Music Week articles from March 2005

Music Week archives from March 2005

Combined chart set for April: download data to join physical sales.(Singles Down, But Not Out?)
March 5, 2005... The Official UK Charts Company has named April 17 as the publication date for the first combined physical and digital singles chart. The long-anticipated launch will mark the start of a new era for the UK singles market, which has been hit...

New order hear advertising call.
March 5, 2005... New Order are to become the first act to utilise ground-breaking interactive technology which allows consumers to sample music clips from interactive posters. Warner Brothers has teamed up with HMV and Hypertag for the campaign behind the...

Apax must make offer for Woolies.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * The battle for control of Woolworths took a new twist last week when the Takeover Panel ordered the private equity firm Apax to make a firm offer for the high street retailer by March 21.

Viacom.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * MTV owner Viacom has blamed a record $13.0bn (6.8bn [pounds sterling) operating loss for adjusting the valuations of its radio and outdoor businesses. Viacom reports a net loss of $15.1bn (7.9bn [pounds sterling]) from continuing operations...

Jimi Hendrix.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * The successors to the Jimi Hendrix estate, Experience Hendrix, have won a High Court battle against Purple Haze Records over its release of live CD The Jimi Hendrix Experience's Stockholm Concert In 1969. Mr Justice Hart ruled that the label...

Apple.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * Apple has further extended the iPod range by unveiling a third product launch in just under two months with new versions of the iPod Mini. The second generation iPod Minis come with increased memory space with a 6GB version, as well as a 4GB...

Virgin Radio.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * Labour peer Lord Alli's second bid for Virgin Radio has been rejected by its owner Scottish Media Group, after stakeholder TTV refused to back the plans. In his latest move Alli, with the backing of private equity firm 3i, had made a bid for...

Joss Stone.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * US sales of Joss Stone's latest album have almost doubled in a week on the back of her performance at this year's Grammy Awards. The EMI artist's Mind Body & Soul moves 87-42 on the Billboard 200, while there were also strong gains for...

Rank Group.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * Rank Group has decided to sell off its CD and DVD manufacturing business Deluxe Media and is in discussions with interested parties.

Wireless Group.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * Kelvin MacKenzie's attempts to take the Wireless Group private have been hit by talks collapsing with his private equity backers. The radio group's chairman and chief executive has been trying to mount a 100m [pounds sterling] bid for the...

He may not be commonly renowned for his interest in urban music, but that did not prevent Prince Charles stopping by West London's Sarm Studios to catch up on a workshop on the subject.
March 5, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: He may not be commonly renowned for his interest in urban music, but that did not prevent Prince Charles stopping by West London's Sarm Studios to catch up on a workshop on the subject. The workshop was...

Bollywood DVD.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * A Bollywood DVD counterfeiter was last week jailed for three years after running an illegal operation which was earning him up to 26,000 [pounds sterling] a month. The sentence followed a seven-day trial at Harrow Crown Court where Jayanti...

Muscle Shoals.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * Alabama's famous recording studios, Muscle Shoals, which has played host to artists such as Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan, has closed following the sale of the building to film company Cypress Moon. The closure coincides with the closure of...

Modo Production.(Bottom line)
March 5, 2005... * Packaging specialist Modo Production has expanded beyond London and set up a production and sales office in Brighton. Modo makes CD, DVD and vinyl packaging.

Fastrax offers service upgrade.(Exposure)
March 5, 2005... * Digital delivery specialist Fastrax has embarked on an upgrade of its music distribution service. The improved service, which will launch next Monday, includes swifter broadcast-quality video delivery, an internet-based desktop service and...

Woolworths.(Exposure)
March 5, 2005... * Woolworths last Friday launched the first download sale on its website by selling individual tracks for 67p, in an offer lasting six weeks. The website will carry VAT-free tracks accompanied by the sale of digital albums for 6.80 [pounds...

