Music Week articles from February 2007

Music Week archives from February 2007

Winehouse serves up Midem corker.
February 3, 2007... Hours ahead of Amy Winehouse's headline performance at Midem last week, the Universal artist was confirmed to top the bill at Live From London in New York, an annual day of activity designed to break British talent abroad. Winehouse will...

Midem: time's up for DRM.
February 3, 2007... Pressure mounts to free downloads from digital rights management By Martin Talbot The major record groups are under increasing pressure to soften their stance on digital rights management (DRM), in an effort to rev up the digital...

IN BRIEF: Sanctuary posts smaller loss.(Financial report)
February 3, 2007... Sanctuary significantly reduced its operating losses for the last financial year, but still found itself more than #50m in the red, according to figures posted last Friday. For the year ending September 30 2006, the group reported an operating...

IN BRIEF: Take That officially recognised.
February 3, 2007... Take That's comeback has been officially recognised by the IFPI with an award for 1m sales across Europe. The band's Universal-issued album Beautiful World is one of 12 albums awarded IFPI Platinum Europe Awards for sales benchmarks reached...

IN BRIEF: PRS Foundation grants.
February 3, 2007... The PRS Foundation charity will make up to #1.25m available in grants to support new music this year, ranging from individual scholarships to support for festival organisers. Full details are available at www.prsfoundation.co.uk. ...

IN BRIEF: WH Smiths results.
February 3, 2007... WH Smith's high street sales took a further hit during Christmas and new year trading, but bosses claim overall profitability is continuing to improve. A trading update revealed like-for-like sales fell 6% in the 20 weeks to January 20. ...

IN BRIEF: Cisac to hold summit.
February 3, 2007... International authors' rights association Cisac is to hold a summit in May to debate the future of copyright. The forum will take place in Brussels on May 30 and 31 and will aim to address key topics, including how rights will be created,...

IN BRIEF: HMV appoints online tech team.
February 3, 2007... HMV has made three appointments to strengthen its internet product team. Rob Edwards is made internet DVD buyer, Stewart Allan takes on the position of internet audio buyer and James Kean is appointed games and entertainment buyer. All three...

IN BRIEF: Launch of a music education programme.
February 3, 2007... EMI Music Publishing chairman and co-CEO Marty Bandier was joined by figures from across the UK music industry last Thursday for the London launch of a music education programme carrying his name. The Bandier Program for Music & the...

IN BRIEF: Angel Gambino resigns.
February 3, 2007... MTV's vice-president of commercial strategy and digital media Angel Gambino has resigned from her post after only 16 months after the broadcaster decided to split her role into three separate posts. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: First MusicTank debate.
February 3, 2007... The first MusicTank debate of this year will focus on the pricing structure and price level of downloads. The Great Digital Debate: How Do You Divvy Up A Download? takes place at Bertorelli's restaurant in central London on February 6. ...

IN BRIEF: Chris Cracknell to resign.
February 3, 2007... Greensleeves Records A&R veteran Chris Cracknell is to leave the company at the end of March after more than 30 years with the reggae specialist. The company was sold to public company Zest Group in March 2006, but Cracknell agreed to stay and...

IN BRIEF: Showcase event goes to Germany.
February 3, 2007... The BPI's second German-based British Music Week event is being expanded to include the cities of Hamburg and Cologne. All four majors plus independents Sanctuary and Domino have already vowed to put on gigs during British Music Week 2007,...

IN BRIEF: Jesus and Mary Chain reforming.
February 3, 2007... Organisers behind a music festival in California say The Jesus And Mary Chain are reforming to play the event. The Scottish band are reportedly lined up to perform at the eighth Coachella Music Festival, which is taking place in Indio from...

IN BRIEF: Ofcom warns BBC.
February 3, 2007... Media regulator Ofcom has warned plans by the BBC to make radio programming available for free downloading could have a "serious adverse impact" on the classical music market. The Corporation is proposing the free downloads as part of a series...

