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Today's music business news

TOP STORY

Axl Rose and Jimmy Iovine sued as deadline for lawsuits under New York's Adult Survivors Act approaches

Both Axl Rose and record industry veteran Jimmy Iovine have been sued as the deadline approaches for lawsuits to be filed under New York State's Adult Survivors Act.

That's the law that allows victims of sexual assault or abuse to launch new legal proceedings even if the alleged incidents took place sufficiently long ago that legal claims would usually be barred by the statute of limitations.

Former model Sheila Kennedy claims that the Guns N Roses frontman physically and sexually assaulted her during a violent altercation in a New York hotel suite in 1989. Her lawsuit alleges that the musician grabbed her "by the hair and dragged her across the suite back to his bedroom", where he restrained her and proceeded to sexually assault her.

As a result of the attack, the legal filing adds, Kennedy has suffered "lifelong emotional, physical, psychological and financial impacts" and she has developed "symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder" when hearing Guns N Roses’ music.

A legal rep for Rose told CNN that "simply put, this incident never happened", adding that his client has “no recollection" of ever meeting Ms Kennedy.

Interscope co-founder and former Universal Music and Apple Music exec Iovine is accused of sexual abuse and harassment by an unnamed woman.

Her court filing does not go into detail about the nature of her allegations, but claims that she “suffered as a result of being sexually abused, forcibly touched and subjected to sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of anti-discrimination laws in or around August 2007".

In a statement to Variety, a spokesperson for Iovine said: “We are quite shocked and baffled by this alleged claim. No one has ever made a claim like this against Jimmy Iovine, nor have we been contacted or made aware of any complaint by anyone, including this unknown plaintiff prior to now".

The deadline for submitting lawsuits under the New York Adult Survivors Act is this Friday.

ONE LINERS

One Liners: Girls Aloud, The Hives, MOBO Awards + more

DEALS

Warner Music has announced a new partnership with African independent label and publisher Small World Records, which will see the indie collaborate with worldwide teams at the major and its ADA and Warner Chappell businesses to expand its international reach. “This resounding partnership with Warner Music Group will help deliver [our] mission by empowering emerging African artists, breaking boundaries and resonating across continents”, says founder SmallGod. “Together, we aim to compose a symphony of boundless diversity, innovation and passion, uniting cultures through the universal language of music with the core being from Africa”.

APPOINTMENTS

Sony Music Publishing UK has announced a number of promotions in its A&R department. Felix Canetty-Clarke becomes VP UK A&R Strategy & International Research, Sarah Gabrielli moves up to Senior Director A&R UK & Europe, and Saul Fitton is now Senior Director of A&R UK. “Sarah, Saul and Felix are the very best talents in the UK”, says co-MD David Ventura. “Their passion for music, their drive and their unique daily dedication for our songwriters are exemplary”.

LEGAL

GESAC - the pan-European grouping of song right collecting societies - has welcomed the news that the European Parliament at large has backed a new report on the working conditions of creators - previously backed by two committees in the Parliament - which, among other things, calls on the European Commission to investigate the increasing trend of global video platforms insisting on buy-out deals when commissioning new music in Europe. Says GESAC GM Véronique Desbrosses: “The call is unambiguous: it is time for concrete and effective actions at European level to put an end to this unfairness in the market that jeopardises European creation and drives its value outside of the EU”.

ARTIST NEWS

The Hives have announced plans to create a network of official cover bands around the world. “We have arrived at a point where The Hives can no longer keep up with public demand for concerts”, say the band. “This is where you come in. Help us create a world where The Hives are playing in every city, all the time. Let's make business together and rock n roll. Sign up now and register your interest. Many rewards wait in store. We have spoken”. Find out more here.

GIGS & TOURS

Girls Aloud have announced that they will reunite for tour dates marking their 21st anniversary, having abandoned previous touring plans due to the death of the band’s Sarah Harding in 2021. "Over the last year, we've felt this outpouring of love - obviously towards Sarah, but actually towards all of us as a group”, says Kimberley Walsh. “And I guess it's ignited something in all of us again. It feels like something has changed and it does feel like the right time to celebrate Sarah and the 20-year anniversary that we didn't celebrate at the time”. Tickets go on general sale on 1 Dec. Watch a trailer here.

The Kills have announced that they will play Troxy in London on 1 May next year. Tickets go on general sale tomorrow.

