UK Music // Chief Executive (London/Hybrid)

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Domino // Promo Dept Coordinator (London/Hybrid)

The Ivors Academy // Chief Executive (London/Hybrid)

Deviate Digital // Digital Marketing Assistant (London)

Today's music business news

TOP STORY

Generative AI being used to create fake pre-release ‘pirate’ tracks, says UMG content protection boss

Generative AI is not only powering a new kind of music piracy, it's also being used to scam people involved in music piracy. Or so says Universal Music's VP Of Global Content Protection, Graeme Grant, in a new submission to the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

"Increasingly fraudsters are using AI to claim they have pre-release tracks which they then make available for sale", Grant notes in his submission.

Basically, scammers are using AI tools to create musical clips with cloned vocals that imitate popular artists. They then join online groups where people source and share pre-release tracks and claim that these clips are the real deal, illicitly sourced from artists or labels through hacking or phishing.

"Some people apparently fall for this scam", Grant goes on, "paying thousands of dollars to get their hands on fresh tracks, not knowing that they’re actually faked. Believing these tracks to be authentic, users often engage in ‘group buys’, pooling their resources to meet the fraudster’s inflated asking price, which can range from $5000 to $30,000".

Given that the record companies have been trying for years to crack down on groups that source and share pre-release tracks online, stopping this particular scam presumably isn't a top priority for the music industry. But it's an interesting outcome of the recent developments in music-making generative AI.

What is more of a priority for Universal Music is stopping tracks with AI-generated cloned vocals from being distributed to the streaming services.

Once on those platforms, such tracks can grab a portion of the royalty pool if they gain any traction, either because fans mistakenly believe it's a new track from the cloned artist, or maybe just because they are curious to hear what the AI version of that artist sounds like.

Labels might try to get those tracks removed on copyright grounds - because the AI tool was clearly trained with unlicensed music, or sometimes because the finished track outright samples an existing recording or interpolates an existing song without permission. Other times alternative legal arguments are presented to justify getting a track taken down.

Explaining how Universal sought to get the digital platforms to remove Ghostwriter's fake Drake track - perhaps the highest profile vocal clone release of the year - Grant writes: "The original track contained a sample from a UMG-controlled track called 'No Complaints' by Metro Boomin, [so] was removed on the basis of copyright infringement”.

“A new version ... was then uploaded to [streaming services] with the Metro Boomin sample removed”, he goes on, “which was reported on the basis of trademark and name, image and likeness violations".

Grant has made his submission to WIPO ahead of a meeting next month of the organisation's Advisory Committee On Enforcement which will consider AI.

Elsewhere the Universal exec also outlines the music industry’s biggest beef with generative AI, which is that AI models are being trained with existing music without licence, infringing the major's copyrights.

Existing copyright law should be able to deal with these infringements, he then argues, providing data mining exceptions to copyright aren't introduced or interpreted too widely so that AI companies can legally make use of existing works without permission.

However, he adds, given that labels are sometimes relying on publicity or personality rights to get AI-generated tracks taken down, "additional protection of personal rights (ie voice and likeness) may be necessary".

ONE LINERS

One Liners: Music Venue Trust, Tom Gray, European Music Managers Alliance + more

APPOINTMENTS

The Music Venue Trust has appointed musician Rhoda Dakar, Factory International’s Director Of Music Jane Beese, O2 Arena programmer Emma Bownes, and Music Programme Manager of Summerhall in Edinburgh Arusa Qureshi to its board.

MANAGEMENT & FUNDING

The European Music Managers Alliance has expanded its partnership with YouTube Music, which will provide additional support for the organisation’s professional development, training and networking programmes. "I am delighted [YouTube] continues to recognise the importance of a healthy and vibrant management community, supporting EMMA in nurturing a more diverse and sustainable ecosystem for all creative talent”, says Executive Director Jess Partridge.

