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SHAKIRA SIGNS TO LIVE NATION
So, it's official, Shakira is the next major artist to enter into one of those fashionable 360 degree deals with live music conglom Live Nation.
The deal means that when the Columbian megastar has completed her current recording commitments to SonyBMG (one new English language album, a Spanish one and a greatest hits) she will then start working with the live music outfit on all future recording projects. Live Nation Artists will also be involved in her merchandise, online activity, film projects and, of course, touring. The financial specifics of the arrangement have not been disclosed, though US media reports value the deal at anywhere between $70 and $100 million.
Shakira follows Madonna and Jay-Z into signing multi-dimensional deals with Live Nation, deals that will bring to an end their relationships with their respective major record companies, SonyBMG, Warner and Universal.
The live music conglom are expected to sign one more A-list artist to a similar deal this year, with Nickelback currently the favourites, though I'm not sure the bosses at Live Nation Artists have yet seen Universal's latest hit signing in Europe - Mr Gummi Bear - who is surely worth a multi-million pound investment any day of the week (www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB1PuesGGBc).
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THE DRIFTERS LAWSUIT SETTLED
Into the pop courts or, rather, out of the pop courts, and The Drifters have reached an out of court settlement with, erm, The Drifters. Not that The Drifters will be called The Drifters anymore. Only The Drifters will be able to use that name.
Yeah, bit confusing this. Basically, the Treadwell family, whose father George Treadwell founded the original group The Drifters back in the fifties, have long asserted their claim to the exclusive use of the name in the soul-pop combo business, but have often had to go legal when other groups - normally with one member or a manager who has had some association with the Treadwell's The Drifters outfit at some point - launches their own male vocal group using The Drifters name or a variation of it.
The latest litigation related to a British-based version of The Drifters run by artist manager Phil Luderman and his business partner Mark Lundquist, who had previously worked with George Treadwell's widow Tina when she had been UK-based and operating a The Drifters set-up over here. The Treadwells objected to the existence of the Luderman/Lundquist managed version of the group, especially once Tina Treadwell had re-established a version of the group in the US who she planned to tour in Europe.
According to the family's legal reps over here a court order has now been secured barring anyone but the Treadwells from operating a The Drifters group, while an out of court settlement has been reached with Luderman and Lundquist regarding their use of the name to date. The Treadwells-managed The Drifters are currently on a UK tour.
Confirming the settlement, Tom Frederikse of Clintons lawyers told CMU: "The Drifters history is as interesting as it is unique, but there is one theme that's constant - the name Treadwell. This is a moral victory for the Treadwells and we are delighted that they have now reaffirmed their legal right to the family business, which they have run for 55 years".
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PRICE AND ANDRE WIN LIBEL PAY OUT OVER BAD PARENTING CLAIMS
Into the pop courts and occasional pop stars Katie Price and Peter Andre have won "substantial" libel damages from the News Of The World after they ran a story based on an interview with the c'leb couple's former nanny Becky Gauld, in which their parenting skills were questioned and it was alleged that they often put their own interests before those of their children. The paper admits the story was untrue, and have paid undisclosed damages. The couple plan to put half the money in a trust for their children (Junior, Princess Tiaami and Price's son Harvey), and give the other half to charities the NSPCC and Vision.
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LOTS OF COMMENT AS P2P WARNING LETTERS START TO ARRIVE
Virgin Media has now sent 800 letters to those evil baby-killing file-sharing types (well, they don't kill babies, but they do share files), as part of the previously reported alliance between record company trade body the BPI and the internet service provider in which those suspected of illegally sharing music online will be warned that they, or someone using their internet connection, is guilty of copyright infringement. The trade body expects to send out thousands more of the letters through its partnerships with both Virgin and BT - and through the partnerships it hopes to strike with other net providers.
As previously reported, despite being generally resistant to playing a more proactive role in combating the illegal file sharing conducted via their servers, some of the internet service providers are reluctantly accepting they cannot continue to ignore the issue completely. The BPI argues that it is actually more consumer friendly for users to receive warning letters about their file sharing via their ISP rather than to receive a formal legal letter or court summons, the other way the record companies have tackled file-sharers in the past (not so much in the UK, but prolifically in the US and Germany). Though it is more likely threats from government to introduce new laws to force the ISPs to act have been more influential in persuading Virgin and BT to act.
