Music Week articles from July 2008

Music Week archives from July 2008

THE PLAY LIST: 05.07.08.
July 5, 2008... The Verve Love Is Noise (Parlophone) The Verve have returned at the very top of their game; this is a song that will send them right back where they belong. Destined to be a huge radio hit. (single, August 11) DJ Q feat. MC Bonez...

Sign Here: 05.07.08.
July 5, 2008... Wall Of Sound has concluded its deal with Grace Jones, who will release a new studio album this October. Full Time Hobby has signed Fujiya & Miyagi. The band put pen to paper at their recent Meltdown show with Tunng. Their new album,...

Tradition music barriers falling.
July 5, 2008... Traditional music barriers falling as record companies see rise in non- traditional music revenue streams by Ben Cardew BPI publishes figures revealing a diversifying business model for record companies as non-traditional revenue...

Zavvi zones in on T-shirt sales.
July 5, 2008... Zavvi is to roll out T-shirt zones in 19 of its stores by the end of July, as the retailer looks to merchandising to boost sales. The initiative is one of the first from the company's new head of music Gary Williamson, who gained his...

ISPs and music industry set for meeting of minds.(Conference news)
July 5, 2008... A major conference next week is likely to concentrate the minds of the ISP community and the music industry as they continue to press for a voluntary agreement on filesharing. The ISP Future Content Models and Enforcement Strategies Summit...

Ups And Downs: 05.07.08.
July 5, 2008... UPS Coldplay shift more than 720,000 copies of Viva La Vida in one week in the US BPI research shows labels are making serious money from areas other than recorded music MCPS-PRS says it will work more closely with PPL DOWNS...

IN BRIEF: Coldplay achieve transatlantic albums chart success.
July 5, 2008... Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends has topped the UK and US albums charts simultaneously after selling more than 720,000 copies in America in its first week of release. The album has also topped albums charts in Japan,...

IN BRIEF: Universal extends relationship with Disney Music Group.
July 5, 2008... Universal has extended its relationship with Disney Music Group, striking an international licensing agreement for the Asian market, excluding Japan. Under the new deal, UMG will market and distribute the Hollywood Records and Walt Disney...

IN BRIEF: The Radio Centre praises findings of DRWG.
July 5, 2008... The Radio Centre has praised the findings of the Digital Radio Working Group (DRWG), which recommended in its interim report the implementation of a long-term plan to move all radio services across to digital. While the DRWG stopped short of...

IN BRIEF: Campaign to boost audience of Smooth Radio.
July 5, 2008... GMG Radio is rolling out a multi-million-pound marketing campaign to boost the audience of its London station 102.2 Smooth Radio. The campaign has been put together by the station's newly-recruited agency Dye Holloway Murray. Copyright:...

IN BRIEF: One Little Indian teams up with FatCat.
July 5, 2008... One Little Indian has teamed up with FatCat in a joint-venture deal. FatCat will keep A&R in-house, with One Little Indian handling most press, radio, marketing, digital and product management. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Founder of Gibgeth festival wins award.
July 5, 2008... The founder of Birmingham's annual Gigbeth music festival has won the British Council's inaugural UK Young Music Entrepreneur Award. Clare Edwards beat six other finalists to win the award, one of nine honours being given out by the British...

IN BRIEF: GCap fined seven-figure sum over text competition.
July 5, 2008... GCap's One Network has been hit with a record fine by Ofcom for "unfair conduct in a listener competition". In total, 30 local radio stations have been fined a total of #1.1m over the network's Secret Sound competition. Ofcom's investigation...

IN BRIEF: EMI Publishing named publisher of the year.
July 5, 2008... EMI Publishing has been named publisher of the year for the 14th consecutive time at the Ascap Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, after its writers won 17 gongs at the 2008 ceremony. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Sacem joins PEDL.
July 5, 2008... French collecting society Sacem has joined Warner/Chappell's Pan- European Digital Licensing (PEDL) initiative, allowing it to offer Europe-wide digital licences in the publisher's Anglo-American repertoire. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd....

IN BRIEF: French Music Bureau in London appointment.
July 5, 2008... Corinne Micaelli is departing her position as director of the French Music Bureau in London. She will be succeeded by Patrice Hourbette, formerly head of the bureau's Berlin office. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: ITV2 to screen iTunes festival.
July 5, 2008... ITV2 is to screen extensive coverage of July's iTunes festival in partnership with Initial. The festival takes place at London's Koko, with performances from artists including Paul Weller, Lykke Li and CSS. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Travis reviving former Red Telephone Box label.
July 5, 2008... Travis are reviving their former label Red Telephone Box in a label and distribution deal with PIAS's Integral ahead of the release of their forthcoming studio album, Ode To J Smith. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Two into 6 does go as head oversees digital radio playlist meetings.
July 5, 2008... Radio Two's Jeff Smith expands responsibilities to 6 Music as BBC digital aims to communicate its musical positioning better Radio Two head of music Jeff Smith is taking charge of 6 Music's weekly playlist meeting as part of moves by the...

