So, this was all a bit sudden. Live Nation UK's Music MD, Stuart Galbraith, was yesterday sacked by the live music conglom for a non-disclosed "breach of contract". According to Music Week, it is thought Live Nation chiefs discovered Galbraith was planning to jump ship to rivals AEG, and was allegedly sounding out Live Nation colleagues to join him there. He was asked to leave the company's London HQ with immediate effect. Live Nation says it has no immediate plans to replace Galbraith, with Live Nation UK President Paul Latham continuing to head up the company's British music operations.
Galbraith originally joined what was then Clear Channel Entertainment to head up their UK promotions. He took on the additional role of Director Of Festivals, playing a key role in the creation of some of Live Nation's key festival brands, including the Download and Wireless festivals. He also headed up production for the London leg of the Live 8 initiative back in 2005. He became MD of the company's UK operations after Clear Channel spun off its live entertainment business to create the separate company, Live Nation. Look at that. If you want an obituary style biog in the CMU Daily, but without going to the effort of dying, you just have to get sensationally sacked. Which is good to know.