Boost change-making initiatives in the indie sector
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IMPALA has just launched a new EU-funded support programme aimed at boosting initiatives that promote equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and environmental sustainability within the independent music ecosystem.
Annual support for two initiatives:
- One selected by IMPALA’s EDI task force as part of the Changemaker Award, highlighting an initiative advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- One chosen by IMPALA’s Sustainability Task Force to support a project addressing environmental challenges in the music sector.
This new scheme is part of IMPALA’s work as an EU-recognised cultural network and aims to empower grassroots efforts while fostering systemic change across the independent music landscape.
Get Involved – Opportunities for BIMA Members
BIMA members are encouraged to engage with this programme by:
Submitting eligible initiatives or projects for consideration under the Changemaker or Sustainability awards.
Sharing and promoting the call for applications within their networks.
Participating in knowledge-sharing and capacity-building activities tied to the supported initiatives.
This is a great opportunity for BIMA members to showcase their work, contribute to sector-wide transformation, and collaborate with peers across Europe.
Eén jaar zonder regering in Brussel, ça suffit!
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Brussel verdient beter
Al een jaar zonder regering. Onze politici falen collectief terwijl onze stad kraakt.
Op 9 juni om 12u nodigen we iedereen uit op het Beursplein om te tonen waarom Brussel beter verdient.
We eisen respect:
- Voor de stad die we delen
- Voor de inzet van de Brusselaars
- Voor onze toekomst
Brussels deserves better
One year without a government in Brussels. Enough is enough. Our politicians are collectively failing while our city is crumbling.
On June 9 at 12 p.m., join us at Place de la Bourse to show why Brussels deserves better.
We demand respect:
- For the city we share
- For the people who keep it going
- For our future
Bruxelles mérite mieux
Un an sans gouvernement à Bruxelles, ça suffit. Nos responsables politiques échouent collectivement pendant que notre ville souffre.
Le 9 juin à 12h, retrouvons-nous à la Bourse pour montrer pourquoi Bruxelles mérite mieux.
Nous exigeons du respect :
- Pour la ville que nous partageons
- Pour l’engagement des Bruxellois
- Pour notre avenir
UMG/Downtown – A Critical Moment for Indie Music Sector
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As the European Commission prepares to rule on Universal Music Group’s $775 million acquisition of Downtown, concerns are growing across Europe — including in Belgium — about increasing concentration in the music industry. Belgian and European stakeholders fear that UMG’s expanding dominance could threaten artistic diversity, market fairness, and the sustainability of independent players. Several EU policymakers have begun raising red flags, urging close scrutiny from regulators.
Important updates on the UMG/Downtown case – Amplify these developments!
Wednesday 16 April
Pressure increases on Universal Music Group’s $775 million acquisition of Downtown as MEP Aurore Lalucq raises alarms about UMG’s “unprecedented control” over the music ecosystem. Complete Music Update highlights her written question to the European Commission and other key developments.
Direct source: here
Tuesday 15 April
Ruth Barlow (AIM & Beggars Group) publishes a powerful opinion in Music Business Worldwide, warning that UMG’s growing dominance poses an existential threat to artistic diversity, fair competition, and the future of music.
Direct source: here
Friday 11 April
MEP Aurore Lalucq, Chair of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, formally questions the European Commission regarding UMG’s takeover of Downtown.
Direct source: here
Also see MLex’s coverage: here
Spotify for Artists – New Tools & Updates
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Spotify has introduced new ways to maximize the impact of your release with tools like Countdown Pages, Clips, and Campaign Kit, as highlighted in the latest Spotify for Artists Masterclass featuring experts from Atlantic Music Group and Secretly Group (working with artists like Charli XCX and Khruangbin).
When sharing a Countdown Page, fans now see a new share card that includes the « Upcoming Album » label and number of days remaining.
Spotify also continues its transparency efforts with Loud & Clear, an initiative to explain how royalties work. The site has just been updated with new insights based on full-year 2024 data.
APPEL : Comite de Sélection Propulse 2026
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Rejoignez le comité de sélection musique de ProPulse 2026
Appel aux membres de BIMA pour désigner un·e représentant·e au comité de sélection musique pour Propulse 2026.
🔹 Ouvert à toutes les musiques actuelles : urbaines, francophones, pop, rock, jazz, blues, folk, world et électroniques (hors DJ).
🔹 Les membres doivent analyser toutes les candidatures et participer aux réunions (voir planning).
🔹 La limite de mandat de 2 ans n’est plus appliquée – les membres actuels peuvent renouveler leur participation par simple confirmation par email.
Pourquoi rejoindre le comité ?
✅ Découvrir et soutenir des artistes émergent·es de la FWB.
✅ Mettre votre expertise au service d’une programmation de qualité.
✅ Échanger et collaborer avec des professionnel·les du secteur.
✅ Défendre le travail d’artistes en quête de visibilité.
📩 Comment postuler ?
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Partagez cet appel avec vos membres.
