Music Week articles from July 2006

Music Week archives from July 2006

Life beyond TOTP: as the BBC axes its long-running chart show, the music industry voices concern for the future.(Music TV)
July 1, 2006... The music industry is making urgent efforts to open a dialogue with the BBC, after its decision to end Top Of The Pops' 42-year run. It is understood that at least one major label chairman has called for a meeting with the Beeb's director...

Why the show had to go: in an exclusive interview, BBC entertainment chief Mark Cooper discusses the reasons for the decision to axe TOTP.(TOTP news special)
July 1, 2006... The BBC has declared that Top Of The Pops became a victim of its own format, blaming dwindling interest in the weekly UK singles chart and changing consumer tastes as key reasons behind its decision to axe the flagship show. BBC head of...

The TOTP countdown.(TOTP news special)
July 1, 2006... January 1 1964 Top Of The Pops launches, originally transmitted from a converted church in Manchester and commissioned for just six shows. Jimmy Savile hosts the first show, which features The Roiling Stones, Dusty Springfield, The...

Ten nails in the coffin of TOTP: key players in the music and television industries discuss the mistakes which led to the death of the UK's most famous music TV show.(TOTP news special)
July 1, 2006... 1 Failing to evolve its format with the times "It just didn't move a million miles away from what it was 20 years ago" says Initial TV head of music Phil Mount. "It got a lick of paint but needed an injection. It added some profiles, did...

What the music industry says.(TOTP news special)
July 1, 2006... The irony is TOTP is one of the greatest music brands ever. If you sit down with Eminem or any of the key international artists the only programme they associate with the UK is TOTP; they want to do TOTP Lucian Grainge, Universal Music...

Minister: TOTP is for 'dad's music'.(TOTP news special)
July 1, 2006... While new music minister Shaun Woodward shares the nostalgic love shared by many for Top Of The Pops, he insists that the Government will not step in over the BBC'S decision to scrap the broadcasting institution. Woodward, whose brief as...

What next for music on TV? As outlets for music on TV have multiplied, life has become increasingly difficult for pure music shows--and debate continues about the way forward.(TOTP news special)
July 1, 2006... In a multi-channel environment, television has long since faced the reality that few individual shows can achieve the 10m- or 20m-plus audience figures they once did. TOTP--a pop music show competing against the power of more than 20...

How digital helped to kill the TV star: online services such as YouTube and mobile offerings are threatening TV's dominance in music video.(TOTP news special)
July 1, 2006... It was always going to be tough for a TV show with a title rooted in the early Sixties to keep up with the times, but the rapid development of digital technology certainly didn't help Top Of The Pops. In its heyday, TOTP was the electronic...

Universal creates new TV model.(TOTP news special)
July 1, 2006... Universal has unveiled the first full details of a new TV production division which aims to revolutionise the relationship between labels and television broadcasters. Globe Productions, which is being overseen by David Joseph in his role...

James Morrison cast list.(News)
July 1, 2006... National Press: Rich Dawes, Polydor. Regional press: Warren Higgins, Polydor. National TV: Iain Funnell, Rachel Cook, Polydor. National radio: Nell Hughes, Nick Bray, Polydor. Regional radio: Grant Crain, Pippa Evers, Tony Myers, Polydor,...

James Morrison.(SNAP SHOT)
July 1, 2006... Polydor's James Morrison will usher in his debut album Undiscovered with a free gig on July 19 at north London venue The Luminaire for fans who have preordered the album from Amazon.com. The promotion, which will be filmed for distribution...

New lease of life for radio: advanced technology to enable one-click downloads from radio to mobiles.(Radio)
July 1, 2006... A ground-breaking new digital music service could hit stores by Christmas, allowing radio listeners to download broadcast tracks directly to their mobiles. The initiative is being led by UBC's technology division Unique Interactive, which...

Keynote to offer manager's viewpoint.(News)
July 1, 2006... Legendary pop manager Lou Pearlman has been confirmed as a keynote speaker for next month's Music & Brands conference. The event, which is being staged by Music Week with Ricall as headline sponsor, will take place at London's Landmark Hotel on...

MW editor goes DIY at Aim AGM.(People)
July 1, 2006... Music Week will host a round table on the explosion in DIY music at Aim's AGM this Thursday at London's Earls Court during the London Calling conference. Four Aim board members will step down by rotation at the AGM: XL'S Richard Russell,...

Magic AM.(People)
July 1, 2006... Dave Lee Travis and Eamonn Holmes are to broadcast across Emap's eight Magic AM stations in weekendslots as part of a move to network programming. Quickfire, p11.

