Music Week articles from October 2008

Music Week archives from October 2008

Labels halt credit to ailing Woolies.
October 4, 2008... Woolworths' woes send tremors throughout music retail as EUK is refused credit By Paul Williams & Ben Cardew The music industry is facing a potential crisis at retail heading into quarter four after labels last week refused credit to...

Music industry unites to sing from the same song sheet.
October 4, 2008... The music industry can finally talk with one authoritative voice following the creation of UKMusic, which brings the whole commercial sector under one umbrella. After years of trying - and spectacularly failing - to create an organisation...

THE PLAY LIST: 04.10.08.
October 4, 2008... INGRID MICHAELSON The Way I Am Unsigned Via syncs in Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill, Michaelson sold 200,000 albums and nearly 1m singles. Enough said. (from album, tbc) ROGUES Not So Pretty Unsigned Like...

Sign Here: 04.10.08.
October 4, 2008... UK rapper Sway has become the first European artist signed to Akon's Kon Live label. The multi-album deal applies worldwide ex-Europe and the UK, where Sway retains his independence on his own Dcypha Productions label. Global Talent has...

All change as your new-look Music Week ushers in a new era.
October 4, 2008... Music week enters a new era this week with a new look to the magazine and website and an overhaul of its news and charts content. Coupled with the new design, the news pages are the subject of an extensive refurbishment with new sections...

Sony rolls out digital music service.
October 4, 2008... SONY ERICSSON is to release a range of new music phones, in early 2009 to promote the European rollout of its PlayNow Plus unlimited download service. The handset manufacturer last week confirmed that it is launching a Nokia Comes With...

MySpace denies snub to indies.
October 4, 2008... War of words over indie inclusion By Ben Cardew MySpace has upped the ante in its row with indie rights organisation Merlin, claiming it is "a gross misstatement" to say that indie labels will not be included on its new MySpace Music...

MUSIC WEEK: New Faces.
October 4, 2008... Music Week has strengthened its teams with the addition of key new appointments in editorial and advertising. Gordon Masson, one of the most experienced journalists currently covering the music industry, is officially announced as...

A new music Week for an ever-changing music industry.
October 4, 2008... ANYBODY WORKING IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY THESE DAYS knows they have to continually look at things afresh and we at Music Week are no exception to that rule. The evidence of that is in your hands right now: the first edition of the magazine...

The Establishment of UKMusic.
October 4, 2008... THE ESTABLISHMENT OF UKMUSIC is a hugely significant step forward in ensuring that the British music industry does speak collectively, rather than with disparate voices, to the likes of government and Brussels. The industry is, of course,...

Capital to ring in Global changes with O2-held Christmas event.
October 4, 2008... Capital FM set to make splash with first multi-act event since 2004's Party In The Park By Paul Williams GLOBAL RADIO'S CAPITAL 95.8 FM is staging its biggest live music event in years with around 15 acts set to perform at The O2...

HMV LOOKS TO BOB DYLAN FOR INSPIRATION.
October 4, 2008... HMV THIS MONTH REACHES A LANDMARK in its My Inspiration advertising campaign, with legendary singer songwriter Bob Dylan becoming the 100th artist to take part. In an attempt to engage customers on an emotional level the campaign, which is...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Bob Ezrin quits his role.
October 4, 2008... Producer Bob Ezrin has quit his role as head of Live Nation Recordings. The company said in a statement, "Bob Ezrin is no longer with Live Nation. We remain committed to creating unique distribution opportunities for the recorded music of all...

