PHOTO: Danny Clinch
frontline
THE BIG DATE
The government’s roadmap out of Covid restrictions puts a “not before date” of May 17 for live events and states that there will still be requirements for limited capacity and social distancing. It will not be until at least June 21 before the sector might be able to return to some kind of normality. “We will now continue to work with the government on pilot schemes to ensure a safe, consistent and successful approach to getting live music back in our communities as soon as possible,” said UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Goodwin.
THE BIG MOVE THE BIG DSP
Spotify CEO and founder Daniel Ek has predicted that there will be 50 million creators on the platform by 2025. The number has grown from three million in 2017 to eight million last year, as the streaming giant expanded its content with podcasts. “We’re in the midst of an explosion of audio creation,” said Ek during the company’s Stream On event. Ek also announced a global expansion for Spotify, which is
THE BIG IPO
Vivendi has confirmed its IPO for UMG in 2021. It plans for the distribution of 60% of UMG’s share capital to Vivendi shareholders. The listing would be on Amsterdam’s Euronext stock exchange. “I couldn’t be prouder: not only is this a validation of our strategy, our teams, and our unprecedented record of success, it’s a natural evolution in the storied history of our company that will enable our entrepreneurial and creative culture to continue to soar,” said Universal Music Group CEO and chairman Sir Lucian Grainge.
rolling out in a further 80-plus territories. The move into countries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America marks Spotify’s broadest market expansion to date. The livestream also featured Billie Eilish and her brother and
collaborator Finneas, who unveiled the new Spotify HiFi tier, which will deliver music in a CD-quality, lossless audio format. Twenty-four hours after the Stream On event, Spotify’s Horacio
Gutierrez, head of global affairs and chief legal officer, appeared before MPs on the DCMS Committee inquiry into streaming. Along with execs from Apple Music and Amazon Music, he faced questions about the growth of streaming and royalty payments. “I know streaming is having a positive impact on artists,” said Gutierrez during the virtual session.
THE BIG LAUNCH
Vanessa Higgins has been appointed as MD, Virgin Music Label & Artist Services UK. She joins UMG from Regent Street Records, the independent record label and music publishing company she founded in 2014, after spending 15 years as a touring musician. Higgins will report to David Joseph, chairman and CEO, Universal Music UK. UMG has announced the launch of Virgin Music Label & Artist Services as a new global network, with Caroline operations rebranded internationally.
TAKE A BOW TEAM Foo Fighters
Medicine At Midnight Peak Chart Position: No.1 Label: Columbia
Management: Silva Artist Management President: Ferdy Unger-Hamilton Managing Director: Manish Arora Marketing: Alex Eden-Smith/ Stephanie Forbes (Columbia) Digital: Sim Rollison/ Mike Hanson (Columbia) Print Press: Barbara Charone (MBC PR)
Online Press: Ashley Mathews (MBC PR) Regional Press: Anastasia Roe (MBC PR) National Radio: Steph Wilkinson (Columbia), Pete Black (Sony Music) Regional Radio: Gary Hobson (Sony Music) TV: Rob Clark (Columbia)
Former Partisan creative director Theresa Adebiyi has joined music and tech platform Venice as director, audience and culture. Venice is part of Troy Carter and Suzy Ryoo’s Q&A business and has been set up to offer distribution services alongside support with roster management, track splits, marketing, creative, A&R, digital and streaming. Adebiyi will work alongside Matt Ott, who heads up Q&A’s UK business as VP, artist development and strategy. She described the move “as an incredible and exciting opportunity”.
Midnight special: Foo Fighters
musicweek.com
Music Week | 09
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