Music Week articles from June 2004

Music Week archives from June 2004

Aura hit by cash scandal: writ issued as director departs.(Royalties)
June 5, 2004... Performers' society, Aura has dismissed its membership secretary and director Peter Horrey following the discovery of what it says are "significant financial irregularities". Aura--the Association of United Recording Artists--has secured a...

Eamon tops first ringtones chart.(Exclusive)
June 5, 2004... Eamon's F**k It (I Don't Want You Back) makes mobile history today (Monday) as the first number one in the UK's brand new and official ringtones chart. The track--the UK's biggest-selling single of the year so far--comfortably tops the...

Sony Connect inks Aim deal.(Sign here)
June 5, 2004... * Aim, the UPFI in France and VUT in Germany have inked a deal with Sony Electronics to supply 75,000 tracks to the European version of Sony's Connect downloads service The Aim deal win see the inclusion of music from labels such as Ninja Tune,...

Nine Black Alps.(Sign here)
June 5, 2004... One of the most fiercely fought signing contests of 2004 to date was concluded last week when Manchester act Nine Black Alps signed a long-term recording contract with Island. The band have attracted widespread acclaim in the A&R community in...

Mercury Music Prize.(Sign here)
June 5, 2004... The Mercury Music Prize has secured Nationwide Building Society as a sponsor in a four-year deal The closing date for this year's event, which is open to all UK and Irish albums released in the year Lip to July 19, is this coming Friday. The...

Gut Records.(Sign here)
June 5, 2004... Gut Records has signed a marketing and distribution tie up with independent label Back Yard, The new deal will see the label move to Pinnacle distribution following the demise of 3mv. All previous Back Yard releases will now be available...

American Idol unveils winner.(Exposure)
June 5, 2004... More than 31m people watched Fantasia Barrino last week win the third season of American Idol, pushing Diana DeGarmo into second place, The viewing figure for last year's final was 38.1m

1Xtra.(Exposure)
June 5, 2004... Digital radio station 1Xtra is going to Europe for a series of gigs showcasing the best of black music from around the continent. 1Xtra Live's European Tour comprises three dates: a dancehall gig in Switzerland on June 12 with DJs Robbo Ranx...

Virgin Radio.(Exposure)
June 5, 2004... Virgin Radio has dropped its Captain America alternative country and Americana programme hosted by Nick Stewart. The decision to axe the show follows its move from a 10pm Sunday slot to 1am on Monday mornings. Virgin says its decision to axe...

Capital.(Exposure)
June 5, 2004... Capital's AM and digital service Capital Gold has secured Jerry Springer to present its 4pm to 7pm drivetime show this week. Springer will be playing some of his favourite oldies from the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties on the programme.

UK retailer Fopp's Unsigned Network--run in conjunction with the PRS Foundation and Clear Sound & Vision to support new talent--has moved into a second phase with a series of new initiatives.(Exposure)
June 5, 2004... UK retailer Fopp's Unsigned Network--run in conjunction with the PRS Foundation and Clear Sound & Vision to support new talent--has moved into a second phase with a series of new initiatives. The network will now offer acts selling their music...

Kristian Loentiou.(Exposure)
June 5, 2004... Polydor's Kristian Loentiou is performing a private acoustic showcase as part or the inaugural St ream Sessions this Thursday evening at London's TBWA venue. The Stream Sessions have been developed by Stream, a division of agency network TBWA,...

Kids from Speedwell School in Bristol joined in the celebrations at the House Of Commons last Tuesday, when schools standards minister David Millband gave his backing to a new initiative launched by MTV, Parlophone and Adobe.(Exposure)
June 5, 2004... Kids from Speedwell School in Bristol joined in the celebrations at the House Of Commons last Tuesday, when schools standards minister David Miliband gave his backing to a new initiative launched by MTV, Parlophone and Adobe. The Boom! project...

Hucknall set for AGM soapbox.(People)
June 5, 2004... Mick Hucknall has been lined up as the keynote speaker for Aim's annual general meeting at the University of Westminster on June 22. Three of Aim's founder board members will retire by rotation at the meeting: Aim vice-chairman and Ninja Tunes...