NEWS IN BRIEF: US music industry reaches deal.
October 4, 2008... The US music industry has reached a deal with online music services for streaming and limited music downloads. The agreement, which has to be approved by US Copyright Royalty Judges, proposes a mechanical royalty rate of 10.5% of revenue, less...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Tudhope Hawkins Management relaunches.
October 4, 2008... Tudhope Hawkins Management has re-launched as Everybody's, bringing together artist management, music recording and publishing, film, television and interactive content production. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS IN BRIEF: Imagem Music appointment.
October 4, 2008... Publisher Imagem Music has recruited former Gut Records A&R manager Lucy Francis to take up the same role for them, while Stephen Phillips, previously at Universal, has been appointed as sync and marketing manager. Copyright: CMP...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Del R. Bryant re-elected.
October 4, 2008... BMI president and CEO Del R. Bryant was re-elected to the board of directors for Broadcast Music, Inc. at the company's annual shareholder meeting, held last week in Nashville. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Absolute openness promised for relaunch.
October 4, 2008... NEWLY-REBRANDED NATIONAL STATION ABSOLUTE RADIO is cheekily aping the price comparison advertising campaigns of high-street supermarkets as it unveils an extended weekly playlist. The station, which today (Monday) loses its Virgin Radio...

Societies rally against EC ruling.
October 4, 2008... THE MCPS-PRS ALLIANCE is kicking off what is expected to be a raft of appeals by European collecting societies against the EC's recent decision to shake up the sector. In a move that is expected to cost millions, the Alliance is likely to...

Uncut to rip up awards rulebook.
October 4, 2008... UNCUT IS CREATING A NEW MUSIC AWARD, aimed at celebrating "the most inspiring and richly rewarding album of the last 12 months", with judges to include BPI chairman Tony Wadsworth and Radio Two DJ Bob Harris. Meanwhile, fellow IPC title...

Jazz FM aims to fill gap.
October 4, 2008... JAZZ FM is to mark its october 6 relaunch by releasing the first in a series of compilation CDs. The Sound Of Jazz FM 2008 will be released on Jazz FM's own label through Pinnacle on October 20. The double CD will include tracks from...

AIRPLAY ANALYSIS with Alan Jones.
October 4, 2008... AFTER DIPPING 1-5 LAST WEEK, KATY PERRY'S I KISSED A GIRL returns to pole position on the radio airplay chart - but only just. Its audience of 57.42m was just 0.11m greater than Sugababes' Girls, which remains at number two. Perry's bounce was...

NEW Q TO DITCH THE LISTS.
October 4, 2008... THE OLD WAYS OF COVERMOUNTS AND LISTS are out for the new-look Q Magazine, as it unveils a re-design featuring a raft of brand new features and writers. The revamped magazine, the first under the leadership of new creative director Ian...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Planet Rock Profiles returns.
October 4, 2008... Planet Rock Profiles returns to ITV on October 10, with guests including Kylie Minogue and Nickelback. The 10-week series starts on October 10, with profiles of Sheryl Crow (0030am) and Alicia Keys (1am) and finishes on December 12, with...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Channel 4 to cut jobs.
October 4, 2008... Channel 4 is to cut around 150 jobs as it aims to trim costs by #100m over the next two years. The cuts - which account for around 15% of its total workforce - are expected to be a mix of voluntary and compulsory redundancy. Copyright: CMP...

NEWS IN BRIEF: NME Radio to broadcast on temporary licence.
October 4, 2008... DX Media's NME Radio is to broadcast on a temporary FM licence in London and Manchester in the run up to Christmas. The station, which is currently available on Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media and online, will air on FM in London from October 6 to...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Switch to host first live event.
October 4, 2008... BBC teen brand Switch will host its first live event, BBC Switch Live, on Sunday October 12 at London's Hammersmith Apollo, headlined by Fall Out Boy and Miley Cyrus. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

NEWS IN BRIEF: MTV International appointment.
October 4, 2008... MTV International has named current managing director for Europe South, Antonio Campo Dall'Orto, as its executive vice president for music brands. Dall'Orto retains his current responsibilities but will also drive collaboration among the...

EMI's exercise in songwriting.
October 4, 2008... EMI Music Publishing has worked up a deal with Nike for some of its UK songwriters to create original music for consumers to exercise to. Simian Mobile Disco, Jackson and Skream are among the publisher's first writers to take up the...

