Deals
Professor Green has unveiled a collaboration with Carmoola, a consumer car finance company that hawks car loans for “dream cars” at a mere 15.7% APR. A strong contender for ‘most contrived brand collaboration of 2024’, Carmoola says that it is “THRILLED to announce our latest collaboration with none other than Professor Green. We’ve partnered with Pro Green to create ‘Moola In My Wallet (Sat Nav Rap)’. Why Pro Green? Because he understands that driving is about freedom, identity and those unforgettable moments”. Perhaps one of those “unforgettable moments” they had in mind was the time Pro Green admitted to driving while drunk after crashing his Mercedes into a van outside his house, telling police that he’d only got behind the wheel because he’d been mugged for a £40,000 rolex he was wearing. Cruising around in a diesel Range Rover Velar hybrid (list price £65k+) Green dad-raps along with the sat nav in his car singing “I’ve got petrol in my car, moola in my wallet, they said I lacked direction, was only heading in one direction, the wrong direction, but there ain’t no sat nav for this life I’m leading”.
Warner Music has agreed to a new multiyear licensing deal with Meta. The partnership covers Warner's recorded music catalogues and the Warner Chappell publishing catalogues that are directly licensed by the publisher across all of Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Horizon, Threads and, for the first time, WhatsApp. The agreement includes additional promotion and marketing support for Warner's artists and songwriters, as well as discussions around generative AI content on Meta's platforms. A Warner Music spokesperson says, "We're pleased to have renewed our deal with Meta, expanding opportunities for artists and songwriters across all their platforms, and furthering our discussions on the potential of AI".
Claudia Brant has launched Cha Cha Cha Publishing, a new venture aimed at developing emerging songwriters and producers in partnership with Warner Chappell Music. The company will provide music publishing services, including creative opportunities and administration support, to help accelerate the careers of new talent. Brant, who has penned more than 4000 songs and received multiple awards, initiated the idea after teaching a Latin songwriting course at Berklee College Of Music in spring 2023. "At this stage of my career, where I've practically worked with almost every artist there is and won all of these awards and recognitions, it's time to give back and help the new generation", says Brant.
Sony Music Publishing has signed songwriter and producer Julian Bunetta to a global publishing agreement. Bunetta has co-written and co-produced chart-topping songs including Sabrina Carpenter's 'Espresso', and Teddy Swims' 'Lose Control'. His work has amassed over 30 billion streams across various genres including pop and country. Bunetta says, "I'm excited to be working with the Sony team. I've known Katie and Jon nearly my whole career and they've always been incredibly supportive of my songwriting".
Taylor Austin Dye has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and LEX Music Group. The singer-songwriter from Booneville, Kentucky has amassed 38 million streams across platforms with her 2023 debut album 'Out Of These Hills' and singles. Dye says, "Signing with Warner Chappell is a dream come true. I'm excited to work with such a talented team and to be part of a venture that supports new songwriters". Her sophomore album 'Sick Of Me' will be released on 15 Nov.
Tempa Records has made its back catalogue available on Bandcamp for the first time, offering releases dating back to 2000. The pioneering dubstep label's move includes seminal works from artists such as Horsepower Productions, Skream and Benga. This development allows fans to download key tracks that shaped the genre, including Skream's 'Midnight Request Line' and Benga's 'Diary Of An Afro Warrior' album.
Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed Matraca Berg to an exclusive, global publishing agreement. Berg has had a career spanning nearly four decades and is a Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame inductee. Troy Tomlinson, CEO of UMPG Nashville, says that the Universal division’s SVP A&R Cyndi Forman “has known and worked with Matraca for more than 20 years. She and I were discussing songwriters that we both loved and respected, and it became obvious to both of us at the same moment that we needed to work with Matraca". Berg adds, "It feels good and natural to be at Universal Music Publishing now. Troy and Cyndi have the same love of songs and deep respect for the music".