IN BRIEF: Tickets have gone on sale.
February 3, 2007... Tickets have gone on sale for this year's MMF Annual Roll Of Honour event, which takes place at the Hilton Hotel in London's Park Lane on April 18. They are available from the MMF Shop at www.musicmanagersforum.co.uk/shop. Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: Street Gigs series back.
February 3, 2007... T-Mobile is bringing its Street Gigs series back for a third year, with the first act of 2007 to perform being the UK's current singles chart- topper Mika. Mika will play in London's Berkley Square on February 5 in a circus-themed set, which...

IN BRIEF: Live music night hosted by Aim.
February 3, 2007... Amp Fiddler and Iain Archer will be among a handful of acts playing at a new live music night hosted by indie group Aim. Aim Independent Sessions debuts on February 19 in association with eMusic. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Taylor Herring PR adds new media art to portfolio.
February 3, 2007... Taylor Herring PR has added a new media arm to its portfolio. Force 10 aims to provide music industry clients with the resources to promote releases and tours via non-traditional new media streams, including online, mobile and hand-held devices...

IN BRIEF: Tom Waits wins ad settlement.
February 3, 2007... Tom Waits has reached a legal settlement with Adam Opel AG and advertising agency McCann Erickson Germany over TV advertisements for Opel aired in 2005. Waits issued legal proceedings last year over the ads, whose soundbeds featured someone...

IN BRIEF: Coca-Cola reaches agreement.
February 3, 2007... Coca-Cola has reached an agreement with unsigned UK band 7 Seconds Of Love over the use of the band's song Ninja in an advert in Argentina. Precise terms of the settlement are not being disclosed, but Coca-Cola has agreed to make a "significant...

IN BRIEF: Van Morrison compilation.
February 3, 2007... EMI is to release a new Van Morrison compilation to coincide with the artist being honoured in Hollywood at the end of February. Morrison is to receive the US-Ireland Alliance Honour in recognition of the role of his compositions in films. ...

IN BRIEF: Radio One to broadcast exclusive concert.
February 3, 2007... Radio One is to broadcast an exclusive concert by B-Unique/Polydor's Kaiser Chiefs ahead of their full UK tour. The show is being recorded at the Doncaster Dome next Friday (February 9) and will be broadcast in an extended Zane Lowe show...

Oprah effect sends Rae into US top 5.
February 3, 2007... Bailey Rae becomes Capitol's highest-charting new UK act in the US since The Beatles by Paul Williams The Oprah effect has helped Corinne Bailey Rae secure her place in Capitol Records history by delivering the company its highest US...

Stock dispute led to Music Zone axe, says administrator.
February 3, 2007... Music Zone administrator Deloitte has blamed a dispute with suppliers over stock left in-store as one of the reasons behind its decision last week to pull the plug on the high street chain. Around 800 members of staff lost their jobs...

THE PLAYLIST: 03.02.07.
February 3, 2007... MAXIMO PARK Our Velocity (Warp) Maximo Park return in style with Our Velocity, the lead-off track from their antici-pated second album, which drops on April 2. (single, Mar 19) CAJUN DANCE PARTY Colourful Life (WayOutWest)...

SNAP SHOT: The Fray.
February 3, 2007... Epic signings The Fray are to embark on a support tour with The Feeling to mark the release of their single How To Save A Life, due for physical release on February 26. Their debut album of the same title was the number one digital album...

Palais fate is confirmed.
February 3, 2007... One to be sold, the other demolished - all change for Hammersmith venues by Jim Larkin Hammersmith's two most prestigious venues are preparing for transformation, with one likely to go under the hammer and the other under the...

EMI takes steps in US to put major back on track.
February 3, 2007... EMI has taken the first step towards revitalising its US operation with the merger of its Capitol and Virgin divisions. EMI Group chief executive officer Eric Nicoli acted quickly after flying into New York from Midem last Tuesday,...