Channel Four.(Exposure)
March 5, 2005... * Channel Four has secured the rights to the filming of the March 24 British Asian Music Awards at London's Cirque venue on Leicester Square. The show will be produced by Zeal Television and broadcast on March 22

Mojo magazine.(Exposure)
March 5, 2005... * Emap-owned Mojo magazine has teamed up with Barfly venues across the UK to stage Mojo club nights which, during April, feature Kristen Hirsch and Willard Grant Conspiracy. in May, Mojo is linking up with Vue cinemas to host a two-day music...

Welsh Music Awards.(Exposure)
March 5, 2005... * Goldie Lookin Chain, Lost-prophets and Funeral For A Friend have received multiple nominations in the Welsh Music Awards ahead of the ceremony next Monday at Cardiff's City Hall.

Radio One and under-18s club brand ukclubculture have reached the semi-finals of their search for a teenage DJ with eight contestants left.(Exposure)
March 5, 2005... * Radio One and under-18s club brand ukclubculture have reached the semi-finals of their search for a teenage DJ with eight contestants left. Semi-finals will take place on March 22 with the grand final planned for May 31.

Barat signs deal with Vertigo.(Sign here)
March 5, 2005... * Mercury imprint Vertigo has confirmed the signing of ex-Libertines frontman Carl Barat as a solo artist. Barat will be A&Red by Alan McGee, who initially managed The Libertines prior to the departure of Pete Doherty.

Geri Halliwell has been reunited with former Virgin Records UK president Paul Conroy.(Sign here)
March 5, 2005... * Geri Halliwell has been reunited with former Virgin Records UK president Paul Conroy after signing a management deal with his company Adventures in Music.

Mean Fiddler.(Sign here)
March 5, 2005... * Leeds councillors have approved Mean Fiddler's application to stage the Carling Weekender: Leeds Festival at Leeds Bramham Park in August.

Capital Disney.(Sign here)
March 5, 2005... * Digital radio station Capital Disney has joined forces with Sunday Times section, the Funday Times, to Launch an interactive children's request chart, running between 12 and 1pm every Saturday on the station.

Ember lands Virgin press job.(People)
March 5, 2005... * Virgin Records has filled its long-vacant head of press position by hiring Susie Ember from Mercenary PR. Ember's roster at Mercenary included The Hives and Supergrass.

Sony BMG.(People)
March 5, 2005... * Sony BMG has finalised the structure of its press office team, which includes the appointment of Jakub Blackman, who is joining from Coalition PR. The press office will be led by Kate Head.

EMI.(People)
March 5, 2005... * Former Capitol Australia head Mark Poston has been appointed as EMI global marketing director, based in London. Poston will work across all of Capitol labels across the globe.

Sony BMG.(People)
March 5, 2005... * One-time BMG UK executive George Levendis has been named senior vice president of Sony BMG's global marketing group. As part of the New York-based group, which gives marketing support to Sony BMG's labels, Levendis will act as a liaison point...

BBC 6 Music.(People)
March 5, 2005... * Steve Lamacq has been handed the 4pm to 7pm weekday show on BBC 6 Music. The slot's current incumbent Andrew Collins is moving to two weekend programmes.

Music journalist and cult novelist Hunter S Thompson fatally shot himself at his home in Colorado last week, aged 67.(People)
March 5, 2005... * Music journalist and cult novelist Hunter S Thompson fatally shot himself at his home in Colorado last week, aged 67. Thompson's celebrated career included writing for Rolling Stone magazine.

Pete Waterman was last Wednesday presented with an OBE.(People)
March 5, 2005... * Pete Waterman was last Wednesday presented with an OBE by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Correction.(People)(Correction Notice)
March 5, 2005... * Contrary to information published in last week's Music Week, Usher's Ride track charted last year as a bootleg, while Jennifer Lopez's single Get Right includes a remix featuring Fabolous; it does not share its title with one of Fabolous's...

Brits' SXSW turnout boosted by funding; hike in travel grant fuels record UK presence at event.(International)
March 5, 2005... The Government is doubling its support for the British delegation attending next month's South by South West, with 56 companies receiving financial assistance to attend the showcase event. As a result, a record number of UK acts will be...

