Music Week articles from June 2008

Music Week archives from June 2008

"Heed singles mistakes," says Era.
June 7, 2008... Era's Paul Quirk warns the industry not to make the same mistakes with physical albums as it did with singles The Entertainment Retailers Association is warning the music industry that it must not make the same mistakes over its support for...

THE PLAY LIST: 07.06.08.
June 7, 2008... Skepta Rolex Sweep (Ministry Of Sound) A-listed at 1Xtra, Rolex Sweep will benefit from the inroads Wearing My Rolex made at commercial radio. A dance/grime hybrid that is not easily forgotten. (single, August 4) Annie Don't...

Sign Here: 07.06.08.
June 7, 2008... Seventeen-year-old songwriter Lisa Mitchell is demoing material at Stanley House studios with producer Ant Whiting (Eugene McGuinness, MIA). Mitchell will perform at Music Week's Unearthed showcase this Tuesday. Copyright: CMP Information...

UK industry promotes private copying model.
June 7, 2008... European scrutiny of private copying levies prompts UK interest As Brussels struggles to get to grips with reforming private copying levies throughout Europe, the UK music industry is attempting to persuade it that its proposed licensing...

Funeral For A Friend sign deals.
June 7, 2008... Funeral For A Friend have signed deals with media investment firm Ingenious and PIAS UK's Integral marketing service to create their own label, Join US, through which they will release their fourth album later this year. Ingenious Music...

Galbraith aims to make Bloodstock the next rock monster by 2011.
June 7, 2008... Stuart Galbraith, who founded hard rock festivals Monsters Of Rock and Download, has joined the board of family-run rock event Bloodstock Open Air and intends to dramatically increase its capacity. A hard rock and heavy-metal-themed...

Ups And Downs: 07.06.08.
June 7, 2008... UPS No home nations in Euro 2008 means good news for retailers - and no novelty singles Every week there seems to be a new US success story - but three UK acts in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 for the first time since 1995 is quite...

TV show and album to boost indie day of celebration.
June 7, 2008... The unique strength, creativity and influence of the UK indie community will be celebrated with the first significant profile of the sector in a TV documentary to coincide with the global Independents Day 08 initiative. The move to screen...

IN BRIEF: US R&B acts lead the field for debut MTV Video Awards.
June 7, 2008... Rihanna and Timbaland dominate the inaugural list of MTV Platinum and Gold Video Awards. The awards cover the second half of 2007, reflecting the most-played videos across the MTV global network. A total of 8,000 plays were required for...

IN BRIEF: New draft proposals.
June 7, 2008... The live music community has been given until the end of June to provide the Home Office with its thoughts on new draft proposals affecting musicians visiting the UK from non-visa countries. Earlier this month the UK Border Agency surprised the...

IN BRIEF: 2008 Eurovision Song Contest.
June 7, 2008... Russia's Dima Bilan won the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade with his Timbaland-produced ballad Believe. Britain's Andy Abraham came joint-last with his song Even If. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: NME to relaunch mobile website.
June 7, 2008... NME is relaunching its mobile website to include a searchable gig guide and music downloads. The site, developed by service provider InfoMedia, will also offer breaking music news, reviews, prizes, realtones, video downloads and wallpapers from...

IN BRIEF: RIAA drops lawsuit against Russian download website.
June 7, 2008... The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has dropped its lawsuit against Russian music site AllofMP3.com, which closed in July 2007. RIAA spokesman Jonathan Lamy said that the site's closure was the result of "a successful...

IN BRIEF: Tickex.com joins forces with ilikemusic.com.
June 7, 2008... Ticket search engine Tickex.com has joined forces with online music magazine ilikemusic.com to provide a co-branded ilikemusic ticket search. The site, www.ilikemusic.com/tickets, will provide access to more than 5m tickets, which Tickex claims...

IN BRIEF: Chaos over stadium dates in London and Cardiff.
June 7, 2008... Chaos over ticketing for Madonna's September stadium dates in London and Cardiff highlights the need for regulation of the secondary ticketing market, according to the Resale Rights Society. The RRS says the confusion results from the recent...

IN BRIEF: GCap disposes of Planet Rock.
June 7, 2008... GCap has disposed of digital station Planet Rock to an unnamed third party, according to Brian May, who was involved in an attempt to save the station. The company has also sold Xfm South Wales to local radio group Town and Country...

IN BRIEF: Simon Fuller claims biggest domination.
June 7, 2008... Simon Fuller has claimed the biggest domination by any artist manager in the history of Billboard's Hot 100 with his acts occupying 17 slots on the chart. The 19 founder overtakes Brian Epstein's previous record of 14 set in 1964, largely...