IFPI.(People)
June 5, 2004... Sir George Martin CBE and Rupert Perry CBE were honoured with IFPI medals at a dinner held in London on May 18. IFPI chairman and CEO Jay Berman presented the medals to Martin and Perry for their "outstanding service to IFPI and to the...

Polar Music Prize.(People)
June 5, 2004... Blues legend BB King and Hungarian composer Gyorgy Ligeti were last Monday honoured at the 13th annual Polar Music Prize in Sweden, Both winners at the event, which was attended by the Swedish royal family and Swedish acts The Hives and...

Warner Music.(People)
June 5, 2004... Warner Music chief Roger Ames has been linked as a candidate for the Channel 4 chief executive post, which was made vacant by Mark Thompson's decision to become the BBC's new director general. Others viewed as contenders include Endemol...

New list boosts legal downloads.(Bottom line)
June 5, 2004... * The music industry's campaign to promote legitimate online music services is ramping up its presence with the publication of a new directory of digital music services on the pro-music.org website. The directory lists more than 100 legal sites...

Ozzy Osbourne.(Bottom line)
June 5, 2004... British rocker Ozzy Osbourne was honoured with MTV Japan's Legend Award at an event opened by UK act The Darkness performing I Believe In A Thing Called Love. Although the ceremony last week was dominated by US winners, The Chemical Brothers...

Mobile Entertainment Awards.(Bottom line)
June 5, 2004... The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) has unveiled the shortlist for the inaugural Mobile Entertainment Awards, taking place on June 2 at London's Business Design Centre. The categories covered are best contribution to mobile games, best...

EMI Music.(Bottom line)
June 5, 2004... EMI Music is releasing the first of three planned official albums for this August's Athens Olympics, featuring duets from Destiny's Child and Black Eyed Peas' Wil.I.Am, as well as individual songs from the likes of Avril Lavigne. The album...

Sony/BMG respond to EC's merger concerns: EC's objections to BMG/Sony merger prompts majors to prepare case for Brussels hearing later this month.(News)
June 5, 2004... BMG and Sony will have the chance to reply formally to European Commission concerns about their proposed merger later this month. The pair, which were last week in receipt of a 50-page statement of objections (SO) by the Commission into the...

The Music Week playlist.(News)
June 5, 2004... FYA For Your Attention (Def Jam UK) Slough trio come up with the goods for debut album and look like the natural step forward from the Sugababes, (album, July) TEENAGER Pony (Unsigned) Ramshackle brilliance from Australian name to...

DVD Europe unveils top keynote speakers.(News)
June 5, 2004... Malcolm Gerrie, one of the founding fathers of music TV in the UK, is to provide the keynote address at next week's Music Week-backed DVD Europe 2004 conference. Gerrie, who is currently chief executive of Initial and whose credits include...

Flagship Emap music mag set for revamp: Emap bosses act to reverse music titles' revenue dips.(Companies)
June 5, 2004... Emap boss Tom Moloney is planning a "reinvention" of Q magazine later this year as part of the group's strategy to reverse the revenue declines experienced by its music magazines in the year ended March 31 2004. With magazines turning in...

GWR ups download service.(News)
June 5, 2004... GWR's new media ambitions are expanding with the group planning to extend its Hear It, Buy It, Burn it downloading service to its Classic FM brand within the next 18 months. With the group revealing that Classic FM contributed nearly 22% of...

The BPI Awards.(News)
June 5, 2004... ALBUMS The Charlatans--Up At The Lake (silver) Emma Bunton--Free Me (gold) Usher--Confessions (platinum) The Streets--A Grand Don't Come for Free (platinum)

Staff moves get EMI sync office buzzing.(News)
June 5, 2004... EMI Music is restructuring its music synchronisation department after striking a raft of new deals, including a deal attaching a Jamelia track to a new Sony PlayStation game. As part of the departmental moves, sync coordinator Hywel Evans...

Goldie lookin' chain.(Snap Shot)
June 5, 2004... Welsh rap outfit Goldie Lookin' Chain had another reason for celebration last Wednesday when they signed a publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing. Apparently under the impression that they were signing a "pub" deal, Goldie Lookin' Chain were...

Digital cash brings EMI surprise bonus: revenues from digital triple despite dip in overall profits.(Companies)
June 5, 2004... EMI has revised its projections for growth of digital revenues after the first year of business outstripped initial expectations. The major unveiled new full-year figures last week indicating that it had achieved turnover of 15m [pounds...

