DEALS
🚀
Lil Durk is partnering with AWAL to relaunch his OTF label. “This move was about winning as a family, never business”, says the rapper. “I’m excited to flood the streets with music!”
APPOINTMENTS
🌎
BMG has hired Kristal McKanders Dube to lead its global corporate communications. She joins from Warner Chappell. “Sharing the unique stories and perspectives of the artists, songwriters and the executives behind the music we love has always been a passion of mine”, she says. “As BMG, a rising innovator in the music industry, embarks on this next chapter with a new CEO, I’m eager to help evolve and amplify the company’s brand narrative, along with continuing to tell the remarkable stories of the people who propel the music business forward”.
💡
The Music Venue Trust has announced three new appointments. Sophie Brownlee joins as External Affairs Manager, Kimberley Goddard is Fundraising Manager, and Sophie Asquith has been promoted to Venue Support Team Manager. “These new appointments will bring real experience and energy to Music Venue Trust”, says COO Beverly Whitrick. “It is vital that, at a time when the challenges facing the grassroots music sector continue to mount, we can offer support, expertise and guidance to the venues we work with. We are proud, therefore, to be able to attract the calibre of these new team members to allow us to continue doing that”.
🇺🇸
Frontiers Label Group has hired Tom Lipsky as Head Of A&R for North America. “Frontiers is THRILLED to have such a respected and accomplished music industry executive on board to drive Frontiers into the future”, says label President Serafino Perugino. “Pairing Tom’s vision and the label’s 25+ year history of success will accelerate our goal of Frontiers becoming the leading label for the rock and metal genres across the globe”.
🫀
Pulse Music Group has promoted Annie Aberle to Senior Vice President/Head Of Creative. "I am THRILLED to continue providing our creative team with the kind of autonomy and mentorship I have been granted over the past six years”, she says. “Our A&R team is comprised of inspired, hardworking and dynamic individuals who each bring a contagious energy to the table”.
🎫
See Tickets North America has announced four promotions to its executive team. Phil Lawrence becomes SVP Business Development and Head Of Music, Tony DiCamillo is also SVP Business Development, Daniel Spicka is EVP and Director Of Strategic Partnerships, MaryMargaret Bilus is VP Sales Operations. “These leaders have each been integral to the expansion of the US business”, says MD Joe Salem. “Each displays the daily integrity and commitment to excellence it takes to drive profitable growth of our music business. I continue to be amazed by the talent on our remarkable team. I’m excited to see what they do next”.
DIGITAL
📈
Spotify has built on the recent release of its latest Loud & Clear stats by publishing some figures specifically about revenues paid through to the UK music industry. In 2023, total Spotify royalties generated by music from UK artists exceeded £750 million, with 75% of that revenue stemming from streams outside the UK. More than 40% of UK Spotify payouts went to independent artists and labels, although that does include music released with the distribution and services divisions of the three majors. We'll discuss the stats more on this week's Setlist.
GIGS & FESTIVALS
🤘
A group of 1000 musicians - including members of Funeral For A Friend, The Blackout and Holding Absence - will perform Linkin Park songs at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 18 Aug. The event is in aid of mental health charity Uprawr Foundation. Find out more here.
🌊
The Waeve will play Village Underground in London on 29 Oct. Tickets are on sale now.
RELEASES
🎧
Spotify and Billie Eilish have announced an “immersive listening experience” to mark the release of her new album ‘Hit Me Hard And Soft’. The event will run ten times on 16-17 May at The Lightroom in London. More info here.
🤡
Coheed And Cambria have released a new standalone single ‘The Joke’.
🍳
Moonchild Sanelly has released new single ‘Scrambled Eggs’.
🪨
Erland Cooper has announced that he will release ‘Carve the Runes Then Be Content With Silence’ - the album he recorded and then buried underground for three years - on 20 Sep. The world premiere of the record will take place at the Barbican in London on 8 Jun.
🧨
Flohio is back with new single ‘Make It Bang’.
💥
O. have released new single ’Micro’. Their debut album ‘WeirdOs’ is out on 21 Jun.
💭
Kučka will release her new album ‘Can You Hear Me Dreaming?’ on 12 Jul. Out now is new single ‘Wasting Time (Til The End Of The World)’.
👁️
Martha Skye Murphy will release her debut album ‘Um’ on 14 Jun. Out now is new single ‘Pick Yourself Up’.
