You might notice that things look a little different today...

CMU has been reporting, dissecting, analysing and explaining the music business for more than 25 years. We first launched on 18 May 1998 and, a few years later - 21 Jun 2002 - CMU Daily launched. We’ve sent an email pretty much every working day ever since. Today’s edition of the email is #5046. Annoyingly we have just missed out on celebrating our 5000th edition, which hit your inbox at the end of June.

TOP STORY

Coldplay's ex-manager seeks at least £10 million in management contract lawsuit

Coldplay's former manager Dave Holmes is seeking more than £10 million in a lawsuit filed against the band which centres on an abandoned management contract that covered work on their next two albums.

It emerged last month that Holmes, who stood down as Coldplay's manager last year after more than two decades working with the band, had launched legal action.

According to the Daily Mail, legal papers filed with the UK high court run through the contractual wranglings that led to the split, as well as setting out the monies Holmes reckons he is now due.

The lawsuit explains that, in the past, Holmes agreed management deals with the band that were structured around album cycles, so that each contract would run until work began on the next record.

Since 2014, each deal covered two album cycles, with the most recent contract linked to the release of 'Everyday Life' and 'Music Of The Spheres'. That arrangement ran until the end of last year.

As is the norm with artist management, Holmes worked on a commission basis, charging a commission on the band's income from their records and tours, and other projects he was involved in.

Holmes claims that - following the release of 'Music Of The Spheres' - another management deal was basically agreed for a future tenth and eleventh album, which would extend his partnership with the band through to the end of 2025.

As that new management contract was being put in place in 2021, Holmes also negotiated a new record deal with Warner Music's Parlophone, covering the next three Coldplay albums. That record deal provided a £35 million advance for album number ten, and £15 million each for the next two records.

In November 2021, Holmes' lawsuit states, the band's lawyer sent him a contract covering the next phase of his work for Coldplay. It was dated 1 Apr 2021 and had basically already gone into effect because of the Warner deal and advance, on which the manager had commissioned.

Holmes says he then began work on the next album, arranging recording sessions, putting in place a release and marketing plan, and sorting out a licence for a sample that the band planned to use. He also began prep on their next tour which will take place in 2024 and 2025, meeting with promoters and putting together potential agreements with venues.

All this work, he adds, was done in liaison with Chris Martin and the other band members, who were kept in the loop on the plans for both the next record and the next tour.

But then, he alleges, the band started to claim that the new management contract had not, in fact, been agreed. And it became clear that they wanted to change the terms of his deal moving forward.

Then, in August last year, Holmes was told that the band actually wanted to hire him as Head Of Touring rather than their manager. That would mean he would only be involved in their live activity and therefore could only charge a commission on touring income.

He says that two drafts of a Head Of Touring contract were sent through, but ultimately the band withdrew that offer as well, with their lawyer then informing Holmes he had been dismissed. That then resulted in another dispute over what commissions should be paid to the now ex-manager relating to his past work.

In his lawsuit, Holmes wants the court to confirm that the management contract covering the next two Coldplay albums is valid and to force the payment of outstanding commissions.

Or, if that's not possible, he asks the court to award him damages and/or payment for the work he had already done on Coldplay's next release and tour before being sacked.

Commenting on the lawsuit, a spokesperson for the band tells reporters: “Dave Holmes’ management contract with Coldplay expired at the end of 2022, at which point they decided not to start a new one. The matter is now in the hands of Coldplay’s lawyers and the claims are being vigorously disputed".

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing Holmes says: “Dave Holmes successfully managed Coldplay for more than 22 years, steering them to be one of the most successful bands in music history. Now, as the legal case shows, Coldplay is refusing to honour Dave’s management contract and pay him what he is owed".

The band's management is now being overseen by their first manager, and Creative Director, Phil Harvey, as well as Mandi Frost and Arlene Moon, both of whom previously worked alongside Holmes.

Read Online

Pras lawyers seek dismissal from lawsuit over alleged forged release document

One of the law firms named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed against one time Fugee Pras has formally requested that it be removed from the litigation.

New York-based Davis Shapiro Lewit & Grabel LLP argues that "uncontroverted evidence conclusively shows" that it was not involved in creating - or even aware of - an allegedly fraudulent document used to help secure a mega-bucks deal with investment outfit HarbourView around Pras's music rights.

The lawsuit has been filed by Open On Sunday LLP, a company that allows artists and songwriters to access upfront cash secured on rights and royalties relating to their recordings and songs. It seemingly loaned Pras money at the start of last year secured on the recording royalties he receives from Sony Music.

However, when he subsequently failed to meet his obligations under the loan agreement and Open On Sunday began legal proceedings, it discovered that he had actually sold the royalty rights that stem from his old Sony record deals to HarbourView.

Open On Sunday claims that Pras had tried to change the terms of his loan agreement once it was in place so that it would be secured on a theoretical book deal rather than his Sony royalties. However, it declined to make that change.

