Random music news for Friday, May 1, 2026
Companies are firing workers in favour of AI, but they’re spending more money on AI than they would have humans do those jobs. And if companies are all running on AI and there are fewer jobs, who is going to be left to buy their stuff? But they see their competitors embracing AI, so they don’t want to be left behind.
I hate this timeline. I’m okay with music news for Friday, May 1, 2026.
- First Meta asked hundreds of employees to train the company’s AI. Now they’re about to be laid off.
- If you’re on TikTok, you may have run across EPIC: The Musical. It’s being turned into a Hollywood movie.
- How does Shazam work? Here’s an explanation. (Via Mark)
- There’s been a leak about Samsung’s smart glasses.
- Still with AI, are we about to enter a “post-Suno era?” Here’s what that means.
- KitKat is in the mobile phone business, but not in a way you (or anyone, for that matter) would have expected.
- Metallica is going to reissue Reload as a massive box set.
- If someone says that Kanye’s entire European tour is going to be cancelled, take that bet.
- Looking for a new laptop? This one is cool, but the price…
- “The 50 greatest movie soundtracks of all time.” Discuss.
- Vancouver has a fantastic new 10,000-seat venue ready for this summer. (Sean)
- Sony has won a legal battle over ownership of the rights to The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
- Amipro is a new company that collects royalties on behalf of music created by AI.
- Luminate, the collector of music sales and streaming stats in North America, has declared Angine do Poitrine to be the first breakout band of 2026.
- Ed Sheeran has shingles. It hurts. Bad. Get vaccinated.
BONUS: Further to my AI screed above, Japan is experimenting with robot baggage handlers.
Don’t forget to check out my UK Legends of Rock Music History Tour! It’s a nine-day, eight-night small group tour departing September 29 that will take us through London, Liverpool, and Manchester. More info here.
