SETLIST is the music business podcast from CMU, sponsored by 7digital. CMU helps people navigate and understand the music business through media, training, consultancy and education.
On this week's show, we discuss the launch of the record industry's first major lawsuits against music-generating AI companies - with the RIAA coordinating litigation against Suno and Udio - plus a group of songwriters are suing PRS. SECTION TIMES 01: Labels v Suno + Udio (00:04:30) 02: News in brief (00:15:20) 03: Songwriters v PRS (00:18:05) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Suno and Udio's “lawless” behaviour cheapens human creativity with sound-a-likes and knock-offs says watershed RIAA lawsuit • Suno boss accuses music industry of “reverting to its old lawyer-led playbook” • Udio responds to record label lawsuit insisting its AI model ‘listens' rather than ‘copies' • PRS sued over “unreasonable and unnecessary hurdles” for writers directly licensing their live performances NEWS IN BRIEF • UK Music names Tom Kiehl as new CEO • Live Nation boss Michael Rapino sued by shareholder over DoJ action • SiriusXM breaches consumer rights by charging an extra music royalties extra fee, says lawsuit • KKR acquires Superstruct ALSO MENTIONED • SXSW ditches weapons sponsors to burnish brand - so why won't it ditch its ties to Saudi Arabia?
On this week's show, we discuss the latest escalation in the fight over Spotify's reclassification of its premium subscription as an audiobook and music bundle in the US, the lawsuit against Drake for putting one of his own song titles on a t-shirt, and the return of the band formerly known as Easy Life, who have nothing to do with easyJet. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:10:22) 02: News in brief (00:17:24) 03: Drake and Hard Life (00:19:28) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Music publishers now fighting Spotify audiobook bundling trick on multiple fronts • Drake sued over t-shirts referencing his track ‘Members Only' • Easy Life return as Hard Life following easyGroup legal battle NEWS IN BRIEF • The COVID trend of late-in-the-day ticket purchases has continued, says Eventbrite • Musicians now see success from a more long-term perspective, study finds • Martin Shkreli ordered to hand over copies of Wu-Tang album ALSO MENTIONED • Touting, touring and AI in the spotlight in election manifestos
On this week's show we discuss the US government's legal action against Live Nation that seeks to force it to sell off Ticketmaster, ticket touts' plans to fight the Labour Party's proposed 10% price cap on the resale of tickets, and more. SECTION TIMES 01: Live Nation (00:06:40) 02: News in brief (00:23:07) 03: Ticket resale lobbying (00:26:52) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Live Nation monopoly is “anticompetitive” and must be broken up says DoJ lawsuit • Live Nation faces class action that could involve millions of ticket buyers • Hackers claim to have accessed personal data about 560 million Ticketmaster customers • Campaigners respond to “astounding” report on the “sinister” lobbying plans of ticket touts NEWS IN BRIEF • US court agrees to fast-track legal challenge over TikTok ban • Parklife founder Sacha Lord under pressure as Arts Council and GMCA launch investigations into COVID funding • Queen deal • Government confirms it has issued drug-testing licences to “some of the leading festivals in the UK” ALSO MENTIONED • Spotify sued over decision to stop supporting Car Thing • Spotify price hike in France • Revealed: how touts drew up secret plans to sabotage Labour's ticket reforms (The Guardian)
On this week's show we discuss the battle between the music publishers and Spotify as it ramps up another gear, Sony Music's lawsuit accusing the Marriott hotel chain of “rampant” copyright infringement, and more. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:04:39) 02: News in brief (00:22:15) 03: Sony Music (00:25:13) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Sony sues Marriott over social media posts NEWS IN BRIEF • Leadmill eviction battle in court • Live industry welcomes ticket tout prison sentences • TikTok wants its legal case against US “sell-or-be-banned” law fast-tracked • Scarlett Johansson accuses ChatGPT of stealing her voice ALSO MENTIONED • Live Nation monopoly is “anticompetitive” and must be broken up says DoJ lawsuit
On this week's show we discuss the battle between music publishers and Spotify over it's plans to reclassify its subscriptions as bundles of music, audiobooks and podcasts, and commercial media companies hit out at the BBC's plan to sell advertising on its podcasts. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:03:48) 02: News in brief (00:15:20) 03: BBC (00:17:48) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • The MLC is suing Spotify over audiobook bundling • Publishers accuse Spotify of licensing gaps in letter the streaming service has dubbed a “misleading press stunt” • US music publishers ramp up the rhetoric against Spotify's royalty reducing bundling trick • Media companies hit out at plan for BBC to sell ads alongside its podcasts NEWS IN BRIEF • TICKET Act passed by US House Of Representatives • Universal removed as defendant on explosive Diddy lawsuit • TikTok creators file lawsuit against US sell-or-be-banned law • Utopia swings the axe again with significant job losses across remaining non-UK operations • ATC takes majority stake in Raw Power ALSO MENTIONED • Sony Music tells 700+ AI companies to respect its copyrights
