MONDAY 2 OCTOBER 2017 | COMPLETEMUSICUPDATE.COM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
TODAY'S TOP STORY: Over 20 people are dead and more than 100 wounded following a shooting at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas. Police have said that a suspect is also dead... [READ MORE] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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More than 20 killed in Las Vegas country music festival shooting Shooting seemingly began as final night headliner Jason Aldean began his performance at the Mandalay Bay casino. As crowds attempted to find safety, there were reports of multiple shooters. However, police have said that they now believe one man to be responsible. He has not yet been named, but it has been reported that he is a local resident. Police said that they 'engaged' a man on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel in a confrontation which left him dead. They are also seeking a woman, named as Marilou Danley, in relation to the incident. The three day outdoor festival began on Friday, with performances from country stars including Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Maren Morris and Lauren Alaina. In a post on Instagram, Aldean said: "Tonight has been beyond horrific. I still don't know what to say but wanted to let everyone know that me and my crew are safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved tonight. It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night". Flights from the nearby McCarran International Airport were halted during the incident, with limited activity now resumed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Guvera execs to be questioned under oath at liquidators 'public examination' Co-founders Darren Herft and Claes Loberg are likely to be questioned under oath about the Guvera business, which began to fall apart after a failed attempt to IPO on the Australian stock exchange in June last year. The company - which had long argued that the digital music sector had yet to fully capitalise on the potential of ad-funded streaming - finally shut its doors earlier this year, having already gone offline in various markets. According to The Australian, liquidator Eddie Senatore - from Deloitte - has said he plans to hold public examinations as part of his work on the Guvera liquidation "as a result of the complexities surrounding the intercompany arrangements of the Guvera group". He added that "one of the outcomes of this public examination should be to provide some impactful and valuable insights into these issues as they relate to the collapse of the Guvera group, and business development more generally". In addition to Herft and Loberg, an assortment of other people linked to Guvera could be called to give evidence. Various former directors of the company are likely to be questioned, along with the company's Chief Financial Officer, and lawyers and accountants who provided services to the business. As previously reported, there has been some criticism of the way Guvera raised money via investment firm Amma Private Equity, where Herft also had a role. The Australian Securities And Investments Commission expressed concerns about the fundraising methods allegedly used by the streaming firm in a letter to the Institute Of Public Accountants in July. The public examinations into Guvera are scheduled to take place on 14 and 17 Nov. -------------------------------------------------- Spinal Tap litigation to proceed, though some new paperwork is required first As previously reported, Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Rob Reiner all accuse Vivendi - which controls the 'Spinal Tap' movie via its StudioCanal business and the soundtrack via Universal Music - of misreporting financial information about the cult film and its spin offs in order to short-change the four creators who had a profit-share arrangement with the original producer. After Guest, McKean and Reiner all followed Shearer's lead in suing the French entertainment conglomerate, the four men subsequently claimed that Vivendi "wilfully manipulated certain accounting data, while ignoring contractually-obligated accounting and reporting processes, to deny [the] co-creators their rightful stake in the production's profits". For its part, Vivendi has dubbed the 'Spinal Tap' litigation as "absurd" and sought to have the case dismissed. The entertainment giant did score some wins in last week's ruling, in that the judge ruled that the 'Spinal Tap' creators had not provided enough evidence regarding their specific accusations of fraud. Judge Dolly Gee said that although the four men had "vaguely alleged the elements of a fraud claim, they have failed to plead sufficient facts". However, the fraud claims can still be amended to overcome those weaknesses. Meanwhile, Gee also dismissed the cases being pursued by Shearer, McKean and Reiner, but only because they had sued through the companies they use for their creative projects rather than as individuals. Guest filed his litigation in his own right and that case has been allowed to proceed. Shearer, McKean and Reiner are now expected to re-file their lawsuits without their company names on the paperwork. This means, despite the set backs, the 'Spinal Tap' four saw last week's ruling as a positive, in that the core of their case against Vivendi has been allowed to proceed. Indeed, legal rep Peter Haviland declared that "this ruling is an important victory". This optimism, Haviland said, was justified because, by refusing to dismiss his clients' case against Vivendi