McFlying the Island nest to the Sunday papers.(Interview)
July 5, 2008... McFly last week announced that they were to give away their new album with The Mail On Sunday. Radio:ACTIVE, the first on their own label Super Records, will come free with the paper on July 20, with a deluxe version featuring four new songs, a...

EDITORIAL: The non-traditional route will ensure label survival.(Editorial)
July 5, 2008... As newly-reported by the BPI, the earning potential away from simply shifting units is a real opportunity From the way the industry is often presented, you could easily be fooled into thinking that most record labels' chances of survival...

Making a song and dance of indie achievement.
July 5, 2008... Indies prepare for their own Independents Day on July 4 as Channel 4 television documentary raises profile of a sector that has big plans for the future of its new event It is a lazy, hot summer's afternoon in Shoreditch. On Rivington...

ID08 swings it for indie television interest.
July 5, 2008... When Whizz Kid Entertainment chief executive Malcolm Gerrie hooked up with his one-time Chiswick neighbour Alison Wenham for a drink earlier this year, they could not have imagined they would be on their way to creating a series of...

Societies to strengthen alliance.
July 5, 2008... MCPS-PRS CEO Steve Porter has added new impetus to the long-debated subject of his organisation working more closely with PPL by revealing it as the Alliance's top priority. Closer liaison between the two UK collection societies has long...

Adding to the festival spirit.
July 5, 2008... Sponsorship within the UK festival sector has become rife in recent years, but with heavy brand involvement appearing to dampen consumer enthusiasm, sponsors are now having to come up with increasingly innovative partnership methods Major...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 05.07.08.
July 5, 2008... Out this week Singles * The Dodos Red & Purple (Wichita) debut single * Hadouken! Crank It Up (Atlantic) previous single (chart peak): Declaration Of War (66) * Busta Rhymes Don't Touch Me (Interscope) previous...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 05.07.08: Album of the week.
July 5, 2008... The Subways All Or Nothing (Infectious) The Subways follow their 100,000-selling 2005 debut Young For Eternity with this Butch Vig-produced set. The band's return was heralded by the release of March's digital single Girls And Boys, which...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 05.07.08: Single of the week.
July 5, 2008... The Dodos Red & Purple (Wichita)) Wichita's first signings of the year unleash their first slice of psych- pop on UK audiences this week. Heavily tipped in NME, The Independent, DiS and Spin, they have already been a MySpace featured...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 05.07.08: Catalogue reviews.
July 5, 2008... Blondie: Parallel Lines (Capitol 2276892) EMI has rightly pushed the boat out for the 30th anniversary of Blondie's Parallel Lines set. Home to hits such as Hangin' On The Telephone, Picture This, Sunday Girl and Heart Of Glass, Parallel...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 05.07.08: The Panel.(Sound recording review)
July 5, 2008... John Kennedy (Xfm) The Sugars: The Curse Of The Sugars (Bad Sneakers) The contrast between Matt and Anna's vocals, the scorching guitar solos and the rollicking drum beats conjure a thrillingly dark future-retro rock'n'roll on this...

FUTURE RELEASE: Golden Silvers.
July 5, 2008... Golden Silvers Arrow Of Eros (Young & Lost) Originally signed by XL under a different guise, Golden Silvers are enjoying a second wind with their new material the subject of much attention from the music industry and media alike. The...

FUTURE RELEASE: Dizzee Rascal.
July 5, 2008... Dizzee Rascal Dance Wiv Me (Dirtee Skank) The Dirtee Skank-released Dance Wiv Me will herald a new era for Mercury Music Prize winner Dizzee Rascal, as he pursues the independent route via his own label. The single, featuring Calvin...

DATAFILE EXPOSURE: 05.07.08.
July 5, 2008... Californian singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles' debut single Love Song falls 4-6 on sales this week, ending seven straight weeks of growth, but it continues to improve its airplay profile, albeit marginally. Radio's top choice for the third week...

Instore: 05.08.06.
July 5, 2008... Asda Instore Display: Beck, Black Kids, Chaka Khan, Leon Jean Marie, Paul Heaton Borders Album of the week: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Instore Display: Black Kids, Patti Smith CWNN Instore Display: Kitty Daisy &...