Seal.(People)
July 1, 2006... Seal has been ordered to pay his former manager 500,000 [pounds sterling] commission on earnings from his first two albums. At London's High Court, Judge Charles Gray ordered Seal to pay John Wadlow the sum by July 21.

Billy Bragg has won a victory against community website MySpace.com after his protests led to it changing its rules concerning ownership and use of artists' material.(People)
July 1, 2006... Billy Bragg has won a victory against community website MySpace.com after his protests led to it changing its rules concerning ownership and use of artists' material. However, after the singer-songwriter spoke out in the pages of MW against...

Universal.(People)
July 1, 2006... Universal senior vice president eLabs Barney Wragg has exited the company in what is thought to have been a sudden decision. Wragg was instrumental in building Universal Group's European digital download and mobile strategy, alongside eLabs...

V2.(People)
July 1, 2006... V2 is closing its press office, with all artists to be dealt with out of house. The decision results in the exit of press staff Sarah Harries and Polly Birkbeck, but the pair will continue doing PR for V2 artists; Harries is joining an...

HMV.(People)
July 1, 2006... HMV has appointed south-east regional manager Del Ward as head of central operations following Neil Taylor's promotion to operations director earlier this year.

Anti-Counterfeiting Group.(People)
July 1, 2006... BPI music piracy investigator Mohammed Tariq has won an award for "excellence in counterfeiting" from the Anti-Counterfeiting Group.

Arctic Monkeys.(People)
July 1, 2006... Arctic Monkeys bassist Andy Nicholson has quit the band for good, according to a statement on the Domino act's website. Nick O'Malley will continue on bass after standing in during Nicholson's absence from the band's North American tour in...

Pandora Media.(People)
July 1, 2006... Paul Brown has joined Pandora Media as European managing director. He joins from Blueprint Digital, where he was commercial director. Before that he was director of business affairs in the futures division at Sony BMG.

GaydarRadio.(People)
July 1, 2006... Digital station GaydarRadio has signed new presenters Hugh Stevenson and Julian Bennett.

MusicTank.(People)
July 1, 2006... MusicTank's next music networking session at Bertorelli's restaurant in London's Soho on July 11 will focus on the booming live sector, with a keynote speech from Glastonbury Festival's general counsel Ben Challis.

New distributor to supply Europe.(Bottom line)
July 1, 2006... Warner Music-owned US distributor Alternative Distribution Alliance has created a UK division to be headed by former Pinnacle Records managing director Susan Rush. The new division will serve the whole of Europe and offer a variety of services...

Sanctuary.(Bottom line)
July 1, 2006... Sanctuary has warned that it expects to make a loss for the financial year, with losses expected to be between 17m [pounds sterling] and 22m [pounds sterling] for the year.

EMI Group.(Bottom line)
July 1, 2006... Gorillaz' Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett and Pink Floyd's Nick Mason were among a packed audience of guests at EMI Group's Wrights Lane headquarters last Monday for Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell's launch of the Government's 12m [pounds...

Mycokemusic.com.(Bottom line)
July 1, 2006... The OD2-run Mycokemusic.com, the download site launched two years ago, is set to close down on July 31 because of what Coca-Cola says is increasing choice and competition in the market for online music downloads.

Sainsbury.(Bottom line)
July 1, 2006... Sainsbury's has posted its sixth consecutive quarter of sales growth. Like-for-like sales at the retailer were up 5.7%, excluding petrol for the 12 weeks to June 17.

The British Council.(Bottom line)
July 1, 2006... The British Council is to recognise creative entrepreneurs working in the global music business with the first International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year award.

GMB.(Bottom line)
July 1, 2006... GMB members at 20 Asda distribution centres will walk out from this coming Friday, disrupting supplies to the chain's 300 stores. The decision was reached after almost three-quarters of union members agreed to strike.

EU and US unite for piracy battle.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... The EU and US have teamed up on a new strategy to help fight global piracy, it aims to provide a structure in which the US and EU can focus on tackling the problem in priority countries including China and Russia.

Cee Lo Green.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... Warner Bros has signed Cee Lo Green, one half of chart-topping duo Gnarls Barkley, to a worldwide, exclusive recording deal.

Warner Music.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... Warner Music is looking to break into the Chinese market after signing a deal with mobile phone operator China Unicom. The Chinese mobile phone operator has 130m subscribers.

