frontline SOME OF THE BIGGEST STORIES FROM THE PAST MONTH IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS
THE BIG MOVE
A&R exec Jeremy Vuernick has been named executive vice president, Atlantic Music Group, joining AMG’s global leadership team. In this new post, reporting jointly to AMG CEO Elliot Grainge and Atlantic UK co-presidents Ed Howard & Briony Turner, Vuernick will be based in London and work closely with the company’s UK and US teams to sign and develop artists with global potential. “This is the next exciting step to further link our UK and US teams to super-serve our artists and their visions,” said Howard and Turner.
THE BIG TRIBUTE
The UK music industry is in mourning after the passing of radio plugger Mel Rudder. She worked in club promotions for Warner Music, and later moved over to Atlantic’s national promotions department where she managed specialist radio and TV strategies for campaigns. After 15 years, Rudder founded her own company, Three Thirty Music, plugging and consulting for artists domestically and internationally. In a tribute on social media, Girls I Rate said: “A true pioneer, a visionary, a mentor. Mel will never be forgotten.”
THE BIG AWARDS
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard has revealed the three nominees for the revived BRITs Critics’ Choice. Jacob Alon (Island Records), Sienna Spiro (Capitol/Method) and
THE BIG ROLE
Merlin has appointed Charlie Lexton as its CEO, effective January 1, 2026. Lexton has worked for the digital rights agency for global independent labels and distributors since its inception, initially alongside founding CEO Charles Caldas. Most recently, Lexton has served as Merlin’s COO since April 2020. Outgoing Merlin chief executive Jeremy Sirota said: “Charlie has been a great partner in evolving Merlin into what it is today… I’m excited for Charlie and the team to write Merlin’s next chapter.”
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Rose Gray (Polydor) (pictured clockwise from top left) are nominated for the 2026 BRITs Critics’ Choice supported by BBC Radio 1. The award (previously known as Rising Star) has reverted to its original name of Critics’ Choice for 2026, in acknowledgement of the importance of ‘critical acclaim’ to artists at this early and crucial stage of their career. It continues to act as a “barometer for the next generation of British talent”, said a statement. Stacey Tang, chair of the BRIT Awards Committee and co-president of RCA Records UK, said: “How exciting to spotlight a new wave of UK musicians shaping popular culture. Awards and recognition for emerging artists is now more important than ever, and Critics’ Choice has long championed brilliantly talented new artists. This cohort shares the same early spark displayed by previous winners like Adele, Florence + The Machine, Sam Fender, Myles Smith and Emeli Sandé. This year’s finalists are a great reminder that commercial momentum grows from creative ambition and artistic bravery.” The winner will be announced in January, ahead of the ceremony at
Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday, February 28. The 2026 cohort follow former winners and nominees who have gone on to achieve success, including Dua Lipa, Adele, Florence + The Machine, James Blake, Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Smith, Jorja Smith, Griff, FLO, The Last Dinner Party, Myles Smith and more.
THE BIG GIGS
Radiohead have made history with the highest ever attendance at the O2 Arena. The band have returned for their first live dates in seven years, including four sold-out gigs in the round at The O2. Metallica previously set The O2 record in 2017. Radiohead surpassed that attendance figure with all four shows and set a new record of 22,355 on the final night. “These past four record-breaking nights will go down in the venue’s history, with Radiohead breaking the attendance records each night,” said senior programming director Christian D’Acuna.
Music Week | 09
PHOTOS: Alex Lake
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