KARAOKE - THE VOICE OF ANGELS?
October 4, 2008... In the first of our weekly PRS-compiled charts appearing in this section, Robbie Williams' career-defining Angels emerges as the most- performed karaoke song in the UK for the period January to March 2008. The 1997 song, written by Williams and...

Morrison reunites with previous collaborators and adds Tedder.
October 4, 2008... James Morrison has become the latest UK artist to benefit from the incredible songwriting prowess of Ryan Tedder. The One Republic frontman, whose hits with British acts include Leona Lewis's Bleeding Love and Natasha Bedingfield's Love...

Sony/ATV signs long-term production house deal.
October 4, 2008... Sony/ATV has entered into a long-term deal with UK- and Swedish-based songwriting and production house Phrased Differently, which has worked with artists such as Craig David, Lemar and Ben's Brother. The administration deal will cover...

Peer secures Mac's signature.
October 4, 2008... INDEPENDENT MUSIC PUBLISHER PEERMUSIC has secured one of its biggest signing coups in years by landing the services of hit songwriter and producer Steve Mac. Mac has gained a reputation over the last decade for being one of the UK's most...

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE O2 X AWARDS: Next stop: The O2.
October 4, 2008... The entrants for the O2 X Awards have been whittled down to just three businesses competing for #10,000 in prize money. We look at the music contenders in with a chance of winning THE O2 X AWARDS regional judging events have now been...

Kaisers to christen AMG's refurbished Leeds venue.
October 4, 2008... THE ACADEMY MUSIC GROUP (AMG) will see its biggest investment in a venue to date come to fruition next week when Kaiser Chiefs take to the stage at Leeds Academy, which opens after undergoing an extensive renovation. AMG has spent #4.5m on...

`After 26 years in business I know promotion has always been risky'.
October 4, 2008... Thomas Brooman CBE, former artistic director and 26-year veteran of Womad, has teamed up with Festival Republic to found a new jointly- owned company Heavenly Planet UK Festivals, which is set to launch a new event on the site of the Reading...

NEWS IN BRIEF: UK Festival Conference.(Conference news)
October 4, 2008... Bestival founder Rob da Bank and Primary Talent managing director Peter Elliot are among the live industry executives scheduled to speak at the UK Festival Conference, which will be held at the Gibson Showroom in London on October 30. The...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Ticketmaster increases revenues.(Financial report)
October 4, 2008... Ticketmaster increased its revenues by 30% to $382.3m (#206.6m) during the second quarter of this year, the company reported last week. For the three months ending June 30 the company had revenues of $261.5m (#141.3m) in the US, while...

NEWS IN BRIEF: The Picture House opens.
October 4, 2008... Edinburgh live music venue The Picture House opened last Thursday with a sell-out show from Travis. The 1,500-capacity premises has undergone a #1m refurbishment by Barfly chain owners Mama Group. Picture House general manager John Stout says,...

MUSIC WEEK PUBLISHING TIXDAQ TICKETING DATA.
October 4, 2008... MUSIC WEEK HAS LINKED UP WITH ticketing comparison site Tixdaq.com to provide subscribers with a variety of weekly charts covering the primary and secondary ticketing markets. The Tixdaq Ticket Sales Quantity Chart will show the 20...

Investors move closer to the Edge.
October 4, 2008... THE CREDIT CRUNCH may be hitting people in the pocket, but the live music sector continues to return healthy profits, leaving investors eager to get involved. Lawyer David Glick set up Edge Performance Group's first "tax efficient" fund...

Glastonbury moves online.
October 4, 2008... GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL ORGANISERS are promoting the 2009 event with a two- minute `official registration' film that is to be uploaded on YouTube ahead of tickets going on sale on October 5. The film, soundtracked by Vampire Weekend's...

MUSIC WEEK UNEARTHED.
October 4, 2008... A helping hand from KCRW jock Nic Harcourt helped secure Welsh songwriter Yestyn Griffiths a lucrative sync in the new 90210 TV programme - thanks to his pop star sister GLASS PEAR WITH SUPPORT FROM INFLUENTIAL US DJ Nic Harcourt on...

