Random music news for Saturday, May 2, 2026

How do we smell? Like this. How about music news for May 2, 2026?

1. Universal Music Group plans to sell half of its stake in Spotify. That will be worth about US$1.75 billion.
2. Billie Eilish vs. the billionaires and ICE: This is good and righteous.
3. Beware a new round of TikTok scam ads that purport to feature celebrities like Taylor Swift.
4. Meta blames Russia and Iran for a decline in daily active users.
5. Handy: “An Idiot’s Guide to Music AI Companies.”
6. Meanwhile, YouTube brought in a record US$9.88 billion in ad revenue in Q1 2026.
7. Bruce Springsteen has been selected to receive a prestigious social justice award.
8. Wait: Chris Brown is involved in a dog-bite trial?
9. The latest band to get a big-budget documentary treatment? Culture Club.
10. Flea is telling his story from childhood to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
11. William Shatner’s metal album is coming together. Members from Slayer and Disturbed are the latest to sign on.
12. An important event: The Community Radio Awards in Broadcast and Online (CRABO) awards. The date is May 6 in Toronto. Tickets are available here.
13. Too addicted to your phone? There are solutions like this.
14. Apple’s upcoming smart glasses may be controlled with hand gestures.
15. Wait: The biggest thing on the dance floor is now…opera?

More music news? Go here.

BONUS: Gotta love the people of Buffalo and Sabres fans in general. (Via Sean)