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UK government's Operation Moonshot could get full-capacity gigs back up and running - but experts question how realistic the plans really are
The UK government has said that it hopes to instigate widespread, regular and rapid testing for the COVID-19 virus which would allow venues to start operating without the social distancing rules that stop many shows and events from being commercially viable.

However, such an initiative would be incredibly ambitious, very expensive (reports say as much as £100 billion in total - close to the entire annual budget for the NHS) and - some experts have stressed - relies on technology that doesn't yet exist.

The plan to deliver that level of COVID-19 testing - dubbed 'Operation Moonshot' - was set out by British Prime Minister 'Boris' Johnson yesterday, alongside confirmation that COVID restrictions in England were being increased again after another surge in the number of people contracting the virus.

The new restrictions basically mean that any gatherings of more than six people will not be allowed, although they do not apply to workplaces and educational establishments.

The changes also shouldn't majorly impact on those entertainment and hospitality businesses that had previously been allowed to re-open after the COVID shutdown, although the social distancing rules already in place may need to be increased. And some things that were previously recommended by government - like keeping a list of all customers as part of COVID track and trace measures - will become mandatory.

However, the recent increase in COVID cases and resulting new restrictions put a bit of a dampener on all the recent comments from ministers to the effect that it was hoped social distancing rules at venues could be relaxed this side of Christmas, allowing more shows and concerts to return.

Unless, that is, you are willing to buy into Operation Moonshot, plans for which were alluded to by Culture Minister Oliver Dowden in his upbeat opinion piece for the Mail On Sunday last weekend.

That grand plan would see COVID testing expanded so that - rather than just people who suspect they might have the virus being tested to confirm their suspicions - those who are pretty certain they are virus free would also be subject to regular tests, to confirm they are not infectious.

Once a test came out negative, that person would be free to work, travel and socialise in a pre-pandemic fashion. And Johnson's grand plan involves sufficiently speedy COVID testing that people could be confirmed as virus free on their way into work, school or a venue for some non-socially distanced funtimes.

It's a nice idea, of course, especially for those who are pessimistic about how soon an effective COVID vaccine will be available, ie the thing that would allow everyone to declare the pandemic over and get back to normal.

And while on-the-spot testing would be potentially costly and a hassle for venues and events, if it allowed those venues and events to operate at full capacity again, it might be a cost and hassle worth incurring.

Of course, Johnson and his band of champion bullshitters have been very good at making bold promises about COVID testing since the start of the pandemic, and less good at making good on those promises.

Given the various concerns raised by scientists and public health experts in the wake of the latest Johnson press conference, 'Operation Moonshot' currently sits in the "nice idea!" category, rather than the "woo, we have a solution!" category.

All of which means, in the short term, the music industry will continue to call for financial support for live music businesses and freelancers - and music-makers who rely on live income - insisting that bold plans about future COVID testing shouldn't be used as an excuse to ignore the desperate situation that many people working in music are still in.

In the words of Deborah Annetts, boss of the Incorporated Society Of Musicians, while Johnson's Operation Moonshot plan is "laudable" it is "a long-term plan and what the music community needs most is urgent support now". Arts and culture "is currently the worst-affected sector and the reality of socially distanced performances means that most venues cannot afford to reopen, leaving the majority of self-employed musicians without work", she added.

As a result, "many of our members are in desperate financial difficulty and unable to wait until this new testing strategy is implemented. That is why over 120 organisations from across the creative industries called for a tailored financial scheme for our self-employed workforce until venues can safely and fully reopen. If [government] do not support the lifeblood of the performing arts, then we are looking at an exodus of highly skilled talent".

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Sony Music settles dispute over deductions on foreign streaming royalties
The estate of 1950s pop star Ricky Nelson has reached a settlement deal with Sony Music in a class action lawsuit over deductions made on foreign royalties. Although Sony denies any wrong-doing, it will set aside $12.7 million to provide class members a royalty boost for past streams while committing to increase future royalties on foreign streams by 36%.

This legal battle centred on a common royalties gripe for artists: ie the way global music companies often make deductions to income as it moves its way around their various regional subsidiaries, before calculating what the artist is due under the terms of their record contract in their home country.

