APPOINTMENTS
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Music promotions agency Plugged In has hired Alice Mortimer to head up its new publicity department. “We’ve been fans of Alice’s work for some time, having had the pleasure of working alongside her on artist campaigns during which we’ve been impressed by how thorough, professional and tenacious she is when it comes to securing exposure for her artists”, says MD James Passmore.
LABELS & PUBLISHERS
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US collecting society ASCAP has announced 2023 revenues of $1.737 billion, up 14.1% year-on-year. $1.592 billion of that will be paid out in royalties to its writer and publisher partners. “We are delivering industry-leading technical innovation, legislative advocacy and revenue growth that solely benefits our members, not outside investors or shareholders”, says chief exec Elizabeth Matthews, taking a stab at now private equity owned rival BMI.
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Artist marketing platform un:hurd has raised new funding from Kobalt Music founder Willard Ahdritz, Musiiio co-founder Hazel Savage, Nigerian musician Mr Eazi, and producer Sam Feldt. Ahdritz says he has “very much enjoyed the last twelve months” working with founder Alex Brees and his team, adding, “I wanted to step up on my commitment to un:hurd to support the new developments that have the potential to change the game for independent artists in the marketplace”.
AWARDS
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The Artist & Manager Awards, presented by the MMF and FAC, will return to London’s Bloomsbury Big Top on Thursday 21 Nov 2024. “The Artist & Manager Awards is a real high point in the calendar”, say MMF CEO Annabella Coldrick and FAC CEO David Martin. “It’s a particularly busy time of year, so we’re encouraging all to save the date now for 2024’s ceremony and look forward to delivering another special celebration of our community. Please get in touch now if you wish to sponsor an award or reserve a table”.
ARTISTS NEWS
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The estate of Sinéad O’Connor and Chrysalis Records have issued a joint statement urging Donald Trump to stop using ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ at his political rallies. “It is no exaggeration to say that Sinéad would have been disgusted, hurt and insulted to have her work misrepresented in this way by someone who she herself referred to as a ‘biblical devil’”, they say. “As the guardians of her legacy, we demand that Donald Trump and his associates desist from using her music immediately”.
GIGS & FESTIVALS
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Brixton Academy has announced its first show since being forced to close in December 2022 after a fatal crowd crush incident. The gig, on 19 Apr, will feature four tribute acts playing the hits of Foo Fighters, Oasis, The Smiths and Nirvana. Tickets will go on general sale on Friday.
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Killer Mike has announced UK shows in Glasgow, London and Manchester this August. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.
RELEASES
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Tomorrow X Together have announced that they will release new mini-album ‘Minisode 3: Tomorrow’ on 1 Apr. Here's a short trailer, if that’s your sort of thing.
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Pelican have put out new two track EP ‘Tending The Embers’. It’s their first music with original guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec since 2012.
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Laura J Martin has released new single ‘Prepared’. Her new album of the same name is out on 17 May.