BPI to promote international ties with week August trip to Far East.
June 7, 2008... Week-long Tokyo jaunt to showcase UK creativity and promote collaboration planned for August, culminating in a strong UK contingent at Summer Sonic festival A BPI mission to Tokyo this summer is to play a prominent role in the year-long...

Business as usual expected for Euro 2008.
June 7, 2008... England football fans' misery is likely to be offset by joy from music retailers over the next few weeks as they anticipate trading will escape virtually unscathed from Euro 2008. Previous major footballing tournaments have been disastrous...

Don't let nostalgia cloud reality over Woolies move.
June 7, 2008... The physical singles market is not dead yet, but for the high-street retailer it is time to move cautiously forward It was 1980 when I purchased my first-ever single. I would like to say it was something groundbreaking like Love Will Tear...

Coldplay join hotbed of UK talent in US.
June 7, 2008... Apple sync gives Viva La Vida a helping hand into US Top 10, earning UK its highest tally in chart for more than a decade Coldplay's iTunes ad has helped the UK to secure its greatest presence in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 since...

T-Mobile switches on its albums Jukebox.
June 7, 2008... T-Mobile is putting its faith in the digital albums market, with the addition of download albums to its Mobile Jukebox service. As of yesterday (Sunday), T-Mobile customers can now download full albums to their handsets, choosing from an...

Should Britain withdraw from Eurovision next year?
June 7, 2008... In the wake of another disappointing Eurovision result, should Britain withdraw from next year's contest? Rick Blaskey, The Music And Media Partnership "The big dichotomy is that however crass the show becomes each year, it's still a...

Imagem factor benefits EMI.
June 7, 2008... Universal's catalogue sales to new Dutch indie publisher Imagem tip the balance in EMI's favour for the first time in six months One of the consequences of winning approval for its E1.63bn (#1.2bn) takeover of BMG Music Publishing was...

Chrysalis re-emerges.
June 7, 2008... Had events gone as predicted, quarter one could well have been the last time the famous name of Chrysalis appeared in the publishing market shares. But the decision in April to reject all of the numerous takeover approaches means the...

No longer living the single life.
June 7, 2008... Last week's announcement that high-street stalwart Woolworths was to discontinue selling CD singles was greeted by widespread lamentations that the final nail had been hammered into the format's coffin. But, with the physical albums market...

FATHER'S DAY: Our father who art in store.
June 7, 2008... Any potential gift-giving date in the calendar is a time for rejoicing and is ripe for music-store innovation. Father's Day is no exception and there is plenty of effort from retailers and record companies being made in the lead-up to the June...

FATHER'S DAY: The key titles aimed at the Father's Day market.
June 7, 2008... 101 Rock `n' Roll Hits - EMI Backed by TV advertising and targeted at the 45 to 65-year-old demographic the four-disc set, packed with hits by veteran rock and roll artists including Cliff Richard, Gene Vincent, Little Richard and Eddie...

Music education and creating tomorrow's stars.
June 7, 2008... The recent successes of music school graduates Amy Winehouse, Adele and Newton Faulkner have emphasised music education's huge influence on today's music industry. Music Week gathered five figures from the education field to discuss its public...

Music Upfront - 07.06.08.
June 7, 2008... Out this week Singles Elbow One Day Like This (Fiction) previous single: Grounds For Divorce (chart peak: 19) Morrissey All You Need Is Me (Decca) previous single: That's How People Grow Up (14) One Republic Say (All...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 07.06.08: Album of the week.
June 7, 2008... Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes (Bella Union) British audiences are finally getting their first taste of Fleet Foxes, three months after tipsters raved about them at SXSW. The band played a London warm-up show last Thursday ahead of seven sold-out...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 07.06.08: Single of the week.
June 7, 2008... Morrissey All You Need Is Me (Decca) All You Need Is Me is included on Morrissey's Greatest Hits album, which peaked at number five in the chart and also features nine other Top 10 singles. The track has become a live favourite over recent...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 07.06.08: Catalogue reviews.
June 7, 2008... Herman's Hermits: The Best Of Herman's Hermits (EMI CDEMTV 200) One of the first acts from Manchester to make a big impression were Herman's Hermits, a tuneful ensemble whose Mickie Most-produced hits featured the vocals of Peter Noone....

MUSIC UPFRONT - 07.06.08: THE PANEL.
June 7, 2008... John McInally (Xfm Scotland) Jyrojets: Dead on Arrival (Songphonic) These guys first came to my attention after I caught them supporting Richard Ashcroft at the SECC. Despite being off the radar for the last year they return with a...