Chris Cooke and Andy Malt discuss the UK Parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Committee recommending that the government implement a levy on ticket sales for large scale shows and cut VAT for grassroots music venues, and the concerns surrounding the launch of a new SXSW festival in London. SECTION TIMES 01: Grassroots venues report (00:06:50) 02: News in brief (00:14:18) 03: SXSW London (00:17:38) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • SXSW London could disrupt delicately balanced music ecosystem and should reconsider its date NEWS IN BRIEF • TikTok sues the US government over sell-or-be-banned law • Goldman Sachs analysts upbeat about music industry after a “turning point” year • Lucian's lunch money under threat as shareholder pressure mounts over “excessive” pay packet • Nine of the ten wrongful death Astroworld lawsuits now settled, says Live Nation • OfCom should use Online Safety Act powers to force Facebook to act on ticket scams, says Which? • Music Venue Properties announces purchase of The Ferret in Preston • Apple finds out the hard way that not everyone thinks destruction is a form of creation
On this week's show we discuss the calls on both sides of the Atlantic for new AI laws to protect creators, the big love-in between Universal and TikTok as they finally resolve their differences, and more. SECTION TIMES 01: AI laws (00:07:00) 02: News in brief (00:20:29) 03: Universal x TikTok (00:23:20) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • MPs call on UK government to create “a pro-creative industries AI bill” • FKA Twigs and Warner boss tell Senators about the urgent need for a US-wide law to regulate deepfakes • Universal and TikTok are best buds again • Universal boss Lucian Grainge talks up the new TikTok deal which “will protect the integrity and value of human artistry” NEWS IN BRIEF • EU TikTok ban “is not excluded” says European Commission President, as FCC Commissioner says US ban won't be scuppered in the courts • CEO of NewJeans label Ador refuses to convene board meeting as parent company HYBE tries to push her out • R Kelly fails to overturn Chicago conviction • Astroworld victims want first trial to be livestreamed • Taylor Swift and Record Store Day push UK vinyl sales reach highest level since 1994 ALSO MENTIONED • Could Co-op Group terminate Manchester arena naming rights deal? Fury mounts as safety incident forces yet more Co-op Live show cancellations
On this week's show we discuss the bidding war compounding the latest in a long line of dramas at Hipgnosis, the faltering start for Manchester's new Co-op Live arena and more. SECTION TIMES 01: Hipgnosis (00:04:59) 02: News in brief (00:18:48) 03: Co-op Live (00:12:15) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Hipgnosis debacle might be over as Concord offers to acquire entire share capital of SONG - but there's a catch… • Blackstone tops Concord offer for SONG, hints at invoking call option • The state of Hipgnosis • To the moon! Concord reaches for the high notes as it ups its SONG bid to $1.25 • Co-op Live GM says grassroots venues are “poorly run”, before cancelling thousands of tickets to test event at the very last minute • Manchester's new Co-op Live arena cancels launch shows as power issues delay opening NEWS IN BRIEF • The clock is now TikTokking as US Senate votes through sell-or-be-banned law • Amazon AI employee claims she was told to breach copyright rules because “everyone else is doing it” • Moving BBC radio to an ad-funded model would be a disaster, says Radiocentre • Drake threatened with legal action over AI Tupac in Kendrick diss track ALSO MENTIONED • AI and music one year later: What happened? And where are we at? (Spot Festival, 3 May, 1pm) • Dissecting The Digital Dollar: What's changed? (Spot Festival, 4 May, 11.45am) • The new pay-out models: What are the consequences for you as an artist and as a songwriter? (Spot Festival, 4 May, 1.15pm) • The great streaming swindle: That's how much money is swindled every year in the music industry (Spot Festival, 4 May, 2.15pm)
