Italian parliament green lights proposed ticket tout ban
Italy's Chamber Of Deputies has approved an amendment to the country's 2017 budget law that will basically outlaw ticket touting in the country, according to IQ.

As previously reported, the campaign against secondary ticketing in Italy has gained momentum very quickly, with live industry trade group Assomusica speaking out in October, and then political support for new regulation spiking in the wake of a TV exposé of the ticket resale market last month. That exposé included the boss of the local division of Live Nation admitting it had provided a small number of tickets for Italian shows by international acts directly to secondary sites.

Actually, the proposed new anti-tout law wouldn't necessarily stop companies like Live Nation from putting tickets onto secondary sites, in that it will basically make it illegal for anyone but a promoter or an official agent of that promoter to sell tickets to events. Though a major crackdown on touting might make those within the music industry who also sell via the secondary sites less likely to do so.

Like similar anti-tout laws in France, the new Italian regulations would allow individuals to resell tickets they bought but no longer need. But the new law in Italy nevertheless has the potential to be the most draconian anti-tout regulation in the world, with fines of up to 180,000 euros for those who break the rules, and liabilities and penalties for any resale sites that facilitate illegal touting, including, ultimately, web-blocking.

There are still a few more formalities to be completed for the tout ban to actually become law, though IQ quotes a source who reckons that should all now happen without a hitch. Though if an upcoming referendum on constitutional reform in the country results in a "no" vote, wider political upheaval could slow things down. If it does become law, the next test will be to see how proactive the state is in actually enforcing the ban.

Back in the UK more modest regulatory reforms are on the table, of course, with moves to ban the use of 'bots' by touts to hoover up tickets from primary ticketing sites now widely supported in Westminster. Meanwhile, the BBC says that tax authority HMRC is now expected to investigate under-reporting of revenues by some industrial-level touts, something called for by the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee in Parliament following its recent hearing on all things secondary ticketing.

Former radio DJ denies assaulting Taylor Swift at meet and greet
Former radio DJ David Mueller has spoken for the first time about the assault claim made against him by Taylor Swift, which has led to an ongoing legal battle. In an interview this week, he denied her claim that he grabbed her bottom.

The alleged incident occurred backstage at a show in Detroit in 2013, during a meet and greet with fans. Mueller actually went legal first, in 2015, suing the musician for defamation after he lost his job on a local radio station two days after meeting Swift. He claims that a complaint from her security team directly led to him being fired. Swift countersued for assault and battery.

In a deposition obtained by Billboard earlier this year, Swift said: "Right as the moment came for us to pose for the photo, he took his hand and put it up my dress and grabbed onto my ass cheek and no matter how much I scooted over it was still there. It was completely intentional, I've never been so sure of anything in my life".

Although the photograph in question was sealed by the court, TMZ earlier this month shared a picture of Swift, Mueller and his girlfriend Shannon Melcher. Appearing on the 955 Detroit radio station to speak about the photo, Mueller admitted that he had touched Swift during the encounter, but insisted that it had been accidental.

"I'm looking at the photographer and I'm trying to get my right hand, you know, behind Taylor, because Shannon was on the other side of Taylor", he said, according to Page Six. "My other hand I think was just on my belt or on my pocket, my left hand. So my right hand, I've got my hand closed and my palm down, and I reach behind, toward Taylor. Our hands touched and our arms crossed. That's all I remember. My hand was not touching her body. My hand was never under her skirt. I never grabbed her. My hand was not open".

Swift's security guard Greg Dent has said that Mueller actually grabbed Swift "before the photo was taken", reports BBC Newsbeat, adding that "she reacted, pushed her skirt down, and jumped to the side and went closer to the girl that was with him".

Mueller now says that he wishes he had received a criminal charge over the incident so that he would get "a chance to defend myself".

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China denies banning K-pop in dispute over missile defences
The Chinese government has denied claims that it has banned K-pop in retaliation for South Korea's decision to install a new missile defence system.

The South China Morning Post reported last week that all South Korean cultural imports have been banned as a result of political tensions between the two countries, with fines for any Chinese company that does not comply.

Meanwhile, the Chinese culture ministry has confirmed that no Korean singers have been approved to perform in the country since October.