EDUCATION & EVENTS

Music company Finesse Foreva and the Music Managers Forum have announced a one day event aimed at emerging music talent and entrepreneurs called NXTGEN, which will take place at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls Concert Hall on 12 Feb. "We are delighted to partner with our friends at Finesse Foreva on this incredible event”, says MMF CEO Annabella Coldrick. “NXTGEN aims to provide young people in Croydon with a comprehensive overview of the music business and will hopefully encourage some of the UK's next wave of entrepreneurs to take their first steps to success”.

ARTIST NEWS

Gomez member and Ivors Academy Chair Tom Gray - also known in the music industry, of course, as founder of the #BrokenRecord campaign - has been selected as the new Labour Party candidate for the Brighton Pavilion ward. In a post on Twitter, he said that he was “delighted and humbled”. Other candidates included comedian Eddie Izzard. The seat is currently held by the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas, who has said she will stand down at the next election.

CMU MASTERCLASSES

CMU's 2024 masterclass sessions now on sale

As the music industry prepares for the Christmas break, CMU is launching a brand new series of online masterclasses for 2024. Each Tuesday from 30 Jan CMU's Chris Cooke will share expert insights on the latest trends and developments in the music business.

The first set of four masterclasses will provide a comprehensive and timely overview of the music business in 2024, including the recording, publishing and live sectors, the digital music market, and the ways in which artist businesses are evolving. There is also a session on how music copyright is being monetised, protected and traded in 2024, and another outlining all the challenges and opportunities posed by AI.

The second set of four masterclasses will tell you everything you need to know about the economics of music streaming. They will ensure you understand how the streaming business model works - how that model is changing - and how labels, publishers, artists and songwriters get paid. We’ll also talk you through all the debates around streaming, and will outline the initiatives that are addressing data and transparency issues, explaining how you can play your part in the solutions.

Each masterclass will be delivered live at 2.30pm UK time every Tuesday from 30 Jan, with the opportunity to ask questions. All will be available on-demand following the live delivery - so attendees can access the materials at any time.

Bookings are now being taken at special early bird rates.

LIVE

Live Nation buys Margate's Dreamland

Live Nation has bought a controlling stake in Margate's Dreamland amusement park and music venue. It follows the securing of a new licence earlier this year that allows the number of outdoor events and late night indoor events at the complex to increase.

According The Isle Of Thanet News, a Companies House filing made last week shows that Live Nation's LN Gaiety Holdings joint venture now has significant control of Dreamland's operator Sands Heritage. Staff were seemingly updated on the change of ownership on Friday.

LN Gaiety confirmed the acquisition in a statement, adding: "Working with CEO Eddie Kemsley, the team will enhance its offer at this much-loved resort. Dreamland is the ultimate seaside destination for music, rides and entertainment with great artists in 2024 including Status Quo, Madness, Richard Ashcroft, Becky Hill, Limp Bizkit, Craig David and many more".

A spokesperson for the park and venue added: “We are delighted that LN-Gaiety has become the new owner of Dreamland in Margate. The acquisition ensures the legendary venue can carry on providing world class entertainment for people of all ages".

“It is very much business as usual for Dreamland", they added. "We look forward to re-opening our historic amusement park at Easter for another summer season, as well as welcoming some of the very best live bands and acts both in our indoor spaces and next summer on the amazing Scenic Stage. In the meantime, we can’t wait to welcome people in the run up to the festive season at Dreamland’s Christmas World!”

LEGAL

Michael Jackson estate successfully blocked auction of allegedly stolen master tapes

A set of master tapes containing unreleased recordings made by Michael Jackson in the 1990s were last week dropped from an auction of pop memorabilia following a threat of legal action from the late pop star's estate.

US-based auction house Gotta Have Rock And Roll said that the tapes featured “incredibly rare unreleased recordings” made by Jackson during recording sessions at the Hit Factory studios in New York in 1994. It stressed that it was just the physical tapes that were up for sale, meaning the buyer wouldn't have any rights to make or distribute copies of the recordings.

However, it still expected each tape to sell for as much as $4000. And with more than two dozen tapes in the set, that would have been a decent return.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Jackson estate was not happy about the sale. It said that neither Jackson nor his record label Sony Music had ever sold or gifted any master tapes from the Hit Factory sessions, meaning the tapes up for sale must have been stolen.

