Music Week articles from May 2007

Music Week archives from May 2007

A single-minded vision.
May 5, 2007... Universal backs change in singles release day as the Arctic Monkeys look to conquer charts by Paul Williams Universal is throwing its full weight behind an effort to revive the flagging physical singles business, with a radical plan to...

IN BRIEF: Busy summer for Peter Gabriel.
May 5, 2007... It is going to be a busy summer for Peter Gabriel, who is not only headlining Womad, which he founded 25 years ago, but leaping ahead of SpiralFrog with the June launch of We7, a new ad-supported free music download service. We7 will offer...

IN BRIEF: Broadway 4 to be launched.
May 5, 2007... Jonathan Shalit and Sony BMG are preparing to launch an act called Broadway 4, intended to do for musical theatre what Il Divo do for opera. The four-piece act will include two UK singers, for which auditions are being held at Shalit's Soho...

IN BRIEF: BBC to find video-making talent.
May 5, 2007... The BBC is once again teaming up with Warp Records, Ninja Tune, Domino and 679 Recordings in a bid to find video-making talent. In an initiative titled New Music Shorts 2007, the BBC is asking young film- makers to submit ideas for short films...

IN BRIEF: theJazz signs deal.
May 5, 2007... National DAB station theJazz has signed a deal with Universal Classics & Jazz through which it is launching its own record label. The first release will be a double CD compilation called Come Into The Cool, due out in June. Copyright: CMP...

IN BRIEF: ICA teams up with Beck's beer.
May 5, 2007... London's ICA has teamed up with Beck's beer for a series of free live events, which begin at the ICA on September 4, featuring art, music, film and installation works. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Stars line up for Diana concert.
May 5, 2007... Lily Allen, James Morrison, Status Quo, Rod Stewart and Kanye West are among eight new acts added to the line-up for the Concert For Diana at Wembley Stadium on July 1. An additional 10,000 tickets were released for the event last week. ...

IN BRIEF: Finalists for Red Stripe Music Award.
May 5, 2007... Organisers have announced the finalists for the inaugural Red Stripe Music Award, where six acts will perform at London's Scala in front of judges to win places on festival bills this summer. The final takes place on May 9 and the winning act...

IN BRIEF: Mbop Megastore to launch on 1 May.
May 5, 2007... Mbop Megastore, an online music store with a catalogue of around 1m tracks in MP3 format from independent labels including V2 and Beggars, is to officially launch on May 1. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Musician of the year award.
May 5, 2007... Tessa Jowell presented Gwilym Simcock with the musician of the year award at the third PPL-sponsored All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group Awards last week. Other awards saw Jez Nelson take broadcaster of the year, Peter Churchill...

IN BRIEF: Manchester International Festival 2007.
May 5, 2007... The Manchester International Festival 2007 is to showcase new musical talent under the banner of Unknown Pleasures. Acts confirmed to play include The Noisettes and Foals, who will perform at the Manchester Academy from June 29 to July 14. ...

IN BRIEF: MusicTank debate.
May 5, 2007... The next MusicTank debate, which takes place in Soho on May 10, will tackle the subject of ad-funded revenue models in music. The keynote speaker will be SDC CEO Michael Bornheuser. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: R&B Season.
May 5, 2007... Arts Council England is supporting a series of live events throughout June which will form The R&B Season, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the term Rhythm and Blues first being coined. Acts taking part include Beyonce, Bo Diddley,...

IN BRIEF: Big players settle Napster dispute.
May 5, 2007... Warner Music Group and Bertelsmann have reached a settlement over the Sony BMG joint owner's backing of the original Napster. In a joint statement, the two parties say the settlement, which concerns the years 2000 to 2001, resolves the legal...

IN BRIEF: Strictly Confidential Music Publishing.
May 5, 2007... One of Europe's biggest independent publishers, Strictly Confidential Music Publishing, is creating a toehold in the UK market by opening a London office. The business, which counts artists and writers such as Soulwax, Jon Spencer and Francoise...

