ICE Licensing // Senior DSP Audit & Assurance Manager (London)

ICE Licensing // DSP Audit and Assurance Manager (London)

IDOL // UK Label Manager (London/Hybrid)

Nonclassical // Executive Director (London)

Free Trade Agency // Office Co-Ordinator (London)

Today's music business news

TOP STORY

Spotify boss urges UK government to not water down its Apple regulating Digital Markets Act

Spotify chief Daniel Ek continues to pursue his multi-national campaign to force a global change to Apple's App Store rules, this time writing an article for the Daily Mail urging the UK government to not water down its proposed Digital Markets, Competition And Consumers Bill.

The proposed new laws will, according to the government, stop tech giants from "using their size and power to limit digital innovation or market access - ensuring the UK remains a highly attractive place to invest and do business for all". This is good news for Spotify, which has long accused Google and especially Apple of putting unfair restrictions in place for app-makers that rely on those companies' mobile operating systems.

However, Ek warns in his article, "a few of the companies who would be most affected by this bill, including Apple, have taken to criticising the Digital Markets Bill as anti-innovation, implying it will somehow hurt business and investment in the UK. To no one’s surprise, these companies are aggressively fighting this action. In fact, the Prime Minister has faced intensive lobbying from Apple to either kill the bill or water it down, rendering it essentially ineffective".

For Spotify - and many other app-makers - the most problematic app store rules relate to in-app payments. Many app-makers are obliged to use Google and Apple's commission charging transaction platforms for in-app purchases and often aren't allowed to sign-post alternative payment options online.

This stops Spotify from selling premium subscriptions from within its app. And also hinders any efforts to build direct-to-fan and pay-walled content experiences within the Spotify platform, which has always been annoying for the streaming firm, but all the more so since it launched its pay-as-you-go audiobooks service.

Far from hindering innovation, Ek argues, ramped up regulation of Apple would "give consumers more choice, allow smaller tech businesses to grow and compete with larger players, and make the UK a world-leading tech marketplace".

Noting that it’s now fifteen years since Spotify arrived in the UK, Ek ramps up the drama somewhat by asking if it would even be feasible to launch a service like his today in a mobile-centric digital world so controlled by Apple and Google.

"My guess is no", he then declares. "It is our view that when competition is fair, everyone wins - consumers, companies and the country. That’s why it’s crucial that the government passes a strong bill, giving consumers greater choice and control over their digital lives, and why we’re urging the UK to show leadership on this issue".

Pandering a little to the patriotic Brexiteers in government and Parliament, he goes on: "The UK stands out because it has a rare combination of significant global influence while being independent enough to be nimble. This is a unique advantage. The UK is an epicentre for business and has produced many of the biggest thinkers and pioneers the world has ever seen".

"Other global governments have been trying to set rules like the DMCC, but Apple has spent millions in country after country lobbying to stop those laws from taking effect", he adds. "If Parliament passes a robust version of the Digital Markets Bill, Apple will no longer be able to use its market power at the expense of UK innovators".

Read the full article here on the Daily Mail website.

ONE LINERS

Ren, LAB Records, Jess Glynne + more

DEALS

Warner Music's label services division ADA has announced a renewal of its long-term partnership with Manchester-based indie LAB Records, which works with artists like Tommy Lefroy, Beach Weather, Antony Szmierek, Crawlers and Yoke Lore. “We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with ADA for a number of years now - so we’re delighted to ink a new, multi-year deal as we continue to grow our business", say label directors Scott Brothman and Mark Orr.

DIGITAL

Avant-garde focussed music streaming service Marine Snow is moving to a new model that will pay artists in cash and equity. The company was founded by ex-Spotify exec Tony Lashley, who says: “If you are a start-up or tech in employee in 2023, you get paid a guaranteed cash amount with a bonus of equity in what you’re building. Why should music streaming be any different?”

ARTIST NEWS

After a fierce battle with Rick Astley, independent rapper Ren has secured the UK number one position with his new album ‘Sick Boi’. “It’s all because of the fans that this has even happened”, he tells Official Charts. “We’ve done this independently and the main foundation of promotion has been the fans showing up and showing support. What they’ve done in terms of spreading it - the amount that I’ve seen them pushing this record - is incredible. I want to say thank you to them so much”.

Amex Gold Unsigned 2023 has launched, inviting emerging artists to submit tracks for the chance to win a variety of prizes. These include record and sync deals, mentoring, studio time and more. The deadline is 29 Oct, submit tracks here.

RELEASES

Feeder have released two new songs ‘ELF’ and ‘Playing With Fire’. Both are taken from new double album ‘Black/Red’, which is out on 5 Apr 2024.