On this week's show we discuss the warning from UK politicians that there need to be “tangible steps to improve musicians' remuneration and performer rights” by this time next year, and Blur drummer Dave Rowntree's class action lawsuit against PRS For Music over songwriter royalties, and more. SECTION TIMES 01: Performer remuneration report (00:05:39) 02: News in brief (00:14:53) 03: Dave Rowntree v PRS (00:19:23) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • “Fundamental reform of music streaming” must come soon, say MPs • Blur's Dave Rowntree leads class action lawsuit against PRS For Music seeking “hundreds of millions of pounds” for songwriters NEWS IN BRIEF • WIN renews shared values of the independent music community • GEMA says German song right income is booming, but digital growth is lacking • Timeline for TikTok law in Senate still to be confirmed, though Minority Leader says its deserves "urgent attention" • Universal relaxes TikTok boycott - but only if your name is Taylor Swift • Have a playlist idea but don't know what songs to put on it? Spotify's AI bot can help with that • Spotify planning tools to allow users to remix tracks ALSO MENTIONED • Westway Lab
On this week's show we discuss UK Parliament's Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee's hearing on the grassroots live music crisis, and the Nirvana logo legal battle's return to court. SECTION TIMES 01: Grassroots live music crisis (00:08:13) 02: News in brief (00:17:09) 03: Nirvana logo (00:21:43) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • MPs hear about the crisis in grassroots live music - a ticket levy might help, but how would that work? • Nirvana ‘smiley face' copyright dispute back in court NEWS IN BRIEF • Rapper ordered to pay $800,000 to Sony over TikTok hit with unlicensed sample • Sean Combs properties raided in federal sex trafficking investigation • Discrimination, lower pay and shorter careers are the norm for female musicians in the UK, study shows • RIAA 2023 Year-End Music Industry Revenue Report ALSO MENTIONED • As BMG's 2023 numbers show continued growth, could a merger with Warner Music or Believe be on the cards?
On this week's show we discuss the ruling in the long-running noise dispute involving Manchester's Night & Day that allows the venue to continue running club nights but potentially puts other nearby venues at risk, plus the BPI's legal threats against a service that uses AI to create cover versions of songs in seconds. SECTION TIMES 01: Night & Day (00:08:13) 02: News in brief (00:15:15) 03: Voicify (00:19:57) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Night & Day ruling makes it “open season” on Manchester's night-time economy says Music Venue Trust boss • BPI threatens to sue voice cloning site Voicify NEWS IN BRIEF • More performers seeking specialist health support, says BAPAM • Music and visual arts organisations back new climate change charity Murmur • Black Eyed Peas sued for licensing interpolation but not sample of Scatman • IFPI report shows 10.2% growth in global recorded music market • MIDiA shows $35.1 billion in global recorded music revenues - but what does that number actually mean? ALSO MENTIONED • Spotify publishes new Loud & Clear, says the focus now is artists “dependent on streaming as part of their livelihood” • Thom Yorke calls Spotify 'the last desperate fart of a dying corpse' (The Guardian)
On this week's show we discuss proposals voted through the US House of Representatives this week to force TikTok owner ByteDance to sell the video-sharing app or face a ban in country, and the UK Labour Party's pledge to introduce a cap on ticket resale prices if it wins the next election. SECTION TIMES 01: TikTok ban (00:03:20) 02: News in brief (00:14:21) 03: Ticket resale (00:17:00) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Selling TikTok would be last resort for ByteDance, sources say as House votes through sell-or-be-banned law • TikTok insists it isn't forcing Americans to phone politicians as ban proposal gets fast-tracked in Congress • Labour commits to UK ticket touting price cap, as Ed Sheeran's team welcomes guilty verdict in ticket tout court case NEWS IN BRIEF • EU AI Act “world-first” say music trade bodies as European Parliament votes it into law • Texas governor tells SXSW boycotters “don't come back” • Joe Rogan is back on Apple and Amazon - so Neil Young is back on Spotify • Bad Bunny sues fan over unofficial concert recordings on YouTube • Glastonbury announces headliners, as UK festival cancellations pass 20 ALSO MENTIONED • Believe x WMG takeover dance warms up as financial regulator is called in
On this week's show we discuss the €1.8 billion fine Apple has been ordered to pay by the EU following an investigation into claims of anti-competitive behaviour made by Spotify, and Live Nation's explanation of why everyone else in the music industry is to blame for rising ticket prices. SECTION TIMES 01: Apple v Spotify (00:06:26) 02: News in brief (00:20:48) 03: Live Nation (00:25:33) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • EU fines €1.8 billion at end of Spotify initiated competition law investigation • Apple hits out at EU competition ruling that “ignores the realities of a market” • Live Nation says rising ticket prices definitely not its fault NEWS IN BRIEF • WMG is toying with an offer for Believe that would wipe out Warner's cash reserves - but is it serious, would Believe shareholders sell and can WMG afford to bet the farm? • Hipgnosis Songs Fund takes a haircut - and might have bigger problems to come • New US-wide TikTok ban proposed in Congress • Mean Millennials scrap streaming subscriptions, mail order music is booming - and Apple Music might be making £500 million or more in the UK • Raye wins record-breaking six BRIT Awards ALSO MENTIONED • Tidal phases out HiFi Plus tier, makes higher quality audio part of its standard subscription product • The Truth About Ticket Pries (Live Nation)