Cargo Records, 375 Media and Muzlive have launched a number of ‘KiT albums’ in Germany. KiT albums, described as a “smart-compatible physical music format”, have sold over seven million units worldwide according to the South Korean company behind the product, Muzlive. The German rollout includes releases from Filter, Blackpink, Snoop Dogg and Seventeen. The KiT album, which combines a physical product with digital content accessible via a mobile app, was first previewed in Germany at the c/o pop event in Cologne in April, with Cargo Records and 375 Media confirming earlier this year that they had secured exclusive distribution rights for the format in Germany.
People
The UK’s Music Managers Forum has appointed Niamh Byrne and Jill Hollywood as its new Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively. Byrne, co-founder of Eleven Management, and Hollywood, founder and managing director of Echo Beach Management, succeed Paul Craig and Kwame Kwaten, who completed two three-year terms in the roles. Byrne says, "It's an honour to accept the position of Chair at the Music Managers Forum. From my seat at the board, it's been impressive to watch Annabella and her team respond to the changing culture in our business". Hollywood adds, "It's an incredible honour to be asked to stand as Vice Chair. Over the last four years as board director I have been proud to be a part of what the MMF stands for".
UK songwriter organisation The Ivors Academy has announced several key promotions to strengthen its leadership team. Laura Moreno has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, moving from her role as Senior Operations Director. Grace Croucher has been appointed Membership And Events Senior Manager, while Maria McMillan has been promoted to Governance And Policy Senior Manager. Jévis Lawson has become Relations And Outreach Manager, and Charlie Withers has been promoted to Membership Coordinator. The Academy says these promotions reflect its dedication to developing talent within the industry and will strengthen its ability to protect, champion and empower songwriters and composers.
Warner Music has announced two new leadership appointments in its recorded music division. Eric Wong has been named President of East West Records and Head Of Global A&R, Recorded Music, while Jessica Keeley-Carter has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer, Recorded Music. Both executives will report directly to WMG CEO Robert Kyncl, whol says, "Eric's newly-created role leans into his long-standing relationships within the artistic community and his deep understanding of how music travels around the world. Jess is an expert marketer and an inventive leader, who will help us orchestrate best-in-class ways of cutting through the noise in an increasingly complex and cluttered world".
MNRK Music Group has promoted executive Chris Moncada to Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Moncada will oversee day-to-day operations, develop business strategies and drive growth initiatives across the company's divisions. He will report to MNRK's CEO Sean Stevenson, and work across the company's offices in New York, Nashville, Toronto and the UK. Stevenson says, "Chris has proven to be instrumental in getting new deals through the signing process. His eye for talent, ear for songs, and ability to understand both MNRK's business needs as well as artist concerns has been invaluable as we change the shape of the organisation".
Sony Music GSA has undergone a major restructuring under new CEO Christoph Behm, who took over as CEO at the start of September. The company's labels will now operate within three new frontline groups: Ariola Label Group, Columbia Label Group and RCA Label Group. As part of the changes, Sandra Caase has been promoted to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer, combining this with her existing position as Chief Financial Officer. Behm says, "With this new structure, I hope to start a new exciting chapter in our company's history here in GSA, ensuring we are best placed for the future."
Mary Catherine Kinney has been appointed Executive Vice President Of Artist & Label Strategy at Universal Music’s Republic Corps. Based in Nashville, Kinney will support artist and label strategy for the Republic Corp Collective, which includes Republic Records, Island Records, Mercury Records and Def Jam Recordings. She previously served as Head Of Artist Partnerships at Spotify, where she led initiatives involving artists such as Taylor Swift, Karol G and Zach Bryan. Jim Roppo, COO of Republic Corps, says, "Mary Catherine is one of the music industry's most inspiring leaders. She's widely respected across the business and in Nashville". Kinney adds, "I'm THRILLED to join Republic to build with each label team on their unique mission and work with such a phenomenal roster of artists".
