artists…are your future headliners,” he says.

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Martin adds, “To have a healthy sector, it’s important to have both a healthy performer pipeline, but also a pipeline of audiences that care and are passionate about great music and can afford to attend events.”

The Labour government has been supportive in tackling these issues. Ian Murray, the minister for creative industries, says he wants to see 50% of all shows with a capacity of 5,000 or more contributing to the fund in 2026. While a mandatory levy has not been ruled out, Martin says, “I think the whole industry would prefer to drive this thing and to control it. I would argue that it knows best how to do it.”

With the funding window closing on March 20, Martin is excited about the prospect of artists getting the funding and hitting the road in the coming months. The program will be tweaked according to feedback from artists and their touring groups, but getting the ball rolling is an achievement to savour, he says.

“It’s surprising how relatively small amounts of money can make a difference,” he says. “We want to be doing a lot more of this and on a regular basis.” The ultimate goal: To help assist a future superstar who can pay back into the UKAT fund. “I’m looking forward to that story, which will happen,” he adds. “It’ll be a few years down the line, I’m sure, but I can’t wait for that.”


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