Virgin reviews Megastores.(News)
June 5, 2004... Virgin Retail is aiming to put the "mega" back into its Megastores chain by axing a series of less effective, smaller stores and opening bigger outlets instead. As part of an extensive review of its entire UK business, the retailer is...

Shaznay Lewis.(Snap Shot)
June 5, 2004... WEA London last week kicked off its media campaign for the return of Shaznay Lewis. Lewis becomes the latest post-All Saints solo project to launch when the single Never Felt Like This Before is released on July 5. Her album Open follows on...

Classical Brits balance core and crossover.(News)
June 5, 2004... Critical comments from the classical record industry and retail trade have clearly been absorbed by the organisers of the Classical Brit Awards, who offered a carefully balanced mix of core and crossover artists for their fifth show last...

Ivors reach out to honour legendary Motown trio.(News)
June 5, 2004... The organisers of the Ivor Novello Awards are preparing to lift the lid on a package of events to mark next year's 50th ceremony. A committee headed by former British Academy of Songwriters & Composers chairman Guy Fletcher has been...

Loog lines up summer push: hat-trick of new acts poised to give label its biggest breakthrough yet.(Profile)
June 5, 2004... In February 2003, NME writer James Oldham joined the sizeable list of music industry executives who started their careers in journalism before taking the plunge into the music business itself. >From notable names such as Springsteen manager...

Island takes fresh look at online store.(Digital)
June 5, 2004... Island Records' revamped website and online store is set to capitalise on the label's new signings such as Busted and Keane, while also pushing its heritage with download-only albums from its vaults. As well as flagging up frontline...

UK users learn to fall in love with Napster all over again: roll-out wins warm welcome as download service beats Apple to launch.(Downloads)
June 5, 2004... A week after its launch, the general message board at napster.co.uk looks like it could have been written by the BPI, RIAA and IFPI combined. "I'm going legit!" announces one post. "I'm definately [sic] here to stay!" screams another. "Who...

MW unveils first ringtones chart.(Digital)
June 5, 2004... There is no doubt that ringtones are big business for music and this fact is underlined this week as Music Week publishes the UK's first official Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) ringtones chart. The chart, which has been developed over a...

Top 20 ringtones.(Digital)
June 5, 2004... TOP 20 RINGTONES This Last ARTIST TITLE Publisher 1 -- EAMON F**K IT (I DONT WANT YOU BACK) Hot Butter Milk/ ...

Scots forge new alliances with Europe: as the music industry takes the high road to Go North, the Scottish scene is looking to build links further afield.(Go North)
June 5, 2004... As the industry prepares to Go North for the third year running, the Aberdeen-based festival looks set to capitalise on a burgeoning Scottish music scene and to forge stronger ties with its Northern European counterparts. With delegates...

Northern highlights: from garage rock through acoustic pop and Americana to Asian fusion, the second Go North CD covers plenty of bases. The disc--free with Music Week--highlights some of the unsigned bands who form part of the Go North festival. For more information, see www.goevents.info.(Go North CD)
June 5, 2004... 1. GEM: Tonight This five-piece from the Netherlands offer a compelling study in power pop, part Joe Strummer, part Strokes. Picked up by Dutch label Excelsior after they featured on a Dutch talent sampler titled College Radio: Alternative...

Ironing out challenges in a booming sector: Nicola Slade reports on how the live sector is adapting to increased Government regulation.(Live)
June 5, 2004... Some 1.5m people stepped through the turnstiles of the UK's 10 most popular live events in 2003. The Rolling Stones and Robbie tours, plus the Reading and Leeds festivals accounted for around 80m [pounds sterling] in revenues, while the...

The return of the king: Elvis DVDs primed to coincide with 50th anniversary of 1954 debut.(DVD)
June 5, 2004... When it comes to selling DVDs in large volumes, heritage acts and live performances consistently dominate the sales racks. Add in the additional lustre of a truly legendary performance and you have discs to die for. It is easy to imagine,...

