Warner Music Group, the global music entertainment company, and Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, are launching a joint venture to allow for the purchase of up to $1.2 billion of legendary music catalogs across both recorded music and music publishing. The partnership was formed through equal equity commitments from WMG and Bain Capital.
This new strategic venture will provide artists and songwriters with opportunities to preserve and expand the reach of their catalogs, ensuring their legacies are well cared for. WMG and Bain Capital will together source and acquire the catalogs, while WMG will manage all aspects of marketing, distribution, and administration. By combining WMG’s worldwide infrastructure and relationships with Bain Capital’s global resources and financial capabilities, the venture is well-positioned to set a new standard as the preferred partner for renowned musical talent.
This deal comes at an opportune time in the music industry, given changing fan behavior, driven by streaming and emerging technologies that introduce classic music to new audiences.
“Iconic artists and songwriters choose WMG to grow their legacies and introduce their art to new generations through impactful and innovative campaigns,” saidRobert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group. “Augmenting our deep expertise and global infrastructure with Bain Capital’s financial prowess and belief in music will make us the destination of choice for preeminent catalogs.”
“Timeless music content continues to sit at the center of consumer entertainment,” saidAngelo Rufino, a Partner at Bain Capital. “Stewardship of catalogs has never been more important as artists and songwriters deserve support to enhance the value of their work while delivering fans new and exciting collaborations. Warner Music Group, with its deep creative resources and partnership culture, is the ideal partner for Bain Capital to work alongside as we grow and safeguard the world’s iconic music.”
Goldman Sachs and Fifth Third Bank will serve as joint lead arrangers to the joint venture.
Bella Litsa explores what it means to live life drastically. Crafting intimate, lush, and emotionally potent songs that echo with dreamlike intensity, Litsa’s music is a search for stillness, beauty, and peace in an ever-shifting world. Blending vintage romance with experimental textures, where haunted Americana meets minimalist futurism, the core of it all is Bella Litsa’s haunting, operatic voice, which evokes the classical beauty of Weyes Blood and female leads like Lana Del Rey and Fiona Apple.
Today, the Brooklyner has announced her debut record, Drasticism, will arrive on February 20via Records Man, Records, and alongside the announcement, she’s sharing her gorgeous new single “Passion Plug” and accompanying music video.
“This song came on as a fever,” shares Litsa. “The lyrics flowed out without stopping. I felt like begging someone to remember the magic of being together, and wishing I could hate them as it would feel so much easier. I couldn’t though. Recording this song was a special moment. My bass player, Abe Nouri, one of the best musicians I’ve had the honor of working with, has a deep background of jazz – a departure from my traditionally baroque sound. I’m always holding him back a bit when we play most of the songs, to keep them in the baroque style and harmony. No funny business! I would say. But recording this song, I said – go wild. And he did.”
The video features Litsa in her element – dancing. “I grew up dancing – ballet, tap, jazz, and the works and dancing certainly runs in my blood,” she adds. “My Nana was an incredible dancer, and danced at every family gathering with us all until she passed. We still get together and dance. It’s a deeply sentimental and freeing act for me, and I’m so happy to intertwine it with my music. I worked with Anna Wittenberg on the choreography – we worked on the choreo for about 3 months before shooting. We were inspired by Bob Fosse, Martha Graham, and, although I can’t name them all, Anna has a whole slew of knowledge and passion for the craft that brought the song to life, honestly. The director, Fiona Kane, really embedded the video with its life & color.”
Earlier this summer, Litsa teased the record with two of the album’s tracks — “1117” and “Never Ending Movie” quickly proving herself an artist to watch with early praise from Ones To Watch, That Eric Alper (that’s me!), Nina Protocol, Mindies, Alfitude, and more.
Next week, Litsa will join Dark Tea and Truman Flyer at Nightclub 101on October 8th. Find tickets HERE.
On Bella Litsa’s debut album Drasticism, extremity is an artistic pursuit. Drasticism urgently asks: How far can you, or should you, take the things in your life, whether they be a feeling, a relationship, a melody? What is lost, and what is gained? Across 11 sweeping and spectral baroque pop songs, Bella Litsa explores what it means to live as the title suggests: drastically.