DATAFILE CLUB CHARTS: 05.07.08.
July 5, 2008... Big In Ibiza is big in the UK this week, with the Clapham-based imprint securing the top two places on the Upfront Club Chart. A Feeling by Connected wins the battle for honours, finishing 6.2% ahead of The Love Assassins' Teardrops at the...

After eight weeks and six-figure sales, Ne-Yo finally reaches the top.
July 5, 2008... Not many singles sell more than 100,000 copies before reaching number one but Ne-Yo's second chart-topper Closer - which reaches the summit at the eighth attempt this week - sold 100,377 copies on its first seven weeks in the chart while moving...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 05.07.08: Ironik.
July 5, 2008... UK garage and `chipmunk' vocals rear their heads again courtesy of Ironik, whose debut major label single Stay With Me is the week's highest new entry, arriving at number 11 on sales of 10,731. Using the same vocal pitch alterations that...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 05.07.08: Glasvegas.
July 5, 2008... Glasvegas played well-received sets at Glastonbury over the weekend, helping their major label debut Geraldine to a number 16 showing on sales of 9,563. The Glaswegians have spent a great deal of time in marathon recording sessions in New York...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 05.07.08: Mariah Carey.
July 5, 2008... After an undistinguished run on download alone, Mariah Carey's Bye Bye was released on vinyl and CD last week and finally breaks into the Top 40. Moving 56-44-49-50-48-30 to date, the track is the second single from Carey's current album E=MC2,...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 05.07.08: The Courteeners.
July 5, 2008... Manchester band The Courteeners' career thus far has been on an upward curve, with debut single Cavorting's number 192 peak last August being improved on by each subsequent hit, with Acrylic reaching number 44 (October), What Took You So Long...

Sigur Ros enter high but cannot crack a Coldplay-led static top four.
July 5, 2008... Coldplay's Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends tops the albums chart for the third straight week, with sales of 109,553 taking its 17- day career haul to 609,605. It is the 11th week that Coldplay have topped the chart since their...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 05.07.08: Duffy.
July 5, 2008... Duffy's Rockferry continues to impress, holding at number two to extend its top five residency to 17 straight weeks. The album has actually never been placed lower than number four since its release, nor has it sold fewer than the 23,801 copies...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 05.07.08: Sigur Ros.
July 5, 2008... Mezzoforte reached number 23 and The Sugercubes got to number 14 but Sigur Ros become the first Icelandic band to make the Top 10, debuting at number five (20,266 sales) with their latest album, Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust. Of course...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 05.07.08: BPI Awards.
July 5, 2008... Albums Various Juno (OST (silver) Sam Sparro Sam Sparro (gold) The Hoosiers Trick To Life (2 x platinum) Mika Life In Cartoon Motion (5 x platinum) BPI Awards are made on combined unit sales of CDs, downloads and LPs. If an album is...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 05.07.08: Chris Brown.
July 5, 2008... Chris Brown's second album Exclusive debuted at number 31 last autumn and peaked at number 14 just nine weeks ago in its original incarnation, but slipped as far as number 142 last week, as stocks were depleted ahead of the new Forever Edition....

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 05.07.08: Jonas Brothers.
July 5, 2008... The highest-charting fraternal trio since Hanson topped the chart with their first album Middle Of Nowhere in 1997, The Jonas Brothers enter the chart at number nine with their self-titled Hollywood label debut on sales of 14,514. The band of...

Universal aims to raise true worth of CD.
July 12, 2008... Major will ramp up its release of Deluxe Editions of brand new albums in a bid to boost sales this Christmas Universal is turning to its Deluxe Editions format for an ambitious plan to boost the value of CD albums at retail this Christmas....

THE PLAY LIST: 12.07.08.
July 12, 2008... Annie My Love Is Better (Island) Annie turned heads at Glastonbury, with her small but perfectly formed set. My Love Is Better is the second single from her second album, Don't Stop. (single, September) Heartbreak We're Back...

Sign Here: 12.07.08.(Sound recording review)
July 12, 2008... * London electro duo Heartbreak have signed with Lex Records, home to Neon Neon and Kid Acne. The band play the Field Day festival in London on August 9. * Jamiroquai's Rob Harris and Matt Johnson (guitar and keyboards respectively) have...

Collecting societies rail against EC legislation.
July 12, 2008... EC proposals to increase competition are bad for business, say societies EC Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes is mulling over draft proposals for new legislation that thousands of Europe's composers and songwriters believe could spell...

EU on track for 95-year copyrights.
July 12, 2008... The music industry is confident that copyright term extension in Europe remains on track, with European Commissioner Charlie McCreevy's draft proposal to change the term of protection directive still likely to be delivered before the end of...