RETAIL: A ZAVVI BUSINESS SENSE.
October 4, 2008... Since emerging from a management buyout of Virgin Megastores, Zavvi has proved doubters wrong by posting double-digit profits for its first 12 months. Music Week reports on a good year of trading By Ben Cardew THE LAUNCH OF ZAVVI,...

FEATURE: A SILVER LINING TO THE CREDIT-CRUNCH CLOUD?
October 4, 2008... With "credit crunch" currently the unfortunate buzz phrase of 2008, it is inevitable that the music industry must face up to the financial woes that have engulfed economies worldwide. Music Week asks if the music business has anything more to...

FEATURE: SHEER FORCE OF WILL.
October 4, 2008... With the release of his fourth album, Will Young has shaken off his Pop Idol past. He tells Music Week about his evolution as a songwriter, the importance of pop and the influence of Simon Fuller By Stuart Clarke Coinciding with the...

JOE BROWN: FULL STEAM AHEAD.
October 4, 2008... Musical pioneer, early rock-and-roll recording star, singer, guitarist, TV performer and live entertainer - there are many strings to Joe Brown's bow. Adam Woods looks back on the colourful career of the influential Cockney musician on his 50th...

JOE BROWN: HIGH FIVE Landmark Joe Brown songs.
October 4, 2008... Darktown Strutters Ball Still in his rocker mode, Darktown Strutters Ball was one of Brown's first stabs at solo glory, having served his apprenticeship as a guitarist with Vincent, Cochran and others. I'm Henry The Eighth, I Am ...

JOE BROWN: GOLDEN BROWN.
October 4, 2008... Joe Brown's recent Very Best Of album - released to coincide with his 50th anniversary - has been his most successful record yet. Adam Woods discovers how relentless reinvention and touring have sold the Joe Brown experience to old and new fans...

Key releases: 04.10.08.
October 4, 2008... Out this week Singles * Sara Bareilles Bottle It Up (Columbia) Previous single (chart peak): Love Song (4) * Basshunter Angel In The Night (Hard2beat) Previous single: All I Ever Wanted (2) * The Courteeners That Kiss...

THE PANEL: 04.10.08.
October 4, 2008... Hattie Collins (RWD) Kano: Hustler (BPM) Kano returns to his grimy roots on a swaggerific single that reasserts his lyrical prowess. Teamed with an inspired video, Hustler is already a street hit, rightly re-establishing Kano as UK rap...

ALBUM OL THE WEEK: 04.10.08.
October 4, 2008... Will Young Let It Go (19/RCA) The Subways All ol nothing (Wichita) Will Young's fourth album brims with introspective maturity and depth, and has been elegantly produced by top-notch producers such as Eg White and Steve Lipson. Between...

CHARTS PREDICTIVE - 04.10.08: Campaign focus.
October 4, 2008... THE BRIGHTON PORT AUTHORITY SOUTHERN FRIED RECORDS GOT THE BALL ROLLING on its launch efforts for The Brighton Port Authority over the weekend, tying promotional activity in with the Big Beach Boutique festival in Brighton, where, in a bold...

Catalogue reviews: 04.10.08.
October 4, 2008... EDDY GRANT: Walking On Sunshine (Mercury 5311856)/Killer On The Rampage (5311859) Eddy Grant first came to international prominence as a solo artist with Walking On Sunshine in 1979 and reached a pinnacle of success with Killer On The...

CHARTS ANALYSIS: Kings Of Leon herald relative success.
October 4, 2008... THE FOLLOWILL FAMILY'S FORTUNES take a turn for the better this week with Kings Of Leon - brothers Nathan, Caleb and Jared Followill and their cousin Matthew - adding the album crown to their singles title. The Tennessee quartet's new...