Taking inspiration from everything from Rachmaninoff to Lana Del Rey to Daft Punk, Drasticism combines 90s-inspired guitars, mellotron, and cinematic orchestral arrangements to conjure a grandiose world. The songs feel distinctly carved from the here and now, but are veiled in a kind of romantic transcendence: The orchestral swells and decays, delayed releases, lush stacks of harmonies, and exquisite overwhelm of sound conjures the narcotic wash of the tide, a heartbeat, a prayer—tapping into something cosmic and ancient, a sound we can all hear if only we listen hard enough.
A classically trained pianist, Bella Litsa grew up between her home state of Massachusetts and Cyprus, where her father is from. She started piano lessons at age 6 and soon found herself gravitating towards minor keys and rewriting the lyrics in songbooks to be more macabre. When she was 13, she started vocal training, eventually majoring in songwriting and film scoring at Berklee College of Music. She moved to New York City in 2020, where, inspired by the city’s abrasiveness, she plunged into a musical and personal intensity to find her voice. Bella Litsa wrote the bulk of Drasticism between December 2022 and February 2024, with much of her songwriting process happening in frenzied sessions of inspiration.
“The choices I was making weren’t always good choices. I just was searching out all this extremity, like extreme love and extreme loss and to feel this crazy spectrum of things,” says Bella Litsa. “The album is mostly asking: Why would I do that? But how could I not do that?”
Bella Litsa writes to cull her intense emotions, and this personal excavation is part of her larger pursuit of the beautiful and divine. She taps her interest in astrophysics, synchronicities, Jungian psychoanalysis, the Book of Job, the Greek Orthodox church she attends, Andrei Tarkovsky, and film scores for inspiration. Because for Bella Litsa, everything is beautiful, and because every beautiful thing will end, everything is sad. Songwriting is a relief, a way to preserve beauty. And similar to her drastic way of living, she gravitates towards the extremes in her writing practice.
One day in the spring of 2023, she came home in a strange, emotional state. She sat down at her desk, and eight hours later, the demo for “My Blue Eyes” was done. A song from nothing. The next day, she tried doing it again. This time, after 12 hours, she had written “Tied Together by a Silver Thread,” a tragic epic inspired by the movements of classical music, with three distinct phases. “It was probably the most inspired I was ever in my life,” she says. “I listen to it now and it just feels like my heart’s about to explode.”
That all-consuming feeling is what it feels like for Bella Litsa to excavate the core of her own humanity. “I tell my psychoanalyst when we talk about songwriting: It’s like there’s a rope and I’m pulling on this rope, and the more I pull, the more the song is coming to me. But the song already existed. I’m slowly uncovering what was always there.”
Ultimately, this propensity towards the extremes is about a desire to connect, not only with herself but with other people. “I get to say all these things that I keep in and then all of a sudden people are listening to you, and they’re witnessing the breaking down,” she says. “I feel like I get so tortured, especially singing live. I think being witnessed is the most powerful feeling you can have.”
Megan Moroney’s magnetic take on Toby Keith’s “Who’s Your Daddy?” is available on all streaming platforms via Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records. Featured on Apple Music Nashville Sessions: Toby Keith Covered, a six-song compilation released via Apple Music in July, Moroney’s update of the sweet-talking anthem is true to the original.
The single dropped ahead of her history-making Am I Okay? Tour with two sold-out nights at the legendary venue, The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Just two years after making her L.A. headlining debut at the 500-capacity Troubadour, the multi-platinum country star commanded a crowd of 5,900 per night, solidifying her status as an era-defining talent.
Featuring support from singer/songwriter Solon Holt, Moroney’s back-to-back blowout at The Greek Theatre marked one of her final stops on the Am I Okay? Tour, a colossal headline run named for the Georgia-bred artist’s game-changing and highly acclaimed sophomore LP. After blasting off with “Man on the Moon,” she tore through an unstoppable set spanning from her quadruple platinum No. 1 breakout “Tennessee Orange” to her recent smash single “6 Months Later,” along with a crowd-igniting streak of fan favorites and classic deep cuts that kept the audience screaming along to every line.
ast week on YouTube, Moroney shared a gorgeous performance of her unreleased song “Beautiful Things” live from her September 12th tour stop at Credit One Stadium in Charleston, featuring another sold-out show that marked her first time as a stadium headliner.