D-Fuse: D-Tonate_00.
June 5, 2004... D-Fuse D-Tonate_00 (onedotzero odzdtn001). Out now. Shortlisted for best DVD at last year's CADs, this innovative release now sees a full release through the organisers of the onedotzero festival (currently at London's ICA). Using a...

Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings: Let the Good Times Roll.
June 5, 2004... Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings Let The Good Times Roll (Classic Pictures DVD7084X). June 7. Capturing Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings on the road, in the studio and onstage during their recent European tour, this DVD includes two live concerts: a...

Sonic Youth: Corporate Ghost.
June 5, 2004... Sonic Youth Corporate Ghost (Universal 9862734). June 14. This is the first Sonic Youth DVD and has been cued to coincide with the New York art-rockers' 19th album, Sonic Nurse. This DVD is real feast for fans, with 23 videos spanning all...

Matchbox Twenty: Show--A Night in the Life of.
June 5, 2004... Matchbox Twenty Show--A Night In The Life Of (Coming Home Studios CHS10028). July 5. Filmed at Atlanta's Philips Arena, a stop on the band's 2003 More Than You Think You Are tour, this Hamish Hamilton-directed DVD captures 19 songs,...

No Doubt: The Videos 1992-2003.
June 5, 2004... No Doubt The Videos 1992-2003 (Interscope 9862139) Out now. This collection of all No Doubt's videos to date comprises a neat overview of the band's 17-year career featuring classic hits--from the song that broke them, Just A Girl, to Don't...

Chart can help clear up Wild West.(Editorial)
June 5, 2004... The arrival of the UK's first official ringtones chart is a landmark moment. In EMI's annual results last week, it revealed that 15m [pounds sterling]-worth of revenues had come from digital distribution, with half of it from ringtones....

Avoid choppy waters by extending copyright term.(Viewpoint)
June 5, 2004... In December it will be 50 years since Bill Haley first hit the UK charts with Shake Rattle and Roll. In the EU, sound recording copyrights expire 50 years after the end of the year in which a record was first released. There are murmurings...

What's your favourite lyric and who performed it?(The big question)
June 5, 2004... The nation's favourite song line is "Imagine all the people, living life in peace" from John Lennon's Imagine. The lyric topped an Orange survey which was conducted last week to mark the Orange Word Songwriters Season at the Guardian Hay...

Quickfire: as EMI's North American operation shows signs of a turnaround, the man responsible David Munns explains how he has achieved such a remarkable feat.(Forum)
June 5, 2004... America has long been EMI Music's achilles heel, but you now seem to be turning it round. What would you put that down to? Attention to the basics, being realistic about what we can achieve, being very cost-conscious and not chasing market...

Crib sheet.(Forum)
June 5, 2004... MTV got together with Parlophone, Adobe and the schools standards minister David Miliband to launch the new Boom! education initiative at the House Of Commons last Tuesday. Boom! What? OK, don't be clever. Boom! is an initiative aimed...

Apple ripe for launch day.(Dooley's Diary)
June 5, 2004... Remember where you heard it: Word is certainly firming up that June 14 will be the day Apple presses the button on iTunes in the UK... Paul Gambaccini apparently doesn't get on his hands and knees for anyone. But the Ivors host adopted a...

A heatwave was certainly burning in a good few hearts as PRS celebrated the careers of three of the greatest songwriters of all time after last week's Ivors.(Diary)
June 5, 2004... A heatwave was certainly burning in a good few hearts as PRS celebrated the careers of three of the greatest songwriters of all time after last week's Ivors. Lamont Dozier and Eddie and Brian Holland were guests of honour--along with...

Key releases.(Datafile)
June 5, 2004... ALBUMS THIS WEEK PJ Harvey Uh Huh Her (Island); The Corrs Borrowed Heaven (Atlantic); Faithless No Roots (Cheeky/Arista); The Calling 2 (BMG); Kristian Leontiou Some Day Soon (Polydor); Kurt Nilsen I (BMG); JUNE 7 Supergrass...

Albums and singles sales post a rise.(The Market)
June 5, 2004... After hitting 13- and 35-week lows respectively the week before, the singles and albums market both improved last week. The singles market was only barely up, however, increasing by just 6,818 sales, or 1.4%, to 482,632. Albums made a more...