Kiss downloads site points way forward.
February 3, 2007... Commercial radio station launches digital service by Jim Larkin Emap's Kiss 100 presses the button on a new downloads service this week, heralding what could be the year in which commercial radio fully turns the dream of selling...

Live music training academy a step closer.
February 3, 2007... The launch of a new #10m academy to train workers for the live music sector has moved a step closer with the drawing up of a timetable of action. The National Skills Academy for the Creative and Cultural Industries now has until mid-March...

Radio in podcast music deal.
February 3, 2007... Commercial radio is on the verge of signing what is being hailed as a "breakthrough deal", which will give it a blanket licence to use music in podcasts. A verbal agreement between RadioCentre, the new trade body for commercial radio, and...

Profile: VH1 talent chief is an English fan in New York.
February 3, 2007... Rick Krim is helping UK artists crack the notoriously tough US market. MW discovers how by Ben Cardew "You know one band I really like?" ponders VH1 executive talent and music programming vice president Rick Krim as he leans back in...

Midem addresses new world order.
February 3, 2007... New business models, free music and the future of DRM top 41-year-old event's agenda by Martin Talbot Anyone who has been to Midem over the years will tell you that Cannes in January boasts weather that can change with the tide. ...

Focus of attention on independents, as initiatives bear fruit.
February 3, 2007... One striking example of the changes within the business, as illustrated by Midem, was the string of initiatives designed to improve the chances of independent labels making an impact commercially. Indies - who dominated a Midem event that...

MP urges Euro assault.
February 3, 2007... Minister hints at u-turn over Gowers by Martin Talbot Music minister Shaun Woodward used last week's Midem conference to urge the British music industry to take its term extension campaign to Europe. And he appeared to open the...

SNAP SHOT: SHINY TOY GUNS.
February 3, 2007... Mercury act Shiny Toy Guns took to the stage at the Martinez Hotel in Cannes last Sunday night as part of the Midem opening night party, in association with EMI Music Publishing. The Los Angeles-based band was part of a notably cosmopolitan...

MIDEM 2007: New songwriter alliance formed.
February 3, 2007... Representatives from some of Europe's biggest composer organisations announced the formation of a new pan-European songwriter association. The Alliance Of Popular Composer Organisations In Europe (Apcoe) initially comprises songwriter...

MIDEM 2007: SDC unveil plans.
February 3, 2007... DRM specialist SDC unveiled plans to power a full track, DRM-protected mobile music download service in China. The service will be China's first DRM-protected mobile service and will be offered by Beijing Digital Telecom - the country's top...

MIDEM 2007: First digital service provider.
February 3, 2007... 24-7 MusicShop announced a new service that it says will make it the first digital service provider offering dual delivery for music videos. The company said the announcement will mean that its customers will be able to offer the delivery of...

MIDEM 2007: First classical music web store launched.
February 3, 2007... Austrian label Preiser Records has launched what it says is the world's first classical music web store, www.preiserrecords.at/suche, which can be searched without knowing the title, composer or performer. Instead customers search by criteria...

MIDEM 2007: Warner links up with Dailymotion.
February 3, 2007... Warner Music Group signed an agreement with Dailymotion to distribute the majors' content via the service, the world's second largest global video-sharing website. The deal means that music videos from Warner Music's roster will be made...

MIDEM 2007: Adstream to include digital music distribution.
February 3, 2007... UK company Adstream, which provides digital asset management and distribution services for the worldwide advertising market, has reinforced its service to include digital music distribution. As a result of a deal with Musicrypt, Adstream.DMDS...

MIDEM 2007: Ricall inks deals.
February 3, 2007... Online music licensing marketplace Ricall inked deals with Notting Hill Music and 7digital. Under the Notting Hill Music deal, the publisher will open its catalogue, which represents more than 25,000 copyrights, to Ricall's licensing platform....