out right, the judge had ratified "a critical contractual right for artists". He went on: "Even in studio-drafted contracts containing a 'No Third Party Beneficiary Clause', artists may be determined by a court to be third party beneficiaries who have the right to sue for wrongdoing, notwithstanding such contractual clauses". Concluding, Haviland said: "The court has invited us to amend our complaint to clarify the individual rights of each of the co-creators, and we will do so promptly. We will also be adding further facts to highlight Vivendi's history of fraud in this case, and to address equally important issues of copyright reversion and so-called 'works for hire'". Welcoming the ruling, Shearer said: "Vivendi thought we would be made to go away. Well, not today, not tomorrow, nor the next day. England's loudest band will be heard. But today is a good day not just for us, but for all aggrieved creative artists". Guest added: "We're doing the right thing, and most importantly, we are setting a precedent for similarly aggrieved artists who can't afford to do this themselves. We're sending a message not just to Vivendi, but to the so-called Hollywood accounting cabal as a whole: treat creators from the outset with genuine fairness and respect". | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Glassnote allies with US indie Spacebomb The alliance has been struck between Spacebomb and Glassnote's Resolved Records business, which was set up three years ago to "offer individualised support and services to entertainment entrepreneurs, emerging producers and independent labels". Under the arrangement, Resolved Records will provide financial, marketing and industry expertise to the various Spacebomb companies, which will also get to collaborate with the rest of the Glassnote Group, including its label, publisher and artist management wing. Says Glassnote boss Daniel Glass of his new ally: "Spacebomb is truly unique, with an exceptional studio and a creative house band of musicians at its heart, much like legendary record labels like Stax and Motown". Spacebomb founder Matthew E White adds: "Everything I imagine at Spacebomb is driven by my hunger to make courageous, well crafted, art. Daniel and his team recognise that, welcome it, and encourage it. It is tremendously exciting to work with a partner who believes so clearly, and holistically in what we do". While Glass says of the Spacebomb deal: "Matthew and his team have already created their own instantly recognisable sound and we're THRILLED to work with them to expand their reach and horizons, and to introduce new artists to this new fantastically creative hub". | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gorgon City launch new record label, Realm The label will focus on underground and club-focussed tracks of the sort that feature in the duo's DJ sets and on their Kingdom radio show. The first track to be released by the new venture is by... Gorgon City. What a coup! The track, 'Primal Call', has been appearing in their DJ sets at Amnesia in Ibiza over the summer. "We've been planning to launch our imprint for a long time and it now feels like the perfect time to release 'Primal Call', after getting great reactions over the summer", say Gorgon City. "We wanted the debut to be a new track from us, to set the vibe of what's to come on the label. We can't wait to release more great music on Realm, so watch this space!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
CMU and Featured Artists Coalition launch new educational programme Aimed primarily at aspiring recording artists and songwriters - and future music industry talent - the first edition of Music:DIY will take place as part of Norwich Sound + Vision at the Norwich Arts Centre on 13 Oct, hosted by CMU's Chris Cooke and featuring fifteen guest interviews and an in-conversation with Blur's Dave Rowntree. Cooke says: "Through CMU:DIY, I've led workshops and seminars for hundreds of young artists in the last couple of years. The artists I've met along the way are very entrepreneurial, and always have lots of questions about the mechanics of the music business. We'll be answering all those questions at Music:DIY, with our talks-and-interviews format specifically designed to ensure we cover all the key topics in a logical order that is easy to follow". "The FAC works for music artists at all stages of their careers", the organisation's CEO Lucie Caswell adds. "Through our young, peer-to-peer initiative the BEAT Board, we are increasingly connecting with great emerging talent all over the country. Most new artists are smart, entrepreneurial, multi-talented and eager to better understand the business side of music so that, when the time is right, they can grow with the right partners in the best possible way. The FAC works to support these artist entrepreneurs from the off and, in collaboration with our industry partners, Music:DIY is a great way to start". Meanwhile, Norwich Sound + Vision producer Rosie Arnold comments: "This year's 2017 programme is our strongest yet and is very much about new and exciting artists. We're back doing what we do best, supporting new talent, showcasing new artists and shining a spotlight on Norwich's creative industries. It's great to be able to team up with CMU and the FAC to host the first ever Music:DIY event as part of this years NS+V programme. The day will be packed with really practical information and advice that will help our local artist community get to grips with the business side of their music". More information and tickets for the first event are available