Global Music Finance: Managers, Markets & Money Flows

Recent headlines highlight how music continues to thrive as both culture and commerce. From the role of managers in the UK, to Wall Street’s appetite for royalty-backed investments, to Spain’s streaming boom and Korea’s K-Pop surplus — here’s a snapshot of how money is moving in music.

UK Managers Generate Nearly $1 Billion in Value

A new study from the UK’s Music Managers Forum (MMF) shows managers added $974 million (GBP £714m) in value to the UK music economy. Beyond guiding careers, managers are increasingly financial strategists, ensuring artists secure sustainable revenue streams and fair deals.

“Bowie Bonds” Are Back in Fashion

So far in 2025, music-royalty backed securitizations — often called “Bowie Bonds” — have raised $4.4 billion, surpassing last year’s total. This underlines how music catalogs are seen as reliable assets. For creators, it’s a reminder that rights are not only cultural treasures but also financial ones.

Spain’s Streaming-Led Growth

Spain’s recorded music market grew 10.4% in H1 2025, with subscription streaming revenues up 18.9% year-on-year. Streaming continues to drive double-digit growth across major markets, reinforcing its central role in the industry’s financial engine.

K-Pop Powers South Korea’s Trade Surplus

South Korea recorded a $560 million music trade surplus in the first half of 2025, thanks to the global strength of K-Pop. Music is increasingly treated as a true export industry, on par with tech or manufacturing.

Why This Matters

Taken together, these stories show how music today is manager-driven, investment-backed, streaming-fueled, and globally traded. The opportunities are vast — but so are the financial complexities.

If you need help with royalty accounting, financial management, or navigating music’s global money flows, reach out — we’d love to talk.