Buzzcocks comic hosts Music Week Awards.(News)
March 5, 2005... Top TV comic Bill Bailey has been lined up to host the Music Week Awards in association with Vodafone live!, which will honour the best in the British music business this Thursday. Bailey--best known as one of the team captains in BBC2's...

The Music Week playlist.(News)
March 5, 2005... ROOSTER You're So Right For Me (Brightside) This highlight from their recent top three album will be a massive early summer radio hit (single, April 25) THE KILLERS Smile Like You Mean It (Lizard King) A year on from their...

BPI awards.(News)
March 5, 2005... ALBUMS Mars Volta--Deloused In The Comatorium (Universal Island) (silver); Various--Urban Licks (EMI Virgin) (silver); Various--Smash Hits Let's Party 2005 (EMI Virgin) (silver); Human League--Best Of (EMI Virgin) (silver); Rory...

Creative Commons takes first UK step; project launch in Reading receives mixed reaction.(Retail)
March 5, 2005... The controversial Creative Commons (CC) licence will get its first major toehold in the UK music industry next month when a new project is launched in Reading. The Berkshire-based Remix Reading, which is claimed to be the first CC project...

Impala case to be fast-tracked.(News)
March 5, 2005... The final chapter in the Sony BMG merger story could be written as early as this summer after the Court of First Instance (CFI) fast-tracked Impala's case challenging the European Commission's decision to allow the majors to combine. ...

Rachel Stevens.(Snapshot)
March 5, 2005... Rachel Stevens' forthcoming second album is the result of a renewed A&R focus by Simon Fuller's 19 Management, which is hoping to elevate the singer's career to a new level with a bold musical direction. Although Stevens' debut album Funky Dory...

Indies offered a new financial route at fair.(News)
March 5, 2005... The indie sector is attempting to provide labels with an alternative route to finance by inviting a raft of top-flight venture capitalists and business angels to its first Finance Fair. The Aim-sponsored event is designed to give...

Fresh look pledge as new owner buys Ronnie Scott's.(News)
March 5, 2005... Legendary jazz club Ronnie Scott's is being dragged into the 21st Century by a new owner with a fresher look, a younger bill and the possibility of a regular radio programme recorded at the venue. Sally Greene, owner of the Old Vic theatre,...

Leading mother's day contenders.(News)
March 5, 2005... ARTIST ALBUMS Michael Buble--It's Time (Reprise); Daniel O'Donnell--Rock'N'Roll Collection (DMG TV); G4--G4 (Sony BMG); Il Divo--Il Divo (Syco); Katherine Jenkins--Second Nature (UCJ); Jennifer Lopez--Rebirth (Epic/Sony BMG); Katie...

Mum appeal to boost sales; retailers set for their best trade period apart from Christmas.(News)
March 5, 2005... The Brits may claim all the glitz and the headlines, but when it comes to boosting album sales only the Christmas market can put Mother's Day in the shade. Come this weekend and retailers will be expecting another significant lift to their...

Elvis' success reflects ailing singles market; in the first of a new series of features on the single, Paul Williams examines how Sony BMG's Presley campaign has underlined problems facing the market.(Singles Down, But Not Out?)
March 5, 2005... For all his standing as the all-time chart champ, Elvis Presley's current domination of the singles countdown has taken even his record company by surprise. In what has now turned into a weekly retail soap opera, The King has become...

EMI's lead reaches three-year high; publisher outpaces rivals, commanding more than a quarter of 2004's market.(Publishing)
March 5, 2005... EMI Music Publishing had plenty of successful albums during 2004, but none was more appropriately titled than Ronan Keating's retrospective 10 Years Of Hits. This Thursday, the publishing company's chairman and CEO Peter Reichardt will...

Microsoft and Nokia bid to call mobile tune; Giants' tie-up signals start of battle to dominate mobile music.(Mobile)
March 5, 2005... While mutual incompatibility is the law of the online jungle, the mobile industry has always maintained a reputation as a model of maturity and co-operation. But when Nokia and Microsoft announced that Windows Media Audio (WMA) files will soon...

