Deals
Private equity firm Apollo has provided a “$700 million capital solution” to Sony Music Group for music industry investments. The deal, announced in a statement from Apollo on Friday, is funded by Apollo’s “affiliated and third-party insurance clients and other investors”. Apollo Partner Jamshid Ehsani says, “This investment allows our clients to invest in high grade securities while helping Sony to execute its business plans”.
Warner Music Latina has signed Colombian artist Pipe Bueno to an exclusive deal, with Bueno announcing an album that will unite Colombian and Mexican regional music. “I am THRILLED to know that today I am signing with Warner Music who believes in Colombian regional music”, says Bueno. Roberto Andrade Dirak, Managing Director of Warner Music Latina, adds: “We are delighted to welcome Pipe Bueno to the Warner Music family. His dedication and passion for Colombian popular music are inspiring”. Campaigns for Bueno will be managed from the Warner Música Mexicana division in Los Angeles, with his new single ‘Una Pregunta’ marking the first release under the label.
Appointments
Big Machine’s Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment has promoted Ryan Dokke to Senior Vice President and Andrew Thoen to Director Of Streaming & Digital Partners / Radio Promotion. Dokke, who joined in 2022, will oversee radio promotions and expand his focus on marketing strategies. “I am beyond grateful for their continued confidence in me”, says Dokke. Thoen, transitioning from Director of Northeast Promotion & Marketing, will lead streaming initiatives while continuing radio promotion duties.
Prescription Songs has promoted Siara Behar and Eddie Fourcell, with each taking the new titles of VP, A&R. Behar, with the company since 2016, has worked on projects across multiple genres, including Latin music. Fourcell, who joined in 2021, has focused on hip-hop and R&B signings. Founder Lukasz Gottwald comments, “Siara and Eddie go above and beyond for our writers and creatives at Prescription Songs”. Behar says, “I am so excited for the chapter ahead as Vice President, A&R at Prescription Songs!” Fourcell adds, “I am looking forward to continuing to support and spearhead the growth of emerging writers globally while also helping them navigate the ever-changing landscape of music”.
Alison Donald has announced her departure from Kobalt as Head Of Global Creative at the end of July 2024, after seven years with the company. Donald, who joined Kobalt in 2017 overseeing A&R and creative in the UK and Europe, was promoted to her current role in March 2023. “Working with the team at Kobalt and all of the incredible artists and writers on the roster has been very rewarding, I am extremely proud of what we’ve all achieved”, says Donald, who previously held positions at Columbia Records UK, Chrysalis Music Publishing, and Warner/Chappell Music.
Legal
Live Nation has told the Ninth Circuit Appeals Court in the US that a recent California Supreme Court ruling supports its push for arbitration in an ongoing legal dispute over ticket prices. The 15 Jul decision in Ramirez v Charter Communications Inc allows courts to remove unfair parts of contracts while keeping the rest. Live Nation argues this undermines the lower court’s rejection of its arbitration clause. The company also defends its 2021 switch to New Era ADR for arbitration, saying it was to handle mass claims more efficiently, not for any improper purpose. Live Nation suggests if the court is unsure, it should send the case back to the lower court for review in light of the Ramirez decision.
Fremantle Media, producers of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, have successfully defended against a £43 million lawsuit filed by an aspiring contestant on the show. Robert Aslanyan brought legal action against the production company after he was mistakenly invited to non-existent in-person audition during the COVID pandemic. In his lawsuit, Aslanyan claimed that the commercial value of a performance on the show would have been worth £43 million. The High Court dismissed Aslanyan’s claim, which alleged negligence and breach of contract. Judge Mark Gidden ruled the case “completely without merit”, ordering Aslanyan to pay £48,188.50 in legal costs. Fremantle’s lawyer, Mark Winden, noted that Aslanyan had applied six times over four series but never progressed to the celebrity judging panel, adding: “He has had many auditions for his acts. The issue was that none of them were before the celebrity judges”.
Digital
Apple Music has expanded its radio monitoring capabilities, now tracking plays from over 40,000 stations in more than 200 countries and regions. The new feature, integrated into Apple Music for Artists, utilises Shazam technology to provide daily-refreshed data on airplay trends, top-playing stations, and regional performance. “Radio data is integrated throughout the Apple Music for Artists experience so artists can see which stations and regions are giving their music air time”, Apple explains. The company notes that while terrestrial and digital stations are included, Apple Music Radio plays are categorised separately as “Plays”.
Sonos, has apologised for widespread issues with its new app which the company launched on 7 May. In an open letter to Sonos users, CEO Patrick Spence says, “Too many of you have experienced significant problems with our new app”, adding that fixing it is the company’s “number one priority”. Sonos has released bi-weekly software updates since the problematic launch and outlined a roadmap for further improvements through to October, including addressing stability, music library configuration and user interface issues. Spence noted that while recent updates have enabled “the majority of our customers to have a robust experience”, the company acknowledges “there is more work to be done”.