Universal Music’s Verve Label Group has promoted Jamie Krents to CEO and Dawn Olejar to Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. Krents and Olejar will lead strategy for the entire group, including Impulse! Records, Verve Records, Verve Forecast, Decca Records US and label partners Decca Classics, Deutsche Grammophon, Hyperion and ECM. Both executives will report to Dickon Stainer, who remains chairman of Verve Label Group following his elevation to CEO of Universal Music UK. Krents started at Verve as a temp in 1998 and has risen through the ranks, while Olejar was previously EVP/GM. Stainer says, "The promotion of Jamie Krents to CEO of Verve Label Group speaks to his long-standing reputation and commitment to nurturing and breaking artists globally".
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund has appointed Aric Steinberg as Executive Director. Steinberg, who joined the charity in 2010, has been effectively fulfilling this role since 2017 following the passing of former director Rob Max. Bill Bennett, the fund's President, says, "It is long overdue that in 2024 we are officially giving Aric the title of Executive Director … as he has been embodying that position for many years now." Sweet Relief, founded in 1994, provides financial assistance to musicians and industry professionals facing hardships. Steinberg comments, "This 30th anniversary year has been our best ever, and I look forward to serving the community in the years to come."
Live Nation festival exec Jeff Shuman is leaving the company after three years, during which he launched several genre-specific mini-festivals. Shuman's events, including the nu-metal focused Sick New World and R&B-centric Lovers And Friends, generated tens of millions of dollars in sales for the live giant. However, recent challenges, including weather-related cancellations and weaker-than-expected ticket sales for some events, are said to have contributed to his departure.
Legal
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' mother, Janice Smalls Combs, has issued a statement defending her son against allegations of sex trafficking and sexual abuse. In the statement, released through her attorney Natlie G Figgers, Janice says, "It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies". Meanwhile, Tony Buzbee, an attorney representing many of the people who plan to sue Combs over allegations of sexual assault, has reported that a hotline for victims has received over 12,000 calls in 24 hours. The surge in calls followed a press conference where Buzbee publicised the hotline, which had previously received approximately 3200 calls in its first ten days of operation. Buzbee says, "When I made the announcement that I was going to pursue these cases, the floodgates really opened." The attorney states his team expects to begin filing civil cases within 30 days, with claims spanning over 25 years of alleged misconduct by Combs at various events and locations.
Tupac Shakur's family has hired New York attorney Alex Spiro to investigate a potential link between the rapper's 1996 death and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. The move comes after former gang leader Duane ‘Keefe D’ Davis, arrested in September 2023 and charged in connection to Shakur's murder, previously claimed that Combs offered him $1 million for a hit on Shakur. Davis's trial is set to begin in March 2025. In 2008, Combs denied any connection to the attack, stating, "The story is a lie. It is beyond ridiculous and completely false. Neither [late rapper] Notorious BIG nor I had any knowledge of any attack before, during or after it happened".
Min Hee-jin, former CEO of K-pop label Ador, has formally filed for reinstatement and will face a court hearing on 11 Oct. The Seoul Central District Court will consider the lawsuit Min has filed against Ador parent company HYBE, according to local media reports. Min actually submitted her court filing on 13 Sep, requesting an extraordinary shareholder meeting for Ador and her reinstatement as CEO, arguing that her dismissal violated the shareholder agreement with HYBE and contradicted a previous court decision. Ador announced on 25 Sep that it would hold a shareholder meeting on 17 Oct to vote on extending Min's position as a board member. In a previous ruling on 30 May, the court sided with Min, preventing HYBE from using its majority shareholder status to remove her as CEO in a shareholder meeting held on 31 May.
RBD has settled a lawsuit with their former manager Guillermo Rosas. The Mexican pop group has agreed to pay Rosas $4.7 million, less than half of the $10,072,811 he claimed he was entitled to from their Soy Rebelde Tour. Maite Perroni, Christopher von Uckermann and Christian Chávez issued a statement saying, "Today being World RBD Day, there is no better way to celebrate it than by doing justice". The settlement comes after the group had put all projects on hold due to alleged financial irregularities. T6H, Rosas' company, denied any wrongdoing, stating, "At no time was there any fraud, diversion, culpability, lack of income reporting, or misuse of resources by T6H and/or Guillermo Rosas".
