Randy Phillips confirmed for post-bankruptcy SFX board in recent filing
A recent filing outlining how a post-bankruptcy SFX will be governed has confirmed that former AEG live boss Randy Phillips is set to be CEO of the all-new streamlined debt-lite dance music firm.

Phillips was linked to the top job at the all-new SFX back in July. He departed his senior role at AEG's live music business back in 2013, then popping up for a short stint running Global Radio's music company as it expanded its operations, especially into the live space.

While, if the current bankruptcy plans get the go ahead, Phillips will find himself atop a much more healthy SFX than the one that collapsed somewhat spectacularly at the start of the year - and with a decent portfolio of dance music festivals too - he'll still face a challenge in turning round the fortunes of the company.

Phillips will also sit on the board of the all-new SFX, alongside three bankers and Charles Ciongoli, a record industry veteran who spent much of his career at Universal, before also popping up at Global Entertainment. He will now seemingly follow his former colleague there to SFX where he will be CFO.

The bankers on the board, representing the firm's former money-lenders and new owners, will be Axar Capital's Andrew Axelrod, Allianz Global Investors' Douglas Forsyth and Carlyle Group's Nils Larsen.

This is all according to a recent filing by SFX, reported on by Amplify. The EDM business had hoped to get the green light for its plans and come out of bankruptcy this month, though it now looks more likely that that will happen in early 2017.

Unless something scuppers all that in the final stages, Phillips and the new board will then start running the shop, while back in the courts various disputes between SFX, its founder Robert FX Sillerman and former shareholders are likely to rumble on for some time.

According to Amplify, beyond the board a number of key execs from the various festivals and companies SFX bought during its big acquisition spree will have senior management roles in the new business, including Electric Zoo Project Director Adam Richman who will be SVP of the firm's key festival division.

Amy Lamé appointed as London's first Night Czar
In something of a surprise move, comedian and broadcaster Amy Lamé was confirmed as London's first ever night czar on Friday, even though - as a comedian - Lamé is surely aware that 'night mayor' is a much funnier job title, and it's probably a better description of the task ahead.

"It's a privilege to be London's very first night czar", she said confirming her appointment. "I can't wait to hit the streets and have loads of ideas of what I can do for revellers, night-time workers, businesses and stakeholders".

The new role of night czar - which reports into London mayor Sadiq Khan - has been created in response to fears that economic, licensing and other issues are threatening the capital's night-time industries, and that was before the whole Fabric debacle.

The recruitment ad for the post published back in August said that the night czar would work with businesses, local authorities and city agencies to "create a vision for London as 24 hour city and a roadmap showing how the vision will be realised".

Although possibly best known for her work as a performer and broadcaster, Lamé is also co-founder of the arts company and club night Duckie, and has led a campaign to save the Royal Vauxhall Tavern that hosts that event ever since the building was sold to property developers in 2014. She has also DJed at various clubs around London and was Mayor of Camden in 2010/2011.

Confirming the hire, Khan said: "I'm absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of London's first-ever night czar. The recent closure of the world-famous nightclub Fabric and the threats facing other venues across the capital show why Amy will be a much-needed ambassador for the city after dark".

Meanwhile Lamé added of the job ahead: "For too long, the capital's night-time industry has been under pressure - music venues and nightclubs in particular are closing at an alarming rate. With the advent of the Night Tube, and the Mayor's commitment to protect iconic venues across the city, I'm confident that I can inspire a positive change in the way people think about the night-time economy".

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Boiler Room festival shut down by police
The Boiler Room Weekender festival at the Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania was shut down midway through its second night this weekend. Following an arrest and reports of heavy-handedness with other guests on the part of the police, the 3000 attendees were told to return to their hotel rooms.

The exact circumstances surrounding the shutdown are still somewhat unclear. Two witnesses told Thump that the woman arrested suffered a panic attack while being led away by several police officers - which video footage would appear to confirm. It seems that there was subsequently an altercation with one or more of her friends, which may have resulted in police using pepper spray against them. A person at the event told Billboard that it was on "total lockdown".

There were also claims that police had been subjecting black attendees to more stringent searches than others.

A Boiler Room spokesperson told Thump: "We don't have the exact details of what transpired, but for the safety of all our artists and guests we had to shut down".

The festival was Boiler Room's first multi-day festival, and was sponsored by Ray Ban.

Mr Robot's Rami Malek to star in Freddie Mercury biopic
The long-in-production Freddie Mercury biopic has a new actor in the lead role. Star of US TV series 'Mr Robot', Rami Malek is now on board to play the Queen frontman.