Los Angeles event comes to Europe.(Conference news)
July 12, 2008... Musexpo, the international multimedia forum, to kick off its European launch in London in October Los Angeles-based international music, media, technology and entertainment forum Musexpo is to launch its first annual European event in...

Ups And Downs: 12.07.08.
July 12, 2008... UPS Indies flush with the excitement generated by Independents Day 08 We applaud Universal's efforts to jump-start the physical market HMV produces another impressive series of results DOWNS Collecting societies bracing...

Independent labels to top the agenda at BPI AGM.
July 12, 2008... The BPI is to use its AGM this week to unveil a tie-up with the Official Charts Company offering new data services to help independent labels compete with the majors. The AGM takes place on Wednesday afternoon at the Mayfair Hotel in...

IN BRIEF: Third major strikes deal with Nokia's Comes With Music.
July 12, 2008... Nokia has struck a deal with Warner Music for its Comes With Music initiative. The company, which already has Universal and Sony BMG on board, will have access to a catalogue including tracks by artists such as James Blunt, Madonna and Red Hot...

IN BRIEF: EMI not commenting on reports.
July 12, 2008... EMI is not commenting on reports that Guy Hands is close to hiring an executive from Reckitt Benckiser to run its recorded music division. The name in the frame is Elio Leoni Sceti, the company's European executive vice president. ...

IN BRIEF: Government launching consultation.
July 12, 2008... The Government is launching a consultation into the exemptions granted to not-for-profit bodies when they play music in public. It believes some exemptions in the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 are not efficient. Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: Copyright-infringing music forum operators face fines.
July 12, 2008... Four alleged operators of a popular copyright-infringing music forum face heavy fines and potential prison sentences after Italian police shut down their site. Downrevolution.net was one of the biggest forum sites in Italy, providing links...

IN BRIEF: In Rainbows to become available free again as stream.
July 12, 2008... Last.fm is offering its users Radiohead's In Rainbows as a free stream, in a deal secured through the "one-stop" digital licence platform created by the band and publisher Warner/Chappell at the end of last year. Copyright: CMP Information...

IN BRIEF: Early chance to buy tickets for Primal Scream.
July 12, 2008... Fans of Primal Scream will have an early chance to buy tickets for the band's forthcoming tour thanks to a cross-promotion initiative involving B-Unique, iTunes and Ticketmaster. B-Unique has teamed up with the two companies to allow anyone...

IN BRIEF: Jean-Francois Cecillon to step down.
July 12, 2008... Jean-Francois Cecillon is to step down from his roles as EMI Music's president, A&R Labels, international, and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, at the end of next week, in a move described as "an amicable agreement". He will be...

IN BRIEF: The Drifters receive out-of-court settlement.
July 12, 2008... Vocal group The Drifters have received an out-of-court settlement from a group that had assumed their identity. The court order prohibits the band's former tour manager Philip Luderman and their former agent Mark Lundquist, plus four former...

IN BRIEF: The Wild In The Country festival cancelled.
July 12, 2008... The Wild In The Country festival, scheduled to take place last Saturday, has been cancelled. A notice on the event's website blames "lower than expected ticket sales and a key investor withdrawing at the last minute". Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: Silver Clef Awards.
July 12, 2008... Bryan Adams and Oasis were among those honoured at last Friday's Silver Clef Awards. The Manchester band picked up the main Silver Clef Award at the lunchtime event, which took place at London's Park Lane Hilton hotel, while Bryan Adams won the...

HMV cites compatibility and DRM-free as key to cracking digital market.
July 12, 2008... Retail group to focus on digital sales in wake of strong year-end results, despite a `clearly very difficult' UK high street market and sale of Japanese stores HMV Group CEO Simon Fox has pledged the retailer will up its digital game this...

`It's not exactly war - I've known Jonathan Ross for 20 years'.
July 12, 2008... Chris Tarrant is frequently hailed as one of UK radio's greatest breakfast show presenters of all time but, aside from occasional programmes for the likes of Radio Two, he has been absent from our airwaves in the four years since he quit...

Upgrading to deluxe can unlock a CD's real worth.
July 12, 2008... Universal's commitment to releasing Deluxe Editions of albums could breathe new life into the physical market CDs used to be widely viewed as such precious commodities. I recall buying my first one back in 1987 and, in those days before...

Joseph eyes victories for resurgent industry.
July 12, 2008... While his first responsibility is to his company and its artists, Universal CEO David Joseph accepts that the major's policies can impact on the industry as a whole - and he is optimistic about its future David Joseph hits 40 tomorrow...