Needless to say, the letters have not been especially well received by those who have been sent them, with some denying they have ever shared unlicensed music, and others objecting to a company whose services they are paying for making implied threats against them. The Open Rights Group, meanwhile, says the music companies are overreacting, and that they need to offer consumers a viable alternative before clamping down on illegal music distribution.
Others say the letter campaign won't work, because people will just ignore them, and may be switch to another net provider. They may be right to a certain extent. As previously reported, the BPI's full proposal to the ISPs is that they cut off users who continue to illegally file share after receiving two warning letters. Virgin Media have not signed up to that bit, and while BT have reportedly threatened to disconnect at least one person because of file-sharing, they say that has nothing to do with the BPI's latest initiative and is a standard implication of their terms and conditions, which forbid copyright infringement.
To be truly effective the BPI really need every ISP on board, and for them to commit to the cutting off bit of the project as well as the warning letter distribution. Even then committed tech-savvy file sharers will find a way to circumvent the system - mainly by obscuring their sharing - but I suspect an industry-wide warning letter and termination policy probably would have a noticeable impact on illegal file sharing. Especially as, once DRM-free MP3s from all four majors finally reach UK download platforms (which they should later this year), the viable alternative of which the Open Rights Group talk has surely been made available.
With regards getting all the ISPs on board, the BPI says it continues to talk to other net providers and that it will consider legal action against those who refuse to play ball (Carphone Warehouse's Talk Talk have been most resistant so far). Plus, of course, the government has promised to get involved if the problem remains unresolved next Spring.
Commenting on the letters, and stressing that it is only letter distribution that they have so far signed up to, a spokesman for Virgin Media told reporters: "This is about education. We make no assumptions about who is at fault. It may be someone in the family or someone illegally using their wi-fi connection".
Asked about how successful the latest anti-P2P campaign could be, Mark Mulligan of Jupiter Research, who research these things, said: "File sharing is very youth-skewed. The BPI isn't going to close the door on the problem but it can get at the families whose kids are file sharing without their knowledge".
BPI chief Geoff Taylor admitted the current campaign - without blanket ISP involvement or any terminations - would have limited success in actually halting or reducing P2P file sharing, but he told reporters that it is important to challenge the notion that content online was always free. He told reporters: "There is a phenomenal amount of piracy out there and we believe that the idea that 95% of content on the net is free is not sustainable. We don't believe that society can allow the free consumption of content to persist".
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MEL GALLEY DIES
Former Whitesnake guitarist Mel Galley has died at the age of 60 from oesophageal cancer. He was at his home in Cannock, Staffordshirewhen he died. The band's frontman David Coverdale has paid tribute to his bandmate, saying that he "treasures the memory of knowing him and working together with him".
Galley joined Whitesnake in 1982, and recorded one album with the band, 'Saints'n'Sinners'. He was prevented from recording further material with the band when in 1984 he had an accident at a fairground in Germany which resulted in nerve damage, apparently the result of botched surgery, which rendered him unable to play the guitar. He later began to play again with the help of a specially developed spring and wire device known as 'the claw'.
Galley, who also played with The Blue Jays, Trapeze and Finders Keepers during his career, announced in February that he was terminally ill, saying: "I have been very lucky. I have seen some great bands, and played with many great musicians. And I have enjoyed some tremendous experiences. I am thankful that I can say a proper goodbye to all the friends I have made, who are now rallying round me".
Many colleagues and friends have paid tribute. Chris Evans is quoted as saying "He was a fine man, never knowingly besmirched by anyone. Not a bad bone in his body, and annoyingly good at tennis. We've lost a good one there."
Former colleague and Moody Blues man Justin Hayward commented: "Mel's quiet, laconic humour and infectious smile brought real warmth into my life. His contribution as a musician and friend was immeasurable. Our times together are magical memories for me. Some people possess the quality of true timelessness, and Mel is one of the few who the years never seemed to change".