As previously reported, Sacha Baron Cohen was originally set to play Mercury in the film, but parted ways with the production in 2013. Brian May later said that he was fired for being "an arse". Ben Whishaw was later lined up for the role, but also pulled out, as did director Dexter Fletcher.

According to Deadline, Malek is now signed up with Bryan Singer - best known for 'The Usual Suspects', various 'X-Men' movies and 'Superman Returns' - in talks to direct.

Sampha announces debut album
Having appeared as a guest on tracks by artists including Drake, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, FKA Twigs, Jessie Ware and SBTRKT, Sampha has announced that he will release his debut album, 'Process', on 3 Feb.

He's also announced a tour for next spring, which will hit the UK as follows:

26 Mar: Birmingham, Istitute
28 Mar: Bristol, Academy
29 Mar: London, The Roundhouse

Here's the video for latest single 'Blood On Me'.

BRITs announces new, more diverse Voting Academy
Invitations to join this year's BRITs Voting Academy are being sent out today, with hopes that moves to build a more diverse group of voters will avoid a repeat of criticisms after this year's prizes were handed out exclusively to white performers, despite the awards show following a particularly strong year for genres dominated by non-white artists.

Over half of those invited to join this year's Voting Academy will be new to the process, with 718 new members brought in to improve gender and ethnic diversity among the voters. The group is now 48% female, while the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic voters has increased to 17%. Of those invited to vote who then chose to do so, the male to female split for the 2016 awards was 70/30, while 15% of voters were identified as BAME.

"I'm really proud that we've taken firm action to refresh the Academy to ensure that it keeps up with trends in music and society at large", says Chair of BRITs owner the BPI, Ged Doherty. "I believe that as a result of these changes the BRITs will be better equipped to reflect the diverse nature of Britain and British music. There's been a long-held myth that BRITs winners and nominees are decided by industry executives in a smoke-filled room, but the simple truth is that the awards are voted for each year by a 1000+ strong Voting Academy made up of experts drawn from all areas of music".

BRITs Chair and Sony Music boss Jason Iley adds: "As the most important awards in the British music calendar we have a responsibility to be truly reflective of what is happening in music so that we can support new and emerging talent as well as recognise and celebrate mainstream commercial success. To do this it's important we have Voting Academy members who are both knowledgeable and passionate about all types of music and who also reflect the diversity of our consumers and country".

As previously reported, the 2017 BRIT Awards trophies were designed by architect Zaha Hadid, who died earlier this year, and also aim to reflect greater diversity in the awards ceremony.

Voting Academy invites are being sent out to potential BRIT voters today, with votes then collected between 9-13 Dec. The nominations will be announced on 14 Jan, with the ceremony itself is due to take place at the O2 Arena on 22 Feb, presented by that Michael Buble.

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Everyone gets their MOBOs in the end
The MOBO Awards took place on Friday night in Glasgow, though with a number of hitches. Tinie Tempah pulled out of a planned performance at the last minute, Abra Cadabra's prize was magic-ed into the hands of WSTRN by mistake, and Craig David was named Best Male. Although that last one apparently wasn't an error.

Ahead of the show, Tinie Tempah confirmed he was pulling out via a handwritten note posted on Instagram, in which he said: "I wrote this [note] because my music and my culture is very important to me and this has been the same issue year after year. It is frustrating when music industry politics dictate my ability to celebrate either".

He didn't actually state specifically what was stopping him from performing, other than that it was "outside of mine and the MOBOs' control".

Meanwhile, once the show was up and running, newcomers WSTRN were excited to pick up the prize for Best Song, only to be told shortly afterwards that their song wasn't actually the best and that the prize should have gone to someone else. The winner was actually rapper Abra Cadabra for his collaboration with Krept & Konan, 'Robbery (Remix)'.

"Of the many worthy winners of Best Song, we deeply regret a mistake was made", said organisers in a tweet later. "The best song goes to Abra Cadabra and Krept & Konan - 'ROBBERY'!"

That's the name of the song, of course, not an exclamation. Well, maybe it's both. Who knows? WSTRN did receive the Best Newcomer prize though, so at least they didn't have to go home empty handed.

Other award errors on the night were more self-inflicted, Kano accepted his Best Album prize for 'Made In The Manor' via a video message, noting that he'd already managed to break his trophy.

