On Our Radar: This Week in Music Cities
- Music Cities Events
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read

From India's Royalty Collections Spike to Brazil's Creative Economy Boom: This Week's Global Music Landscape.
This week's developments showcase how music continues to drive urban transformation, cultural diplomacy, and economic growth across continents. From impactful industry reports to the rise of new music tourism hubs, here are the key stories shaping music cities worldwide.
On Our Radar: This Week in Music Cities
Here's the global music news you might have missed:
The Organization for Recorded Culture and Arts (ORCA) has launched its second report, The Economic and Social Impact of Independent Record Labels. The study provides a data based understanding of the economic and social contributions of these independent labels as well as the broader impacts achieved through this work.
A new comprehensive report, Mapping Creative Industry Brazil 2025, highlights the creative economy's significant contribution to GDP and employment. The findings establish a new benchmark for the sector's economic impact and its strategic role in national development.
The US has joined the UK, Australia, Singapore, and South Korea to unlock the world of music tourism. This alignment signals a new, coordinated effort to boost the 'Gig Tripping' era, capitalising on major live events to drive significant international travel and tourism.
A successful £1 ticket tour has brought over one thousand people back into grassroots music venues in the UK. The initiative, which also raised essential funds for the Music Venue Trust, provides a clear, replicable model for directly supporting vital cultural infrastructure.
The Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) has reported a substantial 42% growth in collections for the Indian music market. While celebrating the growth, the IPRS urged for greater royalty compliance, especially outside of the digital sector, to ensure fair returns for creators.
Bhutan is set to host its first-ever major event, the Asia Rock Fest, featuring acts like India's Parikrama and South Korea's Cotoba. This event is a key step in the nation's strategy to develop its creative industry and position itself on the regional music circuit.
Stay informed with our weekly global music cities briefing.
Want these insights delivered directly to your inbox?