On this week's show we discuss the news that UK music retail revenues are back to where they were at the peak of the CD era in 2001. So long as you imagine that no time has passed in between. Plus, the brewing legal battle of Kanye West's “shameless” interpolation of a Donna Summer track. SECTION TIMES 01: UK music revenues (00:06:47) 02: News in brief (00:15:20) 03: Kanye West (00:20:38) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • UK music retail revenues reach record high, according to ERA stats • Donna Summer estate sues Kanye West over “shameless” uncleared sample NEWS IN BRIEF • €111 million in TikTok revenue is nothing when you're Lucian Grainge - but, he says, “my phone is always open” if Shou Zi Chew wants to be friends again • Warner boss teases superfan app that will be "a cross-platform solution" • Spotify vs Apple name-calling kicks off again after EU mega-fine rumours • UK Music again calls for VAT cut on tickets ahead of budget statement • And Finally! Ed Sheeran has let British music down, and now everyone only likes K-pop • Miley Cyrus tops IFPI singles list • Seventeen top IFPI albums list ALSO MENTIONED • Trademark dispute over Earth, Wind & Fire tribute shows back in court
In this special edition of Setlist, Andy Malt and Chris Cooke dive into topics covered in CMU's latest series of masterclasses, which look at the music business in 2024. We talk through key trends in streaming, copyright, AI and more. SECTION TIMES 01: The music business in 2024 (00:04:58) 02: Music streaming in 2024 (00:12:51) 03: News in brief (00:19:55) 04: Music copyright in 2024 (00:22:51) 05: Music and AI in 2024 (00:33:01) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) CMU'S 2024 MASTERCLASS SESSIONS Get an expert overview of the topics that will define the music business in 2024, including copyright, streaming and AI, as well as economics of streaming developments. The four sessions discussed on this edition of Setlist are available to watch on demand, with four more still to come. Find out more and book all eight sessions for just £299 including VAT here NEWS IN BRIEF • Apple faces €500 million fine after Spotify-prompted EU competition investigation • EU to investigate TikTok over online safety concerns • Universal splurges almost quarter of a billion dollars to buy KKR out of Chord Music • Music industry's billion dollar damages win in Cox case overturned • Sam Mendes' Beatles biopics
On this week's show we discuss questions and potential legal action over the politicisation of arts funding, as Kneecap are denied money by the British government and Arts Council England issues new guidance for anyone thinking of being controversial, plus the legal battle over royalties currently brewing between MLC and Pandora, and more. SECTION TIMES 01: Arts funding (00:04:23) 02: News in brief (00:14:54) 03: MLC v Pandora (00:16:46) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch's decision to block MEGS funding for Kneecap “unlawful” says band as it prepares legal action • Arts Council says free speech and controversy is fine, but please follow a detailed risk assessment first • MLC sues Pandora over unpaid royalties NEWS IN BRIEF • Tributes pour in as BBC radio presenter Steve Wright dies • Musicians' Union reluctantly reaches deal with English National Opera over orchestra cutbacks • NTIA says nightlife faces cultural crisis after 400 club closures since 2020 • As another grassroots venue closes, MVT renews calls for a ticket levy ALSO MENTIONED • Music industry welcomes German ruling holding TikTok liable for unlicensed content
On this week's show we discuss new developments on AI in the EU and UK that have given the music industry cause for both celebration and concern, and the commercial radio industry's anger as BBC Radio looks to give music fans more choice. SECTION TIMES 01: AI regulation (00:05:24) 02: News in brief (00:15:52) 03: BBC Radio (00:19:11) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Music industry welcomes EU member states agreeing AI Act • Planned UK code of practice on copyright and AI shelved • Government needs to "urgently reconsider" approach to copyright and AI, says culture committee Chair • Commercial radio sector calls on OfCom to block BBC's plans for four new radio stations NEWS IN BRIEF • Spotify CEO slams Apple in earnings calls and hints at more job cuts • Warner Music's Kyncl goes big on importance of major labels and data, says he is confident UMG TikTok dispute will be resolved • Michelle Jubelirer stands down as Capitol CEO as Universal Music restructure goes into effect • Indie labels say Apple's new payment model will take money from their artists to benefit the majors • Megan Thee Stallion marks “beginning of a new chapter” with Warner deal ALSO MENTIONED • Music mogul Irving Azoff and Apple exec Eddy Cue build their ultimate golf course (Golf Digest) • And Finally! Irving Azoff and Eddy Cue's new golf course is open for business. And no, you can't join