Brendan Graham.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... Peermusic UK has re-signed You Raise Me Up songwriter Brendan Graham to a long-term worldwide publishing agreement. Pictured above is Peer's UK MD Nigel Elderton and composer Brendan Graham.

NME.com.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... NME.com and Sony Walkman are launching a search for new talent to mark the website's 10th anniversary. The winner of the Walkman NME Breaking Bands competition will be invited to play at NME.com'S 10th birthday party.

MusicNet.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... Digital entertainment aggregator MusicNet is forming a division to license content including music, videos and books.

Emap.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... Emap has agreed to sell its French consumer magazines division Emap France to Arnoldo Mondadori, a company controlled by former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, for 380m [pounds sterling].

Universal.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... Universal has acquired Spanish independent label Vale Music to bolster its presence in the Spanish-language market.

The Orchard.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... Digital aggregator The Orchard is targeting consumers in France after signing a distribution agreement with French digital music store Starzik.

Lazarus Consulting.(Sign here)
July 1, 2006... Lazarus Consulting--formed last year by former Warner Music business affairs director Steve Lazarus--has become the UK agent of European music and media entertainment company Edel Music, which has signed acts such as Lisa Stansfield and Deep...

Venue embraces ticketing system.(Exposure)
July 1, 2006... The Brighton Centre has installed Ticketmaster's access control and ticket checking system AccessManager. Venues using the technology include Hammersmith Apollo and the Manchester Evening News Arena, while it will also be used at this year's T...

1Xtra.(Exposure)
July 1, 2006... Radio One sister station 1Xtra is to air a series of broadcasts from key US cities from this Saturday. 1Xtra DJs Ronnie Herel, L Double, Robbo Ranx and Semtex will broadcast live from Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Houston.

Sony BMG.(Exposure)
July 1, 2006... Sony BMG is to launch its own social network site, Blank Canvas, to compete with sites such as MySpace.

Reading and Leeds Festivals.(Exposure)
July 1, 2006... Two thousand extra tickets to the Reading and Leeds Festivals sold out within minutes of going on sale last week.

Kylie Minogue.(Exposure)
July 1, 2006... Kylie Minogue is set to complete the Showgirl tour in Australia in November, which was called off last May after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Ramones.(Exposure)
July 1, 2006... The Ramones musical Gabba Gabba Hey! will make its UK debut at Koko in Camden on July 31.

Music week online poll.(Digest)
July 1, 2006... Welcome to the Music Week poll. To vote, simply visit our website at musicweek.com and click on the poll link. Following what would have been the Glastonbury weekend we ask, have Britain's festivals become too corporate? a. Yes b. No...

The playlist: listen to all these tracks at www.musicweek.com/playlist.(Digest)
July 1, 2006... THE KILLERS When We Were Young (Vertigo) A sure-fire single contender from The Killers' long-awaited new album. Big, glorious and rather Springsteenesque. (single, tbc) CASSIE Me& U (Bad Boy) A stripped-back slice of urban pop...

BBC must now show faith in music: folding such a strong music brand raises questions about the BBC's music strategy.
July 1, 2006... We have all known for some time that Top Of The Pops was going through a tough time. But the BBC's ultimate decision to scrap what is one of the British television's most enduring brands still comes as a huge shock. Alongside Coronation...

Fallout from TOTP abounds.(DOOLEY'S DIARY)
July 1, 2006... Remember where you heard it: The strength of feeling in the industry over TOTP last week was certainly clear for all to hear. How telling that at least two senior pluggers confessed that they only recently tuned in for the first time in...

It's an outrage!: BBC could have made TOTP work.(VIEWPOINT)
July 1, 2006... Like football, the fate of Top Of The Pops has always provoked fierce Debate--but nobody has ever suggested that the programme should be taken off air all together. Not until last week when, bringing a new dimension to the term "missing...

Good riddance!: BBC should have axed TOTP years ago.(VIEWPOINT)
July 1, 2006... Axing Top Of The Pops has not come a moment too soon. The BBC should have axed it years ago. In fact, I think it was an act of optimism to keep TOTP on the air as long as it did. It worked at a time when you could only see these groups once a...

Quickfire: some might think TOTP's demise is a Dave Lee travesty, but the DJ reckons its time was up ...(Diary)(Interview)
July 1, 2006... Were you surprised by the decision to axe Top Of The Pops? The decision was absolutely right. Vying for the attention of kids is like trying to knit water. They have a phone in one hand, an iPod in another, they are downloading... I was...

