Music Week articles from December 2004

Music Week archives from December 2004

TOTP sings Sunday's praises: scheduling switch to BBC2 next year aims to build event around unveiling of weekly charts.(Exclusive)
December 4, 2004... The BBC is moving Top Of The Pops to a new slot and new channel from next April in an historic step for the corporation's flagship music show. The programme will be switched to BBC2 every Sunday evening, as the Beeb looks to create a TV...

Sir Paul McCartney is to perform in front of a US TV audience of around 100m people.(Exposure)
December 4, 2004... Sir Paul McCartney is to perform in front of a US TV audience of around 100m people after securing the half-time entertainment slot at next year's Super Bowl.

Good For Nothing.(Exposure)
December 4, 2004... * A music and lifestyle magazine for Londoners is being launched by a team formerly involved with the Sleaze and X-Ray stable. Good For Nothing will be distributed free in record shops, bars and hairdressers.

Radio Two.(Exposure)
December 4, 2004... * George Michael and Chris Tarrant are heading BBC Radio Two's programming highlights for this Christmas. Former Capital FM breakfast show presenter Tarrant will make his debut for the BBC station in a two-hour New Year's Eve special, while...

Radio One.(Exposure)
December 4, 2004... * Three Radio One programmes have made it to the top five of the BBC's most popular radio website streams, new figures reveal. The late John Peel's show, Chris Moyles' breakfast programme and the Sunday chart show lead the way for the national...

Mobile Music Forum.(Exposure)
December 4, 2004... * Midem is lining up Vodafone's global marketing director Guy Laurence as keynote speaker for the second Mobile Music Forum, taking part during the Cannes conference on January 23. US music lawyer Joel Katz from Greenberg Taurig, Mobile...

BBC.(Exposure)
December 4, 2004... * The BBC has launched a five-week TV and poster promotional campaign for its portfolio of digital radio stations including 1Xtra, 6 Music and Asian Network.

Flyposting fine rocks label.(Bottom line)
December 4, 2004... * Rock label Music For Nations has been ordered by Horseferry Magistrates Court to pay a record fine for pasting up InMe posters in Soho. Just five of the posters were put up in the area, but the court issued a 1,000 [pounds sterling] fine for...

Leading independent radio production company UBC has signed a deal with Emap to deliver entertainment news to nine of its digital stations.(Bottom line)
December 4, 2004... * Leading independent radio production company UBC has signed a deal with Emap to deliver entertainment news to nine of its digital stations. The deal was announced last week to coincide with new interim results, which show turnover for UBC...

Universal Music Enterprises.(Bottom line)
December 4, 2004... * Universal Music Enterprises, the US division which oversees catalogue recordings and speciality music, has launched the company's first all-digital download label. The new venture will be distributed through online retailers.

EMI extends mobile link-up.(Sign here)
December 4, 2004... * EMI and Carphone Warehouse's Play Mobile brand have extended their recently forged partnership in a deal which will see the companies provide pre-pay realtone packs, including repertoire from Kylie Minogue, Blue and Robbie Williams.

Shazam Entertainment.(Sign here)
December 4, 2004... * Audio technology company Shazam Entertainment has partnered with music label Rock Mobile to deliver its service to Taiwan's three major network operators. Yoyo Song Match will enable customers to access Shazam's music recognition service.

MPL Communications.(Sign here)
December 4, 2004... Paul McCartney's publishing company MPL Communications has signed singer songwriter Glenn Aitken, who McCartney discovered while holidaying in the Maldives.

Dixons.(Sign here)
December 4, 2004... * Dixons is offering free Napster music downloads to customers buying electronic goods in its stores before Christmas. Anyone buying a PC or laptop in a Dixons Group store before Christmas Eve will receive a Napster pre-paid card giving the...

Ex-Classic head accepts new role.(People)
December 4, 2004... * Former Classic FM managing director and programme controller Roger Lewis has been recruited by Boosey & Hawkes as deputy chairman. Lewis starts a full-time position this week as managing director of ITV Wales.

EMI.(People)
December 4, 2004... * EMI's long-serving executive Chris Kennedy has moved across from the major's UK and Ireland operation to become EMI Music Continental Europe's senior vice president and chief financial officer. Kennedy's previous role of chief financial...