Eavis promises more surprises in '09.
July 12, 2008... Emily Eavis has denied reports that the Glastonbury Festival will return to its roots in guitar-based music next year, describing this year's event as a "great success". Despite the festival struggling to sell out, with some citing a...

Mobocops to revamp awards.
July 12, 2008... Specialist panel formed to overhaul Mobo Awards in first step of a long- term process to develop the Mobo Organisation brand In the 12 years since Kanya King first helped bring the Mobo Awards to the nation's TV screens the ceremony has...

Mobilising a lost generation of music consumers.
July 12, 2008... With the music industry looking to strengthen revenue via an ever- growing number of routes, an increasing number of labels are aligning themselves with Nokia as the launch of its Comes With Music platform draws near. But can the mobile giant...

DATAFILE EXPOSURE: 12.07.08.
July 12, 2008... Sara Bareilles' debut single Love Song dips out of the Top 10 of the OCC sales chart but continues to dominate the radio airplay chart, where it is number one for the fourth time, albeit with 60 fewer plays and 9.19m fewer listeners than last...

Instore: 12.07.08.
July 12, 2008... Asda Instore Display: Basshunter, David Banner, Nas, Sharleen Spiteri, Various, Various, Various, Various CWNN Instore Display: Micah P. Hinson, Pop Levi, She & Him, Sparkadia HMV Album of the week: Basshunter, Nas,...

DATAFILE CLUB CHARTS: 12.07.08.
July 12, 2008... Four weeks after Natasha Bedingfield's Chicane collaboration Bruised Water stormed to the top of the Upfront Club chart, her brother Daniel does likewise, reaching the summit with The One in partnership with Sharam. As its title suggests,...

Choosing the DIY route propels Dizzee to new heights in singles chart.
July 12, 2008... Dizzee Rascal has never charted higher than number 10 in his previous 10 visits to the chart, but the 23-year-old debuts at number one with new single Dance Wiv Me, on sales of 49,414 downloads ahead of its physical release today (Monday). The...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 12.07.08: Basshunter.
July 12, 2008... An English language remake of his 2006 European hit Vi Sitter I Ventrilo Och Spelar Dot as All I Ever Wanted brings Sweden's Basshunter his second straight smash here. Basshunter's UK debut single Now You're Gone spent five weeks at number one...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 12.07.08: Estelle.
July 12, 2008... Estelle & Kanye West's American Boy collaboration is one of the biggest hits of the year after topping the chart for four weeks and selling 382,230 copies to date - enough to place it fourth for the year. Follow- up No Substitute Love...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 12.07.08: MGMT.
July 12, 2008... With massive support from Radio One - where it was last week's 13th most-played song - New York duo MGMT's second single Electric Feel climbs for the fourth week in a row. The track has moved 131-92-50-31- 22 since puncturing the Top 200 for...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 12.07.08: Sharleen Spiteri.
July 12, 2008... After 26 hits with Texas spanning nearly 17 years, Sharleen Spiteri makes her solo chart debut this week, with All The Times I Cried. Debuting at number 47 on sales of 3,533 downloads. The Sixties retro- styled track is getting huge airplay...

Glastonbury makes its mark on chart but Coldplay remain at the top.
July 12, 2008... Coldplay's Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends makes another big (46.6%) dip in sales but still has enough power to easily chalk up another week at number one, with sales of 58,509 being more than its two closest challengers - Duffy's...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 12.07.08: The Ting Tings.
July 12, 2008... While introductory smash That's Not My Name fades, The Ting Tings secure their second top 20 hit, with Shut Up And Let Me Go leaping 24- 15 on sales of 9,070. The single is being helped by fast-increasing airplay, its use in the current iPod TV...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 12.07.08: Seth Lakeman.
July 12, 2008... Folk hero Seth Lakeman's third album Poor Man's Heaven celebrates his coastal West Country roots, telling stories of greedy pirates, heartbroken sailors and brave lifeboatmen. It debuts this week at number eight on sales of 12,522, easily...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 12.07.08: BPI Awards.
July 12, 2008... Albums Bobby Vee The Very Best Of (silver) Various Heartbeat Summer (silver) The Monkees Daydream Believer (silver) Various Pure Urban Essentials - Summer 2008 (gold) BPI Awards are made on combined unit sales of CDs, downloads and...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 12.07.08: My Chemical Romance.
July 12, 2008... My Chemical Romance's 2006 album The Black Parade was a huge success for the Californian rockers, reaching number two - it was kept off the top by Robbie Williams' Rudebox - and spinning off the number one single, Welcome To The Black Parade....