Mobile music unleashed.
October 11, 2008... Unlimited-download Comes With Music service ushers in new era By Ben Cardew Nokia is boldly predicting that its Comes With Music offering will be the "tipping point" for mobile music as it prepares for a global roll- out in 2009. ...

D-Day for digital radio.
October 11, 2008... Global Radio CEO Ashley Tabor is urging Channel 4 to mothball the second digital radio multiplex, as the industry aims to prop up an ailing digital radio market. The broadcaster's 4 Digital Group won the rights to the second multiplex in...

THE PLAY LIST: 11.10.08.
October 11, 2008... RAY LAMONTAGNE You Are The Best Thing 14th Floor The glorious, horn-drenched opening number from Ray Lamontagne's third studio album - his most accomplished work yet. Stunning. (from album, Oct 13) Major rolls out extended...

Universal champions "value of music" in deluxe CD push.
October 11, 2008... Universal is turning to its big guns such as Snow Patrol and the Kaiser Chiefs as it rolls out a series of deluxe versions of key new albums aimed at both fans and the gift-buying market. A year after claiming two of the biggest-selling Q4...

Music Week Awards launches in "special year".
October 11, 2008... The 2009 Music Week Awards officially launches today (Monday) with a number of sponsors already signed up for the event. The prestigious annual ceremony will move from its traditional slot on a Thursday evening and will take place next year...

Impala takes the European route to discuss Sony-Bertelsmann issues.
October 11, 2008... Independents face a busy month in Europe, with indie group Impala meeting in Berlin next week to discuss its next move in the ongoing Sony developments, as well as co-hosting a high-profile summit within the French presidency of the European...

Apple's US royalty threats have left a bitter taste.
October 11, 2008... FOR A COMPANY WHOSE USUAL RESPONSE to press inquiries is "no comment" or less, Apple can certainly generate publicity. On the eve of Comes With Music - the biggest digital roll-out of the year - it was Apple, not the Nokia initiative, that...

Interactivity is key to making British Music Experience a success.
October 11, 2008... Contributions from big names and a pedigree team unite as building work at The 02 begins By Gordon Masson THE ORGANISERS OF THE BRITISH MUSIC EXPERIENCE are promising to showcase the UK's musical future alongside its past, as building...

Indie chiefs join raft of Musexpo Europe speakers.
October 11, 2008... MUTE RECORDS FOUNDER DANIEL MILLER, XL Recordings chairman and CEO Richard Russell and MySpace UK and Europe managing director Rebekah Horne are the latest names to join the line-up for the inaugural Musexpo Europe conference in London. ...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Korda Marshall.
October 11, 2008... Warner Brothers UK managing director Korda Marshall is set to leave his post when his contract ends this month to pursue what the major describes as "a fresh challenge". Warner Music Europe chairman and president John Reid, who oversees the UK...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Sister Ray.
October 11, 2008... Independent record store Sister Ray has been sold to an undisclosed indie retailer. Andy Pear, from administrator Tenon Recovery, says he expects the deal to complete next week, at which stage he will be able to reveal the name of the buyer....

NEWS IN BRIEF: Featyred Artists' Coalition.
October 11, 2008... The Featured Artists' Coalition, a new organisation intended to campaign for the protection of performers' and musicians' rights, launched yesterday (Sunday) at In The City. To date more than 60 artists have joined the Coalition by signing its...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Filesharing.
October 11, 2008... The first signs that the joint memorandum of understanding struck between the BPI, Government and the ISP industry to tackle unlawful filesharing is bearing fruit, with the six major ISPs beginning to send letters to their infringing...

