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| TUESDAY 1 DECEMBER 2020 | COMPLETEMUSICUPDATE.COM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| TODAY'S TOP STORY: The live music industry has welcomed a change to the new COVID rules that go into force in England tomorrow that will allow venues in tier two regions of the country to sell alcoholic drinks to ticket-buyers. The new rules initially said that alcohol could only be sold alongside a meal... [READ MORE] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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UK government says alcohol can be served at venues in tier two under new COVID rules The current national lockdown across England finishes overnight tonight, with a three tier system replacing it. Most of the country will be in tiers two or three. Venues are not allowed to open at all in tier three areas, but can operate in tier two providing social distancing regulations are adhered to. However, a separate tier two restriction that alcoholic drinks can only be sold as part of a meal meant that realistically few venues would be able to open in a commercially viable way. The reduced capacity caused by social distancing already makes it challenging for venues to break even, but without bar sales making a profit would become pretty much impossible. That's especially true for grassroots venues. When the new rules were unveiled last week, the Music Venue Trust pointed out that the average grassroots music venue makes 65% of its revenues from bar sales. It also argued that buying a ticket to a cultural event should be equated to buying a meal in a bar or restaurant, stressing that attending a socially distanced gig is different to hanging out at the pub, even when alcohol is consumed. Both MVT and the new cross-sector trade group for live music, LIVE, have lobbied ministers on that point in recent days. And yesterday it was confirmed that the UK government was clarifying the new COVID rules pretty much in line with what the MVT had recommended. So venues will be allowed to sell alcohol at shows. Welcoming that move, MVT CEO Mark Dayvd said: "Music Venue Trust alongside LIVE has worked hard with the government to make the case that the consumption of culture and the consumption of food should be treated equally. If music be the food of love play on!" "We are delighted that we have been listened to and that guidance has been issued that makes it clear that ticketed events at grassroots music venues can go ahead in tier two with alcohol on sale", he added. "It makes a direct difference to the number of shows that can be delivered and is a significant step forward in the campaign to revive live music and re-open every venue safely". Phil Bowdery, Chair of the Concert Promoters Association, also welcomed the rule change, stating: "This announcement is hugely important for our industry as stopping the sale of alcohol was going to mean that, even if venues were technically able to open under tier two, they wouldn't have been able to financially. There's still a long way to go for the live music industry to recover, and the new situation is extremely challenging for those in tier three, but we're grateful to all those involved, in the industry and in government, for securing this sensible step". | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rita Ora apologises for breaking lockdown rules with 30th birthday party In an Instagram story post, Ora wrote: "I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was a spur of the moment decision made with the misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK". It's not clear how many people were in attendance at the event - reports vary from seven to "more than 30". Still, when England comes out of its month-long lockdown tomorrow, tier two restrictions in the capital will forbid any people from different households meeting up indoors - with only six people allowed to meet outdoors. But we're not even out of lockdown yet, so that is irrelevant, and Ora was just breaking the rules. However, in a statement, police said that "officers attended and carried out enquiries at the scene" but "found no record of any offence being committed". Still, Ora went on: "I'm deeply sorry for breaking the rules and in turn understand that this puts people at risk. This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgment. Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility". "I feel particularly embarrassed knowing first hand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness and being fully aware of the sacrifices that people and businesses have made to help keep us all safe", she added. "Even though this won't make it right, I want to sincerely apologise". Back in March, Ora fronted a World Health Organisation campaign to highlight the need for people to act in ways that will stop the spread of COVID-19. She said then that "we all have a part to play in helping to stop the spread". Exactly who agreed to host the party at Casa Cruz in Notting Hill is not clear. Its owner, Francois Perrodo, denies any knowledge, as does Director Nicholas Fallows. Kensington and Chelsea Council said it is investigating the incident, saying in a statement: "We are aware of the reports and will be investigating them with the premises". It has been reported that Ora has already paid a £10,000 fine to the council. Which, in terms of celebrity party budgets, might be pretty nominal, even if it was all broken up early. