UNLIMITED SUPPLY with Digital Music News If someone can't answer clearly, that's your answer, Pustulant AI spatter, and the Shawshank Festival?
Dec 9, 2025
Billy McFarland discusses the ups and downs of his festival, Phoenix Fest, while Mariah Carey's Christmas classic reigns supreme on the charts. The conversation shifts to AI, with experts highlighting its controversial role in music, from cloning artists to copyright disputes. Dave Stewart encourages musicians to adapt to this technological wave while retaining control of their work. Environmental concerns about AI's energy consumption spark debate, alongside the unexpected job creation in the virtual influencer space.
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Billy McFarland's Third-Act Festival
- Billy McFarland staged a third festival, Phoenix Fest, after Fyre Fest and managed to pull it off with fewer disasters.
- Lars Murray calls him the "Nigerian prince of festivals" and urges attendees to do their research before buying tickets.
Mariah's Seasonal Chart Dominance
- Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" dominated the Hot 100 for 19 weeks this season.
- Lars observes the song's ubiquity and notes it's not AI-generated and benefits Mariah financially.
Clarity Reveals AI Training Issues
- Virginie Berger says AI's training-data questions are now out in the open, letting the industry confront problems directly.
- Her pithy rule: "If someone can't answer clearly, that is your answer."