FUTURE RELEASE: Madness.
June 7, 2008... Madness live USB recordings Madness will launch their new album campaign with three consecutive nights at the Hackney Empire this month, with the band offering everyone attending the shows the opportunity to walk away with a live USB...

FUTURE RELEASE: CSS.
June 7, 2008... CSS Donkey (Warner Bros) Following the free digital release of CSS's recent single Rat Is Dead (Rage) last month, Warner Bros is gearing up to take the band's second album to new audiences as it builds on the strong critical foundations of...

DATAFILE EXPOSURE: 07.06.08.
June 7, 2008... Mercy is far and away the year's biggest airplay hit, with 35,317 plays on the Music Control panel earning it a whopping audience of 1.09bn - enough to put it a massive 48.23% ahead of nearest challenger, Rockstar by Nickelback. In...

Instore: 07.06.08.
June 7, 2008... Asda Instore Display: Ashanti, Dolly Parton, Lil' Wayne, N*E*R*D, The Fratellis Borders Instore Display: Lykke Li, Mystery Jets, N*E*R*D, The Fratellis Window Display: Coldplay CWNN Album of the week: The Pigeon...

CLUB CHARTS: 07.06.08.
June 7, 2008... Brighton house duo The Freemasons achieve their fifth number one on the Upfront Club chart this week, ascending to the summit with When You Touch Me, another massive anthem, which features the vocals of Katherine Ellis. Though they have...

Eurovision and talent-show singles edge into lower reaches of chart.
June 7, 2008... Clearly not another Umbrella, Rihanna's second number one, Take A Bow, suffers a 13.3% dip in sales to 35,561 on its second week at the summit. That is one of the lower number-one sales tallies of the year - it has been lower only three times...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 07.06.08: Duffy.
June 7, 2008... Duffy lands her second top five single, as physical sales of Warwick Avenue kick in to provide the track with its fifth straight week as a climber. Moving 67-29-17-13-7-3, the track has now sold 71,962 copies, including 22,416 last week....

DATAFILE SINGLES - 07.06.08: Paul Weller.
June 7, 2008... Paul Weller was 50 eight days ago, and shows no sign of slowing down, with new album 22 Dreams due imminently. The first single from the set pairs Have You Made Your Mind Up and Echoes Round The Sun. Released simultaneously on download, CD and...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 07.06.08: The Zutons.
June 7, 2008... The Zutons' third album, You Can Do Anything, is released today (June 2), and from it the first hit, Always Right Behind You, moves 28-26 (6,349 sales). The Liverpool band's first single since It's The Little Things We Do peaked at number 47 in...

DATAFILE SINGLES - 07.06.08: The Ting Tings.
June 7, 2008... Becoming the first act ever to have its first three Top 40 entries in consecutive weeks, The Ting Tings' latest hit is Shut Up And Let Me Go. The track, which serves as the soundbed for the latest iPod commercial, progresses 49-29, with sales...

Usher is ninth new chart topper in as many weeks as albums make a stand.
June 7, 2008... Three weeks ago, album sales dipped to an eight-year low of 1,631,962. They have improved every week since, and climbed by 8.4% last week to 2.05m - their highest level for seven weeks. They also beat same-week 2007 sales of 1.98m by 3.7%. It...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 07.06.08: Neil Diamond.
June 7, 2008... Neil Diamond now boasts three simultaneous Top 25 albums. His new set, Home Before Dark, slips 2-3 (36,370 sales) while his 1996 MCA compilation The Best Of Neil Diamond moves 8-9 (13,753 sales). Now 2002 Columbia/Island compilation The...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 07.06.08: The Pigeon Detectives.
June 7, 2008... A fortnight after introductory single This Is An Emergency reached number 14, The Pigeon Detectives' second album, Emergency, debuts at number five on sales of 31,066. The Yorkshire band's first album, Wait For Me, debuted at number three a...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 07.06.08: BPI Awards.
June 7, 2008... Albums Various Artists 101 Driving Songs (gold) Linkin Park Meteora (gold) Scooter Jumping All Over The World (gold) Various Artists Addicted To Bassline (gold) The Osmonds Very Best Of The Osmonds (platinum) Various Artists Clubland...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 07.06.08: The Futureheads.
June 7, 2008... Sunderland's Futureheads came close to breaking the Top 10 with their first two albums, reaching number 11 with their self-titled 2004 debut, and number 12 with News And Tributes. They aren't so close with third album This Is Not The World,...