MIDEM 2007: Internet Media Works appointment.
February 3, 2007... Tag Strategic managing partner Ted Cohen joined the board of Intent Media Works, which provides technology for the distribution of licensed digital content and advertising via the internet. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

MIDEM 2007: IODA to launch IODA UK.
February 3, 2007... Digital distribution company IODA is to launch IODA UK, after completing its acquisition of Uploader, a leading European digital music distributor based in London. IODA UK will retain all existing Uploader staff, with co-founder Pete Dodge...

MIDEM 2007: Wippit inks ITN archive deal.
February 3, 2007... Wippit signed a deal which enables it to supply customers with content from ITN's music archives. The material contains performances and interviews and date as far back as the Thirties. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

MIDEM 2007: Fabchannel unviels embeded concert player.
February 3, 2007... Online concert video archivist Fabchannel unveiled the Fabplayer Beta, an embedded concert player which enables consumers to integrate video footage into websites, blogs and desktops. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

MIDEM 2007: French and German to create joint commission.
February 3, 2007... The French and German music export offices are to create a joint commission, with the goal of helping the two countries work together to promote their home-grown artists. Overall sales of French music abroad fell in 2005, down 14% to 29.8m...

MIDEM 2007: Groove Mobile strike a deal.
February 3, 2007... Groove Mobile struck a deal to build a UK mobile music store for Universal. Groove Mobile will build and operate the store, which will enable UK phone users on any service provider to have instant access to full track downloads from Universal's...

Delegates are down, but diversity is up, say organisers.
February 3, 2007... Attendance may have been down, but the diversity of participants at Midem 2007 illustrates the event's continuing importance to the wider music industry, according to Midem director Dominique Leguern. In total, 9,452 people attended the...

Winehouse raises the Midem spirits.
February 3, 2007... Vintage performance shows there is plenty to look forward to despite the industry negativity in Cannes There are many ways to judge Midem. For most - who invest hundreds and thousands of euros in a week of networking at the coldest time of...

FAST CHART: 03.02.07.
February 3, 2007... SINGLES NUMBER ONE: MIKA GRACE KELLY (Casablanca/Island) Released on CD, 12-inch and seven-inch today (Monday), Grace Kelly is likely to extend its run at number one to three weeks, providing a perfect launch pad for Mika's debut...

The View make a real impact.
February 3, 2007... There was little change in the singles or albums market last week, with singles sales up 3% week-on-week at 1,462,642 while combined albums drifted gently downwards by 1.2% to 2,309,851. Fairly typical moves for the time of year, they...

THE SCHEDULE - 03.02.07: Albums.
February 3, 2007... This week Jamie T White Socks Black Shoes (Virgin); Norah Jones Not Too Late (Parlophone); Just Jack Overtones (Mercury); Klaxons Myths Of The Near Future (Polydor); Alkaline Trio Remains (Vagrant); Kristin Hersh Learn To Sing Like A Star...

THE SCHEDULE - 03.02.07: Singles.
February 3, 2007... This week Kasabian Me Plus One (RCA); Nick Lachey What's Left Of Me (RCA); The Noisettes Sister Rosetta... (Mercury); Mika Grace Kelly (Casablanca); Bloc Party The Prayer (Wichita); Sophie Ellis-Bextor Catch You (Polydor); Fall Out Boy...

THE SCHEDULE - 03.02.07: NEW ADDITION.
February 3, 2007... The Manic Street Preachers eighth album, titled Send Away The Tigers, is slated for release in May through Columbia. Send Away The Tigers is produced by The Manics with long-time collaborator Dave Eringa (who also had a hand in Bradfield's 2006...

Hudson takes Tale to library.
February 3, 2007... Oxford graduate and Mercury link up with UK libraries in unique promotion campaign for literary-titled album Mr hudson AND the library A Tale Of Two Cities (Mercury) Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities will not be the only work...

UPFRONT - 03.02.07: TASTEMAKERS TIPS.
February 3, 2007... Tinariwen Aman Iman: Water of Life (Independiente) Simon Broughton, Editor, Songlines "With their blue turbans, flowing robes and funky, electric-guitar riffs, Touareg band Tinariwen already have a cult following. But now signed to...

