Lex Records // Worldwide Retail Operations Manager (London)

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IDOL // UK Label Manager (London/Hybrid)

Today's music business news

TOP STORY

Live Nation announces scheme to support club-level touring in the US, including an end to merch commissions

Live Nation in the US has announced a new scheme at its network of club venues that will provide additional financial support for artists as well as allowing them to keep 100% of any merch sales at shows.

The scheme has been developed with Willie Nelson and is named after his song 'On The Road Again'. He says of the initiative: “Touring is important to artists, so whatever we can do to help other artists, I think we should do it. This programme will impact thousands of artists this year and help make touring a little bit easier".

While the upper end of the live music sector is booming again having fully recovered from the COVID shutdowns - something Live Nation likes to regularly tell its investors - in the mid-tier and at the grassroots surging production costs are making it increasingly hard for artists to make a profit from touring activity, especially when they start touring further afield.

That has put the spotlight on the economics of touring, including the commissions that some venues charge of merch sales. In the UK, the Featured Artists Coalition launched its 100% Venues campaign, calling on venues to stop charging merch commissions. That was then extended into North America last year via partnerships with the Union Of Musicians And Allied Workers in the US and rapper Cadence Weapon in Canada.

Outlining the support Live Nation will offer artists via the On The Road Again scheme, it says: "All of Live Nation’s clubs are investing in developing artists by providing $1500 in gas and travel cash per show to all headliners and support acts, on top of nightly performance compensation. Additionally, these clubs will charge no merchandise selling fees, so artists keep 100% of merch profits".

The UMAW welcomed the initiative yesterday, saying on Twitter: "There are 85+ venues participating [and] we hope that more LN venues (especially small ones) will join. [This programme] begs the question - if Live Nation can stop taking merch cuts, why can’t everyone else? Venues, join the #MyMerch campaign and pledge not to take a merch cut!"

In addition to the supporting artists, Live Nation says that it "also wants to recognise all the unsung heroes working behind the scenes night after night to help make these shows happen, with more grind and less glory than most of the business".

To that end, "On The Road Again is providing financial bonuses to local promoters that help execute at shows, tour reps that live life on a bus, as well as venue crew members that have worked over 500 hours in 2023".

Commenting on the initiative, which will initially run to the end of the year, Live Nation boss Michael Rapino - who in 2022 made $139m as CEO of Live Nation - says: “The live music industry is continuing to grow and, as it does, we want to do everything we can to support artists at all levels on their touring journey, especially the developing artists in clubs".

"Like Willie says", he adds, "this is all about making it a little easier for thousands of artists to continue doing what they love: going out and playing for their fans".

ONE LINERS

One Liners: BRIT Awards, Soulwax, Nicola Tuer + more

APPOINTMENTS

Sony Music UK & Ireland’s COO Nicola Tuer has announced that she is leaving the company at the end of this week for family reasons. “I’ve been incredibly proud to have been part of Sony for nearly 30 years”, she says. “Throughout this time I’ve had the privilege of working alongside so many talented people and artists and I will miss the challenges and excitement of playing my part at such a brilliant company”.

Music monitoring company Audoo has appointed Melanie Johnson as its new Chief Commercial Officer. "My mission is always to empower the music community with transparency, data, innovation and kindness”, she says. “Through my role at Audoo, building on the excellent existing work, we strive to innovate and transform the way music royalties are identified and collected, ultimately serving recognition of music creators”.

RELEASES

Blonde Redhead have released two new singles, ‘Sit Down For Dinner Parts 1 & 2’. The band’s new album ‘Sit Down For Dinner’ is set for release on Friday.

The Joy Formidable have released new fifteen minute song ‘Share My Heat’. “It’s a song about true connection and love”, says frontwoman Ritzy Bryan. “Deep, selfless love between humans is a beautiful part of our existence, but I’m also singing about our inherent love of nature, the living world and our kinship to everything: plants, animals, mountains and water. Can we repair our relationship with the earth and bring more reciprocity, compassion and companionship to a world that already gives us so much”.

Folly Group have announced that they will release their debut album ‘Down There’ on 12 Jan 2024. Out now is new single ‘Big Ground’. “The basic concept of this song is life filling you with so much anxiety and dread that you would rather you didn’t exist at all - you’d rather be swallowed by the ground”, says frontman Louis Milburn of the song. “In a way it’s sort of celebrating this fact, because once you know this deep down inside you can start to let go of these anxieties because after a while you face so many that they start to matter less”.

O. have released ‘Slice’, the first single from their debut EP of the same name, which is set for release on 24 Nov. “We wrote ‘Slice’ as soon as we got back from our gig and week in Recife, Brazil”, says drummer Tash Keary. “One of the things we loved about carnival was the amount of energy and buzz that goes into the music, and ‘Slice’ is us taking that approach with our own songs”. The duo have also announced UK tour dates in February and March next year.

