Music Week articles from July 2009

Music Week archives from July 2009

Michael Jackson 1958-2009.
July 4, 2009... The music industry goes into shock following the death of an icon just two weeks before he was due to resurrect a remarkable career at The O2 By Paul Williams Leading music industry figures have spoken of their shock and sadness about...

THE PLAYLIST: 04.07.09.
July 4, 2009... THE XX xx Young Turks Remember when you first heard Dummy by Portishead or Tricky's Maxinquaye? Listening to xx is a bit like that; inspired, broken and uplifting. (album, August 17) ANIMAL KINGDOM Tin Man Warner...

SIGN HERE: 04.07.09.
July 4, 2009... Island Records has signed Mumford & Sons. The group's debut album will be released by the major later this year with production by Markus Dravs (Arcade Fire). The band are managed by Adam Dunhope (Keane) - see Unearthed on page 15 Sony/ATV...

LIVE: Live London counts the cost.
July 4, 2009... Jackson death could leave large hole in promoter and ticketing finances By Robert Ashton Michael Jackson's death could cost the London economy as much as hundreds of millions of pounds - not counting the #300m promoter AEG Live is...

Viewpoint: Michael Jackson - nothing left to prove.
July 4, 2009... Paul Williams Music Week editor As soon as Michael Jackson's record-breaking O2 residency was announced in March there were immediately doubts as to whether it would actually happen. However, no one could ever have imagined events would...

RETAIL: The man in the mirror smashes more chart records.
July 4, 2009... Charts sent into a frenzy in just 50 hours of MJ sales By Alan Jones It may come as a surprise to some readers that the sales analysis pieces which appear in Music Week every Monday are not written in their entirety until after the...

Will the music industry come up smelling of roses?
July 4, 2009... Editorial Paul Williams Other than Gordon Brown spray-painting the walls of the Palace of Westminster with "We love the music business" it would be harder for the UK Government to make a clearer statement about how it recognises the...

Geffen to follow Merry Star creation by pushing its label credentials.
July 4, 2009... Universal label launches publishing division and promises to `really deliver' By Stuart Clarke `I become even more indulged in these creative processes which I love' - Geffen UK president Colin Barlow Geffen UK has moved a step...

Jazz trio to mark first foray into full-scale concerts.
July 4, 2009... The British Music Experience is moving into staging full-scale concerts, kicking off with the first gig in a decade by legendary British trad jazz trio Kenny Ball, Chris Barber and Acker Bilk. The inaugural BME presents... performance will...

NEWS IN BRIEF: BBC Trust.
July 4, 2009... The BBC Trust has warned the Corporation's music radio stations that they must be particularly careful with their output at times of the day when different generations may be listening together, as part of new guidance on "tastes and...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Intellectual Property Office.
July 4, 2009... The Intellectual Property Office has demonstrated that intelligence sharing is one of the most effective ways of tackling IP crime in its latest Intellectual Property Crime Group 2009 IP Crime Report, published last week. Minister of State for...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Leaking prerelease music.
July 4, 2009... A 33-year-old man has been arrested in Portsmouth as part of an investigation into leaking pre-release music on filesharing networks. The arrest follows a joint investigation by the BPI and IFPI in conjunction with the City of London Police and...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Midem.
July 4, 2009... Midem has announced that South Africa will be the Country of Honour for its 2010 event. The country focus is organised in partnership with the South African Department of Arts and Culture and will inaugurate a year of events promoting South...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Jo Smith.
July 4, 2009... EMI Music Publishing has given Jo Smith the role of leading its business affairs team in the UK. Smith, who started working for the publisher in October 1996 as a legal consultant, will be responsible for business affairs matters concerning...

LICENSING: Digital deal ensures indies will be on, not forgotten.
July 4, 2009... Virgin Media is hoping to launch with a full complement of independent repertoire after initiating negotiations with global rights licensing agency Merlin. The two sides are believed to have been in talks for several weeks, meaning there...

RETAIL: ERA to despatch store survival guide.
July 4, 2009... Digital Store-penned document lays out tips for the UK's 300 independent record shops By Robert Ashton ERA DIRECTOR GENERAL KIM BAYLEY has sent a new "survival plan" for physical music retail to the organisation's entire list of...

LABELS: Chess moves back into labels.
July 4, 2009... Tri-Sound Records to specialise in new and heritage contemporary soul By Ben Cardew FORMER CHESS RECORDS PRESIDENT MARSHALL CHESS and Acid Jazz founder Eddie Piller are teaming up to launch a record label that will specialise in...

Grainge takes to stage at digital-themed BPI AGM.
July 4, 2009... UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP INTERNATIONAL chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge is to give a rare public speech in July when he addresses the 2009 BPI AGM. Grainge will deliver a keynote speech at the event, which takes place on the afternoon of July...