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Envoyez un email avant le 4 avril avec les coordonnées et la motivation de votre représentant·e.
Pour plus d’informations, consultez le site ProPulse ou contactez-nous.
Construisons ensemble une édition 2026 passionnante !
100 Independent Artists to Watch 2025
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IMPALA has unveiled its 100 Artists to Watch for 2025 list, an initiative in partnership with YouTube to highlight emerging talent from the European independent music scene. Selected for their innovation, commercial success and diversity, these artists represent a wide range of musical genres, from jazz and hip-hop to electronica and rock.
This year, four Belgian artists are among the talents to watch:
Aili (Eskimo Recordings, Belgium): A duo blending electro and Japanese influences, renowned for their experimental approach and unique energy on stage.
Bianca Steck (Unday Records/N.E.W.S., Belgium): Captivating indie-pop artist, blending atmospheric sounds with introspective lyrics.
Michel Bellens (La Quintessence MUSIC, Belgium): A promising singer and composer, he stands out for his sensitive songwriting and refined musical arrangements.
Red Sebastian (CNR Records, Belgium): Artist with eclectic influences, blending pop, soul and electro with a contemporary twist.
The initiative is supported by a new strategic partnership with Digizik, an agency specialising in music and entertainment, which will help to raise the profile of the programme and its winners.
IMPALA encourages the public to support these artists by listening to their music, attending their concerts and sharing their work on social networks. The aim of highlighting Europe’s independent music scene is to provide a platform for emerging talent to be heard internationally.
Nous existons Toujours
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La BIMA rejoint le mouvement : Nous existons… toujours !
Nous, Bruxellois·es et organisations de la société civile, sommes en colère et impatient·es. Nous refusons la polarisation et la paralysie actuelles et nous attendons de nos responsables politiques qu’iels fassent de même. Notre travail dépasse les frontières linguistiques, communautaires et de diversité sociale. De la scène de théâtre au foyer pour sans chez-soi, du festival d’été à l’aide à domicile, nous nous engageons à coopérer encore plus, à créer davantage de ponts, à multiplier les interactions. Jour après jour.
Nous existons, toujours.
Wij bestaan… nog altijd !
Wij, Brusselaars en middenveldorganisaties, zijn kwaad en ongeduldig. We weigeren ons neer te leggen bij de huidige polarisatie en stilstand en verwachten van onze politici dat ze hetzelfde doen. Als middenveld werken we over veel grenzen heen: talen, gemeenschappen, sociale diversiteit, … Van het theaterpodium tot de thuislozenopvang, van het zomerfestival tot de thuiszorg, zetten we ons in voor meer samenwerking, meer bruggen, meer interactie. Elke dag opnieuw.
Wij bestaan, nog altijd.
WIN Benefits 2025 - C/O pop - Primavera - Reeperbahn
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As a WIN network partner, BIMA members have access to a range of benefits throughout the year. Here are the new details and discounts for upcoming events.
New! Reeperbahn Festival (Hamburg, Germany)
Discounted rates to attend Reeperbahn Festival taking place from September 17-20 in Hamburg, Germany. These prices will be available until the start of the conference:
- Conference + festival ticket is available for 269€ net (plus VAT and ticketing fee) instead of the regular 419€ net.
- Conference only ticket available for 179€ net (plus VAT and ticketing fee) instead of the regular 289€ net.
- Find code and link in MyWIN
New! AIM Sync (Online)
25% discount to attend AIM Sync the UK’s leading global online sync licensing and brand partnerships conference and marketplace on 8th April 2025.
- Find code and link in MyWIN
New! Tallinn Music Week (Tallinn, Estonia)
IMPALA has secured a 10% discount for the whole WIN Community to attend Tallinn Music Week taking place from April 3-6 in Tallinn, Estonia.
- Open to association staff + all your members – See link in MyWIN
Access MyWIN to see current discounts and other benefits including c/o pop, jazzahead!, Primavera Pro, Rio2C, A2IM Indie Week and SoAlive Music Conference. Let us know if you need a new account or have trouble accessing it.
Let us know if you need a new account or have trouble accessing it.
Just drop an email to info(at)bima.be.
Spotify Responds to the Belgian Music Industry's Call: A First Step Toward Highlighting Local Talent
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A Collective Letter for a Common Cause
The initiative began a few months ago when several Belgian music organizations united to send an open letter to Spotify. In this letter, they expressed deep concern about recent changes at Spotify Benelux, notably the dismissal of an editor with connections to the Belgian music scene and the disappearance of editorial playlists that showcased local talent.
BIMA and others organizations emphasized the need for greater attention to local repertoires, calling for the reinstatement of curators with an in-depth knowledge of the Belgian music landscape to serve as ambassadors for national talent.
Spotify Responds to the Belgian Music Industry’s Call: A First Step Toward Highlighting Local Talent
After this appeal, Spotify has responded positively by hiring a new curator dedicated to promoting Belgian talent. While this is an important first step, it should not be seen as a final victory. The Belgian music industry remains attentive and committed to ensuring that the collaboration with Spotify continues to improve moving forward.