BookMyShow has announced it is considering cancelling tickets for Coldplay shows in India that were bought on secondary ticketing platforms. The ticketing company has filed a formal ‘First Information Report’ with authorities in Mumbai, naming 30 alleged ticket resellers. A BookMyShow spokesperson says, "We have provided details of all the resellers that have come to our attention, including independent individuals reselling tickets for this tour” on both social media and ticket resale platforms like Viagogo, “ in order to aid authorities in a thorough investigation". The company adds, "We remain vigilant in monitoring such instances of ticket reselling for this tour through black market channels and will continue to share all relevant information with the authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken. BookMyShow is assessing potential cancellation of such tickets that are being sold unethically". Viagogo says, "We take our legal obligations very seriously. Whenever contacted by relevant authorities regarding any investigation, Viagogo fully cooperates and meets all its legal responsibilities". BookMyShow has confirmed that the concerts will proceed as planned, refuting rumours of cancellation.
Kanye West has been sued by former security guard Jonathan Monroe, who claims he was fired after requesting payment for his work. Monroe alleges that, in August 2021, West agreed to pay him $30 per hour for security services at a Malibu property, but he was dismissed in October 2021 without receiving any wages. The lawsuit, filed three years after Monroe's brief employment, seeks unpaid wages, interest and punitive damages. West's Malibu mansion was recently sold for approximately $21 million, substantially less than the $57 million he was rumoured to have paid for it.
The US Second Circuit Appeals Court has denied a bid to halt the auction of Judy Garland's iconic blue and white dress from 'The Wizard Of Oz'. Judges ruled that Barbara Hartke, a retired Chicago public school teacher, lacks standing to claim ownership of the dress that belonged to her late uncle, Reverend Gilbert Hartke, a former professor at the Catholic University Of America. The dress, expected to fetch between $800,000 and $1.2 million at auction, had been temporarily blocked from sale. Anthony Scordo, Hartke's attorney, says, "There's really no legitimate claim by either the university or the auction house".
Streaming, Digital, Broadcast & Retail
RoEx has published research findings on audio quality issues in mixed and mastered tracks, based on analysis of over 200,000 tracks across 30 genres. The study revealed that 92% of mastered tracks exceed Apple Music's recommended loudness levels, while 79% surpass Spotify's guidelines. Clipping issues were found in 57% of mastered recordings, with electronic genres particularly affected. David Ronan, CEO of RoEx, says, "The music production process for DIY artists can be overwhelming - from writing and recording to arranging and mixing. With so many moving parts, the crucial final step of ensuring the mix is polished, mastered and ready for release is often overlooked".
YouTube has announced that YouTube Shorts will be extended to a maximum length of three minutes, from 15 Oct. The update, which applies to square or taller aspect ratio videos, follows a similar move by TikTok in 2023. YouTube says this was a "top requested feature from creators", making it a focus for release. Additional features coming to Shorts include the ability to remix clips from other YouTube content and a new trending page for mobile users. YouTube is also introducing an option to "Show Fewer Shorts" in the settings menu, which will temporarily reduce the number of Shorts appearing in users' Home feeds.
Coldplay has kicked off promotional activity for their new album 'Moon Music', including campaigns on TikTok and Roblox. The in-app initiative allows fans to explore band content, shop for merchandise on TikTok Shop in the US, and earn a Coldplay-themed profile frame by completing tasks such as adding the single 'ALL MY LOVE' to their preferred streaming app. Fans can also participate in a #MoonMusic hashtag challenge for a chance to be featured in the official Fan Spotlight. Alice Razack, Music Partnerships Manager at TikTok, says, "We are delighted to partner with Coldplay to celebrate the launch of their highly anticipated album, ‘MOON MUSIC’. As one of the most influential and iconic bands to emerge from the UK, Coldplay has continually pushed creative boundaries with enormous support from the global TikTok community". On Roblox, the band’s record company Warner has partnered with metaverse firm Gamefam to integrate Coldplay-themed elements into four existing games, including ‘Car Dealership Tycoon’ and ‘Tower Of Misery’. Fans can unlock virtual items across these games, with a 'Coldplay Angel Moon Head' available for completing challenges in all four experiences.