Such deductions have traditionally been common in the record industry. Partly because, when it comes to physical product, releasing a record in each new territory requires additional work and extra risk for the label. And partly because in the early days of the record industry, when there were few truly global music companies, third party labels and distributors might be involved in a record's release in other countries.

With the shift to digital, some artists and managers argue that deductions of this kind are harder to justify. Especially on catalogue, which can start earning money from the streaming platforms in other countries with no real effort on the part of the label. As a result, some labels don't charge international deductions on streaming income, although there remains quite a lot of confusion about label deductions in general.

When it sued on this issue in 2018, the Nelson estate accused Sony of applying a hefty "intercompany charge" on international streaming revenue before calculating the royalties it is due.

The estate said that it had no problem with international deductions if a third party company was genuinely involved in distributing Nelson's music in any one market. However, it argued, international deductions were not allowed under Nelson's record contract where another Sony Music label is in control of his recordings abroad.

Although neither side in the argument could agree on what Sony's obligations were regarding foreign streaming royalties under old record contracts like that signed by Nelson back in the day, both the estate and the major agreed that reaching some sort of out-of-court settlement would be preferable to pursuing the dispute through the courts.

When they struggled to agree a deal, a mediator was brought in to lead the negotiations. Which has resulted in the preliminary agreement filed with the court last week which provides benefits for both the estate and other artists or estates in a similar position who qualify for membership of the 'class' in the original litigation.

Last week's filing states that the mediation process "has resulted in a class action settlement which provides substantial relief to class members and satisfies the standard for preliminary approval. The settlement calls for the creation of a $12.7 million common fund which will be paid or credited on a pro rata basis to the royalty accounts of class members who file claims, which amount is a substantial portion of the royalties at issue in the case".

"Additionally", the legal filing goes on, "the settlement also requires Sony to increase by 36% the amount of royalties calculated on foreign streaming revenues in the future for all class members' qualifying recordings without the need to file claims or any temporal limitations".

That commitment on future income will, the plaintiffs say, be worth "many millions of dollars and in excess of the common fund, since streaming is now the most dominant form of music distribution available. Thus, the settlement provides substantial and significant relief to class members, while eliminating the risk, expense, and uncertainty associated with protracted, contested litigation through trial and appeals".

It remains to be seen if the court approves the settlement and, if so, how many heritage artists then come forward to seek to benefit from it.

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R Kelly again denied bail
R Kelly has again been denied release from prison on bail, as he awaits his various trials on sexual abuse charges, this time by a New York appeals court.

The Second US Circuit Court Of Appeals in Manhattan upheld a previous ruling by a Brooklyn federal court judge to deny Kelly bail. Earlier this year, his legal team made a number of requests for the musician to be released over concerns that he was at risk of contracting COVID-19 while in jail.

When bringing the case before the appeals court, Kelly's attorneys said that a recent attack by another inmate showed that the prison system was unable to adequately protect him. There was also an accusation that prison staff had intentionally allowed the attack to be carried out by the other inmate, who said that he attacked the star in order to gain media attention for his own case.

However, the court said that Kelly's attorneys had failed to find a "compelling reason" for their client's release. One of those attorneys, Mike Leonard, then said that the decision was "very disappointing and somewhat surprising".

Kelly has been held in custody since July last year while he awaits trials in New York and Chicago. A key reason for him being held in jail is evidence of witness tampering in his previous abuse trial in 2008. Prosecutors also argue that he is a danger to the public and a flight risk.

The musician has another bail request pending in Chicago - where he is actually being held. However, even if he wins that, he will still have to find a way to actually convince a New York court to concur before he can go home and switch to a house arrest scenario.

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Hipgnosis buys independent publisher Big Deal
Another deal from the HQ of the Hipgnosis Songs Fund now, though today it's a deal to buy a whole music publishing company, not just the rights of an individual artist or songwriter. That publishing company is Big Deal Music. Though, thanks to this big deal Big Deal will no longer be Big Deal. Which is a big deal, right? The company will rebrand as the Hipgnosis Songs Group.

So, basically, the acquisition brings both infrastructure and catalogue to the ever expansive Hipgnosis empire. And manpower and expertise too. Big Deal CEO Kenny MacPherson will become CEO of the all-new Hipgnosis Songs Group. And he and various other senior execs at Big Deal will now work alongside those other recently announced top-level hires at Hipgnosis, ie former Universal exec Ted Cockle and former artist manager Amy Thomson.