Market indicators.(The Market)
June 5, 2004... MARKET INDICATORS SINGLES Sales versus last week: +1.4% Year to date versus last year: -10.1% Market shares BMG 22.2% Sony 14.2% All Around The World 9.7% Island ...

Fast chart.(Datafile)
June 5, 2004... SINGLES NUMBER ONE FRANKEE F.U.R.B (F U RIGHT BACK) AATW A third week at the top marks the longest stay at number to date for an All Around The World single, beating the one-week residency of DJ Casper's Cha Cha Slide and the...

Karma makes a fresh start: the second album by Helicopter Girl marks the first release from a post-Sony Instant Karma.(The Plot)
June 5, 2004... HELICOPTER GIRL ANGEL CITY (INSTANT KARMA) The release on June 21 of the second album from UK singer Helicopter Girl will be a landmark for label Instant Karma. It will be the first album to be released by the label, run by former...

Tipsters: a selection of UK tastemakers select their favourite upcoming releases.
June 5, 2004... Anthony Thornton, Nme.com and reviews editor, NME 22-20S SHOOT YOUR GUN (HEAVENLY) "After all the fuss at the start of 2003 and a low key mini live LP, some people were beginning to doubt whether the 22-20s could deliver. This first...

Radio playlists.(Upfront)
June 5, 2004... RADIO 1 A LIST Ash Orpheus: Avril Lavigne Don't Tell Me; Beastie Boys Ch-Check It Out; Cassidy feat. R Kelly Hotel; Christina Milian Dip It Low; Faithless Mass Destruction; Jet Are You Gonna Be My Girl?; Joss Stone Super Duper Love;...

Adds.(Upfront)
June 5, 2004... BIG CITY Beverley Knight Come As You Are; Black Eyed Peas Let's Get It Started; Javine Best Of My Love; KISS FM Freestylers Push Up; Jamelia See It In A Boy's Eyes; Junior Jack Stupidisco; Nina Sky feat. Jabba Move Ya Body;...

Top 10 radio growers.(Upfront)
June 5, 2004... TOP 10 RADIO GROWERS This ARTIST TITLE Plays Total Incr. 1 BRITNEY SPEARS EVERYTIME 1057 506 2 KELIS TRICK ME 1175 353 3 WILL...

TV airplay chart: Kelis holds off Britney from the top spot for a second week, while Avril Lavigne, The 411 and Usher climb into the Top 10.(TV)
June 5, 2004... TV Airplay Chart This Last Week Week Artist Title Label Plays 1 1 KELIS TRICK ME VIRGIN 458 2 2 BRITNEY SPEARS EVERYTIME ...

The others.(Snapshot)
June 5, 2004... Hotly-tipped new band The Others have been creating a stir with a host of novel schemes to promote their single This Is For The Poor. As a finale to their recent End Of The Line tour, which featured gigs at venues near locations at the end of...

The UK radio airplay chart: it is all change at the top, as Keane, The Corrs and Christina Milian nestle into the Top Three positions, while Scissor Sisters and The Divine Comedy rocket up the list.(Radio)
June 5, 2004... The UK Radio Airplay Chart Weeks Position This Last in on sales Week Week chart chart ARTIST TITLE 1 3 7 26 KEANE EVERYBODY'S CHANGING 2 [E] 5...

In-store next week.(Cued up: 05.06.04)
June 5, 2004... ASDA Single--VS; Albums--Faithless, Bigger Better Power Ballads; In-store--Jumpers 4 Goalposts, The Corrs, Alanis Morissette, Chilled Ibiza, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chilled Ibiza BORDERS Windows--Return of the King; Listening...

Tastemakers.(Cued up)
June 5, 2004... MICHAEL MCCLATCHEY Moshi Moshi 1. SNOW PATROL CHOCOLATE (HOT CHIP REMIX) (WHITE LABEL) 2. RADIO DEPARTMENT WHY DON'T WE TALK ABOUT IT (XL) 3. MATT HARDING TALKING IN FOURS (MOSHI MOSHI) 4. MYLO DESTROY ROCK & ROLL...

TV listings.(Cued up)
June 5, 2004... CD:UK Black Eyed Peas Let's Get It Started; Faithless Mass Destruction; Hoobastank The Reason; Javine Best Of My Love; Sheznay Lewis Never Felt Like This Before; V feat. McFly Chilis In The Evening; Will Young GMTV Lari White ...