UK Music gets set for Olympic events.
July 4, 2009... THE MUSIC INDUSTRY HAS STAKED AN EARLY CLAIM to soundtrack the forthcoming Olympics with the new Culture Secretary promising to sit down with UK Music in the next few weeks to discuss a range of ideas. The move was signposted last week at...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Fintage Music and Nettwerk.
July 4, 2009... Songs by the likes of Kanye West, Super Furry Animals and Sinead O'Connor are part of a new sub-publishing deal struck by Fintage Music and Nettwerk. Under the agreement, Fintage will handle the administration of Nettwerk's publishing...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Monocle magazine.
July 4, 2009... Monocle magazine's new venture into the music world kicked off last Friday. The Monocle Weekly Summer Series will run for eight weeks throughout the summer, delivering the latest on international music, culture, arts and design. Copyright:...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Sky.
July 4, 2009... Sky has joined the Industry Trust for IP Awareness, in a move it says shows its commitment to combating copyright theft. Sky will support the Trust's communications campaign, which aims to reach consumers who engage in copyright theft using...

NEWS IN BRIEF: TDC Play.
July 4, 2009... TDC Play, the bundled music subscription service launched in Denmark by ISP TDC and powered by 24-7, won the music service award at last week's Meffys. The awards, organised by the Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF), are intended to provide a...

CORRECTION: Guy Chambers.(Correction notice)
July 4, 2009... Following our story last week about Guy Chambers re-signing to EMI Music Publishing, we have been asked to point out Kobalt administers Chambers' early back catalogue, including his share of Robbie Williams co-writes such as Angels. EMI looks...

Music Week Unearthed: Hassle in Hoxton.
July 4, 2009... Island's erik hassle and unsigned four-piece Young Hearts played the latest instalment of Music Week's Unearthed series last Monday night, taking the stage for a night of live music and networking at East London's The Queen Of Hoxton. ...

RADIO: Sister stations take first steps in festival coverage.
July 4, 2009... BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music to make debuts at festivals By Ben Cardew Radio 2 and 6 Music will be "dipping a toe" into the UK's vibrant festival scene this summer, as the stations work out how best to cover the booming live sector. ...

MEDIA NEWS IN BRIEF: Conor McNicholas.
July 4, 2009... Conor McNicholas has resigned as editor of NME after seven years. He is leaving the title to edit Top Gear magazine. An announcement will be made about his successor in due course. McNicholas made the announcement via Twitter, writing, "I have...

MEDIA NEWS IN BRIEF: Magic 105.4.
July 4, 2009... Magic 105.4 has launched its biggest marketing campaign to date, with the aim of celebrating London. The multi-platform Magic Loves London campaign will use on-air, outdoor, online, experiential activity and PR in an attempt to capture the mood...

AIRPLAY ANALYSIS: Billie Jean leads Jackson chart charge.
July 4, 2009... Alan Jones Topping the radio airplay chart for the third week in a row, Pixie Lott's Mama Do is only the second song to secure more than 3,000 plays in a week this year. Beyonce's Halo set the benchmark by securing 3,085 spins eight weeks...

CAMPAIGN FOCUS: JLS.
July 4, 2009... With their debut single B-listed at Radio 1, the campaign for 2008 X Factor finalists JLS is off to very bright start. But for Epic the key to the band's long-term success lies in turning down more offers than it accepts in these early stages...

RADIO: Radio Academy to gain insight into Tory plans.
July 4, 2009... Shadow Culture Secretary to reveal intentions for radio Radio By Ben Cardew Shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt will explain the Conservative party's plans for the radio industry should it win the next General Election when he...

MEDIA NEWS IN BRIEF: Global Radio.
July 4, 2009... Global Radio last week completed the third and final phase of its Heart rollout, with Invicta FM, Southern FM, Ocean FM, 2CR, Essex FM, Marcher Sound, Coast 96.3, Buzz 97.1 and Champion 103 joining the 21 stations that launched across Anglia...

MEDIA NEWS IN BRIEF: Original Sinners.
July 4, 2009... Original Sinners are to record a session at Abbey Road studios after winning Absolute Radio's One Last Dream competition. As part of the deal, the band will also be mentored by Pink Floyd guitarist Guy Pratt and Henry Priestman, a previous...

MEDIA NEWS IN BRIEF: Simon Cowell.
July 4, 2009... Simon Cowell is reportedly joining forces with British retailer Sir Philip Green to create a new global entertainment company. The new company will create television content in both the UK and the US, acting as a holding company for Cowell's...

MEDIA NEWS IN BRIEF: BBC Introducing.
July 4, 2009... The BBC Introducing stage makes its debut at T In The Park this year, with acts including Broken Records, Seal Cub Clubbing Club and Dananananakroyd all making appearances. The stage, which also has a presence at festivals such as Glastonbury...