British Academy of Composers and Songwriting.(People)
December 4, 2004... * John Adams received a Fellowship from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriting last week at a Barbican concert. He follows Sir Elton John, who last month received the first of five new Fellowships to mark the Ivor Novellos' 50th...

Musicindie.(People)
December 4, 2004... * Musicindie is bringing in new management in a move which sees Gavin Robertson end his long relationship with Aim's new media arm. Aim and Robertson's Rightsrouter operation have "mutually agreed" to end their relationship, paving the way for...

Record producer Terry Melcher, whose numerous hit productions included The Bryds' trans-Atlantic number one Mr Tambourine Man, has died of cancer.(People)
December 4, 2004... * Record producer Terry Melcher, whose numerous hit productions included The Bryds' trans-Atlantic number one Mr Tambourine Man, has died of cancer. The 62-year-old also produced Gram Parsons and the Mamas & The Papas, while as a songwriter his...

IPC Ignite!(People)
December 4, 2004... * IPC Ignite! has announced a management restructure within its key music and men's lifestyle titles following the departure of publishing director Neil Robinson to the TX division. Group publishing director Eric Fuller takes charge of NME,...

BPI executive chairman Peter Jamieson will be among the speakers at a Playlouder and Music Ally-organised seminar looking at ways to make money from peer-to-peer services.(People)
December 4, 2004... * BPI executive chairman Peter Jamieson will be among the speakers at a Playlouder and Music Ally-organised seminar looking at ways to make money from peer-to-peer services. IE Management's Tim Clark, Beggars Group chairman Martin Mills, Cherry...

Radio One.(People)
December 4, 2004... * Radio One is turning over its evening schedule on December 16 to pay tribute to its late presenter John Peel. Steve Lamacq will host the evening, which will include a documentary on his career and acts including Underworld, The Wedding...

Correction.(People)(Correction Notice)
December 4, 2004... * Correction: the Blackburn manufacturing facilities handling the Band Aid 20 single are owned by Deluxe, riot Universal as stated last week.

TOTP wins 'fresh start' on BBC2: BBC aims to switch focus away from viewing figures as it underlines commitment to show.(Television)
December 4, 2004... BBC head of production Mark Cooper says the decision to move Top Of The Pops to BBC2 represents a "fresh start" for the show. Talking exclusively to Music Week, Cooper says he hopes the decision will allow people to locus on the show's...

Sony BMG unveils first details of music division line-up.(News)
December 4, 2004... Sony BMG has taken a further step in the reshaping of its newly combined UK operation, with the appointment of the first set of executives within Ged Doherty's music division. The appointments are expected to be followed this week by the...

The Music Week playlist.(News)
December 4, 2004... GWEN STEFANI Hollaback Girl (Interscope) Just one of the gems from the album which will be one of 2005's million plus sellers (from album, out now) BEN ADAMS Destination Rendezvous (Phonogenic) Recalling early Prince, this is a...

BPI Awards Albums.(News)
December 4, 2004... Il Divo--Il Divo (Syco) (double platinum) Ronan Keating--Ten Years Of Hits (Polydor) (double platinum) Shania Twain--Greatest Hits (Mercury) (platinum) Rod Stewart--Great American Songbook III (BMG) (platinum) U2--How To...

Band Aid bundle set to join digital chart: ground-breaking OCC decision boosts single's profile.(Charity)
December 4, 2004... The Band Aid 20 bandwagon has persuaded the Official UK Chart Company to make a landmark rule change to its download Top 20 to help maximise exposure and payout to the charity. Download sales of the chart-ineligible two-track "bundle"...

BPI figures to add downloads.(News)
December 4, 2004... Downloads could be incorporated into BPI quarterly shipment figures early next year, reflecting the new physical and digital aspects of the singles market. Another weak performance by the physical singles business was the one low point in...

Kasabian.(Snapshot)
December 4, 2004... UK band Kasabian continue to go from strength to strength, last week adding a major publishing deal to their list of achievements during the year. The long race to sign publishing for the Leicester band, whose eponymous debut album has...