DATAFILE ALBUMS - 07.06.08: Sandi Thom.
June 7, 2008... Two years ago this month, Scottish singer/songwriter Thom followed up her number one debut single I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker by taking the album chart's top slot with her debut album, Smile It Confuses People, which sold 51,128 copies to lead...

Industry senses ISP action delay.
June 14, 2008... Concern mounts following minister's speech suggesting the Government might delay ISP consultation document The music industry is privately expressing concerns that its filesharing negotiations with ISPs are being undermined by Government...

THE PLAY LIST: 14.06.08.
June 14, 2008... Noah And The Whale 5 Years Time (Mercury) This is a big, sync-friendly song that will elevate Noah and co to new commercial heights. Possesses a joyful, repeat-listen appeal. (single, July 21) General Fiasco Ever So Shy...

Sign Here: 14.06.08.
June 14, 2008... * Snow Patrol are in the studio with Jacknife Lee, working on their new studio album for Fiction, due out later this year. * Keane are holed up in an undisclosed location in Berlin, working on their new album for Island, which will be...

TIML plans new Virgin, but not as we know it.
June 14, 2008... New Virgin owner plans download subscription service and rebranding Virgin Radio's new owner is preparing to launch an online music subscription service as one of a number of planned spin-off initiatives. TIML Golden Square, which is...

Burnham's speech poses questions.
June 14, 2008... Andy Burnham's speech at the PPL AGM last week appears to have posed more questions than it answered. When the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport was spirited back to his Trafalgar Square office clutching an Everton v...

Indie memorabilia going for a song.
June 14, 2008... Independents Day kicks off as record labels around the globe rally round with memorabilia donations An Arctic Monkeys test pressing and Slade scarf are among the first items that will go under the hammer today (Monday) in the UK's biggest...

Ups And Downs: 14.06.08.
June 14, 2008... UPS Stevie Wonder is back on the road this September Planet Rock and Virgin Radio find buyers The Radiohead catalogue on iTunes - finally. Now how about the Beatles? Music Week's Unearthed showcase at The Borderline DOWNS...

Change is in the air after BPI deal with ISP.
June 14, 2008... BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor has publicly praised Virgin Media as "socially responsible" after his organisation struck a groundbreaking deal with the ISP. The BPI has persuaded Virgin Media to work with it on a new education campaign,...

Bebo to launch new music features amid shake up.
June 14, 2008... The social-networking site makes plans to create a "new market place for generating revenue from music" Bebo has announced a raft of revenue-enhancing features on its social- networking site in the week that saw the departure of its global...

Mint Royale track boosted by TV show.
June 14, 2008... When midweek sales revealed Mint Royale's version of Singin' In The Rain was the week's biggest-selling single after Britain's Got Talent's contestant George Sampson used it in his winning routine, no one was more surprised than the man behind...

UK radio stations get set for much-needed revamp.
June 14, 2008... The sales of both Virgin Radio and Planet Rock last week shed new hope over the stations' respective futures Two of commercial radio's most distinctive music stations landed new owners last week, but their respective purchasers could...

GCap's Jensen suggested Planet Rock buy.
June 14, 2008... Digital-only rock station saved from closure by businessman Malcolm Bluemel, after suggestion from DJ friend GCap presenter David Jensen has been revealed as the man who brought Planet Rock and its new owner together. The future of the...

IN BRIEF: Music Week fills key role to expand future coverage.
June 14, 2008... Music Week has completed the restructuring of its editorial team with the appointment of Robert Ashton to the newly-created position of associate editor; he will operate as editor Paul Williams' deputy. His appointment follows the promotion of...

IN BRIEF: Bo Diddley dies.
June 14, 2008... Bo Diddley has died in Florida at the age of 79. A spokeswoman confirmed that the legendary guitarist died of a heart failure last Monday, some nine months after suffering a previous heart attack. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Joe Munns moving to Universal.
June 14, 2008... Polydor Associated Labels director of marketing Joe Munns is moving across Universal to become general manager of Mercury Records. His promotion follows current Mercury general manager Niamh Bryne moving to a new central role running Universal...

IN BRIEF: Music Week Awards named best event.
June 14, 2008... The Music Week Awards was named best event at the AEO Excellence Awards 08, which took place last week at London's Earls Court 2. The AEO Awards is organised by the Association of Event Organisers. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: EMI Music enters deal with Qtrax.
June 14, 2008... EMI Music has entered into a deal with Qtrax, just one day after signing on with fellow ad-supported music service SpiralFrog. The Qtrax deal covers the US and Canada, while the SpiralFrog agreement is understood to be on a global basis,...

