Working to secure fair renumeration for electronic music played in nightlife settings, AlphaTheta Corporation’s KUVO powered by DJ Monitor initiative is gaining the support of DJs, venues and industry figures.
KUVO powered by DJ Monitor has been designed to counter a longstanding problem: though venues pay hundreds of millions per year to CMOs for music rights, when setlists aren’t submitted, CMO’s can’t ID tracks. In turn, artists and other rightsholders experience either delayed payment, or no payment at all.
Using Music Recognition Technology and Direct Metadata Capture, KUVO powered by DJ Monitor combines various innovative tech strategies to help identify tracks, whilst also maintaining the privacy of setlists (details of who played specific songs aren’t captured, and no playlists are made public at all).
As well as protecting music creators and empowering DJs to support them, the initiative seeks to support the whole ecosystem of live electronic music, also benefitting clubs and venues in the form of music insights and extended warranties on their CDJ-3000 units – all with no extra costs or licensing fees.
With plans to scale KUVO powered by DJ Monitor over the coming months and years, artists, DJs, venues and industry figures – including DJ Jaguar, FOLD’s Technical Manager James Newmarch, and Night-Time Industries Association CEO Mike Kill – have spoken in support of its widespread use. Read their statements below and find out more here.
Jaguar said: “The KUVO powered by DJ Monitor project and logging tracklists is so important to supporting artists and keeping the scene alive. Not enough DJs and artists are aware of the benefits of logging tracklists. This is something I’m passionate about – artists deserve to get paid for their work, for that sick techno tune played in a club, for that earwormy remix heard at a festival. In a world where it’s increasingly difficult to make money off music and the arts, I think KUVO could be a game-changer for helping artists be more sustainable. Let’s get it in every club!”
James Newmarch, FOLD, Technical Manager, said: “KUVO powered by DJ Monitor has been really useful for us at FOLD. KUVO Care has been extremely important in keeping our fleet of CDJ-3000 units operational due to the harsh environment they are used in. Without this, we would have faced huge repair bills which would have been very challenging for the venue. The analytics and insights into popular tracks and artists is also very interesting and allows us to let certain artists know when their tracks are being played often in the club.”
Mike Kill, CEO, Night-Time Industries Association, said: “The KUVO powered by DJ Monitor initiative represents a monumental step forward for the electronic music industry. Accurate and fair royalty payments are vital to supporting the creators whose work forms the backbone of our vibrant nightlife culture. For too long, the system for tracking and compensating these artists has faced significant challenges, with many creators not receiving the recognition or royalties they deserve. This innovative solution bridges a long-standing gap, providing cutting-edge technology that aligns with the values of our community while respecting the privacy of DJs and venues. By ensuring that music creators are fairly rewarded, KUVO is strengthening the ecosystem that allows our industry to thrive. We wholeheartedly support this initiative and applaud the efforts of AlphaTheta Corporation, DJ Monitor, and the CMOs involved. This is a crucial development that underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in safeguarding the future of electronic music and the night-time economy globally.”
