Independent music leaders have today published 100 Voices, a campaign opposing Universal Music Group’s proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings.
The campaign site (blockthedeal.com), which highlights objections from more than 100 business leaders in 20 countries, claims that the deal poses a serious threat to competition, diversity and fair access across the music industry.
However, some of the companies and industry figures voicing their concerns have opted to remain anonymous.
Downtown Music Holdings operates a number of platforms and services including Fuga and CD Baby, royalty accounting service Curve, and one of the largest independent publishing administration services, Songtrust, among others.
UMG’s Virgin Music Group, which is leading the acquisition of Downtown, has previously hit back at the campaign against the deal, which has been spearheaded by organisations including IMPALA and AIM.
“Virgin Music and Downtown are proud to work with many of the world’s most successful and fiercely independent labels, all of whom consider themselves 'real independents' regardless of AIM’s rhetoric,” said Virgin Music co-CEOs Nat Pastor and JT Myers in response to an interview with AIM CEO Gee Davy earlier this month. “The independent sector continues to grow and diversify, and we believe this partnership provides resources, transparency, and innovation that help our partners compete and thrive in an increasingly dynamic global market. The leadership of AIM and IMPALA may disagree, but they do not speak for everyone, even amongst their own membership.”
The publication of 100 Voices was delivered in person to the European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Valdis Dombrovskis.
The European Commission is currently conducting a Phase 2 investigation led by Dombrovskis. A final decision was set for December, but it appears the deadline has now moved into next year.
“We look forward to continuing to work constructively with the Commission to convey the benefits this transaction will bring to the independent music community in Europe," said a UMG spokesperson. "This deal is about offering independent music entrepreneurs access to world-class tools and support to help them succeed. We are confident that the Commission will recognise the benefits of the transaction for artists, labels, and independent music in Europe, and clear the transaction.”
This ongoing consolidation amounts to a systematic weakening of the independent sector's ability to compete on fair terms
Martin Mills
Martin Mills, founder and chairman, Beggars Group, said: “We are now operating in an industry increasingly shaped by global corporations, whose dominance over digital infrastructure affects everything from artist visibility to revenue. This ongoing consolidation amounts to a systematic weakening of the independent sector's ability to compete on fair terms.”
Nacho García Vega, president, International Artist Organisation, said: “Artists rely on a pluralistic infrastructure that reflects diversity in both ownership and access. Allowing UMG to consolidate control over a major independent player would move the industry further toward a two-tier system, where market dominance—not creative merit—determines visibility and success.”
Francesca Trainini, vice president, PMI Italia, said: “This is a crucial moment for the future of Europe’s music landscape. The Commission’s intervention shows these concerns are being taken seriously. The risks of reinforcing the leader and losing a big competitor are clearer today than ever before. Remedies would be ineffective in today’s music market. We trust the Commission will take the necessary steps to protect competition, access, and diversity across the sector.”
Birte Wiemann, project manager, Cargo Records, said: “When unchecked growth disrupts an ecosystem, diversity suffers. If UMG acquires Downtown, entire independent structures are absorbed, giving UMG new power over DSPs and data that weakens independents. The result is less diversity, more homogenised output, and a cultural niche increasingly sidelined.”
In July, an open letter opposing the deal was signed by over 200 founders, CEOs and business leaders at independent music companies and trade associations, alongside a further call from the European Composer Songwriter Alliance.
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