Somethin' Else sets up global syndication arm.(News)
December 4, 2004... British music's exposure on overseas radio could be boosted by a new international syndication venture from radio production company Somethin' Else. Somethin' Else International will look to build on the syndication the company currently...

Capital backs its breakfast formula.(News)
December 4, 2004... Capital Radio executives have turned to internal research to back their claims that Johnny Vaughan remains the right man to steer their flagship London station's breakfast show. Despite the fact that Vaughan's Capital FM programme lost...

R2 boss tops honours at 10th awards event: Lesley Douglas wins top award, with gongs also going to Nikki Watkins, Karen Williams and Alison Donald.(News)
December 4, 2004... Radio Two controller Lesley Douglas hailed the close relationship between her station and the record industry as she was honoured as Woman Of The Year. Douglas modestly declared the award was in recognition of the national station and its...

Reissue labels break rank over copyright: 'public domain' companies act to protect their interests.(News)
December 4, 2004... A new anti-extension lobbying group is threatening to undermine the truce brokered by the Music Business Forum on sound recording copyright law. Weeks after the October 31 deadline set by the EC for submissions on its consultation on the...

Delegates seek Bombay dream.(News)
December 4, 2004... The UK music industry is aiming to build trade partnerships with Indian labels, publishers and promoters after flying out a high level, multi-organisation mission to the subcontinent. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and independent labels...

Sink or swim time for cash-strapped Ocean.(News)
December 4, 2004... East London venue Ocean is continuing to stage music events in the approach to Christmas, despite suffering "financial difficulties" and calling in administrators. Forthcoming gigs by Laibach and Level 42 are expected to proceed as...

[The Real] Tuesday weld.(Snapshot)
December 4, 2004... The second phase of a 1.15m [pounds sterling] advertising campaign by Lucozade gets underway this week, featuring music from Pias Recordings act [The Real] Tuesday Weld. A series of three TV ads has been animated and directed by Alex Budovsky,...

Key albums for quarter one 2005.(News)(Calendar)
December 4, 2004... JANUARY Athlete Chemical Brothers Erasure Feeder LCD Soundsystem Lemon Jelly Jennifer Lopez Mercury Rev Judas Priest Ozzy Osbourne (best of) The Others Rooster FEBRUARY Tori Amos Black Eyed Peas Beck Bloc Party Michael Buble...

Robust albums schedule to greet Q1: new records from emerging talent and superstars alike herald promising start to 2005.(Talent)
December 4, 2004... Retailers who have become resigned to a new-year release schedule typically dominated by untried and development acts usually have reason to feel blue in January. But 2005 looks set to offer a different story. The first quarter of next year...

Digital operators click with indies: download services send encouraging signals to boost independents' legit repertoire online.(Downloads)
December 4, 2004... The number of companies vying for the indie labels' trust in the digital space has accelerated in recent months. While Loudeye-owned OD2 has promised to boost the profile of the sector, Universal has relaunched its new media arm and the...

Kodime win raises stakes.(Company profile)
December 4, 2004... Describing itself as a "new generation mobile business enabler", and offering a web-based solution for music companies to enter the mobile race, mobile service company Kodime is enjoying an encouraging year so far. The company recently...

Top 20 ringtones.(News)
December 4, 2004... Destiny's Child's Lose My Breath retains its position at the top of the ringtones rundown. Meanwhile, Lema's If There's Any Justice makes its first appearance at number three. At number tight, ringtones chart favourite 3 Of A Kind's Babycakes...

Bold BBC decision could save TOTP: Top Of The Pops' move to a different slot could well breathe new life into the format.(Editorial)
December 4, 2004... Top Of The Pops claims a special place in the hearts of most of us in the business who love music. The sad fact of life, though, is that it has lost its crucial significance for the music fans of today The BBC's decision to move the show...

Airplay measurement is helping to shape the future.(Viewpoint)
December 4, 2004... Ten years ago, electronic airplay measurement was a new-fangled and dubious concept. Could it really work? Was it necessary? Opinion was divided. Today the answer is a resounding yes. Quantifiable airplay is an established concept. Airplay...