Commenting on all these latest developments, Hipgnosis founder Merck Mercuriadis says: "With this acquisition, and following the appointment of Ted Cockle and Amy Thomson earlier this week, the scale and quality of people working with me to drive shareholder returns reaches new heights and sets our company on the path for the next chapter of its growth. This is a best in class team and we now have the resource to be on top of every song's destiny all day every day".

On the Big Deal side of the big deal, MacPherson, adds: "Collectively my partners and I have spent our careers identifying and nurturing some of the most iconic songwriters in contemporary music and creating value for our investors. Over the last eight years at Big Deal Music my partners and I built a meaningful cultural legacy by assembling an incredible group of artists and label partners and world class songwriters".

"We look forward to bringing those creators and their enormous talent with us as we join Merck and his team at Hipgnosis", he goes on. "What Hipgnosis has assembled in such a short time is truly remarkable – a catalogue of over 13,000 compositions from some of the most important creators in the history of music. My team and I look forward to bringing all of our experience to bear to unlock more value in these catalogues and continue to build on the amazing work that Merck and his team have already done at Hipgnosis".

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Holy Roar founder denies sexual assault accusations
Holy Roar Records founder Alex Fitzpatrick has denied allegations of rape made against him earlier this week. In a statement posted on Facebook, he said that he had "immediately instructed solicitors to help me defend my name and reputation" upon learning of the accusations.

In his statement, Fitzpatrick writes: "You may have been made aware of the devastating allegations against me on social media, the most serious of which have been made by women who I dated approximately eight years ago. These allegations are false, and I am doing everything I can to clear my name. I immediately instructed solicitors to help me defend my name and reputation".

"For legal reasons, I am advised by my solicitors, at this stage, to refrain from making further comments", he added. "I have also resigned with immediate effect from my businesses to enable me to focus on clearing my name".

What this means for the Holy Roar record label now is not clear. After the allegations of rape, sexual harassment and abusive behaviour were made against Fitzpatrick on social media earlier this week, the label's three other members of staff also resigned their positions. Many of the bands signed to the label also said that they were severing ties or considering their positions with the company.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night via the official Holy Roar Twitter account, Justine Jones wrote on behalf of herself and her two colleagues at the label: "The extremely serious allegations are against everything that myself, Sam, Wil and our bands stand for. We, the label's employees, are resigning from working with Holy Roar, effective immediately".

Over the coming months, the label is, or was, scheduled to release new albums by Svalbard, Palm Reader and Respire. Svalbard and Respire have already said that they are severing ties with the company, while Palm Reader say they are in the process of working out how to move forward.

Fitzpatrick was also the co-owner of London craft beer retailer Ghost Whale. The company's other director, Stuart Anderson, announced on Tuesday night that Fitzpatrick was no longer involved with the company.

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GRM Daily awards take place with virtual ceremony
GRM Daily's Rated Awards took place for the fifth time last night, with a virtual ceremony hosted by Mo Gilligan and Julie Adenuga, celebrating black music in the UK over the last year. Among the winners were J Hus, D-Block Europe and Stefflon Don.

"Congratulations to all the winners and all the nominees", commented GRM Daily founder Posty, following the event. "It's been an amazing show and we can't wait to come back even bigger next year".

Here are all the winners...

Album Of The Year: J Hus – Big Conspiracy Track Of The Year: Tion Wayne - I Dunno (feat Stormzy & Dutachavelli) Video Of The Year: Aitch x AJ Tracey - Rain (feat Tay Keith) Mixtape Of The Year: D-Block Europe – PTSD

Female Artist Of The Year: Stefflon Don Male Artist Of The Year: D-Block Europe Breakthrough Of The Year: Dutachavelli
Producer Of The Year: JAE5 Radio DJ Of The Year: Kenny Allstar Personality Of The Year: Chunkz

Watch the ceremony as it happened here.

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DEALS

My Life Story have signed a publishing deal with Mute Song covering the band's 2019 album 'World Citizen' as well as much of their back catalogue from the 1990s. Main man Jake Shillingford and co-writer Nick Evans' sync and original compositions partnership, aka Chøppersaurus, is also part of the deal. "In the great barnyard of music Jake Shillingford is a strutting golden rooster and Nick Evans is a powerful silver goat - we will cherish and nurture these majestic beasts and treasure their sparkling musical droppings", says Mute Song boss David McGinnis.