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GYM CLASS HEROES SINGER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT
Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy has been arrested and charged with third-degree assault after allegedly punching an audience member in Missouri where the band were playing as part of this year's Vans Warped Tour. It seems McCoy lashed out after an audience member threw a racist remark in his general direction.
Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman told LiveDaily: "I spent the better part of later that evening with Travis. He's going to have to face the responsibilities of his actions. I think it's an anomaly. I think something went very wrong and everyone's working on correcting that. I don't really think this is in his make up. Every [time] I've ever dealt with him, he's a really nice guy. But they ran the risk of almost not being on the tour. I don't think they want that".
Which all, frankly, seems to avoid the real issue at the root of this. Thankfully, Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz has got straight to the point with a post on his blog. He wrote: "You know what? You call my friend a 'nigger', I don't even give a fuck what happens to you. I don't want to see you in this scene. I don't want to see you at shows. You are who we write songs about. You are who we think about when we hate. Radiohead, 'Karma Police' over and over again in my head. What a joke. You are fucking pathetic and anyone that disagrees should put their white hood on, too. I don't want your ticket money. I don't want your CD sales. I'd rather be poor and unknown. I am angrier than I have been in a long time. Hate upon hate upon hate. Thank God for my friends".
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AMY WINEHOUSE BANGED UP
Amy Winehouse has reportedly been put under house arrest by her minders, which may or may not be legal, I'm not sure. Anyway, if it is true, they're doing it for her own good. Winehouse has shocked those close to her by continuing to live her much reported wild lifestyle just days after being discharged from hospital with early symptoms of emphysema.
A source told The Mirror: "There is ... a security guard stationed outside her house around the clock to vet any undesirables. From now on there'll be no more waifs and strays - or fans - coming into her place, wreaking havoc".
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ALBUM REVIEW: Various Artists - Independents Day 08 (Independents Day Recordings)
Released to mark this here Independents Day 'all indie labels are groovy' project, this compilation features two discs of music from a variety of UK independent labels. All groovy labels, obviously. Disc one features established artists, including The Prodigy, Infadels, Jarvis Cocker, Beth Ditto, and British Sea Power, covering some classic songs by artists who influenced them. Then, on disc two, those artists on the first CD and a few independent label bosses tip a song by one of their favourite new artists. Available for a limited time only, all proceeds go to charity. This is all good, particularly because we at CMU love cover versions. Especially good cover versions, of which there are many here. Particular highlights come from The Prodigy, with their cover of The Specials' 'Ghost Town', which could have been disastrous but is far from it (probably because it's an instrumental), Jack Penate's version of Beats International's 'Dub Be Good To Me', and Feeder's reworking of PiL's 'Public Image'. The only real downside is Jose Gonzalez's take on 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', which has been floating around for a good couple of years and is still bloody awful. On disc two, we get a good variety of new music (even if some of it is actually quite old). Particular bands of note here are A.Human (recommended by Infadels), Bang Bangs (recommended by Feeder), Cougar (recommended by Maximo Park), The Tenderfoot (recommended by British Sea Power), and Goose (recommended by Skint). So, all in all, well worth checking out. And 'Independents Day 08', remember, isn't just a compilation, it's a celebration of the very healthy nature of UK independent labels, despite all the doom and gloom that usually looms large over the music industry. So go on, celebrate. AHM
Release date: 4 Jul
Press contact: Name Music & Nile On
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PALESTINE URGES SNOOP TO CANCEL ISRAELI SHOW
Pressure group The Palestinian Campaign For The Academic And Cultural Boycott Of Israel (PACBI) have issued an open letter to Snoop Dogg, condemning and urging him to cancel his planned performance in Israel on 18 Sep.