The Veronicas have released new single ‘Perfect’ and announced that they will release their sixth studio album ‘Gothic Summer’ early next year. “‘Perfect’ is a love letter to our younger and current selves”, say the duo. “Perfection has a different meaning for everyone. Social media has changed how we interact with the world. Perception versus reality is rewarded and condemned. From what people wear, to who they date”.

Kurt Vile will release new album ‘Back To Moon Beach’ on 17 Nov. Out now is new single ‘Another Good Year For The Roses’.

Bryde is back with new single ‘Away’. “Recording it was a truly magical experience”, she says. “Myself and two of my most talented musical friends Jim Wallis and Jay Chakravorty drove to a farmhouse in Shropshire and set up a home studio for four days of eating, sleeping and recording. This is the first of four songs we recorded for you”.

GIGS & TOURS

Tom Odell has announced UK tour dates in March next year, including two nights at the Roundhouse in London. Tickets go on general sale on Friday. His new album ‘Black Friday’ is out on 26 Jan.

Blue have announced a greatest hits tour in April and May next year. The run will include a show at the London Palladium on 19 Apr. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.

Jess Glynne has announced a series of outdoor shows around the UK from June to August next year. She’ll finish with a performance at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London on 9 Aug. Tickets go on general sale on Friday. Her new single ‘Friend Of Mine’ came out on Friday.

LIVE

Lil Yachty show cancelled after rapper urges seated fans to fill up the mosh pit

A Live Nation-promoted Lil Yachty show in Vancouver was cut short this weekend after the rapper encouraged audience members in seated areas of the venue to come down to the front of the stage, creating concerns of overcrowding in the mosh pit.

In a video shared on social media the rapper is seen urging his audience at UBC's Thunderbird Sports Centre on Saturday night to "come down here" and "fill it up, fill it up", after which many fans rush towards the area in front of the stage.

After a few more songs, the venue seemingly cut the sound and turned on the house lights. The rapper's mic was then turned back on so he could tell fans "they say you have to go back to the seats or we're going to have to cancel the show".

Seemingly many fans did not return to their seats and so the show was cancelled. Posting on Instagram after the cut short gig, Lil Yachty wrote: "They shut us down last night Vancouver - we gotta run that shit backkkkkkkkk".

The venue's management issued their own statement yesterday, stating: "During the performance, the artist had invited attendees from reserved seating in the stands to join the floor area".

"This put the floor area over capacity", it added, "so UBC and Live Nation staff paused the show to direct audience members back to their seats. When the performer reappeared, the floor began to fill again".

Venue operators, of course, are generally concerned about crowd management issues, and all the more so since the tragedy that occurred at the 2021 edition of Travis Scott's Astroworld festival. As the promoter of that festival, presumably Live Nation will be telling Lil Yachty to refrain from actively encouraging fans to surge forward at future shows.

LABELS & PUBLISHERS

Universal Music open "concept store" in Tokyo

Universal Music Japan last week opened a "concept retail store dedicated to supporting music super-fans" in the Harajuku district of Tokyo, which sounds like fun. Who doesn't love a "concept retail super-fan store"?

But what's the concept? Well, the Universal Music Store Harajuku "will serve as a hub for UMG artists and fans from around the world to connect offline. Spanning four curated floors, the store will feature dedicated fan experiences, product launches and retail pop-up shops. It will also offer a platform for artists to express their creative vision and share this with their fans through exciting, original and bespoke programmes of activity".

Fun times. “We are excited to welcome the new Universal Music Harajuku concept store to Tokyo’s world-famous Harajuku district, a gathering point for people, styles and culture from all over the world", says Universal Music Japan boss Naoshi Fujikura.

"This store represents an exciting new venture for UMG", he goes on, "and celebrates the incredible impact and role that fans play in supporting their favourite artists. In the coming months, the store will offer unique fan experiences for our artists, both domestic and international, creating new commercial opportunities for our artists and business".

The new store also includes a Tokyo spin-off of the Rolling Stones' London shop RS No 9 and the band are obviously "THRILLED" about that. “We’re THRILLED to bring the RS No 9 brand to Japan to support our new album", they say in a statement. “We hope our fans are excited to experience everything the store has to offer".

AWARDS

MTV EMAs cancelled due to Israel-Hamas war

This year’s MTV Europe Music Awards have been cancelled due to the Israel-Hamas war, it has been announced. The ceremony was due to take place next month.

“Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life”, says production company Paramount.

“The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music”, it goes on. “As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning”.

This year’s EMAs were due to take place at Paris’s Nord Villepinte exhibition centre on 5 Nov, with performances from artists including David Guetta, The Kid Laroi and Jung Kook.

Paramount closed its statement by saying: “We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November of 2024”.