IN BRIEF: Apple results.
May 5, 2007... Apple has announced strong second quarter financial results, with profit up nearly 88% year-on-year. The results came as chief executive Steve Jobs says the company is unlikely to introduce a subscription model. Meanwhile, Apple's board of...

IN BRIEF: Legislation introduced.
May 5, 2007... Legislation has been introduced in the US which overturns a decision by the Copyright Royalty Board to introduce a fourfold increase in the rate online radio stations pay in royalties. Under the Internet Radio Equality Act, they will pay the...

IN BRIEF: BPI lynchpin leaves for UPI.
May 5, 2007... BPI general counsel Roz Groome is leaving the organisation to take up the position of vice president, anti piracy at Universal Pictures International, where she will spearhead the company's strategy against intellectual property theft. ...

IN BRIEF: EMI Music appointments.
May 5, 2007... EMI Music has made two senior appointments to its global digital team, recruiting both Mark Nichols and Matthew Crosswaite to roles as vice president of business development. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

IN BRIEF: Universal Music Group appointment.
May 5, 2007... Universal Music Group International has appointed Victor Antippas as senior vice president, and president of Nordic, Central & Eastern Europe. UMGI has also promoted Tom Land to the role of Interscope Geffen A&M director of international...

IN BRIEF: The Orchard announces an expansion.
May 5, 2007... Indie music distributor The Orchard has announced an expansion of the sync, special products and publishing parts of its business by appointing publishing veteran Brian Justice (REM, Sting). Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Radio collaboration for UK talent.
May 5, 2007... Commercial radio stations team up for UK Music Week with emphasis on different genres by Paul Williams Commercial radio stations are preparing to turn the spotlight on British talent again, with a second UK Music Week initiative, but...

Cads recognises online explosion and budget film-makers.
May 5, 2007... The 2007 Cads Music Vision Awards will inaugurate two new award categories, as the event looks to reflect the changing world of music video production in the YouTube era. This year's event, which is organised by Music Week's sister...

THE PLAYLIST: 05.05.07.
May 5, 2007... SONYA KITCHELL Words Come Back To Me (Velour) This 18-year-old has delivered one of the classiest debuts of the year. Sales potential galore. (album, May 28) THE WHITE STRIPES Icky Thump (XL) First taste of The White Stripes'...

SNAP SHOT: OPERATOR PLEASE.
May 5, 2007... It was on an unrelated trip to New York that Leo Silverman, founder of Brille Records and the A&R manager who brought The White Stripes to XL, happened upon his latest charges. High-school Australian group Operator Please had been flown to...

Hear today, buy tomorrow.
May 5, 2007... Radio One head of music George Ergatoudis supplies the first of his columns for Music Week calling for more forward-thinking in the industry about single release dates THE GEORGE ERGATOUDIS COLUMN Welcome to my new occasional column,...

Classic and Capital Gold merger `heralds new heritage music era'.
May 5, 2007... GCap Media is predicting a new era for radio's heritage music market with plans to merge 18 Classic Gold stations with its Capital Gold network. GCap last week paid UBC #3.95m for the 18 stations and will now create a new national heritage...

EMI takes Ames in latest bid to revive its US operation.
May 5, 2007... by Martin Talbot EMI Group CEO Eric Nicoli's move to appoint Roger Ames as his new North American chairman adds the final touches to a global senior management team with a particularly British flavour. Nicoli took over the global music...

Anger at newspapers' free CD offer.
May 5, 2007... Music retailers attack Mail on Sunday and Mirror over free covermount CD promotions by Ben Cardew Music retailers are up in arms about the comprehensive return of newspaper covermount CDs, after a week in which The Mail On Sunday gave...

Live events face skills crisis.
May 5, 2007... Skilled staff in short supply as recruitment crisis threatens UK live entertainment sector by Rob Ashton The live music sector is facing a massive crisis in skilled staff with a government body estimating that it needs to recruit at...

A new sheriff in cyber town.
May 5, 2007... Independents let Web Sheriff loose to plug a torrent of online pre- release album leaks by Adam Benzine It is every label bosses' worst nightmare - waking up one morning to discover your biggest album priority of the year has leaked...