Apple has joined a group of technology companies which have agreed to follow the Biden administration’s voluntary AI safeguards, the White House announced. The guidelines, part of a broader Executive Order from the US President, require companies to test AI systems for discriminatory tendencies, security vulnerabilities and potential national security risks. “We’re committed to developing AI responsibly and transparently”, says an Apple spokesperson. The company’s participation comes as it prepares to launch its own AI system, Apple Intelligence, which will be integrated into upcoming iPhone, Mac and iPad models.
Soundful has launched an AI-powered songwriting competition in partnership with Kaskade and SoundCloud. The contest, which began today, allows participants to use Soundful’s AI to create tracks that mimic Kaskade’s musical style, with the chance to perform live with Kaskade and release a track on his label, Arkade. Submissions are open until 12 Aug, with the first-place winner receiving prizes totalling over $2000 in value. Diaa El All, CEO of Soundful, states: “We’re THRILLED to partner with Kaskade and SoundCloud on this groundbreaking competition”.
Live
The Night Time Industries Association has said it is “closely monitoring developments” after the UK government gave a statement earlier today relating to a £20 billion budget deficit it has identified. Although the night-time sector is not affected by the government's immediate response to the deficit, NTIA boss Michael Kill notes that “today's narrative indicates that difficult decisions lie ahead”. He cautions that “the night-time economy is extremely fragile” and “any abrupt changes in the upcoming budget, such as reductions in the current relief on business rates or increases in taxation, could have catastrophic consequences for our industry”.
Artist News
Three members of Grammy-nominated gospel group The Nelons have died in a plane crash in Wyoming. The incident occurred on Friday at approximately 1pm local time as the group was travelling to Alaska for a live performance. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that preliminary information indicates an “autopilot issue during flight” led to the crash. Autumn Nelon Streetman, daughter of group members Jason and Kelly Clark, states, “Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason's parents, Dan and Linda Clark”.
Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason has proposed using AI to create new songs for the band, given the ongoing feud between David Gilmour and Roger Waters. In an interview with The Sunday Mirror, Mason stated, “It would be fascinating to see what AI could do with new music”. He suggested AI could simulate a reconciliation between the bandmates, adding: “We could be like ABBA by the time we’ve finished with it”. The band last performed together at Live 8 in 2005, with Gilmour declaring Pink Floyd “over” in 2015.
Moby has announced fourteen animal rights charities that will receive proceeds from his upcoming UK and European tour. The electronic artist’s first European tour in a decade, celebrating 25 years of his album ‘Play’, will feature Lady Blackbird as opening act. Moby says, “The only way to get me on tour is to make sure I don’t make a penny from it!” The beneficiaries include L214 in France, GAIA in Belgium, and The Humane League UK, with Moby offering space at venues for the organisations to sell merchandise and distribute information.
Releases & Tours
Saleka has collaborated with Kid Cudi on new single ‘Divine’
YOASOBI have released their new single ‘舞台に立って (Butai ni Tatte)’
Halsey has released her new single ‘Lucky’.
Kacey Musgraves has released her single ‘Irish Goodbye’. Her new album ‘Deeper into the Well’ is out 2 Aug.
Fujii Kaze has released his new single ‘Feelin’ Go(o)d’, produced by AG Cook.
Max Richter has released his new single ‘Late And Soon’.
Livingston has released his new single ‘Gravedigger’.
潘Pan has released her new album ‘Pan The Pansexual’, alongside the video for track ‘FNGRMHRDR’.
The Red Clay Strays have released their new album ‘Made by These Moments’.
Ray LaMontagne has released his new single ‘I Wouldn’t Change A Thing’. His new album ‘Long Way Home’ is out 16 Aug.
MILLENNIUM PARADE have shared their new single ‘M4D LUV’.
Jonah Kagen has released his new single ‘Matches’
Jerry Cantrell has released his new single ‘Vilified’. His new album ‘I Want Blood’ is out 18 Oct.
Izzy Reign has released her new single ‘Sandman’.
Salvatore Ganacci has released his new EP ‘Sometimes I Cry When I’m Alone’, featuring Tommy Cash, Myd and Stuzzi.
The Vaccines have announced a new set of UK tour dates for October 2024, including London Roundhouse on 23 Oct. Tickets go on sale 10am this Friday here.
Sam Palladio has announced his ‘Before We Lost The Light’ UK headline tour for September 2024. The five date run begins at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds on 22 Sep and finishes at London’s Omeara on 30 Sep. Tickets go on sale 10am this Friday here.
TESSERACT have announced European dates to their 2025 ‘War Of Being’ tour, including a show at Chalk in Brighton on 11 Feb. Tickets are available here.