Top 20 ringtones.(Digital)
March 5, 2005... It is a tale of samples and reworking of previous tracks in the upper peaches of the rundown this week, with the top three tunes all claiming success on the back of revived hits. Eminem's Like Toy Soliders holds its ringtone chart crown for...

Breathing new life into the single: combining charts will encourage labels to co-ordinate their physical and digital releases.(Editorial)
March 5, 2005... It is easy to forget how remarkable the rate of growth of the download has been. Little more than a year ago, singles remained an almost-exclusively physical concept in the legitimate world; today, the number of individual downloads sold...

Cheaper singles could give a vital lifeline to the charts.(Viewpoint)
March 5, 2005... Once upon a time gentle readers, singles used to have iconic status and have to sell 50,000 a day to chart while 17m thrilled to them on the "must see" Top of the Pops. The industry thrived on the gut reaction of the men who mattered at record...

What can be learned from Coldplay's success?(The big question)
March 5, 2005... With the launch of their third album, Coldplay are poised to become a bigger global phenomenon than any British band in recent memory. What can the industry learn from their success? Paul Hitchman, PlayLouder "I think it is down to...

Quickfire: prior to the launch of his new album, William Orbit has launched the Orbitmixer, his new invention which gives fans the opportunity to tinker with his tracks.(Forum)
March 5, 2005... What is the Orbitmixer? It's a simple piece of kit built mainly in Flash that has eight of my tracks pre-loaded into it. It basically replicates an eight-track mixing desk. Users can load up one of my songs and use the online desk to play...

Inside track.(Forum)
March 5, 2005... Recently appointed to the newly-created position of chief executive of MTV Networks Europe, Simon Guild is the man in charge of the day-to-day running of the company's 47 European channels. Name: Simon Guild. Born: Glasgow in 1964. ...

Jetting in for the big night.(Dooley's Diary)
March 5, 2005... Remember where you heard it: As we look forward to this Thursday's Music Week Awards, EMI Music publishing chief Marty Bandier was particularly keen that Peter Reichardt didn't miss the opportunity to pick up his 10th publishing gong. Bandier...

They might not be smiling like they mean it, but glamorous indie rock & rollers The Killers were busy celebrating after coming out on top with a string of triumphant dates at London's Brixton Academy, which concluded last weekend.(Diary)
March 5, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: They might not be smiling like they mean it, but glamorous indie rock & rollers The Killers were busy celebrating after coming out on top with a string of triumphant dates at London's Brixton Academy, which...

Key releases.(Datafile)
March 5, 2005... ALBUMS THIS WEEK Death From Above tbc (679); The Features Exhibit A (Temptation); Beck tbc (Geffen): Rolling Stones Singles Collection Box Set Vol 3 68-71 (Universal); Jennifer Lopez Rebirth (Epic); G4 G4 (Sony BMG) MARCH 7 ...

Lucky seven for top ten sales.(The Market)
March 5, 2005... With a record equalling seven debuts in the Top 10, the singles market improves for the sixth time in seven weeks, to reach a new 2005 high of 427,985. Sales climbed week-on-week by 7.45%, and were 61.4% above the low level they plunged to at...

Market indicators.(Datafile)
March 5, 2005... MARKET INDICATORS SINGLES Sales versus last week: +7.5% Year to date versus last year. -33.9% Market shares Universal 37.3% Sony BMG 27.5% Others 16.4% EMI 11.1% Warner 7.6% ALBUM ...

Fast chart.(Datafile)
March 5, 2005... SINGLES NUMBER ONE NELLY FEAT. TIM McGRAW OVER AND OVER Curb/Universal McGraw's first hit but Nelly's third number one, Over And Over sold 41,528 copies last week. Nelly's first number one Dilemma--a collaboration with Kelly...

Simple plan to boost Peyroux: TV and press push, backed by link-up with cosmetics brand, aims to build on UCJ artist's early set-up.(The Plot)
March 5, 2005... MADELEINE PEYROUX CARELESS LOVE (UCJ) Since the initial release in 2004, of her debut album, Madeleine Peyroux has slowly been winning over mainstream record-buyers, selling nearly 20,000 copies in the UK to date, driven by early press and...