Gag Salon have released new single ‘Fishyman Pt 1 (Flip Flop)’. Speaking about the song, frontman Joseph Mumford says: “A very popular boy I went to school with suddenly stopped coming in one day. Weeks went by with nobody hearing from him until one fateful day, a girl came shrieking into assembly, screaming that she’d heard his voice coming from the toilet bowl - he was singing. This song is kind of my own interpretation of what might have happened to him”.

GIGS & TOURS

Soulwax have announced UK shows in London and Manchester in February next year. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.

AWARDS

Next year's BRIT Awards will take place on 2 Mar, it has been announced, taking place again on a Saturday, following this year’s shift to the weekend from its usual school night slot. "The move to a Saturday night for the first time proved to be a huge success, so I'm delighted we'll be back in a primetime slot again in March”, says Warner Music’s Damian Christian, who again acts as Chair of the BRIT Committee. “A Saturday night show helped us lock in our most engaged audience ever and we'll be looking to build on that base as we connect with even more fans in 2024”.

POLICY & GOVERNMENT

ISM raises concerns about revamp of music education hubs

The Independent Society Of Musicians has written to the UK government about the revamp of music education hubs in England that is currently underway. It raises a number of concerns about the revamp, including the fact that no clear rationale for such a significant restructure has ever been provided.

Music education hubs support schools and other organisations in each local area, to provide access to music education for young people around England.

Funded by government via Arts Council England, each hub is run day-to-day by a lead organisation. The big revamp will significantly reduce the total number of hubs, with each lead organisation providing support to a larger region than under the current system.

In a statement yesterday, ISM said: "No case has been made as to how the new hub structure will provide better access to music education for all young people".

Its letter to Schools Minister Nick Gibb also raises concerns about the timeline for the revamp and the pressure that has put on lead organisations, as they try to provide existing services while also engaging with the process via which organisations will be appointed to run the new bigger hubs.

It adds that the concerns raised in the letter have been brought to ISM by those working in the hub system, many of whom feel unable to raise their concerns directly with government or the Arts Council because "they fear that this will be held against them during current and future application and funding processes".

The letter sets out seven specific questions, including: "What is the evidence that shows reducing hubs will improve the offer?"; "What is the justification for such a short timeline of consultation and reform?"; and "Will you give assurances that hubs are not being set up to fail?"

ISM CEO Deborah Annetts adds: "We’re raising these concerns directly with the minister in charge because [the music hub restructure] has been shrouded in secrecy and the sector has never been given a clear justification for the reinvestment process. Many hubs and those who work within them have dedicated themselves to their work and music education for years. They deserve answers".

READ THE ISM LETTER HERE

AWARDS

AIM Independent Music Awards presented in London

The AIM Independent Music Awards took place last night, celebrating artists, labels, retailers and entrepreneurs from across the sector. Among those in attendance was Björk, making her first in-person appearance at an awards show since the 2012 Webbys to collect the public-voted Best Live Performer prize.

Winners included Raye and 070 Shake for their track ‘Escapism’, and Wesley Joseph who picked up Best Independent Video for ‘Monsoon’. 070 Shake was featured in the CMU Approved back in 2020, while Joseph also appear in the column last year.

On the industry side, winners included founder of the Young label Caius Pawson, who was named Music Entrepreneur Of The Year; Speedy Wunderground’s Dan Carey, who receive the Innovator Award; and Brighton record shop Resident Music, which was named Independent Champion.

"The AIM Awards are always about more than celebrating the nominees, winners and attendees in the room; they celebrate everyone across our varied and diverse rightsholder community throughout the regions and nations”, says AIM CEO Silvia Montello.

“From the founders and long-established labels who’ve defined our sector right through to those forming the future independents. From the entrepreneurs driving new creative businesses to the artists carving out their independent journey”.

“AIM celebrates”, she continues, “the legends, visionaries, innovators and all the creative talent who continue to keep our UK's vibrant independent music community the envy of the world”.

LEGAL

Shakira charged with more tax evasion in Spain

Shakira has been charged with tax evasion in Spain for a second time. Already due to stand trial over allegations that she failed to pay €14.5 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014, she is now accused of avoiding a further €6.7 million in 2018.

In a statement, a representative for the singer said: “Unfortunately, the Spanish Tax Office, which loses one out of every two lawsuits with its taxpayers, continues to violate her rights and pursue yet another baseless case. Shakira is confident that her innocence will be proven by the end of the judicial process”.

The Spanish tax authorities claim that Shakira used an offshore company based in a tax haven in order to avoid paying tax in the country in 2018.

The singer is already due to stand trial in November for the alleged tax evasion between 2012 and 2014. That dispute relates to a disagreement over where Shakira was primarily based during those years. The Colombian pop star, who was then married to Barcelona football player Gerard Piqué became a full resident, and therefore tax payer, of Spain in 2015.

However, Spanish authorities believe that she was also a resident of the country between 2012 and 2014 – despite actually registering her residence in the Bahamas – and therefore should have been paying tax on her worldwide earnings in the country during this time too.

Anyone who spends more than six months of a year in Spain is considered liable for tax in the country. And it is argued that Shakira spent most of her time in Spain during the years in question, only travelling abroad for brief periods.