Pras nevertheless went ahead with a deal to sell his Sony royalty rights to HarbourView, allegedly forging a release document as part of that sale that seemed to show that Open On Sunday had indeed agreed to secure its loan on the book deal.

When Open On Sunday went legal last October, it named Pras, his lawyers and HarbourView as defendants on the lawsuit. However, it then voluntarily removed HarbourView from the litigation earlier this year.

Davis Shapiro Lewit & Grabel LLP now also want to be axed as defendants. It did advise Pras on his HarbourView deal, but - it insists - it was not in any way involved in any alleged forgery.

In a legal filing last week it states: "The uncontroverted evidence conclusively shows that the DSLG defendants were unaware of the alleged forgery, did not commit a fraud upon plaintiff, and did not engage in any conspiracy to wrongfully transfer the collateral to HarbourView or otherwise harm plaintiff".

It goes on: "Even plaintiff admits it cannot cite any evidence supporting the elements of the causes of action it asserts against the DSLG defendants".

And it notes: "When plaintiff confronted [Pras] about the alleged fraud, [Pras] responded '... I hate to tell you but it’s no conspiracy, the legal team and HarbourView had nothing to do with this it’s all on me".

With all that in mind, the law firm states: "The DSLG defendants respectfully ask this court to grant their motion for summary judgment in its entirety and dismiss all of plaintiff’s claims against them with prejudice".

Read Online

Tim Listening Party no more

Tim Burgess has announced that he is bringing Tim’s Twitter Listening Party to an end after three years.

The online album listening parties began in March 2020 during the first UK COVID lockdown, and this year the concept was developed into a show for Absolute Radio.

The social media events saw Burgess and fans convene on Twitter at the same time to listen to and tweet along with an album.In the subsequent three years more than 1000 albums have been listened to, with the original artists sometimes also joining in.

“From [The Charlatans’] ‘Some Friendly’ to ‘Wham! The Singles’, 1366 albums that we heard together, over 1213 days from 23 Mar 2020, the Twitter Listening Parties was a beautiful thing”, wrote Burgess on Twitter. “Thanks to everyone who joined us”.

He added that a final special edition of the spin-off radio show will be broadcast this Sunday, listening to The Charlatans’ ‘Tellin Stories’ album. The show will be presented by Danielle Perry, with Burgess appearing as a guest to discuss how he and the band made the record.

Over 1000 of the listening parties can be replayed as they happened on the Tim’s Twitter Listening Parties website.

Read Online

Burning Man hit by extreme weather, while Electric Zoo cancels first day due to construction delays

US music festivals Burning Man and Electric Zoo both experienced partial cancellations at the weekend. Burning Man was hit by flooding due to torrential rain, while Electric Zoo called off its first day due to “global supply chain disruptions”.

The week-long Burning Man, which takes place on a dry lake bed (or playa) in Nevada, began on 27 Aug. On 1 Sep it was hit by heavy rain, causing flash floods. Conditions were so bad that organisers closed the front gates and told attendees on site to take shelter and conserve water, food and fuel. Vehicles aside from the emergency services were barred from driving around the site.

Some still attempted to make their escape, with producer Diplo reporting on social media that he and comedian Chris Rock walked five miles through the mud before being given a lift by a fan in a pick up truck.

Around 70,000 people are thought to have attended the event, and it was only this morning that organisers said that conditions had improved enough for people to begin leaving the site, having previously said that they were hopeful that they could begin evacuating everyone on Monday evening “if weather conditions are in our favour”.

Meanwhile, New York-based dance music festival Electric Zoo called off its first day on Friday after failing to complete construction of the main stage in time.

“This year has presented unparalleled challenges for everyone”, wrote organisers in a statement. “The global supply chain disruptions have impacted industries worldwide, and, sadly, our beloved festival has not been immune. These unexpected delays have prevented us from completing the construction of the main stage in time for day one”.

Among the performers to have shows cancelled were The Chainsmokers and Kx5 - the collaborative project from Deadmau5 and Kaskade.

The event did open on Saturday, although two hours later than planned. Organisers have confirmed that ticket holders affected by the Friday cancellation will get refunds.

Aside from the first day cancellation, it was also reported that some ticket holders were turned away from the event on the final day, being told that it was already full.

Read Online

Steve Lamacq to step down from weekday 6 Music show after eighteen years

Steve Lamacq has announced that he will step away from his weekday show on BBC Radio 6 Music next month. He will continue to present one show a week in the same slot every Monday, with Huw Stephens taking over the remaining four shows of the week.

Lamacq will present his final daily show in October, with various other presenters filling the 4-7pm slot until Stephens becomes the new regular Tuesday to Friday presenter in January.

"I love music and I love radio”, says Lamacq. “Music radio has been my life for the past 30 years - and 6 Music has been my home for 20 years of them - and I wouldn't have had it any other way. But I have another life now which is very important to me”.