Ahead of her LA shows, Moroney took the stage at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on September 30th. This Friday through Sunday (October 10, 11, and 12), she’ll wrap up the run with three consecutive nights at the Texas Trust CU Theatre in Dallas, capping off a massive headline run that’s also included two-night stands at famed venues like New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, Nashville’s The Pinnacle, Las Vegas’ The Theater at Virgin Hotels, Savannah’s Enmarket Arena, and more. Along with drawing a record-breaking crowd at the Illinois State Fair (15,532 fans) and topping attendance records at the Iowa State Fair as the most attended Grandstand act this year (16,371 fans), Moroney’s July 26th stop at Wyoming’s Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo shattered the record fothe r number of tickets sold for a female artist, with over 20,400 fans in attendance.
GRAMMY Award-winning, Diamond-certified superstar Young Thug announces a very special “Hometown Hero” benefit concert set for Tuesday, December 16 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, October 8 at 10AM ET on Ticketmaster.com.
The show announcement arrives on the heels of Young Thug’s long awaited fourth solo album, UY Scuti, available via Young Stoner Life Records/300 Entertainment. UY Scuti – which takes its name from what is often called the biggest known star in the Universe, a red supergiant located 5,900 light-years away in the constellation Scutum – is among the most highly anticipated releases in recent memory.
The 21-track album features guest appearances from multiplatinum superstars Cardi B, Future, Lil Baby, Sexyy Red, Travis Scott, 21 Savage and more. The project was heralded with the Future-assisted single “Money on Money” – which reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and the epic “Miss My Dogs,” available everywhere now. Produced by frequent collaborator London on Da Track and BeatsByJuko, the seven-minute track is joined by an official music video streaming below.
Taylor Swift is a global icon, a record-setting artist, and, once again, a box office champion. Swift’s self-directed, one-weekend-only Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl album-debut cinematic experience is officially the No. 1 title at the box office, both domestically and globally. The unprecedented success was driven by a three-day domestic box office of $34 million and an international box office of $16 million. Globally, the event earned more than $50 million for its one-weekend run.
Announced just two Fridays ago, the Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl theatrical event coincided with Swift’s 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. Beginning at 3 pm ET on Friday, October 3rd, the Swifties celebrated in movie theatres, singing and dancing to the new album.
Audiences loved the cinematic experience, awarding the event a coveted A+ CinemaScore.
“On behalf of AMC Theatres and the entire theatrical exhibition industry, I extend our sincerest appreciation to the iconic Taylor Swift for bringing her brilliance and magic to movie theatres this weekend,” AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron says. “Her vision to add a cinematic element to her incredible album debut was nothing less than a triumph. It was simply a wonderful gift to her passionate and enthusiastic fans, who got to see, on our giant screens, behind-the-scenes footage and insight into The Life of a Showgirl. AMC Theatres is so proud to have collaborated with Taylor. What an honor and privilege and joy it has been for us to once again play a role in her incomparable success.”
Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl is the biggest-grossing album-debut theatrical event at the domestic and global box office. It is the only album-debut cinematic experience to finish No. 1 at the domestic box office. It is the only “non-film” theatrical event this century to finish a weekend No. 1 at the domestic box office.
In keeping with the unique “non-film“ cinematic experience of Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, this was not a typical weekend release. There were no Thursday preview showtimes as there would be with a traditional release, and no showtimes on Friday morning. The first showtimes started on Friday at 3 pm ET and simultaneously across time zones.
Taylor Swift | The Official Release Party of a Showgirl was distributed by AMC Theatres Distribution in partnership with Variance Films in the U.S. & Canada, and in collaboration with Piece of Magic Entertainment internationally. Since launching in 2023, this marks the third release from AMC Theatres Distribution to finish a weekend No. 1 at the domestic box office.
The Life of a Showgirl broke multiple major records, setting new milestones in sales and streaming upon its release last week. The album sold 1.2 million vinyl copies in its debut week in the US, surpassing the previous record holder of her album, The Tortured Poets Department, at 859,000 copies. It sold 2.7 million copies (physical and digital) in the U.S. on its first day of release, a feat that surpassed the entire first-week sales of her previous album, The Tortured Poets Department, with 2.61 million equivalent album units.
The 2.7 million first-day sales made it the second-largest sales week for any album since Luminate began tracking data in 1991, trailing only Adele’s 25, which sold 3.378 million in its first week. The first-day sales volume instantly made it the best-selling album of the year.