Radio listings.(Cued up)
June 5, 2004... RADIO ONE Lamacq Live Supergrass/The Concretes (Mon) Mary Anne Hobbs DJ Fresh/MC Darrison guest (More Jo Whiley Faithless in the Live Lounge (Tue); Brody Dalle guests (Thur) John Peel sessions Numbers (Tue); Mugstar (Wed);...

Bear claws bigger share.(Media Insider)
June 5, 2004... Steve Hyden programme controller, The Bear 102FM Eight years old last Monday (May 24), The Bear 102FM received a welcome early birthday present in the form of its latest Rajar ratings which indicate that whilst its reach was up a...

Also out this week.
June 5, 2004... SINGLES Age Of Jets: Go Go Gadget Pop (Damaged Goods) Blink 182: Down (MCA) Jaylib: McNasty Filth (PIAS) Morillo feat. Audio Bullys: Break Down The Doors (Subliminal) ALBUMS Phantom Planet: Phantom Planet (Sony) ...

Slipknot: Duality.
June 5, 2004... SINGLE OF THE WEEK Slipknot Duality Roadrunner RR39880 Slipknot's cartoon image has to date meant that they have largely remained a niche phenomenon. But, with their current third album inside the Top Five, the fierce rockers are...

The Bees: Horsemen.
June 5, 2004... The Bees Horsemen (Virgin VSCDX1869) With a retro sound not far from the Small Faces, this second single from The Bees' new album Free The Bees (released a fortnight later) has been C-listed by Radio One. Backed by a UK tour this month plus...

Brandy feat. Kanye West: Talk About Our Love.
June 5, 2004... Brandy feat. Kanye West Talk About Our Love (EastWest/Atlantic AT0177CD) Is there an R&B record out there that doesn't have the ubiquitous West on it? This is the first single from Brandy's forthcoming Afrodisiac album, already B-listed at...

Client: In It For The Money.
June 5, 2004... Client In It For The Money (Toast Hawaii CDTH005) Client are a female duo comprising Dubstar's former singer and Alan McGee's wife. The sound on this single is lo-fi electro-pop and also features Pete Doherty as guest vocalist on the...

The Divine Comedy: Absent Friends.
June 5, 2004... The Divine Comedy Absent Friends (Parlophone CDR6641) Neil Hannon's return to songwriting form is exemplified by the title track of his acclaimed new album, a witty-yet-touching widescreen tribute to a diverse range of now-departed talent...

Agnetha Faltskog: When You Walk In The Room.
June 5, 2004... Agnetha Faltskog When You Walk In The Room (WEA WEA378CD2) >From her comeback album of unearthed Sixties classics, Abba's former blonde bombshell gets to grips with a 1964 smash for The Searchers and proves again her vocal powers are fully...

Javine: Best Of My Love.
June 5, 2004... Javine Best Of My Love (Innocent SINCDJ63) This latest single release comes ahead of Javine's debut album Surrender (due out at the end of June) and sees the Popstars survivor on fine vocal form. While it is not as immediately seductive as...

Kid Symphony: Never Been A Rockstar.
June 5, 2004... Kid Symphony Never Been A Rockstar (Island CID859) This rousing rock anthem with an infectious chorus is also the title music to MTV2's Breaking Point series and could give the 'Symphony their first real hit. It is a taster for their...

Sarah Mclachlan: World On Fire.
June 5, 2004... Sarah Mclachlan World On Fire (Arista 82876628632) Already championed by Radio Two and the Parkinson show, McLachlan looks like challenging for The Corrs' crown for solid folk-pop. This multi-million-selling artist has won respect for...

MTV Breaking Point singles.
June 5, 2004... Foolproof: Paper House The Holiday Plan: Stories/Sunshine Portabella: Covered In Punk Tokyo Dragons: Teenage Screamers These four singles come from the bands featured in MTV's new talent series Breaking Point, developed in...

The Needles: 1,2,3 ... 5!
June 5, 2004... The Needles 1,2,3... 5! (Dangerous DREXCDEP107) Hailing from Aberdeen, The Needles trade in punk rock with a clear pop sensibility. This indie release looks set to build nicely on the reaction to their last Under The City EP.