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Stormzy signs to 0207 Def Jam He, of course, worked with Warner on his first two albums - signing with Atlantic Records in the process - while the mini-major's label services division ADA also distributes the rapper's Merky label. The all new 0207 Def Jam label was launched last week, headed up by twin brothers Alex and Alec Boateng - the latter of whom was, until recently, co-head of A&R at Atlantic. That's probably not a coincidence, is it? And it makes the hire a very good decision for Universal right off the bat. Bagging the UK's biggest rapper is not just a coup for the major, but also a big vote of confidence for the new UK Def Jam spin-off. Last week, Jeff Harleston, who heads up Def Jam in the US, said: "It is a perfect fit having Alex and Alec at the helm of 0207 Def Jam. Their creativity, artist relationships, and connection with culture are all key elements that have made Def Jam such an important label for over 35 years. I have no doubt that Alex, Alec and their team will only make the label and the brand even stronger". How soon we can expect new music from Stormzy isn't clear - his second album, 'Heavy Is the Head', was released just under a year ago. There were three years between his first two albums. Presumably Universal will want him to hurry things along a bit third time around. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Independent Label Market launches online advent calendar Unable to hold its traditional Christmas market, what with all the things and stuff, ILM will instead highlight a different UK indie label each day from now until 24 Dec. Gifts for you from each will include exclusive artist and label mixtapes, vinyl-only mixes, festive discount codes and flash sales. There will also be an ILM takeover of Tim Burgess's Twitter listening parties, which will see him and fans listening along to Alex Cameron's 'Miami Memory' on 9 Dec, Dream Wife's 'So When You Gonna...' and Keeley Forsyth's 'Debris' on 10 Dec, then Ghostpoet's 'I Grow Tired But I Dare Not Fall Asleep' and Baxter Dury's 'The Night Chancers' on 11 Dec. Is that enough? Well, either way there's more. There will also be a raffle to raise money for homelessness charity Crisis, with a whole load of indie label prizes to be won. Have a look at what you could win and bung £2 (or more) into the pot here. Keep your eyes on the ILM Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for more on that advent calendar. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Live Nation and Oak View selected to lead new arena complex in Cardiff The new venue is set to have double the capacity of the existing Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, which is also run by Live Nation. The city's council began the process of selecting partners to launch the new arena late last year after buying the Cardiff Bay site where it will be built. Construction group Robertson are also part of the Live Nation/OVG consortium that won the bid. The three companies in that consortium said in a joint statement: "We are delighted to have been announced preferred bidder today to deliver the new Cardiff arena. We look forward to working in partnership with Cardiff Council to bring this ambitious vision to life over the next few years". "Our combined experience in the delivery and operation of facilities of this nature will result in a world-class facility that will bring economic benefits to the entire region, both during its construction and for many years to come once it's open", they went on. "In 2021 we will embark on the next phase of the planning process, which will provide the wider community the opportunity to see our exciting proposals for the site". | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Music piracy site Kingdom Leaks to shut down, tells users to consider a Spotify subscription Although the music industry's main piracy gripe in recent years has been stream-ripping, other kinds of online piracy remain a concern, including online communities where members share links to unofficial music files that can be downloaded. For a brief time a few years back communities of that kind were the targets of legal action from the music industry, especially where there was a focus on linking to and therefore leaking new music pre-release. But Kingdom Leaks was able to keep going for seven years, possibly helped by music companies shifting their online enforcement focus onto safe harbour reform and then the stream-rippers. Explaining why the site was now closing down, one of its operators, known as Lord Kingdom, states: "This was not a decision made lightly or abruptly, nor was this choice made because of legal pressure, a data breach, or anything of that nature. The simple but unfortunate reason is this: [fellow operator] mR12 and I have decided to move on, and there is no safe way to hand over the website to another party out of concern for the safety of everyone involved since the site's inception seven years ago". "With a baby on the way and getting married next year, this is something that I need to put in the past, officially", the statement goes on. "This reality