The letter reads: "The Palestinian arts community was deeply saddened and surprised by the news of your upcoming performance in Israel on 18 Sep in Ramat Gan. We strongly urge you to cancel your plans to perform in Israel until the time comes when Israel ends its illegal occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories and respects the relevant precepts of international law concerning Palestinian rights to freedom, self-determination and equality. How can an artist whose name is prominently associated with this form of popular and freedom-based musical expression, rap, be apathetic to the monstrosity of Israel's current war crimes in Gaza, its Apartheid Wall, declared illegal by the International Court of Justice at the Hague, or its continued violation of fundamental Palestinian rights? Just as conscientious artists the world over boycotted South African apartheid in the past we expect and urge them to boycott Israel's own system of colonization and racial discrimination, compared to apartheid by former US President Jimmy Carter, as well as many leading figures in South Africa, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and current minister, Ronnie Kasrils".
The group also point out that rappers in Palestine, where there is apparently a vibrant hip hop community, who are influenced by Snoop would not be able to see his performance in Israel. They continue: "It is also worth reminding you that Palestinian rappers and musicians in the occupied Palestinian territory, like all Palestinians under Israeli occupation, are denied their basic rights, including the 'privilege' of freedom of expression which you - and all of us - so highly value. Try to find out, for instance, how many Palestinian rappers, particularly those in besieged Gaza, will be allowed to attend your concert? By performing in Ramat Gan you are helping to perpetuate this special form of apartheid that denies us our rights. We sincerely hope that you shall cancel your announced performance in Israel".
Snoop has so far not publicly responded to the letter.
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KYLIE RECEIVES OBE
Kylie Minogue was given an OBE at Buckingham Palace by the Prince Of Wales yesterday for her work in making the step from Australian soap actor to pop star a valid career move. Something like that, anyway. The singer said she felt "overwhelmed" and emotional" about the honour. She added: "I knew I would be nervous. I was very excited and to have my family here was magical. I do feel very proud. I think my job, aside from making music, is about communication and this symbolises my communication with my audience around the world".
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IAN CURTIS'S GRAVESTONE STOLEN
Late Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis's gravestone has been stolen from a cemetery in Macclesfield, which isn't very nice, is it? Police said the gravestone, which bears the inscriptions "Ian Curtis 18 - 5 - 80" and "Love Will Tear Us Apart", was taken sometime between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning and are appealing for any witnesses.
A police spokesman said: "There is no CCTV in the area and there are no apparent leads as to who is responsible for the theft. This is a very unusual theft and I am confident that someone locally will have knowledge about who is responsible or where the memorial stone is at present".
Tony Barker, spokesman for Macclesfield Borough Council said: "This has never happened before and we are agog that someone's gone to the trouble of taking it out. We are stunned". Bill North, the council's services manager, added: "I'm shocked this has happened. Someone's gone to a great deal of trouble to remove the memorial stone and I hope our appeal will help return it as soon as possible".
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MGMT ON NEW ALBUM
MGMT have told BBC 6music that they're looking forward to getting back into the studio to begin work on a second album. The duo told the station: "We've been longing to get in the studio for a while because we got out of it recording our last album about a year ago. So we're definitely ready to start working on some new stuff but I think in January we're gonna start recording and hopefully put an album out next summer."
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FREE MOGWAI DOWNLOAD
Mogwai release their sixth studio album, 'The Hawk Is Howling', via Wall Of Sound on 2 Sep, which is a very, very long way away. But right now you can download a track from it, 'The Sun Smells Too Loud', for absolutely nothing. Not a penny. Click the eye of the eagle on this page: http://media.pias.com/mogwaidownload
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FENDER LAUNCH BILLY CORGAN GUITAR
Fender have launched a Billy Corgan signature version of their Stratocaster guitar, which is designed to mimic the tone used on his classic Smashing Pumpkins recordings. Corgan told reporters: "The versatility of this instrument is what impresses me and is why I'm really excited about this model. This guitar has both a Strat articulation and enough low-end heavy metal sound to get the 'Sabbath' out of the guitar I want. My greatest go-to guitar got stolen at a Pumpkins club date in 1991, and I've always struggled since then to find a guitar that was my guitar. I'm really pleased with this model's versatility, which I need because I'm playing music from a seventeen year period of the Pumpkins' history - from spacey early stuff to grunge to all-out cyber metal, then back to ballads".