Shaquille O'Neal - under his DJ Diesel moniker - made his debut in Fortnite on Friday, with two unlockable outfits - including a DJ Diesel outfit, which reacts to eliminations, and a Super Shaq outfit with seven colour options - as well as matching in-game cosmetics. O'Neal says, "I conquered the court, rocked stadiums, and now it's time to dominate Fortnite! Each chapter of my career has been about breaking boundaries and creating epic experiences through sports, music and entertainment that bring people together."
Meta has unveiled Meta Movie Gen, a new generative AI model for creating image, video and audio content. The technology, driven by text prompts, can produce videos up to 45 seconds long with synchronised ambient sound, sound effects and instrumental background music. Meta says, "Generative AI isn't a replacement for the work of artists and animators. We're sharing this research because we believe in the power of this technology to help people express themselves in new ways". The company's research paper indicates the audio generation model was trained on approximately one million hours of audio, though specific details about the training material were not disclosed.
Spotify has highlighted the growing importance of video for podcasters in its annual Fan Study. Maya Prohovnik, VP Of Podcast Product at Spotify, notes that including video helps podcasters find audiences faster. "More podcast consumers are choosing video over audio, they stick around longer with video versus audio-only episodes, and they increasingly expect to be able to choose between watching or listening when they're consuming a podcast", Prohovnik says. She adds that Spotify will nevertheless "always be an audio-first platform, just like we'll always be a music-first platform". Prohovnik also emphasised Spotify's continued support for open RSS, stating, "We plan to continue supporting both on and off-platform distribution for shows that are hosted with Spotify as well as allowing podcasters to keep distributing their content to Spotify from other hosts over RSS".
Live
James Blake has criticised the live music industry's data practices, saying artists are struggling to promote shows due to lack of access to fan contact information. The musician says, "Every show I've ever done for thirteen years a company has taken the 'data' - ie email addresses/phone numbers of my fans". Blake argues that ticketing companies, promoters, and record labels have built "huge piles of data" to market other shows, while artists who were unaware of the importance of this information now face difficulties promoting their events. He adds, "I'd liken it to a heist", comparing the situation to how streaming has impacted artists' income from recorded music.
The Eagles have extended their residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas until February 2025, adding four new dates. The band have announced that they will perform additional shows on 14, 15, 21 and 22 Feb, bringing their total upcoming dates at the venue to 24. Tickets for the newly announced shows will go on sale on 11 Oct. The extension continues the band's 'Long Goodbye' farewell tour, which began in September last year. The Sphere says the additional dates were added due to "overwhelming demand" for the residency.
Pollstar has reported that the top 100 global tours have generated a record-setting $5.68 billion gross across 44.9 million tickets sold between November 2023 and August 2024, representing increases of 14.1% and 2.6% respectively compared to the same period last year. The average gross per tour rose 6.8% to $1.87 million, while the average number of tickets sold per concert decreased by 3.9% to 14,766. Luminate, the data analytics company, notes that for the first time since it began tracking quarterly live music consumer data, Gen Z spent the most on concerts out of all generations in Q2 2024, outpacing the average US music listener in monthly spending by more than 23%.
MJ Lenderman has postponed several US tour dates due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The musician's 'Manning Fireworks' tour was set to begin in Georgia on 3 Oct, but dates in Atlanta and Nashville have been delayed due to the hurricane's impact on the southeastern US. Lenderman says, "Due to the ongoing natural disaster and humanitarian crisis in Western North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Helene, where most of MJ Lenderman's band and their families are based, we have no choice but to postpone the first few dates of the upcoming ‘Manning Fireworks’ tour." The tour will now start on 6 Oct in Knoxville, with rescheduled dates for the affected cities to be announced soon.