The Insider: Rock Radio.
February 3, 2007... GMG brand Real Radio's recently launched classic rock station is targeting an audience in excess of 100,000 as it bids to attract 30- something males currently not tuning into commercial radio. 96.3 Rock Radio - the UK's first regional...

Alexisonfire look at chart success after softly spreading the word.
February 3, 2007... Full Time Hobby's "organic" campaign to promote Canadian band Alexisonfire looks set to pay off with the release of the band's latest single from their third album. The label has worked with Alexisonfire for the past three years and...

Upfront - 03.02.07: Radio playlists.
February 3, 2007... Radio 1 A list Akon feat. Snoop Dogg I Wanna Love You; Bloc Party The Prayer; Fall Out Boy This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race; Jamie T Calm Down Dearest; Just Jack Starz In Their Eyes; Kasabian Me Plus One; Keane A Bad Dream;...

UPFRONT - 03.02.07: BPI AWARDS.
February 3, 2007... ALBUMS Sarah Brightman - Classics: The Best Of (silver); Various - The Gift Of Love (silver); ELO - All Over The World )(platinum); U2 - U218 Singles, (2 x Plat) Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Upfront - 03.02.07: In-store next week.
February 3, 2007... ASDA Instore - Bloc Party, Bowling For Soup, Louise Setera, Mika, Fall Out Boy, Diana Ross/Supremes, Lesley Garrett, Frank Sinatra, Matt Monro, Ti Amo, Brits 2007, R&B Club Mix 2007, The Clash, Doris Day, The Brits; Album Of The Week -...

Upfront - 03.02.07: My Top 10: George & Alex.
February 3, 2007... George & Alex DJs, BLOC Weekend 1. Alex Smoke Meany (Soma) 2. Ed Chamberlain Fixxy EP (Baselogic) 3. Various Production Hater (Various Production) 4. Freaks The Creeps (Music For Freaks) 5. Noisia and Mayhem Moonway Renegade...

Upfront Reviews - 12.02.07: SINGLE of the week.
February 3, 2007... Snow Patrol Open Your Eyes Fiction 1723992 The fourth single from the 2006's biggest-selling album is typical of the Snow Patrol canon: slow-burning indie riffing that builds to an exhilarating climax, fronted by a soft, almost...

Upfront Reviews - 12.02.07: ALBUM of the week.
February 3, 2007... The Hours Narcissus Road Polydor 1718264 Despite occupying the overcrowded rock-ballad territory, The Hours exude an effortless appeal and edge which marks them out as a more credible option for record buyers. With perfect strings...

Upfront Reviews - 12.02.07: Singles.
February 3, 2007... +44 When Your Heart Stops Beating (Interscope 1712627) Formed by ex-Blink 182 members Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus, this is standard US indie-rock which is not quite dynamic or special enough to add to their already considerable...

Upfront Reviews - 12.02.07: Albums.(Sound recording review)
February 3, 2007... DJ Hell becomes the third act to put together a Misch Masch album which, in this case, consists of a compilation of some of his favourite tracks plus a selection of his remixes. It sits eclectic European dance next to mixes of modern classics...

AIRPLAY - 03.02.07: ON THE BOX THIS WEEK.
February 3, 2007... BBC1 The Tchaicovsky Experience (Sat) ITV The Brits Are Coming with Gnarls Barkley, The Feeling and Emma Bunton (Tues) Loose Women with Jason Donovan (Tues) This Morning with Kelly Osbourne (Weds) GMTV Josh Groban...

Airplay - 03.02.07: Beyonce.
February 3, 2007... After six weeks at the top, Eric Prydz's Proper Education tumbles to number five, allowing Deena Jones to take pole position with Listen. Deena Jones? OK, Beyonce. Deena Jones is the character Beyonce plays in the Dreamgirls movie, from which...