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YORKE ET AL REMIX CLASSICAL STUFF
Actually, that was a misleading headline, because I'm not sure that this really is classical music, especially. I think perhaps it's structured in a classical way, and it's played on strings, but, according to reports, the music is inspired by a computer-simulated brain, or something, which isn't an especially classical way to go about things, but I certainly think this could be called avant garde. Anyway, let's get on.
'Cortical Songs' has been created by Nick Ryan and John Matthias (who previously played violin on Radiohead's 'The Bends') and it's a four movement piece, but they've also got in a number of other musicians to do various remixes of the work. Thom Yorke is one of them, as is former Verve man Simon Tong and John Maclean of the Beta Band. It's due out on 21 Jul.
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KANYE AND ABSOLUT DO COMIC VIDEO
Kanye West has made a comical fake advertisement as part of his relationship with Absolut Vodka, the brand he's been in a sponsorship deal with since February this year. The minute long eighties-styled infomercial type clip, in which the star is selling 'be Kanye', a pill that turns one into Kanye West can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TrkrSdyIHY.
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WILD IN THE COUNTRY CANCELLED
Bjork pulled out, Battles pulled out, and various other acts were rumoured to be considering removing themselves from the line-up. But that's not why Wild In The Country has been cancelled just two days before it was due to take place this Saturday at Knebworth Park.
A statement issued by the festival's organisers reads: "Stately Events Ltd is extremely disappointed to announce the cancellation of the Wild in the Country festival at Knebworth Park on Saturday 5th July. The cancellation is due to lower than expected ticket sales and a key investor withdrawing at the last minute, leaving the event in an unsustainable position. This is a very sad conclusion to our passionate efforts to develop an interesting and credible addition to the UK festival market. Unfortunately, Wild in the Country has become the latest in a series of festivals that have suffered from a unique and well-documented set of market forces this summer. We did everything possible to make the event happen and would like to apologise to all those who have purchased tickets, and for the inconvenience this cancellation may have caused. The Organisers will make every effort to ensure that ticket purchases will be refunded".
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LYDON SLAMS BORING FESTIVALS
John Lydon has said that music festivals are all dull and should get back to their roots if there's to be any hope for them. He told The Daily Star that he was disappointed when he performed at The Isle Of Wight Festival with The Sex Pistols earlier this month. He said: "I was remembering festivals in the 70s and how crazy mad they used to be and great fun. This lot were deckchairs, posh Butlins - what I was performing to was polite schoolteachers. But it's all right because it's not the kids that need education - it's that lot". He added: "I didn't go to Glastonbury because what's that without the hippies and the rave?"
Lydon's comments on the IOW Festival echo comments made by The Enemy's frontman Tom Clarke, who complained on his band's MySpace blog that one festival goer had told him to stop singing during The Sex Pistol's rendition of 'God Save The Queen'.
Elsewhere, Lydon has been telling Reuters that one of the main things punk did for the world was promote family values. He said: "Family values, unity, spirit, community. All these things they try and steal away from us. That's punk".
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THE AUTOMATIC SINGLE
The Automatic have announced that they'll release a new single, 'Steve McQueen', on 18 Aug on CD, 7" and via download. It will be followed by the release of the band's second album 'This Is A Fix', on 25 Aug. So there you have it.
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FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND TOUR DATES
Funeral For A Friend have revealed a lengthy set of tour dates, beginning in October, in support of their forthcoming album 'Memory And Humanity', released via the band's own label, Join Us. Support for the shows comes in the form of Cancer Bats, In Case Of Fire and Attack Attack.