Before its release, the album broke the record for the most pre-saves on Spotify, surpassing six million pre-saves and breaking the previous record held by The Tortured Poets Department. The album became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day for the year, reaching the milestone in under 11 hours. The lead single, “The Fate of Ophelia,” broke the record for the most-streamed song in a single day on Spotify, accumulating over 30 million streams.
The album became the most-streamed album of all time in its first day on Amazon Music. It also captured the year’s highest first-day album streams worldwide on Apple Music.
The acclaimed Japanese rock band RADWIMPS are excited to release their first entirely brand-new studio album in 4 years, “Anew” alongside the new music video “World End Girl Friend” out now worldwide! Directed by Takeshi Maruyama, the music video vividly captures the expressions and moments of a girl falling in love in a foreign land accompanied by a stunning nostalgic evoking but entirely fresh love song.
“Anew” is a 12 song masterpiece, featuring 10 newly recorded tracks along with the previously released “Tamamono” (the theme song of NHK Drama Serial “Anpan” ) and “Meidai” (theme song for a Japanese news program NTV “news zero”). The physical version of the album comes with “Tamamono (Orchestra Version)” and the digital album comes with re-recorded ”DAI-DAN-EN feat. ZORN (Anew Version)” as bonus tracks. This incredibly special body of work, and the band’s first studio album in 4 years is an absolute highlight of their 20th major debut anniversary year.
Accompanying the release is 20th Anniversary Special Box of the album which comes with footage from the special studio performance they did June 29th on YouTube, behind-the-scenes footage, never before seen interviews as well as rare performance footage from the very first arena show they did at Yokohama Arena in Aug 2007. As if that wasn’t enough, the band is excited to also include 4 songs from the FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ’25 performance from July, 2025! From their very first arena show to their latest summer festival, fans can experience the band’s history within this special box set.
Also, an original pouch with special anniversary merch will be included in the physical box set. Inside the pouch, there are 3 items that were designed to commemorate the 20th anniversary. The special box is now available for preorder for international fans at Official RADWIMPS Overseas Store so make sure to secure your copy while the stock last!
While the band haven’t announced any international dates yet, RADWIMPS will be heading out on the road in Japan for RADWIMPS 20th ANNIVERSARY LIVE TOUR to support the new album “Anew” and to celebrate the anniversary. They’ll be hitting 9 major cities in Japan for a total of 17 arena shows. With their 20th anniversary coming up on Nov. 23rd, this arena tour sure will be an unforgettable experience for everyone and is sure to sell out.
After more than a decade, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are reuniting for Rush’s 50 Something Tour—a heartfelt tribute to their music, their brotherhood, and the legendary Neil Peart. The 2026 run marks their first tour together since 2015, celebrating both their 50-year legacy and the spirit of one of rock’s greatest drummers.
In a mesmerizing performance filmed for classical music lovers, Rolf Lislevand, Krishnasol Jiménez, and Ugo Nastrucci each showcased delicate, fingerstyle mastery on the Sabionari guitar — a 1679 creation by Antonio Stradivari. One of only five Stradivarius guitars known to exist, it’s the sole instrument still fully playable today, its tone a direct echo from the 17th century.
Editing PDF files has become an integral part of office work, study, and everyday life for many of us. However, it’s not always easy , especially when it comes to finding the right software that meets our needs. Choosing the right tool can significantly streamline working with PDF documents, so it’s important to wisely decide which program best suits our needs. In this article, we’ll explore the various options available on the market and offer advice on how to choose the most suitable PDF editing tool.
The best PDF editing software is one that provides a full range of features, such as editing, conversion, integration, and security, while staying within your budget.
Key Features of PDF Editing Software
Every PDF editing program offers various features that can prove extremely useful in everyday work. One of the most important features is the ability to edit text within a PDF document, allowing you to easily make changes without having to convert the file. File conversion is another important aspect, allowing you to convert PDFs to a more manageable format, such as Word or Excel.
In addition to editing and conversion, it’s worth considering additional features such as document signing, online collaboration tools, and security features that protect documents from unauthorized access. These solutions allow us to work more efficiently and securely with files, share them with other users, and ensure the security of the data contained within the document.