Is Chris Evans the right person to host the Brits?(The big question)
December 4, 2004... Chris Evans was last week announced as the Brits' surprise choice as host. But is he the right man to front next year's event? Martel Maxwell, The Sun "Chris Evans is an inspired choice to host the Brits. The crucial thing is that it...

UK Hall Of Fame lacks credibility.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 4, 2004... Your editorial (20.11.04) describes the UK Music Hall Of Fame as a triumph. I couldn't disagree more. The word "disaster" would be more appropriate. This half-witted project is a tragic lost opportunity for the British music industry. ...

MTV backs Band Aid all the way.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 4, 2004... This is with reference to the Music Week article Band Aid Sparks TV Frenzy (27.11.04, p1) and the comment that MTV's support for Band Aid 20 was "disappointing" because we "refused" to broadcast the Band Aid 20 promo during the MTV Europe Music...

A host of top name DJs including Tall Paul, Seb Fontaine and DJ Spoony took part in the second World DJ Golf Open at the Lambourne in Buckinghamshire.
December 4, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: A host of top name DJs including Tall Paul, Seb Fontaine and DJ Spoony took part in the second World DJ Golf Open at the Lambourne in Buckinghamshire. The event was promoted by DMC, the company behind the...

Anastacia's third self-titled album has now passed the 1m mark in the UK, making it a hat-trick of platinum hits for the star.
December 4, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Anastacia's third self-titled album has now passed the 1 m mark in the UK, making it a hat-trick of platinum hits for the star. The person responsible for breaking the news to the singer was Sony BMG chief...

After a long career spent working behind the scenes promoting some of the biggest names in the business, from Barbra Streisand to Tom Jones, it was time for Barry Clayman to step into the limelight to collect his OBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace last week.
December 4, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: After a long career spent working behind the scenes promoting some of the biggest names in the business, from Barbra Streisand to Tom Jones, it was time for Barry Clayman to step into the limelight to...

May the best woman win.(Dooley's Diary)
December 4, 2004... Remember where you heard it: Who needs Crimewatch UK when you have Women Of The Year? Just days after having sortie of her valuables pilfered, Sharon Osbourne used the platform of last Wednesday's ceremony to urge everyone to keep 'em...

Key releases.(Datafile)
December 4, 2004... ALBUMS THIS WEEK Girls Aloud What Will The Neighbours Say? (Polydor); Brian McFadden Irish Son (Modest); Lemar Time To Grow (Sony) DECEMBER 6 Ashanti tbc (Def Jam); Will Smith tbc (Polydor); Tony Bennett Art Of Romance...

Mixed news for albums and singles.(The Market)
December 4, 2004... Days after latest BPI figures showed that the total number of albums sold in the 12-month period ending September were the highest on record, sales in the run-up to Christmas 2004 continue to provide cause for concern. Although the total...

Market indicators.(Datafile)
December 4, 2004... MARKET INDICATORS SINGLES Sales versus last week: -14.9% Year to date versus last year: -13.5% Market shares Universal 42.5% Sony BMG 25.8% Others 16.2% EMI 11.9% Warner 3.6% ALBUMS ...

Fast chart.(Datafile)
December 4, 2004... SINGLES NUMBER ONE GIRLS ALOUD I'LL STAND BY YOU Polydor British female vocal act Girls Aloud continue to hold sway over US counterparts Destiny's Child, but their lead is down to 34.6%, compared to 86.5% last week. ARTIST...

Choice launches urban showcase: urban station Choice FM underlines its support of emerging British talent with new showcase.(The Plot)
December 4, 2004... CHOICE UK CUTS SHOWCASE Radio station Choice FM is this week extending its on- and off-air initiative aimed at increasing the exposure given to up-and-coming British urban acts by hosting its first showcase event for new talent. The...

The Killers.(Snapshot)
December 4, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The Killers' re-release of Somebody Told Me looks set to give the Las Vegas four-piece their biggest UK hit to date, having already been added to Radio One's B-list last Friday. The single was first issued...

Tipsters: a selection of UK tastemakers select their favourite upcoming releases.(Upfront)
December 4, 2004... Nigel Harding, head of music, Xfm THE BLACK VELVETS GET ON YOUR LIFE (MERCURY); NINE BLACK ALPS COSMOPOLITAN (MELODIC) "It has become a tradition for Xfm to present up-and-coming bands at our annual Christmas party as tips for the...