Irving Azoff-founded venue outfit Oak View Group has partnered with Abu Dhabi-based venue manager and event promoter Ethara to co-manage two landmark UAE venues. The collaboration will oversee the House Of Sustainability in Dubai and Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, expanding OVG's presence in the Middle East. Zayed Sports City, the UAE's largest stadium with 45,000 seats, has hosted major international football events and is set to welcome Coldplay for a concert in January 2025. The House Of Sustainability, formerly the UAE Pavilion, features a 200-capacity auditorium and is certified LEED Platinum. Jessica Koravos, OVG International President, says, "[The two venues] embody excellence in their respective domains with Zayed Sports City's rich heritage of world-class sporting and entertainment events, and the House Of Sustainability with its groundbreaking design."
Other Industry News & Events
SCAPR, the global organisation for performer collecting societies, has reported an 8.5% year-on-year increase in collections to €955 million in 2023, up from €880 million in 2022 and €800 million in 2021, with its members paying out €633 million to performers, a 1.7% decrease from the previous year. That’s despite a significant jump - 20% - in the number of performers receiving payments, which now totals 588,000. The group’s members saw a sharp uptick in public performance royalties, which rose 24% to €294 million, as well as digital revenues, which increased 30% to €68 million. TV broadcasting collections grew 17% to €146 million, while radio remained flat at €144 million. Private copying collections dropped 11% to €188 million, while rental and lending income was down 36% to just €3.9 million, which the organisation says reflects “a general decline of this type of media consumption”. SCAPR members allocated €67.3 million to support cultural and social activities in their respective territories, while SCAPR itself says that it “facilitated the exchange of €191 million within its membership”, which the organisation says demonstrates “the strength of SCAPR’s collaborative framework and its critical role in ensuring the smooth and efficient transfer of royalties across borders”.
Peermusic has seen significant growth in Asia and Latin America, with these regions now accounting for 25% of the company's net publisher's share, says Mary Megan Peer, CEO of Peermusic in an interview with Music Ally’s Eamonn Forde. The company's revenues in Asia have increased more than five fold in the past decade, with South Korea becoming a key market following Peermusic's acquisition of local independent publisher Music Cube in 2016. Peer notes that physical sales remain important in South Korea, accounting for 37% of the company's income in the country compared to 10% globally. "The fandom culture is really important there", she says. Peer also highlights the growing influence of K-pop on global songwriting structures, adding, "We're seeing that become part of the rubric of songs that I am sure will happen to everyone at some point".
EMPIRE founder and CEO Ghazi Shami has made it clear that the company is not for sale. Speaking during a panel at the Trapital Summit on 3 Oct in Hollywood, Shami told Trapital founder Dan Runcie, "I haven't gotten any phone calls. Because everybody knows I'm not for sale. Period. I am dead serious. I am living my purpose. There's no price on that". The declaration comes amidst a flurry of deal chatter in the distribution space, including rumours that Downtown is exploring a sale and, of course, Warner’s ill-fated sniffing around Believe, followed by its appointment of ex-Goldman Sachs banker Michael Ryan-Southern to identify distribution businesses it could gobble up.
The New York Times has published photos of Republican Congressman Mike Lawler wearing blackface at a Halloween party in 2006. The images show Lawler, then 20 years old, dressed as Michael Jackson. Lawler, who is running for re-election in New York’s 17th congressional district, did not dispute the photos' authenticity, telling NYT, "The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind. Let me be clear, this is not that”. He added, "My costume was intended as the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to one of my childhood idols since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my Mom's kitchen. I am a student of history and for anyone who takes offence to the photo, I am sorry. All you can do is live and learn".
