ZENA WHITE Partisan/WIN
Partisan has seen another rock breakthrough with Geese – what’s special about the band?
“Geese are four incredible musicians who have dedicated themselves to their craft, separately and together. We’ve worked with them for over five years, and everything came together this year. Their album Getting Killed has been the access point, as well as Cameron Winter’s solo LP Heavy Metal, but new fans are now diving into their catalogue.”
What was the biggest campaign issue for WIN in 2025?
“WIN’s key priorities have been promoting a competitive marketplace,
fair AI development and ensuring a level playing field in streaming.”
Can you tell us your favourite track of 2025? “Event Of A Fire by Blondshell – gives me goosebumps every time.”
And how about your choice for album? “Westerman’s A Jackal’s Wedding. Songwriting for all seasons.”
TOM KIEHL UK Music
Can UK Music win the policy arguments on the ethical use of generative AI?
“The creative industries are coming together. Whether we achieve transparency from AI firms and get government to rule out any damaging exceptions to copyright hinges on two things. Firstly, our ability to maintain and grow this movement of support. Secondly, whether we can sufficiently leverage this bold coalition to change the hearts and minds of those that hold human creativity’s future in their hands.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025? “Pulp’s Spike Island was a wonderful surprise; it’s great they are still sounding so good after all these years. My favourite album was Eusexua by FKA Twigs. Raw and complex, but totally invigorating.”
SHAURAV
ZEON RICHARDS Renowned Group
What was the biggest challenge facing managers this year?
“The amount of work it takes to break an artist in the digital landscape. There is a lot more to manage than in the past.”
How have you kept up with the growth of your client DJ AG this year?
DOT LEVINE Vevo
Why do you think music videos were important in 2025? “Music videos are the centre of culture and create some of the most talked about moments of the year. Whether it’s nostalgia or new releases, music videos always drive both conversation and connection.”
Which was your favourite this year? “Chappell Roan’s The Subway. Having moved back home from NYC three years ago, I will always love a video that’s shot there. This video is so quintessentially New York, even with the Green Lady of Brooklyn cameo, and it’s such a great track, too. It’s the perfect combo.”
What was your track of the year?
D’SILVA Stellar Songs/2-Tone Entertainment
Looking back, what was the key to top campaigns in 2025? “A meaningful narrative around the song. As good as a record or an artist can be, the connection with the core community must be real and the narrative compelling.”
What kind of support did up-and-coming execs need most this year?
“Help with managing the ever-moving definition of success and the never-ending pursuit of breaking new ground. I meet too many execs who are constantly told ‘it’s not enough’. This is very damaging for their self-worth and makes the process feel less important than the result.”
What track and album stood out to you in 2025? “Ed Sheeran’s Azizam was hooky with a tasteful nod to Persian culture, and The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow brought more top tier artistry.”
34 | Music Week
“Man I Need by Olivia Dean. I have been a big fan of Olivia’s for years now. She was a Vevo DSCVR Artist To Watch for us back in 2021, and her journey since then has been so exciting. Her sound has grown up with her, and we’re so happy she has had such a big year, with sell-out shows and a Grammy nod for Best New Artist. She is just getting started, so let’s see what 2026 has in store for her.”
And what was your favourite album? “Lily Allen’s West End Girl. I haven’t stopped listening to it. It is emotionally raw, and the songs are bangers. It’s really honest and personal, while also having mass appeal.”
got in Newcastle was second to none, you could feel the buzz. The Prize moving from London shows the industry doesn’t revolve around one city.”
How do you reflect on the landscape for new artists in 2025?
SIAN ELERI BBC Radio 1
You were part of the Mercury panel this year, what impact do you feel the Prize had as it moved to Newcastle? “It’s huge. As a teenager in Caernarfon, Radio 1’s Big Weekend being seven miles down the road in 2010 [in Bangor] made the industry feel not so out of reach. I felt seen. Having names like Rihanna and Florence + The Machine on our doorstep was surreal. This year, the welcome we
“It’s such a difficult climate to navigate right now. Artists are expected to be marketing machines on their own, leaving them with less time to dedicate themselves to making music – all while juggling jobs just to make ends meet. But music has also never been more accessible, and there’s a genuine hunger to discover new artists.”
What was your track of 2025? “Dora Jar’s Lucky. She’s lyrically so vivid, and this track is so picturesque.”
And your favourite album? “Rosalía’s Lux. Each track is based on a female saint and performed in that saint’s respective language, with 13 languages in total. It’s wild. One of the best albums of the 2020s, I’m calling it now. It’s transcendental, with so much thought and care poured into it.”
musicweek.com
“We have kept up by building an amazing team with Fiona Ramsay and Joe King, and by targeting emerging markets, meaning secondary towns across the country, and then travelling around the world to collaborate and build the audience abroad.”
What was your track of 2025?
“Olivia Dean – So Easy (To Fall In Love). It’s a quality record that captures the true essence of songwriting.”
And your favourite album?
“The Art Of Loving is fantastic. Olivia and her team have done a great job creating a body of work that is breaking around the world.”
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