has left us at the following decision: we will be permanently shutting down our servers on 1 Jan 2021. All user and site data, including that which is stored on PassTheLeaks, will be permanently deleted". There are, of course, other similar sites that users of Kingdom Leaks can switch to. Although that other operator of Kingdom Leaks, known as mR12, has actually suggested those users consider going legit and signing up to Spotify. "Many will understandably and reasonably move to other music blogs [and] other download sites", he writes. "However, I would like to argue, through a serious and practical consideration of the actual need that must be filled, that Spotify is the solution many people are looking for but simply don't know it or haven't given it enough consideration". He then sets out a number of reasons why he thinks Kingdom Leaks users should consider a premium Spotify subscription, reckoning that $120 a year is actually a fair price to pay. How many of the piracy site's users will follow that advice remains to be seen, though the blog post does play into a line used by Spotify a lot in its earlier years, to the effect that "we turn pirates into legitimate subscribers". | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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DEALS MBMB Publishing - the publishing arm of UK dance label Cr2 Records - has signed up to IMPEL, the organisation that negotiates direct deals in the digital domain on behalf of an assortment of independent music publishers. The firm's Mark Brown says: "We are particularly looking forward to joining such a great group of like-minded, independent publishers in which we can collaborate ... and ensure rights-holders are paid accurately and fairly". -------------------------------------------------- APPOINTMENTS Music start-up Delic - which is developing collaboration tools for music-makers - has announced the appointment of Claire McAuley of Warner Chappell and Cliff Fluet of Lewis Silkin to its advisory board. Both will also take part in a panel discussion later today called 'Independent Or Interdependence?' - info here. -------------------------------------------------- RELEASES A load of sports stars, including James Haskell, Jeremy Irvine and Darren Gough, have joined together as Rig Aid to make a bid for Christmas number one. Proceeds from the single will go to the Restart Rugby charity. The track is out on 18 Dec. Here's a trailer. Giggs has released the video for 'I'm Workin', featuring Jorja Smith, from his 'Now Or Never' album. Wargasm have released the video for new single 'Rage All Over'. Anna Straker has released new single 'Break Up Song'. "I wrote 'Break Up Song' the morning after a massive argument I had with my boyfriend", she says. "It captures the angst and fear and desperation you feel when you fight with your lover. When you've been with someone a long time and feelings build up and release in such an explosive way, it's consuming. I love the dance floor energy of this heartbreak anthem". Her new EP, 'Growing Pains', is out on 11 Dec. Ragz Originale has released new track 'OG Lullaby'. -------------------------------------------------- GIGS & TOURS These New Puritans have announced that they will livestream a show this Friday, to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the release of their 'Hidden' album. The duo will be joined by original TNP member Thomas Hein, pianist Maria Chiara Argiro and composer Henry Dagg. The show will also be broadcast from Dagg's workshop. Tickets are available now for whatever price you choose between £1 and £1000 - with proceeds going to the Survival International charity. Here's a sneak peak of what to expect. Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Spotify's Wrapped charts confirm Universal and Joe Rogan were this year's big streaming winners The most streamed artist globally was Bad Bunny, with four more Universal-signed guys making up the rest of the top five: Drake, J Balvin, Juice Wrld and The Weeknd. In the UK, the top five was slightly different, topped by Drake and with Ed Sheeran slipping in to break up the Universal party. It's all very male-heavy again, with few women to be found in any of the charts Spotify has thrown up this morning. Dua Lipa's 'Future Nostalgia' was the fifth most streamed album globally and in the UK. Her track 'Don't Start Now' was the world's fifth most popular track and she was the third most streamed British artist in the UK. Other than that, Tones & I's 'Dance Monkey' was the UK's fifth most played track and the second most popular worldwide. Continuing the uber-blokeyness, 'The Joe Rogan Experience' was the number one podcast in the UK and globally. So that possibly justifies the $100 million Spotify spent securing the exclusive rights to air the show. Or it might just annoy everyone who is already annoyed about that deal even more. Maybe both! Anyway, here are some key charts: Most Streamed Artists Globally Most Streamed Artists in the UK Most Streamed Artists in the UK, from the UK Most Streamed Tracks Globally Most Streamed Tracks in UK Most Streamed Albums Globally Most Streamed Albums in UK Most Popular Podcasts Globally Most Popular Podcasts in the UK | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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