The winners in full were:

Best Male Act: Craig David
Best Female Act: Lady Leshurr
Best Newcomer: WSTRN
Best International Act: Drake

Best Album: Kano - Made In The Manor
Best Song: Abra Cadabra feat Krept & Konan - Robbery (Remix)
Best Video: Nadia Rose - SKWOD

Best Hip Hop Act: Section Boyz
Best R&B/Soul Act: Shakka
Best Grime Act: Chip
Best Jazz Act: Esperanza Spalding
Best Gospel Act: Guvna B
Best Reggae Act: Popcaan
Best African Act: Wiz Kid

Paving The Way: Nicola Adams and Ms Dynamite

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Green Day dedicate American Idiot to Trump at MTV EMAs
The MTV European Music Awards took place yesterday in Rotterdam. These are the MTV awards that take place in Europe, rather than specifically recognising European music, which is why mainly Americans win stuff.

Very little of note happened, although Green Day closed the show after picking up their Global Icon award by performing 'American Idiot', which they dedicated to Donald Trump.

Trump, of course, has been busy telling anyone who'll listen of late that he doesn't need celebrity endorsements - directing this mainly at Jay-Z and Beyonce, who joined Hillary Clinton on stage at a rally over the weekend. I'm sure he'd pass on a little of that bile to Green Day as well though, there's plenty to go around. Maybe he can imprison them all in the same cell when he becomes president.

Back at the EMAs, this year's trophies were coloured purple in tribute to Prince, and three of said trophies were taken home by Justin Bieber. Little Mix won Best UK & Ireland Act for the second year running. And Lady Gaga won an award that was sponsored by Listerine. That's the whole thing pretty much covered.

Here's a list of all the winners, except the country-specific ones, because who has time?

Best Song: Justin Bieber - Sorry
Best Video: The Weeknd feat Daft Punk - Starboy
Best World Stage: Martin Garrix - Isle of MTV, Malta (2015)

Best Female: Lady Gaga
Best Male: Shawn Mendes
Best New: Zara Larsson
Best Live: Twenty One Pilots
Biggest Fans: Justin Bieber
Best Look: Lady Gaga

Best Pop: Fifth Harmony
Best Rock: Coldplay
Best Alternative: Twenty One Pilots
Best Hip Hop: Drake
Best Electronic: Martin Garrix
Best Push: DNCE

Global Icon Award: Green Day

Laura Mvula, Emika, Vessels, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Laura Mvula has released her new single, 'Ready Or Not', which doubles up as the soundtrack to House Of Fraser's Christmas advert. How nice. Watch the video here.

• Emika has released the first part of her upcoming symphony. Listen to 'Melanfonie Momente' here.

• Vessels have teamed up with Anna Of The North for new single 'Had A Love'. It's pretty great.

• RABBII have a new track out. This is 'Sadness'.

• Bat And Ball have released a new track, 'Be Mine'.

• Ida Long has released new single 'Woman'. Watch the video here.

• BBC Introducing is launching a new monthly night at The Lexington, in partnership with SJM Concerts. The first edition will take place on 2 Feb, with performances from Cabbage, The Shimmer Band and April.

No more Band Aid singles, says Midge Ure. Music no longer powerful enough
There will be no more Band Aid singles. And not because the song is an offensive misrepresentation of modern Africa. No, because everyone's too distracted by videogames and mobile phones to give a shit.

Speaking to The Sun, the Band Aid founder who isn't called Bob, Midge Ure said: "I'm not sure music is the answer to it now. Thirty one years ago we did the Band Aid thing, it was the vehicle that people understood - you didn't have videogames, you didn't have mobile phones and you didn't have all of the distractions that you have today".

Back then "music was the be all and end all" he added, "so we used the medium at its peak. We used the power that music had at its peak. Maybe right now, the answer wouldn't be a concert or a record - but I don't know what the answer is".

He later clarified, via one of those modern distractions, that he hadn't meant that the charity behind the Band Aid project was being wound down. He tweeted: "All said with a smile, but not mentioned of course - Band Aid Trust still toiling away as usual. Amazing how saying a charity song or concert might not work these days translated to 'Band Aid is finished'. Work continues as usual!"

Speaking to the Press Association, that there Bob Geldof added: "What Midge meant, I think, was that there wouldn't be another Band Aid record. Band Aid 30 was hugely successful and raised millions of pounds for the Ebola-affected peoples of West Africa, but more importantly perhaps triggered popular demand for government action throughout the world which resulted in a massive influx of humanitarian efforts - experts, doctors, nurses, supplies and a full research into the virus so that it hopefully may not happen again".

"The Band Aid Trust which still, after 31 years, administers all Band Aid/Live Aid monies will continue on a daily basis until such monies are exhausted", he continued. "Midge has been and remains an invaluable trustee".

The fourth recording of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' was released by Band Aid 30 in 2014. As you may remember.