REVENUE: Veterans steal the show as PRS live revenues top #4oom.
July 4, 2009... Appetite for superstar gigs generates record figures By Gordon Masson KYLIE MINOGUE, MADONNA, ELTON JOHN and a raft of fellow live megastars ensured that UK concert revenues topped the #400m mark for the first time last year. The...

LIVE: Body to give smaller venues a bigger voice.
July 4, 2009... PLANS ARE ADVANCING TO LAUNCH an industry trade body to give small venues and promoters a voice in the music busines and better represent their needs to government and local authorities. We:Live is the brainchild of Surrey-based artist...

LIVE NEWS IN BRIEF: Green issues.
July 4, 2009... The music industry's commitment to green issues is underlined by the numbers flocking to festivals this year by car pooling. Around 20,000 people have now joined liftshare's festival website, www.FestivalBUDi- so they can share transport to any...

LIVE NEWS IN BRIEF: Ticketmaster Scotland.
July 4, 2009... Ticketmaster Scotland general manager Colette Grufferty last week presented a cheque for #11,000 to Donald Macleod, chairman of Nordoff- Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland. The money was raised by donations from music fans. Customers for...

LIVE NEWS IN BRIEF: Millennium Stadium.
July 4, 2009... The Millennium Stadium's impact on the Welsh economy has crossed the #1bn mark, according to the Cardiff venue's operators the Welsh Rugby Union Group. Research has estimated that the national stadium, which celebrated its 10th birthday on last...

LIVE NEWS IN BRIEF: Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
July 4, 2009... The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) is setting up shop at a number of festivals this summer to warn against the dangers of hearing loss. Research by RNID's Don't Lose the Music campaign reveals that 61% of festivalgoers believe...

LIVE: Rock Ness security a monster success.
July 4, 2009... The security task force set up by the Association Of Independent Festivals (AIF) has had an immediate impact, with organisers of Rock Ness reporting a staggering 95% drop in thefts on-site. The task force made its debut at the Scottish...

LIVE: Extra stages to help fledgling Park acts.
July 4, 2009... T IN THE PARK IS INCREASING its level of support for new and emerging acts by adding two stages for fledgling talent at this year's festival. The July 10-12 event has attracted energy drink giant Red Bull as sponsor of the Futures stage,...

LIVE: Open House for teens.
July 4, 2009... LONDON'S SOMERSET HOUSE is increasing its live music programming this year with a major new project for teenagers. Building on nearly a decade of producing large-scale music events, the Somerset House Trust has expanded its brief to open up...

PUBLISHING: Sony/ATV turns to Islam for new deal.
July 4, 2009... SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING has concluded a deal to administer Yusuf Islam's new album Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night). The worldwide exclusive deal was signed last week by the publisher's managing director Rak Sanghvi, who says...

ROYALTIES: EMI refuses `unagreed' PRS streaming rates.
July 4, 2009... Dissatisfaction leads to first major publisher action By Paul Williams EMI Music Publishing says it will not be making its Anglo-American repertoire available for licensing at the new PRS for Music streaming rates, which have been...

PUBLISHING: Machine man in the frame.
July 4, 2009... THE A&R PUBLISHING EXECUTIVE responsible for signing Florence + The Machine has won a promotion in the lead-up to the release of the act's debut album. Frank Tope, whose other signings include Franz Ferdinand, Klaxons, Foals, Courteeners,...

PUBLISHING: SUMMER OF SPRINGSTEEN.
July 4, 2009... To coincide with The Boss headlining both Glastonbury and Hyde Park Calling over the last weekend, PRS for Music has taken a look back over the past 12 months to find out the most-performed Bruce Springsteen songs in the UK. No surprises...

DIGITAL NEWS IN BRIEF: Twitter users.
July 4, 2009... The NPD Group in the US has found that Twitter users buy 77% more music downloads than non-users. Some 33% of people on Twitter have bought a CD recently while 34% bought a download. This compares to, respectively, 23% and 16% of general web...

DIGITAL NEWS IN BRIEF: Nielsen study.
July 4, 2009... A Nielsen study has found that Twitter attracted 18.2m unique visitors in May 2009, up 1,448% from a year earlier. Facebook is the leading social network globally, with 144.3m unique visitors in May. MySpace leads in video streaming via a...

DIGITAL NEWS IN BRIEF: iPhone 3G S.
July 4, 2009... Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 3G S sold more than 1m units in its opening weekend. More than 6m people also downloaded the iPhone 3.0 software upgrade over the same weekend. Copyright: UBM Information Ltd.

DIGITAL NEWS IN BRIEF: MySpace.
July 4, 2009... MySpace is cutting its international workforce from 450 to 150 employees. London, Sydney and Berlin will serve as its main international hubs. This follows job cuts at MySpace in the US. Copyright: UBM Information Ltd.