China is a key territory for exports of South Korean music and television, so any official boycott would be problematic for those industries in the country. However, the Korea Times reports that China's foreign ministry has now denied that there is any explicit ban in place.

Labels continue invest the most into new music, say the labels
Record companies continue to invest loads into new music, so you can shut up with all your moaning, you ungrateful moaning moaners. I'm paraphrasing slightly, but that's usually the implied conclusion of the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry's annual 'Investing In Music' report, and this year's edition, published yesterday, is no different.

Overall, record companies invest 27% of their revenues back into A&R and marketing, says the report, which equated to $4.5 billion in 2015. This spend is all about "discovering, nurturing and promoting artists" adds the IFPI, and, please note everybody, "record companies sustained this level of annual investment even as the industry weathered two decades of revenue decline".

If you're sitting there all smug and self-righteous thinking, "well, yes, OK, revenues tanked in the 2000s, but digital is way more profitable for labels, so it's not quite so grim out there as it sometimes looks", well, please remember the cost of maintaining the digital music infrastructure. Don't forget that, whatever you do. "Music companies also invest, along with distributors, in developing the infrastructure of the digital market, servicing more than 360 digital music sites globally with more than 40 million tracks", says the IFPI.

Actual A&R spend constitutes 16.9% of revenues which - if you're willing to classify that slightly nebulous budget line as 'research and development' - and it's certainly true that label spend on brand new artists is a highly risky investment - means the record industry invests more in R&D, as a proportion of income, than "all the leading sectors included in EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard 2015".

So there you go. The IFPI worked with indie-label-repping WIN on this particular report, and the bosses of the two organisations - Frances Moore and Alison Wenham - spoke in perfect unison yesterday, remarking: "'Investing In Music' highlights not just record companies' financial investment in artists, but also the enduring value they bring to artists' careers".

The went on: "In the digital world, the nature of their work has evolved, but [labels'] core mission remains the same: discovering and breaking new artists, building their careers and bringing the best new music to fans. These are the defining qualities of record companies' investment in music".

Ad-Rock designs trainers for Keep, profits to Planned Parenthood
Beastie Boys' Ad-Rock has design a new pair of trainers for vegan shoe company Keep, with profits set to be donated to sexual health service Planned Parenthood.

"Winter's cold and I couldn't find a warm sneaker to walk around in", says the musician. "Given the outcome of our current election, it's gonna get a lot colder before we can feel that summer sun again. So I collaborated with my friend Una [Kim, founder of] Keep shoes, not just because I wanted warm sneaks, but because I support small business. I support women-run business. I support Asian-American run business".

He continues: "Net proceeds of this shoe will be donated to Planned Parenthood because I support a woman's right to choose and feel that women should not be punished for making decisions about their own lives and bodies. If you have similar beliefs, you might wanna grab a pair. Or, if you simply support fresh styles, then you too can be part of what peeps in Keeps are doing".

Have a look at the shoes here.

PledgeMusic co-founder Malcolm Dunbar re-signs to company, expands role
PledgeMusic co-founder Malcolm Dunbar has signed a new long-term deal to stay with the direct-to-fan business, an arrangement that will see him continue as UK & Europe President, as well as taking on some new international duties.

Dunbar, alongside other co-founder Benji Rogers, provides continuity at the company that has seen a number of executive changes at the top in the last year or so, including the appointment of new CEO Dominic Pandiscia and the increased involvement of board member Russell Rieger, who heads up the entertainment division at one of the firm's key investors Magna.

Confirming the new deal with Dunbar, Pandiscia said: "Malcolm Dunbar has done an outstanding job of building and growing the vision for PledgeMusic in the UK and beyond. The partnerships he has developed and results delivered this year are remarkable. It's been a privilege working with Malcolm and his team as we forge an incredible future for PledgeMusic and I look forward to continued success".

Dunbar himself added: "Dominic, Russell and Magna have brought a new level ambition to PledgeMusic with their entrepreneurial approach and support, deep industry ties, and experience and knowledge of the US market. PledgeMusic moves onwards and upwards under their guidance".

Prince documentary due in 2017
A new documentary on the career of Prince, called 'R U Listening?', is set to be released next year, according to Screen Daily.