Shakira’s legal reps have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing ever since she was first charged in 2018, insisting that the singer’s finances have been managed entirely legally and properly.

MEDIA

Bauer appoints new chief at its pan-European audio business

Bauer Media has appointed Vivian Mohr as President of its audio business, which has operations in a number of European markets and includes the firm's extensive network of radio stations in the UK.

He takes over from previous President of Audio Richard Dawkins, who announced he was departing the company earlier this month because of "differing ideas around the next phase of transformation" between him and Bauer Media Group CEO Yvonne Bauer.

She said at the time: "While I’m confident this change is for the best, it is very difficult to lose Richard. This decision has been incredibly challenging for us both, as we deeply respect and appreciate each other as colleagues and professionals".

Mohr moves over from Bauer's online comparison platforms division, where he was CFO and COO, and which has just announced a merger with the equivalent division of the Netrisk Group. Both companies operate various online comparison platforms in Central and Eastern European markets.

Confirming Mohr's new job, Bauer says that - as President of Audio - "Vivian is, in a way, returning to his roots in media strategy and performance management. He led the integration of two of Switzerland’s largest radio chains, supported bolt-on acquisitions of regional stations and managed the landmark acquisition of the country’s largest private TV broadcaster".

Mohr himself adds: "I was very honoured to be approached by Yvonne regarding this role. Bauer Media Audio has incredible potential - both in traditional business and in digital. And it will be an inspiring challenge to set up and implement a transnational and future-oriented strategy together with the talented Audio teams. I look forward to bringing my skills and broad experience to the role".

LEGAL

Jay-Z and Timbaland defeat Paper Chase sample lawsuit

A US court has dismissed a sample lawsuit filed by soul musician Ernie Hines against Jay-Z and Timbaland.

An initial lawsuit was dismissed back in 2020 because of legal technicalities. But this time - when considering a second lawsuit - the judge considered copyright matters, concluding that the elements of Hines' song sampled by Jay-Z and Timbaland were not protected by copyright.

Hines said that his 1970 song ‘Help Me Put Out The Flame (In My Heart)’ was sampled without licence on Jay-Z's 1998 Timbaland-produced track ‘Paper Chase’. And not only that, Timbaland used the same sample the following year on Ginuwine’s ‘Toe 2 Toe’. As Hines' second lawsuit progressed, Ginuwine was actually added as a defendant.

The defendants didn't actually dispute that the two Timbaland-produced tracks sampled the introduction of 'Help Me Put Out The Flame'. But Hines owns the copyright in the song not the recording, and - the defendants argued - the elements of the earlier composition used in the 1990s tracks were not substantial enough to be protected by copyright.

That argument was aided by the fact that the introduction of Hines' song was basically a rework of this famous - and public domain - musical phrase known as 'Mysterioso Pizzicato'.

Hines did alter the public domain phrase a little, but - siding with Jay-Z et al on this in his judgement - judge J Paul Oetken stated: "Hines ... cannot claim copyright in the elements he added to 'Mysterioso Pizzicato'. The introduction’s additions of a single note and a single different rhythm ... do not render the introduction protectable".

The full judgement discusses the copyright status of the sampled element of ‘Help Me Put Out The Flame' in much more detail, before concluding that ‘Paper Chase’ and ‘Toe 2 Toe’ did not infringe Hines’ song copyright in relation to the earlier work.

And, with that in mind, Oetken granted the motions for dismissal requested by Jay-Z, Timbaland and Ginuwine, as well as corporate co-defendant Warner Chappell.

AND FINALLY

Taylor Swift pays everyone’s bill in a restaurant and tells them to get out

Rejoice, Taylor Swift fans of the UK and Ireland, you too will be able to watch Taylor Swift doing a bit of singing and dancing on the big screen next month.

It was announced in August that the musician’s ‘Eras Tour’ concert film would be shown in cinemas across the US from 13 Oct. Now she’s confirmed that it will be screened over here too.

Swift announced yesterday that the film is set to play in over 100 countries, saying in a post on Instagram: “The tour isn’t the only thing we’re taking worldwide. Been so excited to tell you all that ‘The Eras Tour’ concert film is now officially coming to theatres worldwide on 13 Oct”.

The film is set to be screened at Vue, Odeon and independent cinemas around the UK and Ireland. Vue has also announced that tickets will start at £13.13, doubling down on Swift’s lucky number.

“While summer was all about the ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon, it looks as if autumn is set to be dominated by Taylor-mania - and we couldn’t be happier”, says Toby Bradon, General Manager for Vue UK and Ireland, adding that he reckons this “is set to be one of the biggest events of the year”.

The cinema release gives anyone who didn’t manage to get tickets for Swift’s actual shows the chance to see the performance at a fraction of the price. And anyone who did but can’t wait until she arrives for the UK and Ireland dates next summer can get a preview of what to expect too.

Tickets and listings for the cinema screenings are available at tstheerastourfilm.com