Great Escape and T-Mobile link up for phone-text fest.
May 5, 2007... The Great Escape Festival is teaming up with T-Mobile to pioneer a text message service which could become increasingly common at festivals. The partnership comes as part of the company's deal to be a headline partner for the Brighton...

TickEx aims to become `Google for tickets'.
May 5, 2007... Ticket trading site TickEx.com is launching a search engine for live tickets today (Monday). TickEx.com suggests that its newly-launched PowerSearch will allow consumers to access 95% of ticket content on the web by searching information...

Working for the clampdown: blocking the Bloc Party leaks.
May 5, 2007... When Bloc Party's anticipated second album A Weekend In The City leaked online last November, V2's first response was to try and handle the problem internally. As tracks started appearing on more and more websites, the label realised that...

XL: A BRIEF HISTORY.
May 5, 2007... 1989: XL launched by Nick Halkes and Tim Palmer as an offshoot to Beggars Banquet's dance label Citybeat. 1990: Label is joined by Richard Russell, who takes on promo and later A&R duties. September 1992: XL releases The Prodigy's...

XL: a label for S, M and L artists.
May 5, 2007... XL Recordings has evolved a long way from its roots as a dance label in the early Nineties. Ahead of releasing a brace of major releases, Music Week catches up with CEO Richard Russell by Stuart Clarke As XL prepares for arguably its...

XL's development projects in 2007.
May 5, 2007... DIZZEE RASCAL While his albums have so far fallen short of the 200,000 sales mark in the UK, each has enjoyed global sales of 300,000 apiece. His latest - already earning high praise from those in the media lucky enough to have heard it -...

CLASSICAL: Bringing classics to the masses.
May 5, 2007... The Classical Brit Awards have come of age since they launched in 2000, striking a balance between crossover and specialist acts, and providing a crucial TV platform for participating artists. Andrew Stewart looks at the ceremony's evolution...

CLASSICAL: Conducted by the hand of Tod: Handley and Elgar celebrated.(Concert review)
May 5, 2007... When it comes to outstanding achievement, Vernon Handley has brought eternal credit to his name as an advocate and eloquent interpreter of British music. He also stands among that rare crew of conductors beloved by orchestral players and...

SONY AWARDS: Radio's pursuit of excellence.
May 5, 2007... Twenty-five years ago, a man called Alan Zafer persuaded Sony UK to sponsor his idea for a UK-wide radio awards scheme. This year, their ongoing partnership has resulted in the highest ever number of entries for what are, without doubt, the...

SONY AWARDS: Sonys' silver year.(Interview)
May 5, 2007... CHAIRMAN'S WELCOME TIM BLACKMORE Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, the Sony Radio Awards have stood the test of time. Jim Larkin talks to the man behind the organisation of the awards about their legacy, their future direction...

SONY AWARDS: Winner Wogan recalls the award that mattered.
May 5, 2007... The first Sony Award winner of all was Terry Wogan, who has enjoyed a healthy relationship with the event ever since, not something you can say about all awards... * How big a moment was your win all those years ago? It was terrific....

SONY AWARDS: Sony Radio Academy Awards 1983-2007: the all-time top 10.
May 5, 2007... In the 25 years of the Sony Awards many a radio personality has made their voice heard on the nation's airwaves. Music Week profiles 10 of the music influential. TERRY WOGAN Terry Wogan is a broadcaster who, despite disappearing to...

False dawn for traditional single.
May 5, 2007... Retail outlets will not gain any of the benefits of the growth of the single track download In a piece of synchronicity this week, Universal's David Joseph and Radio One's George Ergatoudis find themselves on the same page. Not precisely...

One of Scotland's most successful exports.
May 5, 2007... One of Scotland's most successful exports at the moment - after whisky and football managers - is Paolo Nutini and, after his second night at Brixton Academy last week, the Atlantic team were on hand to present him with a platinum disc after...

