OK, everybody, summer is over, back to life, back to reality, and all that. That reality, of course, constitutes: Brexit; a part comedic, part anonymous government you didn't elect negotiating said Brexit; and no functioning political opposition in Westminster. Good times.
In amongst the post-Referendum haze, you may have missed the appointment of Matt Hancock MP to the job of Minister Of State For Digital And Culture. Reporting into new Culture Secretary Karen Bradley, his remit includes the digital economy, broadband, data protection, arts and culture, media and creative industries. Which is a pretty wide brief. And somewhere in there I think you'll find the music industry. Which is presumably why record industry trade group the BPI has invited the minister to give one of those keynote addresses at its AGM in London next Wednesday afternoon. Says BPI boss Geoff Taylor: "We are delighted to welcome the minister to our AGM following his recent appointment. Music is a successful and growing digital industry for the UK, and it is encouraging that the minister has recognised this by addressing us at this early stage of the new government". The formal AGM proceedings are preceded by the BPI's Annual Conference To Members, which will include two panel discussions moderated by CMU MD and Business Editor Chris Cooke, one of which will explore what exactly Brexit might mean for the UK music industry. That all kicks off at 1.30pm, with the AGM starting at 4pm.