Simon Cowell launches search for new boyband – by highlighting potential solo career

Music mogul aims to replicate success of previous charges One Direction, but acknowledges ‘high degree of risk’ in venture

Private equity group to improve offer for Beyoncé song fund Hipgnosis

Blackstone to increase bid to level that would value London-listed group at nearly $1.6bn

‘She dominates our age’: how Taylor Swift became the greatest show on Earth

The record-smashing singer-songwriter wields creative, commercial and celebrity power like no one before. As her billion-dollar Eras tour lands in the UK, we trace the making of the Swift universe

It’s the age of Swiftonomics – but will Taylor Swift’s phenomenal success trickle down?

Can one record-breaking megastar make a difference for struggling musicians and new artists?

Beyoncé sued for alleged copyright infringement with Break My Soul

Bounce quartet Da Showstoppaz claim track sampled on US No 1 hit infringes on the title phrase from their track Release a Wiggle

Demand for Taylor Swift’s UK tour could fuel summer ticket fraud bonanza

‘Purchase scams’ often pegged to big events, warns UK Finance’s annual fraud report

My summer of love and lust: I fell for a Ukrainian rocker – but was I just a groupie?

For one memorable season in the 90s, I travelled with a group called Colney Hatch. It gave me a fleeting but fascinating window into the treatment of women who are ‘with the band’

MPs call for levy on arena concert tickets to raise funds for struggling small venues

Trade bodies welcome proposal from cross-party culture committee that would prop up grassroots gig venues without passing cost to consumers

Drake and Kendrick’s rap beef explained: is this a ‘forever thing’?

Simmering feud between two of hip-hop’s biggest names exploded this week, with allegations of infidelity and child sex abuse

Universal Music’s £119m CEO pay offer may provoke shareholder revolt

Advisory firm urges shareholders to reject ‘excessive’ payout to Lucian Grainge, while Renault may also face backlash

‘Push through the feelings of: I’m worthless, this sucks’: can anyone learn to be a top songwriter?

Songwriting courses are exploding in popularity, with everyone from Mark Ronson to Alicia Keys as teachers. On a retreat in north Wales, our folk music critic tries to write her first song

Angry fans seek compensation from Co-op Live after third opening show axed

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie gig cancelled last minute after air conditioning part falls from gantry during soundcheck

Universal signs TikTok deal allowing artists back on platform

Music group pulled content amid row over issues such as deepfake AI-generated music and artists’ compensation

Hipgnosis backs £1.3bn private equity takeover by Blackstone

Deal would end six years of turmoil for owner of back catalogues of star artists ranging from Blondie to Neil Young and Justin Bieber

‘The working class can’t afford it’: the shocking truth about the money bands make on tour

As Taylor Swift tops $1bn in tour revenue, musicians playing smaller venues are facing pitiful fees and frequent losses. Should the state step in to save our live music scene?