Radio playlists.(Upfront)
December 4, 2004... RADIO 1 A LIST Band Aid 20 Do They Know It's Christmas?; Destiny's Child Lose My Breath; Embrace Ashes; Eminem Just Lose It; Franz Ferdinand This Fire; Green Day Boulevard Of Broken Dreams; Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For; Ice Cube...

Top 10 radio growers.(Upfront)
December 4, 2004... Adds BIG CITY Band Aid 20 Do They Know It's Christmas?; Ice Cube You Can Do It; Maroon 5 Sunday Morning; Nelly feat. Christina Aguilera Tilt Ya Head Back GALAXY Lil Flip Sunshine; Narcotic Thrust When The Dawn Breaks; Red...

TV airplay chart: Westlife's Smile makes a 51-place leap into the Top 40, while Band Aid 20 makes rapid progress vaulting 33-3.(TV)
December 4, 2004... 3. Band Aid 20 Band Aid 20's Do They Know It's Christmas had a disappointing week on radio, where it was marked down from eight to 14, but this was compensated for by a big rise in support at TV chart, on which the track jumps 33-3. It...

Tara Blaise.(Snapshot)
December 4, 2004... Corrs manager John Hughes is enjoying a boost in profile for his label Spokes Records, which is releasing the debut album from Irish singer Tara Blaise in February. The first UK single from the Dancing On Tables Barefoot album was last week...

The UK radio airplay chart: Maroon 5 have the highest new entry at number 12, while Joss Stone is the highest climber, vaulting 23 places to 19 ronan Keating, meanwhile, makes strong gains.(Radio)
December 4, 2004... 12. Maroon 5 Rocketing 55-12 on the airplay chart, Maroon 5's Sunday Morning is the highest new entry to the Top 50 this year, and is clearly going to provide a fourth hit from the band's debut album Songs About Jane, which topped the 1m...

In-store next week.(Cued up)
December 4, 2004... ASDA Single--Kylie Minogue; Album--Il Dive; Compilation--Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason OST; Music DVD --Snow Patrol; In-store Daniel Bedingfield, Tina Turner, Maroon 5, Kylie Minogue, Shania Twain, The Streets, Golde Lookin Chain,...

Tastemakers.(Cued up)
December 4, 2004... JIM JOHNSTONE No9 and Propeller 1. HANNE HUKKELBERG CAST ANCHOR (PROPELLER) 2. THE THING ARTSTAR (SMALLOWN SUPERJAZZZ) 3. SUSANNA & THE MAGICAL ORCHESTRA JOLENE (RUNE GRAMMOFON) 4. JAGA JAZZIST BLACK DICE (NINJA TUNE) 5....

TV listings.(Cued up)
December 4, 2004... CD:UK Babyshambles Killamangiro: Brian McFadden Irish Son; Gwen Stefani What You Waiting For; Joss Stone Right To Be Wrong; Keane This Is The Last Time; Robbie Williams Misunderstood; U2 Miracle Drug GMTV Nadia Almada (Wed) A...

Radio listings.(Cued up)
December 4, 2004... RADIO ONE Chris Moyles Natasha Bedingfield guests (Mon) Mike Davies Leftover Crack in session (Tue) Annie Mac Alter Ego mix (Thur) Annie Nightingale Smithmonger mix (Thur) RADIO TWO Live From The Stables Sharleen...

Pumping on Yourradio.(Media Insider)
December 4, 2004... Launched as a full-time station on 30 May 2001 as Castle Rock FM 103, after several successful RSLs, Yourradio adopted its new name a little over a year ago. This was primarily because its previous area-specific branding was no longer...

Ronan Keating feat. Yusuf: Father & Son.
December 4, 2004... Ronan Keating feat. Yusuf Father & Son Polydor 9869667 Both artists have already taken this song to number two on separate occasions and under different monikers, and have decided to collaborate the purpose of Ronan's 10 Years Of Hits...

Bent: Flavour Country EP.
December 4, 2004... Bent Flavour Country EP (Open OPEN08P1) After the grownup pop delights of their album Ariels, Bent return to the electronic sound of their roots with this limited-edition five-track EP. Offering a housier take on album track The Waters Deep...