Sony/ATV has signed songwriter Emma Rosen to a worldwide publishing deal. "I am stoked to join the Sony/ATV family", she says. "They share my appreciation and support for the power of diversity, female leadership and equality in this industry. The world is seeing a much-needed change and Sony/ATV has embraced it, working globally and inclusively. I couldn't ask for a more supportive, enthusiastic team as I dive into this next chapter!"

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RELEASES

Gorillaz have released the latest track in their 'Song Machine' series. Here's 'Strange Timez', featuring The Cure's Robert Smith. An eleven to seventeen track compilation (depending on whether you opt for the deluxe version or not) of collaborations with artists including Beck, St Vincent, 6lack, Elton John, Octavian, Kano and more will be out on 23 Oct. Two livestreamed performances are set for 12 and 13 Dec.

MIA has released new single 'Ctrl'. The track, she says, will not feature on her next album, but is rather "made for the here and now, today".

Stefflon Don has released new track, 'Move'. "'Move' is inspired by the old me, the Steff that the world was first introduced to", she says. "I wanted to come back with something hype, feisty and rooted".

Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo have released the video for their track 'Savage Love'.

Mxmtoon has released new single 'OK On Your Own', featuring Carly Rae Jepsen. "I was beyond excited to work on this track and have it be graced by Carly Rae Jepsen, someone who stands for empowerment and knows the themes of love and loneliness all too well", she says. "My hope for the song is that [it] can let people know that vulnerability is never something to be afraid of, and admitting you need time for yourself and support from a friend is sometimes a necessary step".

Marie Davidson And L'Œil Nu have released new single, 'Worst Comes To Worst'. Their debut album, 'Renegade Breakdown', will be out through Ninja Tune on 25 Sep.

Will Joseph Cook has released new single 'Be Around Me'. "The song is about those moments when you're teetering on the edge of falling for someone, the transition between playing it cool and showing vulnerability", he says. His new album, 'Something To Feel Good About', is out on 27 Nov.

Action Bronson has announced that he will release his new album, 'Only For Dolphins', on 25 Sep. From it, this is new single 'Golden Eye'.

Yugen Blakrok has released the video for 'Ochre', from her 2019 album 'Anima Mysterium'.

Seamus Fogarty has announced that he will release new album 'A Bag Of Eyes' on 6 Nov. "It was about creating and exploring new sound worlds", he says of the self-produced LP. "Experimenting with new ways of incorporating electronics into the songwriting process, and in some cases dispensing with conventional songwriting processes altogether". Here's new single 'Johnny K'.

Eartheater has released new single 'Volcano'. Her new album, 'Phoenix: Flames Are Dew Upon My Skin', is out on 2 Oct through Pan.

Acid Coco have released new single 'Sin Salida'.

Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.

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Libertines hotel set to open this month
The Libertines have announced that they will open their Margate hotel up to paying guests later this month, more than two years after work began on the seaside project. Prices start at £114 a night, but for that Pete Doherty will wake you up with a foot rub. Oh wait, sorry, I misread that. It says there are tea and coffee making facilities.

The seven room Albion Rooms hotel is set to open its doors on 25 Sep, alongside a restaurant, residents' bar, coffee house, and the existing Waste Land bar and recording studio.

The hotel is, says Doherty, "a fine Arcadian bolthole, a perfect place for prophets newly inspired, to recline, write, record, with rejoicing and knees up a plenty".

His bandmate Carl Barât adds: "It might be a while before we challenge The Savoy or The Grand Budapest in the hotel stakes, but we've put a lot of love into this. Meanwhile, it's a colourful and inspiring home for the Libertines and I look forward to the Albion Rooms being our very own Warholian Factory".

If those quotes haven't completely put you off, then you can find out more about the hotel here.

In other news, Margate hotelier Pete Doherty was recently fined for riding an electric scooter while being banned from driving. Turns out riding a scooter is the same as driving a car. Something to bear in mind if you're planning to scoot down to the Albion Rooms. Or if Pete offers you a lift to the station.

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