DEALS
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Universal Music has taken a majority stake in Afrobeats label Mavin Global, the two companies have announced. Subject to regulatory approval, the deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year. “I'm proud of the artists, careers and brand we've built that have made Mavin the force it is today”, says founder Michael Ajereh, aka Don Jazzy. “In this historic partnership with UMG, we will continue that mission in Africa and across the globe”.
APPOINTMENTS
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Australian live firm TEG Group - which also has extensive operations in Europe, including operating UK venues XOYO and Camden Assembly in London, Sheffield’s Foundry and Southampton’s Engine Rooms - has hired Simon Cahill as Head Of Commercial. He will also remain Head Of Marketing And Commercial at SXSW Sydney. “TEG is delighted to welcome Simon Cahill into this vital role as we continue to grow the business and deliver exceptional partnerships through live experiences by connecting brands with consumers and generating return on investment”, says CEO Geoff Jones.
MEDIA
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Celeste, Gregory Porter, Olivia Dean, Ray Laurél, Sekou and Self Esteem have written new music for ‘This Town’, the new TV drama from ‘Peaky Blinders’ writer Steven Knight. The show is set to air on BBC One later this year.
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The BBC has announced a raft of new classical music programming, including new shows on BBC Radio 3 presented by Jools Holland, Clive Myrie and Soweto Kinch, and a variety of TV documentaries. “This new schedule, coupled with our forthcoming BBC Proms season which is shaping up to be one of our most ambitious yet, makes this an exciting time for music at the BBC”, says Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms.
EDUCATION
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PRS For Music has announced a partnership with Help Musicians’ mentoring network Co-Pilot, providing the UK collecting society’s members with access to the scheme. “We strongly believe in the power of mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, and paying it forward at PRS For Music”, says Michelle Escoffery, President of the PRS Members’ Council. “We are excited to collaborate with Help Musicians to give songwriters and composers access to positive role models, guidance from experienced professionals, and powerful tools to uncover skills, build confidence and drive forward aspirations for career success”.
ARTIST NEWS
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Global record industry trade group IFPI has announced ‘Flowers’ by Miley Cyrus as the world’s most successful single of 2023. And by some distance too - it racked up over 800 million more streams than the number two track, ‘Calm Down’ by Rema and Selena Gomez. Check out the full list of top tracks here. Plus, read our analysis of IFPI’s Global Recording Artist Of The Year top ten here.
GIGS & FESTIVALS
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Journey have announced 50th anniversary tour dates later this year, concluding with a show at the O2 Arena in London on 17 Nov. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.
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Anohni And The Johnsons have announced their first shows together since 2010, including two performances at the Barbican in London on 1 and 2 Jul.
RELEASES
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TV, film and video game composer Bear McCreary will release new album ‘The Singularity’ on 10. It will feature guest appearances from artists including Slash, Corey Taylor, Serj Tankian, Joe Satriani and more. Out now is lead single ‘Type III’ featuring Rufus Wainwright.
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Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard has released new single ‘New World (Flow)’ featuring Fiorious.
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Sega Bodega has released new single ‘Set Me Free, I’m An Animal’. He is set to release his latest album in April, details of which are due to be announced soon.
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RiTchie has released new single ‘Dizzy’ featuring Aminé, and has announced that he will release his debut solo album ‘Triple Digits [112]’ on 5 Apr.
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Still Corners have released new single ‘Crystal Blue’, taken from their new album ‘Dream Talk’, which is out on 5 Apr.
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HighSchool have released new single ‘Doesn’t Matter’, from upcoming EP ‘Accelerator’, which is out on 19 Apr.