Jamelia falls from grace.
May 5, 2007... After 10 years with Parlophone, the major record company parted ways with Jamelia last week. We've heard all this before - another big star falling out acrimoniously with her label+? Well, not quite. Both sides are keen to stress that...

Classics become worthless.
May 5, 2007... Sharon Donegan, the widow of Lonnie, calls on the politicians to think again and extend copyright beyond the current 50 years Viewpoint Sharon Donegan I remember Ronnie Wood saying, "There we were singing `You're a pink toothbrush, I'm...

Extend the Term.
May 5, 2007... As part of ongoing lobbying efforts to win support for the extension of recorded copyright within the EC beyond its present 50-year term, PPL last week issued a 1,000 limited-edition CD called The Copyright Gap to Peers and MPs containing 20...

New CEO faces up to the Alliance's challenges.
May 5, 2007... Having replaced Adam Singer as MCPS-PRS Music Alliance's new CEO, Steve Porter outlines his vision for the future of the music industry and the Alliance's place within it You have beaten approximately 200 applicants to win your new role as...

FAST CHART: 05.05.07.
May 5, 2007... SINGLES NUMBER ONE: BEYONCE & SHAKIRA BEAUTIFUL LIAR (Columbia) A further 35,000 sales provide Beyonce & Shakira with a second week at number one, boosting overall sales of their Beautiful Liar duet to more than 100,000. ARTIST...

Turner & co do the business.
May 5, 2007... After falling below the 2m level three weeks ago, for the first time in more than five years, albums sales recovered a little the following week, but stayed below 2m. They moved back above the psychologically important mark again last...

THE SCHEDULE - 05.05.07: Albums.
May 5, 2007... This week Natasha Bedingfield N.B (RCA); Dinosaur Jr Beyond (PIAS); Michael Buble Call Me Irresponsible (Warner Bros); Tori Amos American Doll Posse (Columbia); Black Rebel Motorcycle Club 81 (Universal/Island) May 7 Cinematic...

THE SCHEDULE - 05.05.07: Singles.
May 5, 2007... This week Manic Street Preachers Your Love Alone (Columbia); Funeral For A Friend Into Oblivion (Atlantic); Gym Class Heroes Cupids Chokehold (Atlantic); Booty Luv Shine (Hed Kandi); 30 Seconds To Mars The Kill (Virgin) May 7 ...

THE SCHEDULE - 05.05.07: NEW ADDITION.
May 5, 2007... The re-united Crowded House will release their first studio album since 1993's Together Alone this summer. Titled Time On Earth and produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon, Ray LaMontagne), the album boasts guest appearances from Johnny Marr and...

Going global in search of glory.
May 5, 2007... Funeral For a Friend look in shape to earn platinum status with their fourth album Funeral for a friend Tales don't tell themselves (atlantic) In Funeral For A Friend's fourth studio album, the band have delivered a set with its sights...

UP FRONT - 05.05.07: TASTEMAKERS TIPS.
May 5, 2007... The Checks Hunting Whales (Full Time Hobby) Paul Moody, Socialism/NME "Not heard Hunting Whales yet? Jesus H. Imagine free jamming with Liam Gallagher the morning after he was battered by the German Mafia while blitzed to the tits on...

The Insider: Leap Live.
May 5, 2007... Unsigned and developing artists are to be given a platform to expose their music to the sync and advertising industry via a new live music night, branded Leap Live. The quarterly event, which launches next week, is the brainchild of Leap...

Experimental Battles' box of tricks is all done with mirrors.
May 5, 2007... Recognised for his striking portrait photography - his subjects include LCD Soundsystem, Pharrell, FourTet and Fatboy Slim - New York-based Timothy Saccenti is now proving himself with moving images. Following a directorial debut for Peaches in...

Up front - 05.05.07: Radio playlists.
May 5, 2007... Radio 1 A list Akon Don't Matter; Amerie Take Control; Arctic Monkeys Brianstorm; Beyonce & Shakira Beautiful Liar; Booty Luv Shine; Fall Out Boy Thanks For The Memories; Groove Armada Get Down; Gym Class Heroes Cupid's Cuckhold;...