Fast chart.(Datafile: Britain's most comprehensive charts service: Week 25)
July 1, 2006... SINGLES NUMBER ONE NELLY FURTADO MANEATER (Geffen) Only the second single to spend more than a fortnight at number one so far this year, Maneater's third week on top makes it the longest-running UK number one by a Canadian artist...

Strong acts shore up album sales.(The Market)
July 1, 2006... After achieving their second highest level of the year in the week before Father's Day, album sales made their expected retreat last week but held up better than anticipated, declining fractionally under 13% to 2,579,248. With the further...

Key indicators.(Datafile: Britain's most comprehensive charts service: Week 25)
July 1, 2006... SINGLES Sales versus last week: -3.7% Year to date versus last year: +74.8% MARKET SHARES Universal 40.6% Sony BMG 28.5% Warner 11.4% EMI 4.4% Others 15.4% ALBUMS Sales versus...

The schedule.(Datafile: Britain's most comprehensive charts service: Week 25)
July 1, 2006... ALBUMS THIS WEEK India Arie Testimony Vol. 1 (Island); Plan B Who Needs Action... (WEA); Lost Prophets Liberation Transmission (Visible Noise); Crazy Frog More Crazy Hits (Gut); Radio 4 Enemies Like These (EMI); Serena-Maneesh...

Black Eyed Peas' leading lady Fergie is stepping out on her own this year with the release of her debut solo album on September 18.(NEW ADDITION)
July 1, 2006... Black Eyed Peas' leading lady Fergie is stepping out on her own this year with the release of her debut solo album on September 18. The singer has been recording the as-yet-untitled set in London over recent months with The Black Eyed Peas'...

Aussie group trade up in UK: RCA joins forces with trendy fashion store USC in push to attract fans with free album sampler offer.(The Plot)
July 1, 2006... ROGUE TRADERS VOODOO CHILD (RCA) RCA has teamed up with hip designer clothing chain USC to promote the new album from Australian dance act Rogue Traders, whose debut UK single Voodoo Child has been added to the Radio One A-list. The...

Lynx to sell 'sex spray' with a little help from Welsh composer.(Ad focus)
July 1, 2006... Boosey & Hawkes Music Consultancy has secured a sync for Welsh composer Karl Jenkins after linking up with ad agency BBH for a new Lynx TV ad. The ad, which debuted ahead of England's World Cup match against Sweden last Tuesday, features...

Tastemakers tips.(Upfront)
July 1, 2006... Peaches Impeach My Bush (XL) ROD STANLEY, EDITOR, DAZED & CONFUSED "On her third album, Peaches loosens her grip on the MC-505 to let synth wiz Greg Kurstin help out on Tent In Your Pants and obvious single Downtown, while Josh Homme,...

Virgin Radio.(THE INSIDER)
July 1, 2006... Virgin Radio is bolstering its live coverage this summer with broadcasts on the way from events including the V Festival and this coming weekend's Hyde Park Calling. The station's presence at the two events will follow coverage earlier...

Radio playlists.(Upfront)
July 1, 2006... RADIO 1 A LIST Armand Van Helden My My My; Bob Sinclar feat, Steve Edwards World Hold On (Children Of The Sky); Fall Out Boy 16 Candles; Gnarls Barkley Smiley Faces; Jack Johnson Upside Down; Keane Is It Any Wonder?; Lily Allen Smile;...

BPI awards albums.(Upfront)
July 1, 2006... Level 42--The Definitive Collection (silver) Ronan Keating--Bring You Home (gold) Various--Football Crazy (gold) Orson--Bright Idea (gold) Rihanna--A Girl Like Me (gold) Keane--Under The Iron Sea (platinum)

In-store next week.(Upfront)
July 1, 2006... ASDA Instore--Muse, Liberty X, Johnny Cash, R&B Summertime, Classical Baby; Summer Holiday Hits, In The Mix Classics, Drinking Songs; album of the week--Muse BORDERS Instore--Fatboy Slim, Madonna DVD, Divine Comedy. CWNN...

Also out this week.
July 1, 2006... SINGLES Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly: I Spy/Call Me Ishmael (Atlantic); Shayne Ward: Stand By Me (Syco Music); The Who: Mirror Door (Polydor) ALBUMS Metric: Live It Out (Drowned In Sound); Bob Sinclar: Western Dream (Defected); Various:...

Jim Noir: Eanie Meany (If You Don't Give My Football Back).
July 1, 2006... Jim Noir Eanie Meany (If You Don't Give My Football Back) (My Dad MY011) This track from the Mancunian troubadour has the DNA of a perfect summer hit running through it. It is a sharp and clever pop song that will already be rattling...