Here are the dates:
14 Oct: Dublin Academy
15 Oct: Belfast Spring & Airbrake
16 Oct: Inverness Ironworks
18 Oct: Glasgow ABC
19 Oct: Leeds Met Uni
20 Oct: Hull University
22 Oct: Preston 53 Degrees
23 Oct: Whitehaven Civic Hall
24 Oct: Manchester Academy 2
26 Oct: Birmingham Academy
27 Oct: Coventry Kasbah
28 Oct: Nottingham Rock City
30 Oct: Exeter Lemon Grove
31 Oct: Portsmouth Pyramids
1 Nov: Oxford Academy
3 Nov: Norwich Waterfront
4 Nov: London Forum
9 Dec: Tenby De Vlance Pavilion
10 Dec: Swansea Sin City
12 Dec: Cardiff University
13 Dec: Wrexham Central Station
14 Dec: Aberyswyth Arts Centre
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JAY-Z BEARS NO GALLAGHER ILL-WILL
Jay-Z has said that he doesn't bear Noel Gallagher any ill-will, despite his negative comments about the rap star's appearance at Glastonbury, and might even like to work with him at some point.
Admitting that his performance at Worthy Farm was a big deal, the hip hopper told MTV: "Glastonbury was a historic event for me... I'm feeling the love. Any time you can come from where I come from... [and] come so far... to come overseas and have people embrace you the way I've been embraced thus far, it's just an amazing feeling".
Questioned about Gallagher and rumoured collaborations he added: "I haven't spoken to him, I heard he was reaching out... I don't bear any grudge, it's all good".
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CMU FESTIVAL WEATHER REPORT
So, here's the most important bit for all of you heading to festivals this weekend. And with our prediction of a potential mudbath at Glastonbury last weekend, I'm sure that you'll agree that this is the best place to find out what it's going to be like around country for the next three days. No, come on, it did rain on the Friday and that could have made it muddy for the rest of the weekend. We know our weather.
Wireless Festival, Hyde Park, London (Thu-Sun)
Fans of Morrissey, Beck and The National will fair best, with sunshine today, temperatures topping 22 degrees and a nice light breeze to keep you cool. Heavy showers but high temperature are predicted for the rest of the weekend.
Clothing tip: T-shirt, shorts and lots of sun cream if you're going down today. Something waterproof but cool any other day.
www.o2wirelessfestival.co.uk
Shalfest, Shalbury, Wilts (Fri-Sun)
Some sun today, but rain is predicted for the whole weekend. Still, this being a combined beer and music festival you probably won't mind. The beer tent will be covered, so we reckon you should stay in there and hope you can still hear Boy Kill Boy and Idlewild from afar.
Clothing tip: Kagoul, umbrella, hat.
www.shalbournefayre.co.uk
Sounds In The Grounds, Darlington (Fri-Sun)
There'll be spots of sunshine all weekend, but cloudy today and heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday with temperatures dropping from 21 degrees to fourteen degrees as the weekend goes on.
Clothing tip: Increasing amounts of clothing.
www.soundsinthegrounds.co.uk
Godiva Festival, Coventry, West Mids (Fri-Sun)
The Midlands' biggest free three-day festival features a pretty good line-up. So, it should be worth braving the rain to check it out. Today will be the best day, with heavy showers hitting on Sunday.
Clothing tip: Waterproof but cool.
www.godivafestival.co.uk
Guilfest, Guildford, Surrey (Fri-Sun)
Blondie headline an eclectic but excellent line-up at this year's Guilfest, which should make anyone going feel a bit better about the rain that will be pouring on them for the next three days. As will the warmth, probably.
Clothing tip: Deep sea fishing gear, maybe. No, just kidding - a coat and an umbrella will do.
www.guilfest.co.uk
Wakestock, Abersoch, North Wales (Fri-Sun)
Rain all weekend, getting heavier but also sunnier as we head towards Sunday. Still, if you're going to go to Europe's largest wakeboarding festival, you might expect to get a little wet. Plus, it's on a beach, so mud might be minimal. You never know.
Clothing tip: A wetsuit.
www.wakestock.co.uk
Zoo Thousand And Eight, Port Lympne Wildlife Park, Kent (Fri-Sun)
It'll be cloudy today, with heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday. Also, there'll be quite strong winds. But who cares? It's in a zoo!
Clothing tip: A hippo.
www.zoothousand.com
Dance Island, Ely, Cambs (Sat)
Running a one day festival, it's always nice to have some sun. Unfortunately, it'll be interspersed with heavy showers in Ely this Saturday. Oh well, only one stage at this event is actually outdoors.