Up front - 05.05.07: In-store next week.
May 5, 2007... ASDA Instore: Keith Urban, Natasha Bedingfield, Ne-Yo, Michael Buble, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, James, Tori Amos, Squeeze BORDERS Instore: Nine Inch Nails, Avril Lavigne, Mark Ronson, Patti Smith, Porcupine Tree, Doors, Bob...

Up front - 05.05.07: My Top 10 - Lee Gorton.
May 5, 2007... Lee Gorton Musician, promoter, manager 1. THE BEEP SEALS I USED TO WORK AT THE ZOO (KINGS AND CREATURES) 2. JOHN STAMMERS BABY DEE (UNSIGNED) 3. THE MONKS KITCHEN SNAKE CHARMER (1965 RECORDS) 4. EMMA TRICCA ALL ALONG THE HUDSON...

Upfront Reviews - 14.05.07: Also out this week.
May 5, 2007... Singles P Kelly - I'm A Flirt (RCA); Charlotte Hatherley - Siberia (Little Sister); Juliette And The Licks - Purgatory Blues (Hassle) Albums Joe Cocker - Hymn 4 My Soul (Parlophone); Linkin Park - Minutes To Midnight (Warner Bros); Lloyd -...

Upfront Reviews - 14.05.07: SINGLE of the week.
May 5, 2007... The Pigeon Detectives I'm Not Sorry Dance To The Radio DTTR 0032 The follow-up to The Pigeon Detectives' Top 20 hit Romantic Type, I'm Not Sorry is the anthem that should elevate the band from one of the UK's best kept secrets...

Upfront Reviews - 14.05.07: ALBUM of the week.
May 5, 2007... Funeral For A Friend Tales Don't Tell Themselves Atlantic 5144209952 With their fourth album, Welsh outfit Funeral For A Friend have delivered the record to elevate their careers to the next level of commercial success. Produced...

Upfront Reviews - 14.05.07: Singles.
May 5, 2007... Adjagas Lihkulas (Ever Redcords EVER135) The second single from Norwegian duo Adjagas' acclaimed debut album Lihkulas is a great example of the act's entrancing sound which combines the traditional tribal chant vocal style of northern...

Upfront Reviews - 14.05.07: Albums.
May 5, 2007... Amerie Because I Love It (RCA 8869708522) Amerie has delivered the R&B album Beyonce failed to deliver. For the uninitiated, innovative lead single Take Control sets the tone for the album and with playlist support from Radio One,...

TV AIRPLAY CHART - 05.05.07: ON THE BOX THIS WEEK.
May 5, 2007... BBC1 Friday Night With Jonathan Ross: Jamie T, Sarah Brightman. BBC2 Later...With Jools Holland: Artic Monkeys; Bryan Ferry; CSS guest ITV ITV At Reading: The Killers; Queens of the Stone Age; Foo Fighters; Marilyn...

TV Airplay Chart - 05.05.07: Mutya Buena.
May 5, 2007... Chilling in her bedroom, shopping and hanging out with her boyfriend... former Sugababes star Mutya Buena's promo video for debut solo single Real Girl is not exactly revolutionary, but it is popular, and 237 plays send it rocketing 111-15 on...

TV Airplay Chart - 05.05.07: Scissor Sisters.
May 5, 2007... Kiss You Off will be the fifth single from The Scissor Sisters' second album, Ta-Dah!, and emulates its predecessors by making the Top 40 of the TV airplay chart. The promo clip for the track was aired 192 times last week, getting adds from a...

Airplay Radio - 05.05.07: Maroon 5.
May 5, 2007... Maroon 5 are chasing their second number one airplay hit, with Makes Me Wonder - the first single from their upcoming album It Won't Be Soon Before Long - exploding 15-2. It is already their highest charting airplay hit since She Will Be Loved...