Tipster: a selection of UK tastemakers select their favourite upcoming releases.(Upfront)
March 5, 2005... Paul Aaaron, TOC 88.5 FM, Los Angeles BLAZE FEAT. BARBARA TUCKER MOST PRECIOUS LOVE (DEFECTED) "This has an infectious bassline and gospel vocals care of diva Barbara Tucker. It's a monster track in the clubs and is being played three...

Radio playlists.(Upfront)
March 5, 2005... RADIO 1 A LIST Ashanti Only U; Athlete Wires; Basement Jaxx 017 My Gosh; Destinys Child Soldier; Doves Black And White Town; Eminem Like Toy Soldiers; Green Day Holiday; Gwen Stefani feat. Eve Rich Girl; Kaiser Chiefs Oh My God; LL...

Top 10 radio growers.(Upfront)
March 5, 2005... Adds BIG CITY Basement Jaxx Oh My Gosh; Shapeshifters Back To Basics; CAPITAL Avril Lavigne He Wasn't; Green Day Boulevard Of Broken Dreams; Lemar Time To Grow; Will Smith Switch; GALAXY Black Rock/Debra Andre...

TV airplay chart: Gwen Stefani leaps above Usher to replace him at number one as Will Smith jumps 89 places to race into the top five.(TV)
March 5, 2005... 4. Will Smith Premiered on CD:UK a week last Saturday (February 19), the video for Will Smiths new single Switch spread like wildfire last week, and rockets 93-4 on the TV airplay chart, after notching up 392, airings from a dozen...

The UK radio airplay chart: U2 and Scissor Sisters retain the top two positions but it is all change a few places below with them Sunset Strippers and Nelly leading six tracks climbing into the Top 10.(Radio)
March 5, 2005... NUMBER ONES CITYBEAT Stereophonics Dakota DREAM U2 Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own LINCS FM Nelly feat. Tim McGraw Over And Over MANX Hal What A Lovely Dance SIGNAL Jennifer Lopez Get Right...

James Blunt.(Snapshot)
March 5, 2005... Radio Two's support for rising singer-songwriter James Blunt is set to continue into March, when the artist will be featured playing live from SXSW in Austin, Texas, as part of the station's broadcasts from the festival. Blunt's debut single...

In-store next week.(Cued up)
March 5, 2005... ASDA Single--Britney Spears; Album--Jennifer Lopez; Compilation--Capital Gold Movie Love Songs; In-store--Patrizio, G4, Maroon 5, Queen BORDERS In-store--Futureheads, Mario, 50 Cent, Idlewild, Essential R&B Spring, Pogues, Rufus...

Tastemakers.(Cued up)
March 5, 2005... LUCIO presenter, Kerrang Radio 1. THE MARS VOLTA THE WIDOW (ISLAND) 2. QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE LITTLE SISTER (INTERSCOPE) 3. BLACK VELVETS 3345 (VERTIGO) 4. THE FIGHT REVOLUTION CALLING (REPOSSESION) 5 GREEN DAY SHE'S A...

TV listings.(Cued up)
March 5, 2005... CD:UK Akon Locked Up; Natasha Bedingfield I Bruise Easily; Snoop Dogg Let's Get Blown; Stereophonics Dakota; Sunset Strippers Falling Stars; The Bravery Honest Mistake GMTV G4 (Tue); Katie Price (FRO: Patrizio (Thur); REM (Fri)...

Radio listings.(Cued up)
March 5, 2005... RADIO ONE Annie Mac James Zabiela mini mix (Thur) Tim Westwood Twiss guests (Fri) The Blue Room Benny Benassi guests (Sat) Gilles Peterson Fertile Ground in session (Sun) Records Of The Week: Jo Whiley Bright Eyes:...

BRMB turns audience tide.(Media Insider)
March 5, 2005... The UK's fourth ILR station and the first to serve Birmingham and surrounding area, when it first went on air on February 19 1974, BRMB or "the new 96.4 BRMB" as it was rechristened last year has seen competition grow enormously since the days...