"It's been terrific doing six shows a week, but what with all the prep work for the programmes and the ever-increasing volume of new music to listen to, there's not been nearly enough time left over for my family”, he goes on. “And to be honest, after nearly 40 years at the coalface of new music, I think I need a bit of a breather”.

He adds that, aside from having more family time, he also has plans to move into music industry roles outside of radio, “not least seeing if there's a more practical role I can play in supporting the live music circuit and the venues across the country that I owe so much to”, he says.

Of course, he is not leaving radio entirely. He concludes: "My heart still lives for discovering and nurturing new bands, so I'm really pleased that these changes mean I can stay at 6 Music, while allowing more time to go searching for emerging artists, who I'll be channelling into the new Monday show. There'll be live sessions, interviews, some amazing archive and fingers crossed, at some point, the future of rock and roll”.

Stephens - who will also continue to present weekly shows on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru - adds: "6 Music means so much to all of us who listen. It really is a community. To join the station with my own show is such an honour, especially taking over from Steve Lamacq who is staying on 6 with a new show”.

“Steve has been a music mentor to all of us, his recommendations, thoughts and guidance in music is a huge part of who I am today and to call him a friend as well as a colleague means a great deal”, he goes on.

“I look forward to spending time with the 6 Music listeners every day, sharing new music and celebrating the music we love. So to everyone who's asked me over the years, 'when are you getting your own show on 6?', the answer is 'soon!' See you on the airwaves!"

Lamacq worked at the NME in the early 1990s and presented shows on the BBC’s GLR and pirate station Q102 (which became Xfm). In 1993, he and Jo Whiley were brought in as stand-in presenters for Mark Goodier on Radio 1, before being offered their own show on the station, ‘The Evening Session’. He presented that show alongside Whiley until 1997 and then alone until 2003.

He began presenting his weekday show on 6 Music in 2005, having already presented a weekly programme on the station while also still at Radio 1.

Commenting on the changes, Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music, says: "Steve Lamacq is a legend. Committed, passionate, with a knack for finding the diamond in the rough, he is one of our finest. While we were tucked up in bed, he was at a gig, watching someone unheard or unsigned, that he'll play on the radio, who might then become your new obsession”.

“Over 30 years is a long time to be doing that every day of the week, 20 years of them at 6 Music”, she continues. “He tells me it's time to take it easier and so I'm very happy that his new programme, ‘Steve Lamacq's Teatime Session’, will give him the space to do just that, while continuing to support the music he loves - right here on 6 Music”.

Turning to Lamacq’s replacement, Moy says: "Huw Stephens is a champion of unsigned and emerging artists and his commitment lasts the course. An early supporter of artists including Haim, Wolf Alice, Disclosure, Loyle Carner and Little Simz, to name a few, he is known and respected across the music industry and is loved by our listeners too”.

“When Steve told me he wanted to do less, there was only one person who would rise to the challenge. It is an absolute pleasure to have Huw Stephens join our presenting line-up full-time here on 6 Music”.

Lamacq’s final show in its current form will air on 20 Oct, after which he will move to presenting his new show in the same slot on Mondays. Stephens will then take on the Tuesday to Friday 4-7pm slot from 9 Jan 2024.

Read Online

AND FINALLY...

International search launched to reunite Paul McCartney with his lost bass guitar

An international search has been launched for the bass guitar that Paul McCartney recorded early Beatles hits with, more than 50 years after it went missing. McCartney bought the Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass guitar in Hamburg in 1961 for £30 and used it on songs such as ‘Love Me Do’, ‘She Loves You’ and ‘Twist And Shout’. It was then seemingly placed in storage in 1969 and has not been seen since.

The search is being conducted by Höfner’s Nick Wass in partnership with journalists and TV producers Scott and Naomi Jones. "It's not clear where it was stored, who might have been there”, Wass tells the BBC. "For most people, they will remember it - it's the bass that made the Beatles”.

"Paul said to Höfner 'surely if anyone can find this guitar, it's you guys', and that's how it all came about”, adds Scott Jones. "Now we're working together on this. Nick has more technical knowledge about this guitar than anyone on the planet, and me and Naomi are bringing some investigative skills”.

Wass has worked with McCartney on a number of projects in the past and he has written a book about the missing Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass.

Calling on McCartney fans to join the search, a statement on the website for the project says: “You can be part of the Lost Bass project and the research work we carry out - supporting our mission and sharing your information about the bass. As the search unfolds you can be our ‘eyes and ears’ in key locations around the world. And this will be an adventure to enjoy; a magical mystery tour, with stories and updates along the way”.

“We especially want fans of The Beatles, Paul McCartney and Wings to join the Lost Bass”, it goes on. “This is a global project with the chance to unite fans from all over the world around one great mission - reuniting Paul McCartney with his original Höfner bass. [He] has given us all so much over the last 62 years. The Lost Bass project is our chance to give something back”.

Find out more about the search and its progression here.

Read Online