Airplay Radio - 05.05.07: Snow Patrol.
May 5, 2007... Snow Patrol's Signal Fire - from the new Spiderman OST - rockets to 13, and instantly eclipses the peak positions of their last two singles, Open Your Eyes (14), and Set The Fire To The Third Bar (28). Looking set to become their fourth Top 10...

Airplay Radio - 05.05.07: Amerie.
May 5, 2007... Amerie simultaneously secures her fifth Top 40 sales hit and her second Top 40 airplay hit this week, with Take Control. The track, written and produced by Gnarls Barkley star Cee-Lo, debuts at number 28 on sales, and storms to number 15 on the...

Airplay Radio - 05.05.07: Avril Lavigne.
May 5, 2007... An impressive six-week stay in the top five of the sales chart for Lavigne's Girlfriend has not helped her single to achieve anything like the airplay you would expect. The track does jump more than 30 places this week. Its movement to date on...

AIRPLAY RADIO - 05.05.07: ON THE RADIO THIS WEEK.
May 5, 2007... RADIO 1 Jo Whiley Record Of The Week - The Twang: Either Way Edith Bowman Record Of The Week - Armand Van Helden: NYC Beat Scott Mills Record Of The Week - Calvin Harris: The Girls JK & Joel Record Of The Week - Unklejam: What...

New releases: REVIEWS DVD - 05.05.07.
May 5, 2007... Frank Zappa Classic Albums: Apostrophe (`)/Over-Nite Sensation (Eagle Vision EREDV625) The acclaimed Classic Albums format has spawned many imitators, but none can match the authoritative, concise nature of the original, nor its...

Singles - 05.05.07: Mika.
May 5, 2007... With debut hit Grace Kelly and parent album Life In Cartoon Motion each selling upwards of 400,000 copies this year, there is more good news for Mika as his latest single, Love Today, benefits from its physical release by powering into the Top...

Singles - 05.05.07: Gym Class Heroes.
May 5, 2007... Seventies rockers Supertramp only scored two Top 10 singles in their career, and both have returned to the Top 10 in the 21st Century in wholly different versions. Their The Logical Song (number seven in 1979) was done in banging techno style...

Singles - 05.05.07: Travis.
May 5, 2007... After falling short of the Top 15 with their last three singles, Travis are back on track with Closer. The first single from their upcoming album The Boy With No Name jumps 36-10 this week on sales of 10,500. Travis' highest charting single,...

Singles - 05.05.07: Shirley Bassey.
May 5, 2007... Dame Shirley Bassey scores her 28th Top 40 hit, and becomes the first solo female septuagenarian to chart, debuting at number 37 this week with The Living Tree, on sales of 3,500. Ms Bassey turned 70 in January, but is three years younger than...

Albums - 05.05.07: Arctic Monkeys.
May 5, 2007... The Arctic Monkeys made a sensational debut on the albums chart in February 2006, when Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, stormed to number one on first-week sales of 363,735 - the highest to date for a debut album, and the fifth...

Albums - 05.05.07: Beyonce.
May 5, 2007... With Beyonce and Shakira's Beautiful Liar at number one on the singles chart, the deluxe edition of Beyonce's B'day album - which adds Beautiful Liar, six more audio tracks and 12 videos to the original release - debuts at number eight on sales...

Albums - 05.05.07: Ella Fitzgerald.
May 5, 2007... Ella Fitzgerald would have been 90 last Wednesday and, to mark the occasion, UCJ released Forever Ella, which debuts at number 20 on sales of 9,000 to become Fitzgerald's 12th chart album in a chart career spanning nearly 49 years. A different...

Albums - 05.05.07: Joe.
May 5, 2007... Support for first single If I Was Your Man from 1Xtra, Choice FM, Galaxy Radio and MTV Base spurred R&B veteran Joe's sixth album Ain't Nothing Like Me to a number 25 debut on sales of 7,000. It is his highest charting album, beating the peaks...

R2 head becomes pop guru.
May 12, 2007... Lesley Douglas lands new BBC role By Paul Williams Radio Two controller Lesley Douglas is to become the BBC's pop music figurehead after landing a brand new role. Douglas has been appointed to the newly-created post of controller...