NEWS IN BRIEF: 2008 Digital Music Awards.
October 11, 2008... Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, Wiley and Vampire Weekend were among the winners at the 2008 Digital Music Awards, which took place at the Roundhouse in Camden last Wednesday. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Fiver idents play to the Kaisers' beat.
October 11, 2008... UK DIGITAL TV STATION FIVER has licensed the new Kaiser Chiefs' single Never Miss A Beat to soundtrack its idents for October, putting the track in front of an estimated 4m viewers. The channel, which is available on Freeview, Sky Digital,...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Global Radio.
October 11, 2008... Global Radio has announced its group programming team, marking the next step towards full integration with GCap. Luis Clark, previously programme director at Heart 107FM, has been appointed group programme director of the Heart network. His...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Bill Anderson.
October 11, 2008... Managing director of GMG Radio's Scotland business Billy Anderson is to take on the expanded role of regional director for the group. As well as overseeing the running of Real, Smooth and Rock Radio in Scotland, Anderson will take on the...

NEWS IN BRIEF: John Legend.
October 11, 2008... John Legend is to play an exclusive gig for BBC digital radio station 1Xtra. The show will take place at a secret location on Monday, October 13 and will be broadcast that night on MistaJam's show from 7-10pm and will be available to hear...

NEWS IN BRIEF: 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards.
October 11, 2008... Pink, Duffy, The Killers and Kid Rock will join Beyonce in performing at the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards live from the Liverpool Echo Arena on November 6. Meanwhile, MTV UK is to celebrate reaching 1m views of its Spanking New Sessions online...

BBC's Electric Proms prepares for dual-city launch.(Interview)
October 11, 2008... QUICKFIRE The third annual Electric Proms takes place in London and Liverpool from October 22 to 26, with shows ranging from Tony Christie performing on the Royal Daffodil Ferry in Liverpool to Oasis appearing with a 50- piece choir at the...

Ten pillars to success are laid as Absolute builds new foundations.
October 11, 2008... New open approach and concentration on "real music" set out Absolute Radio's stall Absolute Radio's common-ALITY with Abbey Road goes far beyond them possessing the same initials. According to the national radio station, it also shares...

Bond just the ticket for secondary reputation.
October 11, 2008... THE SIGHT OF THOUSANDS OF FESTIVAL-GOERS being fleeced by fraudsters this summer has prompted those trying to legitimise the secondary ticketing market to launch a bond scheme to bolster public confidence in the sector. But, far from being...

VIEWPOINT: Ben Chalis.
October 11, 2008... Co-founder of www.agreenerfestival.com I ALMOST WEPT WHEN I GOT TO THE FERRY PORT on the Isle of Wight after this year's Bestival and faced a mountain of muddy wellington boots left behind by happy punters. Quite frankly, this is more...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Kings Place.
October 11, 2008... The first purpose-built concert hall to open in London this century marked the occasion with a five-day festival last week, involving more than 100 concerts and art exhibitions. The curtain was raised at Kings Place(pictured) on October 1, when...

NEWS IN BRIEF: Download Festival.
October 11, 2008... Live Nation's Download Festival has been declared best music community for the second year running at the BT Digital Awards. The online download community site boasts 45,000 members with an average of 3.8m page views per month. Live Nation...

NEWS IN BRIEF: MTV Europe Music Awards.
October 11, 2008... MTV has partnered with secondary ticketing operator Viagogo to auction four pairs of tickets for next month's MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool. All proceeds raised from the auction will go to MTV's HIV/Aids awareness charity the Staying...

Concert Live offers photo disc to fans.
October 11, 2008... CONCERT LIVE USED KILLING JOKE'S sold-out shows at the Forum in London last week to debut its latest product - a photo disc offering fans high- quality images of the gig they had just witnessed. The company was set up three years ago to...

Firebrand takes to The Streets.
October 11, 2008... MERCHANDISING SPECIALIST FIREBRAND LIVE is taking its printing press on the road with the launch of an innovative budget merchandise offering. Firebrand has taken inspiration from the title of The Streets' new album Everything Is Borrowed...

Portal meets need.
October 11, 2008... THE COMPLICATED NATURE OF finding tickets for music events has prompted former Aloud.com managing editor Simon Harper to launch what he claims is the UK's first ticket search portal for PC and mobile. Needtickets.com will allow music fans...