here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Mick Clark dies President of his own company i10 Music Group at the time of his death, Clark also worked at labels including Columbia and Virgin during his career. In his A&R roles, he signed acts including Soul II Soul, Leftfield, Maxi Priest, Loose Ends and Grooverider. Alan McGee, who worked with Mick on a number of projects, said in a statement: "Mick was a musical genius - up until a week ago he was excitedly telling me about some great producer ideas. His sudden passing is a huge shock to me and the many people who loved him". Clark is survived by two sons, Jamie and Callum. Funeral details will be announced shortly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Marilyn Manson cancels shows after being crushed by stage prop The musician was performing at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday when two large guns fitted to scaffolding fell on him, seemingly after he tried to climb them. Video of the incident shows crew immediately run and lift the prop off him, although he does not immediately get up. Manson was taken to hospital and is now reported to be recovering at home. A rep for the musician said that it is hoped the cancelled shows can be rescheduled. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Pearl Jam, Billy Corgan, Kimbra, more Other notable announcements and developments today... Â Pearl Jam will be showing new documentary, 'Let's Play Two', in UK cinemas on 4 Oct. A soundtrack album featuring music from film is also out now. Â Billy Corgan will release a new solo album, 'Ogilala', on 13 Oct, accompanied by a new silent film, 'Pillbox', for which the record forms a soundtrack. Watch the trailer for the film here. Â Kimbra has released new single 'Everybody Knows'. Her third album, 'Primal Heart', will be released next year. Â Frida Sundemo has released the video for new single, 'Gold'. Her international debut album, 'Flashbacks & Futures', will be released on 6 Oct. Â Roger Waters has announced a string of UK arena shows for next summer. His London performance will be as one of the headliners of next year's British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park. Â Former Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison's band Vimic will play a one-off show at the 100 Club in London on 15 Nov. The band's debut album 'Open Your Omen' is set for release next year. Â Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
LCD's Al Doyle calls Irish PM a "tosser" over abortion laws Doyle said that he had put a 'repeal' tote bag around his neck when the Prime Minister had come backstage at the last of the band's three shows at The Olympia in Dublin on Friday, a gesture that apparently prompted the politician to walk away. The 'repeal' bag is in support of the current campaign to repeal Ireland's strict anti-abortion laws, a topic that, Doyle said, bandmate Nancy Whang also "took [the PM] to task" about. "Irish PM Leo Varadkar came backstage", wrote Doyle. "Wore a 'repeal' tote bag around my neck in front of him; he walked away. Tosser". He added: "Nancy totally fucken took him to task as well, it was uncomfortable and awesome". A referendum on Ireland's abortion laws is being planned for next year, but exactly what question will be asked is still not known. Many are calling for an outright repeal of the strict laws, introduced as the Irish constitution's Eighth Amendment after a referendum in 1983. Others are suggesting that a more limited change to the law should be put to the vote - in part because some think that Ireland would not back a complete repeal. Varadkar, who called the referendum, has not yet said whether or not he will campaign in favour of changing the law - refusing to be drawn until the actual wording of the question has been decided. It seems to be this indecision that Doyle and Whang were mainly protesting against. Although the show's promoter Caroline Downey disputed Doyle's version of events, saying that it "did not happen". She also posted a photo of the band meeting Varadkar. Returning to Twitter the following morning, Doyle wrote: "Firstly, we should do our due diligence on any politico types that wanna come backstage. We didn't in this case, and that was lax. Sorry. Secondly, a tote bag round the neck is a crap protest; sorry. But that's all I had to hand, and I was very tired. Like, existentially tired. Thirdly, I don't have much right to wade into this debate as some Johnny come lately when it's not even my country, so sorry about that too". He continued: "I just think that women's bodies are their own, and it's weird that anyone feels they can't just say that for any reason. Also it's totally just my opinion that Leo Varadkar is a tosser. He just seemed like a bit of a tosser in the limited time I spent with him". Doyle also responded to complaints that coverage of his "tosser" comment was drawing media attention away from a pro-choice protest march taking place on Saturday, saying: "The last thing I wanted to do was detract from the march today that, like an idiot, I'm only now finding out about. I'm glad there's a referendum happening; of course I am. And I'd hate to distract from the real debate in any way". Varadkar meanwhile told Ireland's Sunday Independent newspaper that it was "a real privilege" to be invited backstage to meet the band, adding: "One or two of the band members wanted to share their view with me on the Eighth Amendment. I had no problem at all with that". | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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