Comparison of popular PDF editing apps
There are many programs on the market that offer a variety of PDF editing options. Adobe Acrobat DC is one of the most well-known programs , offering a full range of features, such as editing, converting, signing, and online collaboration. It’s available on a subscription model, which may be a drawback for those who prefer a one-time software purchase.
Another popular app is SwifDoo PDF, which offers both a one-time purchase and a subscription. Its features include editing, security, and collaboration tools.
Nitro Pro is an alternative for users looking for a one-time payment. It offers features such as creating, editing, converting, and collaborating PDFs.
PDF-XChange Editor is a popular choice thanks to its free version with basic editing and annotation features. The paid version allows for full file conversion and editing.
Sejda PDF Editor offers both free and paid online solutions, allowing you to edit text, merge and split PDF files.
The best free PDF editing programs
You don’t have to spend a fortune to edit PDF files. Free tools also have a lot to offer, especially if you don’t need advanced features. Smallpdf is one of the most popular free solutions that allows for basic editing, compression, and conversion of PDF files.
Another free program worth considering is JOPDF, which offers basic editing, and annotation. While the free version has some limitations, many users may find it sufficient for everyday tasks.
How to choose the right PDF editing tool?
Choosing a PDF editing program depends on many factors worth considering before making a decision. The most important factor is determining your budget, as not everyone can afford monthly subscriptions or expensive one-time purchases.
Next, it’s worth defining your needs by asking yourself which features you’ll need most. Some users will prioritize text editing, while others prioritize conversion capabilities or advanced collaboration and security tools.
Check operating system compatibility. Make sure the program you choose works on your system – Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Rate the ease of use. The software’s intuitiveness significantly impacts its comfort and work efficiency.
Consider additional integrations. If you use an office suite or other tools, it’s worth making sure your PDF editing program integrates easily with them.
Pay attention to the security of your documents by choosing a tool that offers file encryption and security options.
In summary
When it comes to editing PDF files, there’s a wide range of tools to choose from, from free to advanced paid solutions. Adobe Acrobat DC, SwifDoo PDF, Nitro, and PDF-XChange are among the most comprehensive options, offering a full range of features. For users looking for free solutions, Smallpdf or JOPDF editor may be good choices. The final choice should be based on individual needs, budget, and the functionalities necessary for everyday tasks.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
Scotty McCreery has reached the No. 1 spot on the Canadian Mediabase Country Chart for his summertime anthem, “Bottle Rockets,” featuring Hootie & The Blowfish. This marks the first No. 1 single for McCreery in Canada and his seventh in the U.S. The track is the fastest chart-topping song of his career to date, averaging six million streams per week.
“I’m thrilled to see ‘Bottle Rockets’ become my first No. 1 in Canada and happy to share that with one of my favorite bands ever, Hootie & The Blowfish,” McCreery says. “Thank you to the fans, Canadian country radio, Sony Music Canada, and The Orchard for all the support, not only on this song but throughout my career.”
“Bottle Rockets” was written by McCreery, Brent Anderson, Derek George, Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Frank Rogers, Bobby Hamrick, Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld, and produced by Rogers. Hootie & The Blowfish re-recorded their beloved “Hold My Hand” specifically for “Bottle Rockets.”
The music video for “Bottle Rockets” was released on September 19th, premiering on Paramount/CMT’s New York City Times Square billboard. Filmed outside Charleston, South Carolina, on the Isle of Palms, the laid-back, oceanside video encapsulates the universal feeling of summer and creating lifetimes of memories with friends and family. The video was directed by McCreery’s frequent collaborator, filmmaker Jeff Ray, and produced by Kelsey Pribilski-Ray.
“Bottle Rockets” is featured on McCreery’s recently released EP, Scooter & Friends, as the perfect soundtrack to summer. The five-song collection also includes McCreery’s collaborations with one of his greatest musical heroes, R&B icon Charlie Wilson (“Once Upon a Bottle of Wine”) and with Country music hitmaker Lee Brice (“Whiskey Said”).
Recently, McCreery and his wife Gabi welcomed their second son, Olivier Cooke, on September 18th. Big brother Avery will turn three in October.
Up next, he will be co-headlining the Two for the Road Tour with fellow country star, Dustin Lynch. The run kicks off this November.
It was recently announced that next year, McCreery will be performing at C2C UK in London, Belfast, and Glasgow on March 13-15, 2026. He will also headline C2C Berlin one night between March 6-8.