Thom Yorke: The Eraser.
July 1, 2006... Thom Yorke The Eraser XL (XLCD200) Thom Yorke's Nigel Godrich-produced solo debut picks up where Radiohead's Hail To The Thief left off, prodding convention with syncopated electronic beeps and cold computer beats. Understated music like...

Archie Bronson Outfit: Dead Funny.
July 1, 2006... Archie Bronson Outfit Dead Funny (Domino RUG228CD) Tipped recently in Music Week, and nominated last month for the Mojo Awards in the best new act category, Archie Bronson Outfit's profile continues to rise. This quality track is taken from...

Richard Ashcroft: Words Just Get In The Way.
July 1, 2006... Richard Ashcroft Words Just Get In The Way (Parlophone CDRD 6700) The third single from Ashcroft's platinum awarded Keys To The World is a stripped-down ballad that sounds like a quieter cousin of Break The Night With Colour. With acoustic...

James Dean Bradfield: That's No Way To Tell A Lie.
July 1, 2006... James Dean Bradfield That's No Way To Tell A Lie (Sony BMG 82876861592) Taken from Bradfield's upcoming solo album The Great Western, this track starts with the kind of tight, broody guitar strumming that you'd expect from the Manics man....

Busta Rhymes feat. Will.I.Am and Kelis: I Love My Chick.
July 1, 2006... Busta Rhymes feat. Will.I.Am and Kelis I Love My Chick (Interscope 1702859) The second single from Rhymes' most successful UK album The Big Bang is one for the ladies. Produced by and featuring Will.I.Am, this will appeal to Busta's...

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth.
July 1, 2006... Clap Your Hands Say Yeah The Skin Of My Yellow Country Teeth (Wichita WEBBI09S) Hold your breath in the presence of greatness. Initially dismissed by some quarters as Talking Heads-lite, CYHSY delivered one of the year's most satisfying...

Dangerdoom feat. Talib Kweli: Old School.
July 1, 2006... Dangerdoom feat. Talib Kweli Old School (Lex LEXO38CD) Originally featured on Dangerdoom's 2005-released The Mouse And The Mask, this single is released ahead of the albums timely re-promotion. The title track, with the dextrous rapping...

Dirty Pretty Things: Deadwood.
July 1, 2006... Dirty Pretty Things Deadwood (Vertigo DEACDCJ1) While Carl Barat is doing his best to put the past behind him, the energetic Deadwood could easily have been plucked from either of The Libertines' two albums. This is hardly a bad thing, as...

The Longcut: Vitamin C.
July 1, 2006... The Longcut Vitamin C (Deltasonic DLT050) The Longcut have been earning rave reviews for debut album A Call And Response and this single goes some way into showing why. Vitamin C makes an endearing racket, somewhere in between My Bloody...

Milburn: Cheshire Cat Smile.
July 1, 2006... Milburn Cheshire Cat Smile (Mercury 9858662) This is the Sheffield band's second single and precedes next month's UK headline tour. Cheshire Cat Smile starts with a guitar intro like a higher tempo Strokes and continues solidly, cementing...

Plan B: Mama.
July 1, 2006... Plan B Mama (Loves A Crackhead) (679 679L135CD) Plan B is certainly a talented MC, but the harsh subject matter makes this a tough listen despite a surprisingly summery chorus. Mama has been added to Radio One's Upfront list, but don't...

Rhymefest: Fever.
July 1, 2006... Rhymefest Fever (J download) After the great Brand New, Fever is rather underwhelming. As ever the production is top-notch and the lyrics inventive, but plundering Peggy Lee's Fever for a hook is a bit lazy. It does stick in the head,...

Rogue Traders: Voodoo Child.
July 1, 2006... Rogue Traders Voodoo Child (RCA 82876866322) This debut single from the Australian dance outfit has been A-listed by Radio One and will be the subject of a major in-store promotion with hip UK clothing chain USC. Fronted by former...

Rooster: Home.
July 1, 2006... Rooster Home (Brightside 82876862852) Home is lifted from Rooster's July 25-released second album Circles And Satellites. Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Matt Wallace--who has worked with the likes of Maroon 5--Home chunters along...

Switches: Message From Luz.
July 1, 2006... Switches Message From Luz (Degenerate CDCEOOICD) Record company A&Rs fought for Switches' signatures earlier this year, with little-known Degenerate eventually winning the deal. That label was certainly onto a good thing, as this debut...