According to Billboard, a legal rep for the estate sent a cease and desist letter to the auction house on 29 Nov demanding that the tapes be removed from sale and returned to his client.

Gotta Have Rock And Roll seemingly declined to comply with that demand, resulting in another lawyer, Alex Spiro, last week telling the auction house the estate would be securing a restraining order from the New York courts.

That seemingly worked, with the tapes being removed from the auction house's website the following day. Given that most of the other Jackson-related items being sold off in an auction that closed yesterday went for considerably less than Gotta Have Rock And Roll estimated, chances are the tapes wouldn't have generated quite as much cash as anticipated anyway.

LIVE

NTIA welcomes moves to strengthen laws against drink and needle spiking

The Night Time Industries Association has welcomed an announcement by the UK government that it will seek to amend legislation to strengthen laws against drink and needle spiking - where a person puts drugs into another person's drink or directly into their body with their knowledge or consent.

“We welcome the Home Office's commitment to modernise spiking laws, a cause that our association has ardently advocated for over the past few years", says NTIA CEO Michael Kill. "The acknowledgement by the Home Secretary James Cleverly of the gravity of spiking as an offence is a significant milestone".

Several different areas of legislation outlaw spiking. However, there is not currently a single specific offence with which to prosecute those who commit the crime. The Home Office says it will amend the Criminal Justice Bill and update the Offences Against The Person Act to provide more clarity in the law. Separate statutory guidance - likely to be issued under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 - will also provide a "clear" and "unequivocal" definition of spiking.

Confirming these moves, Cleverly said: "The public should be under no illusion - spiking is a serious offence and I urge anyone who suspects they have been a victim of this to contact the police now".

Kill added: "This legislative move is a testament to the collective efforts of our association, parliamentarians, the industry and key stakeholders who have tirelessly collaborated to challenge the prevalence of this heinous crime. The planned statutory guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and the commitment to providing an unequivocal definition of spiking reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing this pressing issue".

"Our association remains dedicated to working alongside the government and law enforcement agencies to ensure the effective implementation of these vital measures", he concluded.

"The proactive stance taken by the Home Office is a positive step towards creating a safer environment within nightlife establishments and broader society, and we are optimistic about the positive impact these legislative changes will have on the overall safety and well-being of patrons during the festive season and beyond".

AND FINALLY

Olly Alexander confirmed as UK's Eurovision contender for 2024

Olly Alexander has confirmed that he will represent the UK at next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö in Sweden.

“I’ve loved watching Eurovision ever since I was a little kid and I’m beyond excited to be taking part next year", he said this weekend. "As a young boy I always looked forward to this incredible event of unbridled joy, the wonderfully chaotic mix of musical styles, theatrical performances, heartfelt emotion and humour. I really can’t believe I’m going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible, it shall be an honour!"

Rumours began circulating last month that talks were underway about Alexander representing the UK at Eurovision 2024. His involvement was then confirmed during BBC One’s 'Strictly Come Dancing' on Saturday evening.

The Eurovision gig coincides with Alexander also announcing that he will now perform under his own name rather than as Years & Years. That, of course, was originally the name of Alexander's band, but became a solo project in 2021. The three Years & Years albums, including those released when the outfit was a trio, are now listed on Spotify as being by Olly Alexander (Years & Years).

His Eurovision statement continued: "I’ve wanted to do this for a long time and it feels like the right moment to start releasing music under my own name. I’m determined to give it everything I’ve got and put on an excellent and unforgettable performance for you all!”

Confirming Alexander's Eurovision appointment for the BBC, its Head Of Entertainment Kalpna Patel-Knight added: “To have an artist of Olly Alexander’s calibre representing the UK in Malmö in 2024 is testament to just how much the BBC wants to keep momentum of Eurovision riding high since the UK had the honour of hosting the contest on behalf of Ukraine in Liverpool earlier this year”.

“Olly is the perfect ambassador for the UK”, she went on, “as both an immensely talented and world renowned artist and passionate fan of the competition".

But what will Alexander be singing in Malmö? A song co-written with Danny L Harle which, we are told, will "be revealed in due course".