DIGITAL NEWS IN BRIEF: iPhone.
July 4, 2009... The NPD Group reports that the main reasons people are not planning to buy an iPhone were "a lack of interest" (55%) and its "high price" (42%). Meanwhile, Crowd Science found that 82% of iPhone owners would buy one again. Copyright: UBM...

DIGITAL NEWS IN BRIEF: SPPF.
July 4, 2009... SPPF, the French collecting society, is suing YouTube for E10m (#8.5m), claiming that 100 music videos it asked to be removed from the site have been uploaded again. Copyright: UBM Information Ltd.

PIRACY: European countries lack cohesive and consistent approach to P2P.
July 4, 2009... Irish music industry action highlights different digital mindsets across Europe By Eamonn Forde Legal action by the Irish music industry against two ISPs over their reluctance to stem online piracy has exposed a massive disparity in...

Viewpoint: behavioural targeting.
July 4, 2009... Neil Cartwright MD, Media Junction Digital Remember the famous sketch in Life Of Brian where Brian shouts to the massed crowd outside his window, `You're all different!' to which they reply in perfect unison, `Yes, we are all different,'...

UNEARTHED: Island secures favourite Sons.
July 4, 2009... Two years after they began winning fans around the UK with their catchy folk-pop, Mumford & Sons have put pen to paper with Island Records, which has signed the group ahead of their debut album release later this year. The band have been...

MASTERCLASS: `THE RIGHT ARTIST AND PRODUCER FIND EACH OTHER'.
July 4, 2009... A producer responsible for 55m sales worldwide, the award-winning Robin Millar knows a thing or two about making music. The Thames Valley University Honorary Professor tells Music Week how to get on in the trade... and why you should keep your...

PROFILE - ROB DA BANK: BANKING ON SUCCESS.
July 4, 2009... Multi-tasking DJ, festival promoter and label head Rob da Bank last year added the Association of Independent Festivals to his array of activities. Now, with the AIF's efforts reaping rewards, Music Week examines the career of its founder and...

KEY RELEASES: 04.07.09.
July 4, 2009... Out this week Singles * Akon We Don't Care (Universal) Previous single (chart peak): Beautiful (8) * Animal Collective Summertime Clothes (Domino) Previous single: My Girls (did not chart) * The Big Pink Stop The...

KEY RELEASES - 04.07.09: The panel.
July 4, 2009... HARRY AMOS (WHO'S JACK) The Pepys: Cheers To Baby Harlem (NMG) This is a gloriously self-analytical, misanthropic ode. Set between a bed of biting, guitars and a languid bassline, it manages to be exhilarating and dark at the same...

KEY RELEASES - 04.07.09: Single of the week.
July 4, 2009... Jamie T Sticks N Stones EP (Virgin ) This EP marks a confident first step in the campaign for Jamie T's second album. Sticks N Stones is an upbeat, beat-driven song that owes much to its nostalgic lyric that forms an emotive bond with the...

KEY RELEASES - 04.07.09: Album of the week.
July 4, 2009... La Roux La Roux (Polydor) Shaping up as one of the biggest breakthrough artists of 2009, La Roux delivers a debut album that will not disappoint the masses being won over by radio hits Bulletproof, In For The Kill and Quicksand. This is a...

KEY RELEASES - 04.07.09: The Florence machine steps up a gear.
July 4, 2009... WITH SINGLE RABBIT HEART (RAISE IT UP) attracting masses of airplay and enough sales to make the top 20, Florence + The Machine's debut album Lungs tops all three of the main pre-release charts. Frankmusik was listed alongside Florence +...

KEY RELEASES - 04.07.09: CATALOGUE REVIEWS.(Sound recording review)
July 4, 2009... VARIOUS Chartbusters USA Special Edition: Sunshine Pop (Ace CDCHD1228) The perfect summer album, this is just the fourth set issued in Ace's occasional Chartbusters USA series in the 10 years since its introduction and, to these ears,...

CHARTS CLUBS: Brown finds the right formula for Cr2 success.
July 4, 2009... Needin' U is one of those perennially popular house tracks, which first topped the Upfront club chart 11 years ago this week, in a version credited to David Morales presents The Face. Too good to keep down, it returned to the chart summit at...

CHARTS ANALYSIS: Kasabian knocked off perch at the 11th hour.
July 4, 2009... Alan Jones In a week when Kasabian seemed to be cruising to a third victory on the album chart, and the singles chart reflected little volatility, the formbook was turned upside down by the dramatic demise of Michael Jackson, whose death...

INTERNATIONAL CHARTS: George rolls with it in the US.
July 4, 2009... Alan Jones Although Black Eyed Peas and the Jonas Brothers are the most successful acts on the world's charts at present, Placebo's Battle For The Sun remains the most high-profile international chartmaker from the UK. The album made...