Spring Tank Studios, a new non-profit music space, is set to open in Sheffield. Located on Randall Street, opposite Bramall Lane football stadium, the facility will offer access to music production equipment, CDJs, rehearsal rooms and recording rooms. The team behind Spring Tank Studios says, "Our goal is to build a vibrant hub where musicians and creatives can connect - —beyond just the late-night dance floors". The studio plans to reinvest any profits into improving equipment and offer free music projects for the local community, as well as specialised workshops for people from marginalised backgrounds. An open day is scheduled for 19 Oct, where people of all ages can explore the studios and try out the equipment for the first time.
John Boyega has been cast as Otis Redding in an upcoming biopic 'Otis & Zelma'. The film will chronicle the life and career of the soul musician and his relationship with his wife Zelma, portrayed by Danielle Deadwyler, focusing on the couple's decade-long relationship and Zelma's efforts to preserve Redding's musical legacy following his untimely death in 1967 at the age of 26. The project says it has the full support of Zelma Redding and the Otis Redding estate, with Boyega and Deadwyler also serving as executive producers.
Artist News
You have to give some credit to Peter André: he puts in the hours. After a recent “bizarre” appearance at the Tory party conference, he’s embarking on a gruelling UK tour that will see him deliver 56 shows in 41 towns and cities across the UK in just 54 days, singing his way through the Frankie Valli songbook. The singer - who has been a regular guest presenter on gammontastic GB News - was the surprise guest at a Tory party conference bash organised by UK Music and TikTok. His performance saw him lead a conga line through swathes of depressed looking former cabinet ministers and party lackeys before jumping up on a table to gyrate to ‘Mysterious Girl’. He then made a beeline for Thérèse Coffey to serenade her with ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ only to leg it out through a fire escape as soon as his slot finished.
David Gilmour has spoken out about the state of the music industry, saying that "the rich and the powerful have siphoned off the majority of music industry money". In a Q&A with The Guardian the Pink Floyd guitarist expressed support for measures to help working musicians, noting, "The working musician today has to go out and play live – they can't survive any other way". Gilmour also discussed his new album 'Luck And Strange', produced by Charlie Andrew, saying, "The feeling of listening through my new album in the control room, when it was all finished and tied together, was not unlike the same moment of listening through 'The Dark Side Of The Moon' at Abbey Road in 1973". Asked about the possibility of reuniting on stage with bandmate Roger Waters, he says “absolutely not”, adding "I tend to steer clear of people who actively support genocidal and autocratic dictators like Putin and Maduro". The ongoing feud between Gilmour and Waters was widely believed to have held up negotiations over the recently announced $400 million deal that saw Sony Music acquire the rights to the band’s recordings, name and likeness.
Dolly Parton has donated over $1 million to support victims of Hurricane Helene in Tennessee. The country music icon allocated the funds to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a charity providing immediate assistance to flood victims. Parton's east Tennessee businesses, including Dollywood Parks & Resorts, are working with her Dollywood Foundation to match the contribution with an additional $1 million donation. "This is my home," Parton says, "This is a time for me to step up again, for all of us to step up and do what we can." The singer announced the donation at a Walmart event in Newport, Tennessee on Friday, where she also revealed plans for her businesses to partner with the retail giant in providing relief for the Appalachian region.
Donald Glover has cancelled the remainder of his Childish Gambino 2024 tour dates in North America and the UK/Europe due to an unspecified medical condition requiring surgery. The musician announced the cancellation on Friday, following the postponement of his North American tour in September. Glover says, "After my show in New Orleans, I went to the hospital in Houston to make sure of an ailment that had become apparent. After being assesed, it became clear I would not perform that night, and after more tests, I could not perform the rest of the US tour". He adds, "As of now I have surgery scheduled and need time out to heal. My path to recovery is something I need to confront seriously." The cancellation affects all remaining North American dates as well as the European leg of the tour, which was scheduled to begin on 31 Oct. Refunds will be issued for all unfulfilled shows.
Oasis has announced plans for an extensive merchandise line to accompany their upcoming tour. According to a source quoted in The Sun, the band has “big plans for merchandise. Millions of people wanted to get tickets to the shows and Oasis know they'll also be splashing the cash on branded stuff”. That “branded stuff” could apparently include “clothes pegs and christmas wreaths, deodorants and moisturisers”.