Airplay - 03.02.07: Kaiser Chiefs.
February 3, 2007... The lead track from The Kaiser Chiefs' upcoming second album, Yours Truly, Angry Mob is Ruby. Already firmly established in the Top 20 of the radio airplay chart, it rockets 185-8 on the TV airplay chart this week, after its promotional clip...

Radio Airplay - 03.02.07: Kelis.
February 3, 2007... Climbing 84-37 on the sales chart from downloads alone, Kelis' Lil Star collaboration with Gnarls Barkley's Cee-Lo is a big success with radio programmers, and charges 41-10 on the radio airplay chart, where 547 spins from 59 supporters win it...

Radio Airplay - 03.02.07: Snow Patrol.
February 3, 2007... Open Your Eyes is soon to be the fourth single from Snow Patrol's blockbusting album Eyes Open, and makes an excellent debut on both the radio and TV airplay charts this week. Some 271 plays and an audience of 24.23m earn the track a number 21...

Radio Airplay - 03.02.07: Simon Webbe.
February 3, 2007... Coming Around Again was a very successful first single from former Blue star Simon Webbe's second solo album, Grace, reaching number 12 on sales and number six on radio airplay, whose support of the track have helped Grace to sell more than...

Radio Airplay - 03.02.07: The Killers.
February 3, 2007... The third single from The Killers' latest album, Sam's Town, Read My Mind is still four weeks away from physical release and is doing far better than either of its predecessors at the same stage. Climbing 71- 42 on the current chart, its 387...

RADIO AIRPLAY - 03.02.07: ON THE RADIO THIS WEEK.
February 3, 2007... RADIO 1 Zane Lowe with Bloc Party (Tues) Jo Wiley with Mika (Weds) Jo Whiley Record Of The Week - The Gossip: Standing In The Way Of Control Edith Bowman Record Of The Week - Cold War Kids: Hang Me Up To Dry Scott Mills...

New releases - 03.02.07: REVIEWS Catalogue.
February 3, 2007... Johnny Cash At San Quentin (Legacy/Sony BMG 88697060922) Only six artists sold more albums in the UK in 2006 than Johnny Cash, and this reissue of the late country legend's most celebrated set, recorded in 1969 at California State...

Singles - 03.02.07: Mika.
February 3, 2007... Becoming the first single to spend more than a week at number one on downloads alone, Mika's Grace Kelly extends its lead on its second week at the summit. It sold 38,500 copies last week - an increase of 26.4% on the previous frame - and...

Singles - 03.02.07: Mason.
February 3, 2007... Mason topped the Upfront Club Chart first in instrumental form as Exceeder and then as Perfect (Exceeder) with the addition of Princess Superstar's rap. Mason's electro house monster rockets 11-3 on the sales chart having finally been given its...

Singles - 03.02.07: Fall Out Boy.
February 3, 2007... This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race is the introductory single from Fall Out Boy's new album Infinity On High, and provides the Chicago band with their biggest UK and US hit this week. In America, it debuts at number two, after selling...

Singles - 03.02.07: Bloc Party.
February 3, 2007... Bloc Party pulled five Top 40 hits off their debut album Silent Alarm, and ahead of the release of follow-up A Weekend In The City on 5 February, first single The Prayer debuts at number 13 on sales of 8,500 downloads. The first single off the...

Albums - 03.02.07: The Good, The Bad & The Queen.
February 3, 2007... In the beginning there was Blur, then Gorillaz and now Damon Albarn is fronting The Good, The Bad & The Queen, whose self-titled debut album enters the chart at number two on sales of 40,500. The band also features Paul Simonon (The Clash),...

Albums - 03.02.07: Keane.
February 3, 2007... Keane's Under the Iron Sea has climbed 60-49-46-24-8 in the last four weeks and is back in the Top 10 after a 22-week absence. The album is being helped by fourth single A Bad Dream, which is now fully released, and climbs 61-23 on sales of...