Vollou's music recognition technology recognised by Sabam as a solution for Belgium’s nightclubs and dance cafés
Sabam’s Nightlife tariff includes a repertoire-related parameter in the determination of the tariff. Vollou, the MRT company, is one of Sabam’s recognised Music Recognition Technologies (MRTs) for its Nightlife product,which covers nightclubs and dance cafés only. That recognition is strictly limited to the Nightlife product. It gives these venues an accurate way to show exactly what music they play.
A repertoire-related parameter in the Nightlife tariff
The inclusion of a repertoire-related parameter in the determination of the Nightlife tariff is a progressive step for the industry.Until now, the absence of reliable data and reporting has made it difficult to establish what music is actually played in a nightclub or dance café.Measurement addresses that, by producing a verifiable record of what was played.
In practice, a nightclub or dance café can use one of Sabam’s recognised MRTs to carry out a repertoire check to measure what music is actually played. If the check shows the venue is playing music outside the licensed repertoire, the repertoire-related parameter may be relevant to its licence fee.
Software-based, no new hardware
What sets Vollou apart is that it is entirely software-based, using the audio equipment a venue already operates and requiring no additional hardware installation. Unlike many existing recognition approaches that rely on dedicated hardware, Vollou fits into a venue’s existing setup with no disruption to day-to-day operations.
Measurement, not estimation
Vollou was founded on a simple principle: artists should be paid fairly for the music that is played while venues should only pay for the music they use. It replaces estimation with measurement, capturing and identifying the music played in a venue and producing an accurate, timestamped record matched to the relevant rights identifiers, ready to support licensing and royalty distribution. The result is greater accuracy and fairness for all sides involved.
Proven across the music industry
Vollou is already trusted across the music rights industry. It supplies music usage data to PRS for Music and BumaStemra among others, and its DJ tracking is used by over 30% of the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs, identifying music in the most demanding live conditions. Having already proven its technology in live performance reporting, Vollou now brings that accuracy to Belgian nightclubs and dance cafés.
“Vollou exists to make sure artists are paid fairly for the music that is actually played,” said Andres Payne, CEO and co-founder of Vollou. “For too long, the music industry has lacked the necessary data at scale, and that has affected everyone. Sabam deserves real credit for including a repertoire-related parameter in the determination of its Nightlife tariff. Being one of Sabam's recognised MRTs for the Nightlife venues is very exciting, and we're proud to be part of bringing fairness and transparency to the Belgian market.”
Vollou is available to Belgian nightclubs and dance cafés under Sabam’s Nightlife product from July 2026.