Directed and produced by Michael Kirk, the film will feature interviews with numerous Prince collaborators, as well as Bono, Mick Jagger, Billy Idol and Lenny Kravitz, among others.

The release of the film is likely to coincide with the first anniversary of the musician's death in April. As previously reported, that anniversary will also be marked with a four day festival at Prince's Paisley Park complex, with performances from many of his former collaborators, and more.

The Saturdays' Una Healy announces solo shows in London and Dublin
The Saturdays' Una Healy will play two low-key shows in London and Dublin in February. The performances will coincide with the release of her debut solo album, 'The Waiting Game'.

"I am so excited to take my brand new album 'The Waiting Game' live to the stage for my very own headline shows in Dublin and London", says Healy. "I can't wait to hit the road with my live band and hope to see you there!"

She will play St Pancras Old Church in London on 15 Feb, followed by The Sugar Club in Dublin on 16 Feb. Tickets for the shows went on sale this morning.

Here's the album's title track.

Spotify, Childish Gambino, Tove Lo, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Spotify has launched its latest thing, Singles. The series features artists turning up to the streaming service's own studios to record one of their own songs plus a cover. The feature launches with 20 artists, including John Legend, Tove Lo and Andrew Bird. Listen here.

• Music-savvy marketing agency Frukt has named Shirley Richter Hughes the new Managing Director of its US operations. Hap Deneen is promoted to SVP and Jesus Gonzalez joins as VP Music Partnerships. "We are THRILLED to have our US leadership team in place", says Frukt Global MD Dom Hodge.

• Childish Gambino's new album will be available in "Virtual reality limited edition vinyl". What does that mean? Who knows, his website doesn't really explain. Let's all pre-order it anyway.

• Tove Lo has released the video for 'True Disaster', taken from her new album, 'Lady Wood'. The clip has been scooped out of her previously released short film, 'Fairy Dust'.

• Craig David has released the video for his new single 'Change My Love'.

• Loyle Carner has released the video for his latest single, 'The Isle Of Arran'.

• Gaika has released the video for 'Glad We Found It', taken from new EP 'Spaghetto'. Catch him live at Corisca Studios in London tonight.

• Michael Kiwanuka has cancelled his North American tour. The shows were due to begin in Philadelphia last Sunday, but initial dates were pulled. A statement says that Kiwanuka "has vocal damage and has been diagnosed with tonsillitis and under doctor's orders, is unable to perform".

• Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar and Radiohead are reportedly headlining Coachella next year.

• Muse have been announced as the first headliner for next year's Reading and Leeds festivals.

• Primavera has announced its initial line-up for 31 May-4 Jun next year, with Frank Ocean, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, The xx, Aphex Twin, Grace Jones, Slayer, Solange and Van Morrison among the performers.

• Ahead of a sold out show at The Scala tonight, Honeyblood have announced that they will play Koko in Camden on 16 Jun next year.

It's official, Bieber has spoken and "hell is Instagram"
Sorry Sartre, "hell is other people" was a nice line and all that, but you're wrong. Hell, it turns out, is Instagram. I have this on very good authority indeed: from the mouth of the pop messiah himself, Master Justin Bieber. True, he then footnoted his messianic fact with a 10% margin of error. But in this post-fact age, a 90% fact is pretty good going I reckon. Especially when it comes from such a holy source.

"Who thinks I should get my Instagram back?" the Biebster asked fans at the final date of his European tour in London this week. They just screamed, disobeying the First Commandment Of Bieber, which wasn't a very good strategy if said fans were hoping to persuade their pop god to return to the picture-posting social network that he decided to shun back in August.

"Nah, I don't want to get my Instagram back", he countered. "I think hell is Instagram", he then declared, in what some scholars are already dubbing the Revelation Of Bieber. Though he then added "I'm 90% sure", a statement likely to keep the theologians debating for decades to come. But, despite that glimmer of doubt, he nevertheless concluded: "We get sent to hell, we get like locked in the Instagram server". Good to know.

The singer then threatened to spend his Christmas break taking loads of photos and not sharing any of them with his fans. But will he really be able to resist the temptation to post just one little pic onto the net once he has more time on his hands? That, I guess, will be the Last Temptation Of Bieber. After which, I think, Armageddon can begin, and given the events of 2016, I think we can all agree that's something to look forward to.