Clothing tip: Something cool, just don't go outside.
The Mighty Boosh Festival, Hop Farm, Kent (Sat)
There'll be no U2 and no dry ground either at The Mighty Boosh's first festival. Heavy showers are predicted, though temperatures topping twenty degrees and seventeen mph winds will help to dry you off in between.
Clothing tip: A cape?
www.booshfestival.co.uk
The Hop Farm Festival, Hop Farm, Kent (Sun)
Not only will the ground still be churned up from all the Boosh fans wandering around the previous day, there'll be more rain, stronger winds and it'll be slightly colder. Neil Young's headlining, though. So, it's not all bad.
Clothing tip: Whatever you can steal from unconscious Boosh fans
www.hopfarmfestival.com
Cornbury Music Festival, Charlbury, Oxon (Sat-Sun)
Heavy showers and some sunshine. But, hey, Paul Simon and Crowded House are headlining. Maybe that will help.
Clothing tip: Whatever Paul Simon's wearing.
www.cornburyfestival.com
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ALAN MCGEE STILL HATES RECORD LABELS
Former Creation and Poptones chief Alan McGee has told Xfm that new bands should steer clear of those pesky record companies. Having given away the latest album from one of the bands he manages - The Charlatans - for free via the alternative rock station, he said this week: "I'd recommend a band not to go to any record label, I think they're all fucking rubbish. You're better off doing it yourself. They're living in the past, it's like owning a tram company or something". McGee has been pretty critical of all record companies for a while now, of course, but it's good to know he hasn't changed his mind, isn't it? Plus, if you're looking for someone to sign your tram, now you know where to go.
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GOOGLE ORDERED TO HAND OVER YOUTUBE LOGS IN MTV LITIGATION
Google has been told to hand over logs of every video ever watched on its YouTube video sharing platform, plus details of the user names and/or IP addresses of the people who have watched them. Which means that any of you that clicked on that Gummi Bear link at the top of today's Daily will now be publicly disclosed as a fan of confectionary-based pop nonsense.
Google have been told to make the logs available as part of its ongoing legal fight with MTV owners Viacom. As previously reported, Viacom are suing the video site for copyright infringement, because of the amount of content from its channels available on YouTube without their permission.
YouTube have put forward the standard defence - that they do not personally make unlicensed content available, and that they remove any unlicensed content uploaded by punters if and when content owners make them aware of it. YouTube say that under current US copyright laws that policy means they are not guilty of infringement - though that interpretation of the law is so far untested in court, and this case could be the first to do so. Unlike other record companies and broadcasters, Viacom have not seemed interested in doing a licencing deal with YouTube - something that the video site has managed to do when most other content owners have threatened to sue - possibly because Viacom see the video service as a particular threat among their youth demographic, and they'd rather see it cripplingly restricted rather than work with it.
Viacom asked for YouTube to reveal its viewing logs in a bid to demonstrate that [a] most videos watched on the website are not user-generated and [b] to ascertain just how much Viacom content has been viewed. The court agreed with the need for such data to be revealed as part of the case, but refused another request to have details of how the YouTube system works revealed, because that would infringe Google's commercial confidence rights.
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MASTERCARD TEAM UP WITH UNIVERSAL FOR BIG DOWNLOAD GIVEAWAY
MasterCard US is launching a new music based marketing campaign which will see the credit card firm offer its customers free downloads from the whole Universal Music catalogue. 100,000 downloads will be given away, after which the card firm will make tracks available via its www.priceless.com website for 80 cents a track, cheaper than the iTunes standard rate of 99 cents. Music recorded as part of PBS's 'Soundstage' live sessions series - featuring the likes of Heart, Counting Crows, Billy Idol, Jewel, and Ringo Starr - will also be available for free.
MasterCard Worldwide's Amy Fuller told reporters: "Consumers' passion for their music is unmatched. Music is something that is very individual and we know that personalisation is something consumers love to experience. With [this promotion] we've created unparalleled music experiences with three of the world's most popular artists, providing consumers with an intimate perspective on these icons that few fans will ever have".