A Promising Start
Ensuring that the curator understands the local scene is vital for the success of this initiative. The latest Ultratop rankings reveal that local and independent artists continue to struggle for visibility, with international acts dominating the charts.
Spotify and the Belgian music sector are embarking on a promising new chapter. The Belgian music industry will remain engaged and committed to ensuring that the relationship with Spotify continues to improve, striving for a more equitable representation of local music in the global streaming landscape.
Organigramme Culture & Économie en Belgique
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Organigramme des nouveaux responsables pour la Culture et l’Économie en Belgique
- Niveau Fédéral
- Ministère de l’Économie
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- David Clarinval (MR) – Vice-Premier Ministre et Ministre de l’Économie
- Niveau Régional
Région Wallonne
- Adrien Dolimont (MR) – Ministre-Président
Bruxelles-Capitale
- Formation du gouvernement en cours (pas encore finalisé)
Nous existons toujours ! Wij bestaan nog altijd ! La société civile bruxelloise veut des actes.
Het Brusselse middenveld wil actie.FRLe RABKO, aux côtés d’autres organisations de la société civile, lance l’appel « Nous existons, toujours. » L’absence de gouvernement bruxellois et les mesures fédérales annoncées fragilisent plus que jamais les organisations culturelles et sociales, ainsi que les habitant·es de Bruxelles.
NLRABKO lanceert samen met andere organisaties uit het middenveld de oproep “We bestaan, nog altijd.” Geen Brusselse regering, de aangekondige federale maatregelen : de huidige politieke context is catastrofaal voor culturele en sociale organisaties, en de Brusselaars.
Meer info >>>
Flandre
- Matthias Diependaele – Ministre-Président
- Niveau Communautaire
Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
- Elisabeth Degryse (Les Engagés) – Ministre-Présidente + Culture
- Virginie Cordier – Directrice adjointe Culture
- Bouchra Hbali – Conseillère Culture (Cabinet de la Ministre-Présidente)
- Organes de gouvernance culturelle en Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles :
- Conseil Supérieur de la Culture (CSC)
- Chambres de concertation du CSC :
- Chambre de concertation des Arts vivants
- Chambre de concertation des Arts plastiques
- Chambre de concertation des Lettres et du Livre
- Chambre de concertation du Patrimoine culturel
- Chambre de concertation des Musiques :
- Fédérations représentées : ACC, ASSPROPRO, BIMA, BWMN, COURT-CIRCUIT, FACIR, FEAS, FeBeMe, FLIF, Forum de la Création Musicale, MUSEACT, SABAM
- Représentants des RTIP
- Membres consultatifs : représentants de la Commission des Musiques, Chambre des Écoles Supérieures des Arts
- Secrétariat : Service des Musiques
- Représentants du Cabinet
- Commissions d’avis (Avis motivés sur les décisions individuelles)
- CHAMBRE DE RECOURS
- Observatoire des politiques culturelles
- Administration générale de la Culture (AGC)
- CONSEIL SUPÉRIEUR DE L’ÉDUCATION PERMANENTE
- CONSEIL DE LA LANGUE FRANÇAISE, DES LANGUES RÉGIONALES ENDOGÈNES ET DES POLITIQUES
LINGUISTIQUES
Flandre
- Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) – Ministre de la Culture
- Organes de gouvernance culturels en Flandre :
- Departement Cultuur, Jeugd en Media
- Kunstenpunt
- Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds (VAF)
- Socioculturele verenigingen
- Erfgoedorganisations
- Literatuur Vlaanderen
- MuziekOverleg:
- BRMA (Belgian Recorded Music Association)
- BIMA (Belgian Independent Music Association)
- BMPA (Belgian Music Publishers Association)
- BSCG (Belgian Screen Composers Guild)
- BWMN (Belgian World Music Network)
- Clubcircuit (koepel van Vlaamse muziekclubs en concertorganisatoren)
- ComAV (Componisten Archipel)
- FMiV (Federatie van Muziekfestivals in Vlaanderen)
- Muziekgilde
- Koor&Stem
- Kunstenpunt
- MMaF (Muziek Managers Federatie)
- MuziekMozaïek
- oKo (Overleg Kunstenorganisaties)
- PlayRight
- Sabam
- VI.BE
- VLAMO
- VLAPO (Vlaamse Podiumartiesten)
- FFN (Flanders Folk Network)
- Cult! (Netwerk Cultuurhuizen)
- Responsables liés aux médias et politiques culturelles
Médias (Région Wallonne)
- Jacqueline Galant (MR) – Ministre des Médias
- Christophe Maes – Directeur adjoint Sports & Média
- Clément Tranchant – Conseiller Média
- Jérémie Ulens – Conseiller Média
Médias (Flandre)
- Cieltje Van Achter – Ministre des Médias