Also out this week.
March 5, 2005... ALSO OUT THIS WEEK SINGLES Elvis Presley--She's Not You (RCA) Rilo Kiley--Portions For Foxes (Warner Bros) Max Sedgeley--Devil Inside (Sunday Best) ALBUMS Join B--Stronger Everyday (E2)

Gwen Stefani: Rich Girl.
March 5, 2005... Gwen Stefani Rich Girl Interscope 9880219 This second single is one of the strongest tracks on Stefani's platinum-selling album Love Angel Music Baby and is a dead cert to give Brit winner Stefani another big hit in the UK. Produced by Dr...

The Bravery: the Bravery.
March 5, 2005... The Bravery The Bravery Loog 9880261 Tipped by Music Week last year (while unsigned) as a key act to watch for 2005, The Bravery's debut album arrives with press, radio and TV lapping it up. The catchy lead single An Honest Mistake has made...

Beck: E-Pro.
March 5, 2005... Beck E-Pro (Interscope 9880052) Beck continues his quiet album/loud album cycle with this plugged-in taster from the March 21-released Guero. Produced by The Dust Brothers, E-Pro harks back to the riffola-rock of Devil's...

Cherryfalls: My Drug.
March 5, 2005... Cherryfalls My Drug (Island CID831) This is a sensitive soft-rock number that manages to sound more like Damien Rice than any of the genre's current heavyweights, such as labelmates Keane. It is a single that lacks the menacing undercurrent...

G4: Everybody Hurts/Bohemian Rhapsody.
March 5, 2005... G4 Everybody Hurts/Bohemian Rhapsody (Sony BMG) The X Factor co-favourites release their two most popular songs from the show. Not to everyone's taste, but judging by the response to their TV performances and ecstatic reception they got on...

The Glitterati: You Got Nothing On Me.
March 5, 2005... The Glitterati You Got Nothing On Me (Atlantic ATUK005CD) Having earned their live stripes with support slots for the likes of Jet and Kings Of Leon, this is the final single from the Leeds five-piece before the release of the debut album....

Jem: They.
March 5, 2005... Jem They (ATO/Sony BMG 82876685162) This UK singer-songwriter has been widely tipped in recent weeks as the next artist likely to "do a Dido" and cross over. Sounding like Beth Orton with trip-hop production, with this debut single Jem...

Beverley Knight: Keep This Fire Burning.
March 5, 2005... Beverley Knight Keep This Fire Burning (Parlophone CDRX6657) The third single from current album Affirmation blends snappy beats with Knight's gift for a tune to create an urban "I'll-be-there-for-you"-style anthem. The fact that Estelle...

John Legend: Used To Love U.
March 5, 2005... John Legend Used To Love U (Sony BMG6758021) The infectious first cut from Legend's sparkling major label debut album Get Lifted blends a hip-hop beat, luscious soul vocals and little bit of Latin flavour but still manages to add up to far...

Queens Of The Stone Age: Little Sister.
March 5, 2005... Queens Of The Stone Age Little Sister (Interscope 9880670) Despite the (temporary) departure of bassist Nick Oliveri, Josh Homme and crew take up where they left off on this hard-rocking track from their new album Lullabies to Paralyze....

Shapeshifters: Back To Basics.
March 5, 2005... Shapeshifters Back To Basics (Positiva CDTIV216) Shapeshifters enlist a string and brass section which they chop up for their pleasure and slam beats and a vocal over the top which culminates in a rousing chorus reminiscent of George...

Joss Stone: Spoiled.
March 5, 2005... Joss Stone Spoiled (Relentless RELCDJ16) Fast out of the blocks after her Brits double, this is another strong track from the multimillion-selling Mind, Body and Soul album. B-listed at Radio Two and C-listed at Radio One, it is sure to win...

TI: Bring 'Em Out.
March 5, 2005... TI Bring 'Em Out (Atlantic ATO19CD) Atlanta's latest crunk exponent--recently featuring on Destiny's Child's Soldier single and in the accompanying video--brings his own high energy take on the genre to the fore. The first track to be...