Zach Bryan has said that he won’t submit his music for consideration in any category for the 2025 Grammy Awards, including rock and country. The 'Something In The Orange' singer's decision comes despite winning his first Grammy for best country duo/group performance in February 2024. Sources told Variety that Bryan feels "uncomfortable" with awards shows making music competitive. The country artist joins Drake and The Weeknd in boycotting the Recording Academy process, with The Weeknd previously stating that the Grammys "remain corrupt".
Laurent Garnier has been enlisted to create a special edition of the 'fabric Presents' mix compilation series, celebrating the iconic London club's 25th anniversary. Set for release digitally and on CD on 29 Nov, the compilation has been a year in the making, according to fabric. The release will include a special four-track EP by Garnier and will be launched at the club with a party on 7 Dec featuring sets from the French DJ, along with Ron Trent, Works Of Intent and others. "When I (first) saw Room 2 with its open DJ booth, I thought this is definitely for me. It's a small room and a really nice booth close to the crowd. I'm a dancer so I like to be involved, together with the people", says Garnier.
John Digweed has shared a health update after being hospitalised for ten days, forcing him to cancel shows in Guadalajara, Mexico City and Dallas. The UK DJ took to Instagram to inform fans of his recovery, stating, "No more IVs". Digweed expressed gratitude to the medical staff, saying, "I would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who have taken amazing care of me over the last ten days. They have been truly amazing, especially when [I'm] so far from home". He also acknowledged fan support, adding, "Thanks for all the kind words and support. It really helped me get through my time in hospital".
Bruce Springsteen has announced his intention to vote for Kamala Harris in the upcoming US presidential election. In a social media video, Springsteen described the election as "one of the most consequential elections in our nation's history," adding, "Perhaps not since the Civil War has this country felt as politically, spiritually and emotionally divided as it does at this moment". The musician criticised Donald Trump, calling him "the most dangerous candidate for president in my lifetime" and argued that Trump's "disdain for the sanctity of our constitution, the sanctity of democracy, the sanctity of the rule of law, and the sanctity of the peaceful transfer of power should disqualify him from the office of president ever again". Springsteen said, "Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are committed to a vision of this country that respects and includes everyone, regardless of class, religion, race, your political point of view or sexual identity".
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes have announced they are taking a hiatus after completing their upcoming UK and European tour. The band shared the news via Instagram, stating, "Nine years, five albums, hundreds of stages shared all over the world and our songs sung with each and every one of you. It is with sadness we announce that The Rattlesnakes are taking a hiatus". The group, formed in 2015, has released five albums, with their latest, 'Dark Rainbow', arriving in January 2024.
HYBE and BTS have partnered with South Korea’s National Museum Cultural Foundation to release a new merchandise series blending traditional Korean culture with K-pop influences. The 2024 ‘Dalmajung BTS X MU:DS’ collection, which launched last week, features designs inspired by six national treasure-level artifacts from the National Museum Of Korea. The collaboration includes fourteen products incorporating motifs from museum pieces such as the Pensive Bodhisattva and a white-glazed moon jar, combined with BTS branding and lyrics from songs like 'Yet To Come' and 'Mikrokosmos'. HYBE says, "It marks the third installment in the 'Dalmajung' series, following the group's previous releases in 2021 and 2022 as part of efforts to integrate traditional Korean culture into its global brand".
Perrie Edwards has criticised TikTok's impact on the music industry, saying it is "effing up everyone's attention spans" and "killing the music industry". The former Little Mix member told Euphoria magazine that music executives suggested trimming her new song 'You Go Your Way' to two minutes to appeal to users of the social media platform. Edwards, says, "People don't wanna hold a conversation for longer than five seconds because they'd rather swipe to the next thing". She adds, "When we first came out, we were in HMV every other week doing signings. People were buying our albums, buying our songs. Streaming wasn't even a thing".