AWARDS

The MOBO Awards will take place at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on 7 Feb next year, it has been announced. “For the past fourteen years, the MOBO Awards have travelled to cities outside of London - including Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Coventry, and now Sheffield”, says founder Kanya King. “Our desire to bring MOBO to different cities across the UK has always been rooted in the desire to unite massive talent from a local and global level, as well as fans, to deliver an iconic music experience rooted in celebrating black music’s present and future, as well as elevating the culture and being a driving force for social change”.

LIVE

Live industry welcomes some measures in Jeremy Hunt’s autumn statement, but says that more needs to be done to support the sector

The UK’s Chancellor Of The Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, yesterday delivered the government’s autumn budget statement, laying out economic plans for the year ahead. Or at least what little time the Conservative Party has left in power. It received a mixed response from the music industry.

Some measures were welcomed - particularly the extension of 75% business rates relief for retail, hospitality and leisure companies. However, other measures long called for by the industry were noticeably absent.

CEO of the Association Of Independent Festivals John Rostron noted that the autumn statement did not include a reduction on VAT for ticket sales, which the live sector has repeatedly called for as a means to aid its continuing post-COVID revival. He said that “as far as independent festivals are concerned, what is urgently needed is the lowering of VAT to 5% on ticket sales. We will continue conversations with the government towards that end”.

Most critical of the budget was Night Time Industries Association CEO Michael Kill, who said in a statement: "This budget is a stark reminder of the unwillingness to acknowledge the short-term economic challenges, and emphasises the lack of operational business knowledge shared by budgetary and policy decision-makers, especially at a time when the industry is in desperate need”.

While a VAT cut on ticket sales was not included, it was a budget that announced a number of other tax cuts, which many see as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak preparing his party for a general election, possibly as early as next spring.

Click here for more on this story - including responses from LIVE and the Music Venue Trust.

APPROVED: UTO

Returning with their first new music of 2023, UTO’s new single ‘Zombie’ sees them lean into the weirder side of their musical tendencies. Citing Sonic Youth, Stereolab and The Chemical Brothers as key influences on their current sound, they come back with a renewed urgency.

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions and the road of life is potholed with delectable poisons”, says a press release for the new track.

“’Zombie’ tells the cursed love story between a human being and a monster. The monster returns from hell with its puny arms full of unearthly gifts for their loved one. But what happens when these offerings are as desirable as they are dangerous? Beware!”

The follow-up to last year’s debut album ‘Touch Lock Lock’ is set to arrive on a yet-to-be-announced date in 2024, but ‘Zombie’ should have you chomping at brains to get to hear it.

Listen to ‘Zombie’ here.

ARTIST NEWS

Ella Eyre releases first independent single ‘Head In The Ground’

Ella Eyre has released her first new music of 2023, new single ‘Head In The Ground’, which also launches her new record deal with [PIAS]. She has previously released through Universal Music labels Virgin and Island.

Having enjoyed a decade of success, including two MOBO Awards and a BRIT, Eyre shares her enthusiasm for this new phase, saying: "’Head In The Ground’ is my first ever independent release and I am so excited to be putting this one out first”.

The soulful track, which received its premiere on Clara Amfo’s ‘Future Sounds’ show on Radio 1 last night, not only introduces a fresh sound from Eyre but also seems to reflect her newfound artistic freedom now that she is operating outside the major label system.

Or, in her own words, “it’s an admission of my own complacency at a difficult time in my life and I wrote this song as a bit of a slap on the wrist to myself, because I know better than to run away from the things that scare me. Sometimes you have to make fun of a sticky situation to see the light and I had a lot of fun making this record”.

Speaking to CMU, [PIAS] Head Of A&R Russell Crank adds: “I’m totally inspired by Ella’s fearless vision for her career. She came to us intent on making a definitive artistic statement of who she is and that’s just what she has done. She has written a very powerful group of songs and there’s not many that can deliver a performance like Ella. There’s such a depth and artfulness to the music she is making and it’s a privilege to be joining Ella on her journey as an independent artist”.

Eyre is set to play two sold out shows at London’s Jazz Cafe on 27 and 28 Nov. She will then return to the Jazz Cafe on 22 Mar and play Manchester’s Band On The Wall on 23 Mar.

Listen to ‘Head In The Ground’ here.

LIVE

AEG planning new arena in Edinburgh

AEG has announced plans to open a new 8500 capacity arena venue in Edinburgh. The live giant has confirmed a deal with Parabola, the property firm that is developing the Edinburgh Park business park to the West of the Scottish capital where the new arena will be built.

Says the CEO of AEG Europe, Alex Hill: “AEG is THRILLED to announce this spectacular new arena for Edinburgh. It’s a location with immense potential, amplified by Parabola’s transformative development and regeneration of Edinburgh Park".