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NEW UK OPERATIONS VP AT SONY/ATV
Music publishing major Sony/ATV has announced the appointment of Janice Brock to the role of Senior VP UK Operations. She will take on the new role in addition to her current job at the pubbery, VP, Office Of The Chairman, whatever that means.
Confirming the promotion, Sony/ATV boss Marty Bandier said this: "I have had the pleasure of working with Janice for 20 years. Janice is a talented music publishing executive with the rare quality of having an understanding of every aspect of our business. Her knowledge of both the US and UK businesses will serve us greatly as we continue our growth in Europe".
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LIVE REVIEW: The Mighty Boosh Band at Cargo on 1 Jul
Deep in the heart of their spiritual home of Shoreditch, the Mighty Boosh boys took to the stage at Cargo in front of a small but dedicated crowd to try out some material ahead of their headline slot at their festival this weekend. With Dave Brown (Bollo) on percussion and impressive backing vocals and Julian Barratt on guitar, Noel Fielding took the mic as they launched into 'Future Sailors' (they're sailors from the future - it's quite a simple concept). This lot have always introduced music into their comedy and it was really only a matter of time before they indulged their rock star fantasies on stage. There was nothing particularly new here for fans of the TV show or live act, but with costume changes, some great songs and the knockabout humour of a pair of performers who know they are at the top of their game this was a real treat. From 'Electro Boy', where Rich Fulcher steals the show as a tin foil robot, to the arrival of the Hitcher to do an impromptu stage dive during 'Eels', this is one of the more entertaining gigs you are likely to see. There were big cheers for Rudi, who came out fully robed to try to find the new sound live and Bollo who does his inappropriate Peaches bit, but the biggest cheer was for Old Gregg and the hysterical set closer, 'Love Games'. I would have liked a bit more crimping but other than that - spot on. IM
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BENNY ANDERSSON DEFENDS BROSNAN'S VOCALS
Former Abba star Benny Andersson has defended Pierce Brosnan's singing, after the former Bond star's vocal stylings in new Abba film 'Mamma Mia' were pronounced rubbish by the critics.
Andersson told The Sun: "Everybody complains that Pierce can't sing and it pisses me off. I think he has a great voice. He couldn't sing Nessun Dorma but neither could I and I was in Abba. It's like saying Bob Dylan can't sing. It's just not fair. He has a good voice".
Either way, I doubt Brosnan is under any illusions about his vocal talent. I get the impression that he's not the type to take himself too seriously.
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ALLEGED MADONNA LOVER'S WIFE RUNS TO KRAVITZ
So, earlier this week it was reported that baseball player Alex Rodriquez, was having an affair with Madonna, who was reportedly divorcing her husband Guy Richie. You know all this, right? Well, that's all been denied now and talking about it has got boring. Luckily, a further rumour has been brought into the mix to make it all fun again. And it comes complete with its own denial, hooray.
Anyway, the rumour now is that Rodriquez's wife Cynthia has left him for Lenny Kravitz. But the guitarist issued a statement from Paris, where he was playing as part of his current European tour to confirm that Cynthia was with him but deny that there was anything funny going on. He said: "There is absolutely no affair between Cynthia Rodriguez and myself. This is unequivocally 100 percent not true. Cynthia is a friend and is here with the godfather of her baby, who is also Alex's trainer, his wife and their baby girl. She came here to escape from everything happening in New York City. I opened my home to her as a friend and I find it extremely hurtful that I am now being referred to as an adulterer".
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WALSH SAYS COLE IS OUTSHINING DANNII
Louis Walsh has said that new 'X-Factor' judge Cheryl Cole is "outshining" Dannii Minogue on the pop talent show's judging panel. Walsh, of course, is biased against Minogue - he sided with Sharon Osbourne when she fell out with then new judge Minogue last series, said that Dannii should have been axed when her presence reportedly stopped Mrs O from re-signing to the new series, and already knows Cole through him managing Girls Aloud. But he told OK!: "We've only been filming a few days but already you can see Cheryl is completely claiming the limelight from Dannii. She's brilliant on it and just calls things as she sees it. She has such a strong personality".
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