LEGAL

Fyre Festival founder facing legal action from financial backer of post-prison business venture

Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland is facing more legal problems, with a financial backer of his initial post-prison business PYRT Technologies demanding repayment of a $740,000 loan. Failure to agree to make that payment could result in a lawsuit against McFarland for civil fraud, conversion, civil conspiracy, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

According to Billboard, McFarland met the man who loaned him the money, Jonathan Taylor, when they were both incarcerated in the same prison. McFarland was jailed after being found guilty of fraud in relation to the original failed Fyre Festival in 2017. New York-based Taylor, meanwhile, was serving a sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of child sex trafficking stemming from his relationship with a fifteen year old in Florida.

Once released from prison, Taylor seemingly loaned money to McFarland who was already planning new business ventures for when he was released, structured around the PYRT Technologies company. Taylor was promised a 33% shareholding in the new business.

That new business began with McFarland's podcast Dumpster Fyre, but other projects were planned. Those included a documentary, a memoir, a treasure hunt based on clues featured in the memoir, a metaverse and even a celebrity boxing match between McFarland and his Fyre Festival co-founder Ja Rule.

However, none of that came to pass and instead McFarland founded a new company to run a second edition of the Fyre Festival itself, and Taylor is not involved in that business.

According to McFarland, Taylor had misrepresented the nature of the crime that resulted in him being in prison. Also, once McFarland became properly aware of what his financial backer had pleaded guilty to, he decided he couldn't be in business with Taylor. McFarland then informed Taylor of this in September last year.

On receiving that news, Taylor asked for the money he'd loaned to PYRT Technologies to be repaid. With the money already spent, there were initially some negotiations between attorneys representing the two men, but then McFarland allegedly stopped responding.

Hence the summons filed with the New York courts last week, demanding McFarland attend court and agree to repay the loan, or face the litigation.

AWARDS

More winners and nominees announced for the Artist & Manager Awards

The UK's Featured Artists Coalition and Music Managers Forum have announced the shortlists for the breakthrough prizes at this year's Artist & Manager Awards, which take place in London on 23 Nov.

There are breakthrough awards for both artists and managers. Up for the former this year are Amaarae, Bakar, Olivia Dean, Peggy Gou, Kenya Grace, Nia Archives, Obongjayar, Maisie Peters, The Reytons and Shygirl.

Meanwhile, on the shortlist for the breakthrough manager of 2023 are Akheim Allen from Peral Music; Raphael Adekunle from Rax Productions; Whitney Asomani from Twenty:Two Agency; Pascal Balletti; Emily Braham from Yo&Co; Dave Bryan from DMB Management; Nikita Chauhan from TranslateNC; Paul Keen and Sarah Keen from S1bling; Louise Latimer from East City Management; and Lyle Scougall and Nathan Dunphy from Mañana Music Management.

The winner has also been announced for this year's Team Achievement Award, which will go to Forever Living Originals, the independent music company that works with Sault, Cleo Sol, Little Simz, Chronixx and Inflo.

Commenting on the latest announcements, FAC CEO David Martin and MMF CEO Annabella Coldrick say in a joint statement: "We are really excited by these latest announcements. Forever Living Originals are responsible for some of the most artistically important music of recent years and are fully deserving of this recognition for Team Achievement. Collectively, they have raised the bar in terms of innovation and inspiration, and we are honoured they will be joining us on the evening to pick up their award".

"After long and careful deliberation", they go on, "we are also delighted to reveal the shortlists for Breakthrough Artist and Breakthrough Manager. These are incredibly tough lists to draw up and we look forward to presenting the winners on 23 Nov in what's shaping up to be one of our strongest ceremonies yet".

AND FINALLY

James Blunt claims to have lost thousands in bid to grow hallucinogenic fruit

James Blunt has detailed a failed plan to grow hallucinogenic figs in his garden in Ibiza. He spent thousands on liquid acid to water his fruit trees with, he claims, but it all came to nothing. The figs were just normal figs at the end of it.

So that’s fun. it’s also probably not true. But it might be. What is truth anyway? The story is set to appear in Blunt’s new book ‘Loosely Based On A Made Up Story: A Non-Memoir’, which comes out this week. Yeah, he’s followed Pat Sharp into the weird world of fictionalising your own life story.

"This book is inspired by true events but is not a biography”, says Blunt in the official blurb for the book. “The truth is My Truth is not The Truth, and that's as honest as I can be. It's partially true, rather than painfully true, and I have possibly been economical with the truth, Your Honour. Basically, I made this shit up”.

Publisher Constable then suggests that it’s not made up at all, but also adds that it’s possible that “the stories in this book [were] grossly exaggerated in an attempt to impress”. So who knows? Might be worth a read.

Other stories it promises to tell include what it takes “to run a male escort agency” and why you should “refrain from crowdsurfing”.