Music Law, AI & Radiohead: Business Lessons at ADE 2026

Liam Brooks 10/27/2026

Nineteen years ago, Radiohead dropped their seventh studio album, In Rainbows, and offered fans a revolutionary choice: pay whatever they wanted for it. This act of defiance came at a pivotal time, amidst rampant music piracy and the general collapse of the recorded music business. Many viewed this move as a sign that recorded music had lost its value entirely, suggesting the old system was broken and artists would simply have to give their work away to survive.

But the conversation quickly moved beyond simple price tags. As one expert reflected on this moment in music history, the real discussion wasn’t about monetary value; it was about ownership. Cliff Fluet, co-head of media and entertainment at U.K. law firm Lewis Silkin LLP, noted that the core issue was far deeper: “the question was never really about price or value. It was about who owns the relationship with the fan.”

Fluet used this powerful anecdote to frame a much broader discussion at the recent Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) 2026. Speaking to a packed room, he delivered a talk titled “The State Of Things With Cliff Fluet,” diving deep into the shifting landscape of the music industry. The session explored massive topics, from the influence of artificial intelligence to recent industry mega-deals, all centered on one crucial question: Who currently holds the power in the industry, and how is that power structure evolving?

In his presentation, Fluet argued that Radiohead’s move wasn’t just a financial statement. Instead, it was a declaration rooted in three principles that still define the focus of astute members of the industry today: engagement, independence, and going direct. These principles cut through the noise, providing a timeless framework for understanding modern artist-fan dynamics.

The conversation provided a fascinating look at how revolutionary artistic choices can spark wider, philosophical debates about economic structures. It reminded everyone that while the technology and market conditions change rapidly, the fundamental relationship between creators and consumers remains at the heart of the music business.