IN BRIEF: Radiohead's EMI catalogue now on sale.
June 14, 2008... Radiohead's entire EMI back catalogue is now for sale on iTunes, following the release last week of The Best Of and is available as entire albums or individual tracks. In Rainbows, the band's first album for XL, has been available through the...

IN BRIEF: Deal for Madonna's tracks.
June 14, 2008... Sony Ericsson and Warner Music International have struck a deal enabling tracks from Madonna's latest studio album Hard Candy to be sold with selected Sony Ericsson mobile devices in 27 countries around the world. Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: Host of In The City.
June 14, 2008... Legendary Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham has been announced as the first-ever host of In The City with Culture Secretary Andy Burnham secured as a keynote speaker. Oldham will oversee proceedings at the event taking place at The...

IN BRIEF: Maarten Steinkamp leaving his position.
June 14, 2008... Maarten Steinkamp is leaving his position as president of continental Europe for Sony BMG International. Sony BMG did not wish to comment, but Steinkamp confirmed that he was stepping down. The news comes as reports suggest that Sony BMG parent...

IN BRIEF: Handelman exiting the music business in North America.
June 14, 2008... Distributor Handleman is exiting the music business in North America, but the company stresses that Handleman UK, which distributes music, books and computer games - including supporting Tesco on its in-house music buying - will not be...

IN BRIEF: HMV launches blogging site.
June 14, 2008... HMV has launched a blogging site, ahead of the launch of its GetCloser.com social networking site. HMVblogs (http://hmv.com/blogs) is designed to allow communication with HMV.com customers, and to provide further leverage of the company's Get...

IN BRIEF: Stevie Wonder to play in the UK.
June 14, 2008... Stevie Wonder is to play three UK dates as part of his first European tour in a decade. He will play in seven countries during his European visit with the UK leg in September covering Birmingham, Manchester and London. Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: Sunrise Celebration canclled due to flash floods.
June 14, 2008... Following the last-minute cancellation of the Sunrise Celebration due to flash floods, the Big Chill festival has joined forces with the Somerset-based event. The Big Chill, which takes place on August 1-3, will now open its doors to all ticket...

IN BRIEF: AEG Live UK acquires stake in Rockness Festival.
June 14, 2008... AEG Live UK has acquired a controlling stake in the Rockness Festival, as the company continues its expansion into the UK festival market. The annual Scottish festival is now in its third year. This year's event took place over last weekend,...

IN BRIEF: New Music Conference speaker.(Conference news)
June 14, 2008... AEG Europe president and CEO David Campbell will be the keynote speaker at the Entertainment Retailers Association's New Music Conference taking place on June 19 during London Calling at London's Earls Court. Copyright: CMP Information...

IN BRIEF: Avie Records appointment.
June 14, 2008... Former EMI Classics managing director Barry McCann has become co- director of UK-based independent classical label Avie Records. McCann, who joins the label's founder Simon Foster as co-director, will oversee marketing, press, promotion and...

IN BRIEF: Busted claims dismissed.
June 14, 2008... A High Court judge last Friday dismissed claims by two former members of Busted that they were owed approximately #10m in unpaid royalties. Mr Justice Morgan dismissed allegations by Owen Doyle and Ki McPhail, who collaborated with James Bourne...

The sounds of summer.
June 14, 2008... The British public is traditionally too busy spending its money on other things and getting its music fix by way of festivals during the summer to invest heavily in recorded music. But with established acts and new artists waiting in the wings...

VIRGIN RADIO: Time to make a reconnection.
June 14, 2008... Virgin Radio's recent sale for #53.2m was a far cry from the #225m Chris Evans commanded for the station in 2000 Chris Evans had clearly not intended to rub their noses in it, but when he casually splashed out #5.5m on a 1961 Ferrari the...

LONDON CALLING: The shape of music to come.
June 14, 2008... London Calling has expanded and evolved alongside the music industry and its partners and this year's event - tagged The Future Of Music Business - is appropriately bold, dynamic and challenging. With yet another increase in delegates expected,...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 14.06.08.
June 14, 2008... Out this week Singles * The Cure Freakshow (Geffen) previous single: The Only One (chart peak: 48) * Gnarls Barkley Going On (Warner Brothers) previous single: Run (32) * Alicia Keys Teenage Love Affair (J) ...

MUSIC UPFRONT - 14.06.08: Album of the week.
June 14, 2008... Coldplay Viva La Vida (Parlaphone) Helped by super-producer Brian Eno, Coldplay have loosened up with this album, edging back from the emotional soft rock of X&Y, which became the world's best-selling album of 2005. But they have not lost...