"The much needed 8500 capacity arena will bring world-class live music and entertainment to Edinburgh", he goes on, "further cementing its reputation as a destination for culture and global tourism. We look forward to this development becoming an integral part of the local community and complementing one of the best cities in the world for the arts and live entertainment".

Parabola founder Peter Millican adds: ”Parabola is delighted to be working with AEG in the delivery of such an iconic venue for the city. This investment will complement all that is on offer at Edinburgh Park and ensure that the arts and culture has an outstanding live performance facility. The new Edinburgh Arena will put west Edinburgh on the map as a new cultural destination".

A planning application for the new arena will be submitted to City Of Edinburgh Council in the next few weeks. AEG hopes to begin work on the new building in 2025 with the first events then taking place in 2027.

LEGAL

Daryl Hall secures restraining order against "business partner" John Oates

A legal battle is underway between Hall & Oates, with Daryl Hall filing a lawsuit against John Oates with the Nashville Chancery Court earlier this month.

Details on the case a sparse currently - the judge having granted permission for the lawsuit to be sealed - although court documents show it as being categorised under “contract/debt”. They also show that Hall sought a temporary restraining order against his former musical collaborator, which was seemingly granted on 17 Nov and will go into effect on 30 Nov.

Although the last Hall & Oates record - 'Home For Christmas' - was released in 2006, the duo toured together as recently as October 2022. They released eighteen albums together between 1972 and 2006.

In its report on the litigation, TMZ notes that when Hall appeared on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast last year he was very keen to stress that Oates was his "business partner" rather than his "creative partner", stressing that, while they made records together, "we’ve always been very separate and that’s a really important thing for me".

LIVE

Live Nation commits to address accessibility issues at Wireless and Download in deal with Equality Commission

Live Nation and its Festival Republic subsidiary have signed a legally binding agreement with the UK's Equality And Human Rights Commission after concerns were expressed about poor accessibility for disabled music fans at the company's Wireless and Download festivals.

The EHRC - which was established by the Equality Act 2006 - said yesterday that its concerns about access issues at the Live Nation festivals "followed multiple reports of poor accessibility for disabled customers” at the 2022 edition of Wireless Festival and at Download Festival in 2023. At the latter, these included “obscured stage visibility and poor facilities".

"Under the Equality Act 2010”, it added, “Live Nation are legally required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers at their festivals".

In the agreement between Live Nation and EHRC, the live giant commits to "undertake a robust lesson learning exercise to investigate the cause of issues at Wireless 2022 and Download 2023 and ensure they are not repeated".

It will also introduce a new manual to assess and promote accessibility at all existing and new festival sites; review all internal policies and procedures to ensure accessibility provisions are included; and introduce organisation-wide training on disability awareness and accessibility.

EHRC's Chair Kishwer Falkner stated yesterday: “Live music and festivals are a pivotal part of British culture and we are lucky to have such a vibrant array of events each year that can cater for every individual taste”.

"Festivals deserve to be enjoyed by all, including disabled people", she went on. "No one should be subjected to poor treatment when attending or being put off from attending altogether due to unacceptable access issues".

"The reported experiences at both Wireless and Download Festival were unacceptable and should never have happened", she concluded. "We welcome Live Nation’s commitment to improve their services and the signing of this agreement will ensure disabled people are not left behind at future events".

AND FINALLY

Doctor Who the most played sci-fi theme tune

Today is the 60th anniversary of 'Doctor Who', the first episode of which aired on 23 Nov in 1963. To celebrate, the BBC is airing three specials over the next three weekends with David Tennant returning to the title role.

If that's made you excited about the BBC sci-fi franchise for the first time in years, I think that means you're sexist. Unless you're mainly excited that Catherine Tate is also returning to the show. In which case, maybe that’s OK.

Or maybe you're excited that composer Murray Gold is also returning to make all the music for the programme. In which case I think you're still sexist, but at least that justifies us reporting on 'Doctor Who' in CMU.

The show's theme tune is iconic, of course, having originally been composed by Ron Grainer and arranged by Delia Derbyshire of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Indeed, it is the most popular sci-fi theme tune in the UK. Or, at least, the most played.

How do I know this? Well, because collecting society PRS For Music has used the 60th anniversary of ‘Doctor Who’ as an excuse to compile a list of the most popular sci-fi theme tunes of the moment based on streaming, broadcast and performance data from the start of the year.

It’s a somewhat niche category to be turning into a chart but they somehow managed to stretch it out to a whole top 20, which is almost as big an achievement as ‘Doctor Who’ being on air for 60 years.

>>> Click "read online" to see the full list.