Tara Blaise: Fool For Love.
December 4, 2004... Tara Blaise Fool For Love (Spokes SPKSCD002) This 27-year old Irish singer was previously part of band called KayDee prior to hooking up with Corrs manager John Hughes, who signed her to his label. This is the lead track from Blaise's debut...

The Concretes: Warm Night EP.
December 4, 2004... The Concretes Warm Night EP (EMI LFCD015) On record, The Concretes don't often sound like the eight-piece they are, but this EP's title track--the most orchestral work on their remarkable debut album--shows Sweden's hottest current...

Electric Six: Radio Ga Ga.
December 4, 2004... Electric Six Radio Ga Ga (Rushmore WEA381) There has to be some scratching of heads here. Why the band that wrote the marvellous Danger! High Voltage and Gay Bar felt the need to do a pub band type cover of a Queen song is puzzling. It...

The Features: Leave It All Behind.
December 4, 2004... The Features Leave It All Behind (Island MCSTD40383) Having previously been released through Fierce Panda, The Features return with a major label debut and a support slot on Kings Of Leon's UK tour in December. This melodic alternative...

Goldie Lookin Chain: You Knows I Loves You.
December 4, 2004... Goldie Lookin Chain You Knows I Loves You (Atlantic GLC03CD) GLC go all Barry White on this touching ballad in which Eggsy promises to take his special lady to the likes of McDonald's, Argos and Mecca Bingo. It is B-listed at Radio One,...

Hot Pantz: (I'd Like To Give You) One 4 Christmas.
December 4, 2004... Hot Pantz (I'd Like To Give You) One 4 Christmas (Tug CDSN0G13) Taking the Christmas single to a new level, this song was penned by the man responsible for Steps' breakthrough hit 5,6,7,8. Fronting the project are Southampton girls Shelley...

Lucky Jim: Lesbia EP.
December 4, 2004... Lucky Jim Lesbia EP (Skint CDSKINT108) This Brighton duo received a smattering of media interest in May, when their debut album Our Troubles End Tonight was released. The lead track on this EP, Lesbia, is lifted from the parent album, and...

The Radio Dept: Ewan.
December 4, 2004... The Radio Dept Ewan (XL XLS203CD) Rapidly building a reputation with their blend of early Nineties shoegaze and crisp Noughties melodies and beats, this Swedish act look poised to break through. Even the layers of FX and distortion on this,...

Damien Rice: the Blower's Daughter.
December 4, 2004... Damien Rice The Blower's Daughter (14th Floor DR06CD1) The new single from Rice's multi-Platinum debut album O is another blatant demonstration of his skills as an inspired songwriter. The subtle violin and female chorus cleverly complement...

Cliff Richard: I Cannot Give You My Love.
December 4, 2004... Cliff Richard I Cannot Give You My Love (Decca 4756611) Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without etc..., and thankfully this time Sir Cliff dispenses with the overblown seasonal efforts of recent years and delivers a classy piece of MOB...

Various: Yule Love Us.
December 4, 2004... Various Yule Love Us (We Love You AMOUR20S) A follow-up to the Wall of Sound offshoot We Love You's We Love Yule, released four years ago, this festive double seven-inch showcases four emerging acts. There is plenty of variety on offer,...

The Zutons: Confusion.
December 4, 2004... The Zutons Confusion (Deltasonic DLTCD030) This catchy ballad is taken from the band's debut Who Killed The Zutons from April. The Zutons are looking to extend the shelf life of the album, which was repackaged in October with extra track...

Avid Merrion: I Got You Babe/Soda Pop.
December 4, 2004... Avid Merrion I Got You Babe/Soda Pop BMG 82876669872 Following last year's Christmas hit Proper Crimbo, Avid returns for a second stab at the festive market. Any money made from Merrion's Christmas single will be going to genuinely...

Band Aid 20 dominates Christmas sales race.
December 4, 2004... The release this week of Band Aid 20 is set to dominate the singles market right through to Christmas. At present, the only scheduled release which looks capable of dethroning the charity single is the winning single from X-Factor, which is due...