On this week's show we discuss Universal and TikTok's big bust up that has seen the major label's music removed from the social network, the damning report on the “boys' club” music industry and how it holds women back, and more. SECTION TIMES 01: UMG v TikTok (00:02:49) 02: News in brief (00:13:57) 03: Misogyny In Music report (00:17:20) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Universal Music is going to war with TikTok, accusing the social media giant of bullying and intimidation • TikTok accuses Universal of “greed” and “false narrative”, begins removing tracks • Misogyny remains “endemic” in “boys' club” music industry says UK parliamentary report NEWS IN BRIEF • Lords committee calls on government to clarify copyright obligations of AI companies • 71% of music creators fear multi-billion dollar music AI business could stop songwriters from earning a living, says new report • Music industry celebrates YouTube passing 100 million premium subscribers • UK government publishes new UK streaming transparency code ALSO MENTIONED • RIAA welcomes US government's latest piracy reports, but urges a "close look" at voice cloning sites • Read the full 'Misogyny In Music' report • The F-List's Vick Bain on UK Parliament's Misogyny In Music report and the industry's next steps
On this week's show we discuss how Apple Music's "spatial audio bonus" will benefit major labels to the detriment of independent labels and creators, the report finding that on average two grassroots music venues per week closed down in the UK in 2023, and more. SECTION TIMES 01: Apple Music (00:04:23) 02: News in brief (00:11:43) 03: Music Venue Trust report (00:14:26) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Apple Music's “spatial audio bonus” will favour major labels at the expense of small labels and creators • Two grassroots venues close down every week, according to new report from Music Venue Trust NEWS IN BRIEF • Madonna and Live Nation will "vigorously" defend late show start lawsuit • American musicians' union begins talks over AI and streaming with the Hollywood studios • Spotify uses EU Digital Market Act blog post to take potshots at Apple, announces superfan clubs • Publishers hit back at Anthropic's claim that AI copyright cases should be filed in "its Silicon Valley backyard" • Hipgnosis Song Management “cherry picked assets” for proposed sale to Blackstone says latest briefing from Hipgnosis Songs Fund ALSO MENTIONED • BRIT Awards nominations finally balance gender, genre and independence • MVT Annual Report
On this week's show we discuss the new certification for "respectful" generative AI companies that get permission before training their models on copyrighted content, redundancies at Pitchfork as its team is merged with men's magazine GQ, and more. SECTION TIMES 01: AI certification (00:05:15) 02: News in brief (00:15:16) 03: Pitchfork (00:18:29) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Former Stability exec Ed Newton Rex launches Fairly Trained AI certification • Job cuts at Pitchfork as its team is merged in with GQ NEWS IN BRIEF • Council Of Music Makers sets out its five key priorities ahead of ministerial review of economics of streaming work • Council Of Music Makers memo • UK's IPO to look at neighbouring rights and reciprocal payments to foreign performers • UK's largest nightclub operator heading into administration • Universal Music to lay off hundreds says Bloomberg: company responds and says it will create “efficiencies” • Apple changes App Store rules following Supreme Court announcement, but Epic vows more legal action • Spotify hits out at Apple's "outrageous" new App Store rules ALSO MENTIONED • Music data white paper
On this week's show we discuss the start-of-year memos from the bosses of Universal Music and Warner Music, both of whom put the spotlight in super-serving superfans, plus the ASA ruling against Viagogo's advertorial pieces in the NME, and lots of stats about the music market in 2023. SECTION TIMES 01: New year memos (00:04:45) 02: News in brief (00:18:37) 03: Viagogo (00:25:01) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Universal “most successful company in the history of the music industry” hoots Grainge in 2024 memo • Lucian Grainge's 2024 memo to Universal Music Group staff • Warner Music boss talks streaming model and super-fans in start-of-year memo • UK's Advertising Standards Authority raps Viagogo over NME paid editorial NEWS IN BRIEF • Vinyl sales grow, cassettes slump; streaming now 87.7% of UK music consumption • UK music retail brought in £2.2 billion in 2023 says ERA • India's streaming growth explodes to hit over one trillion streams, Gen Z pull back on streaming subscription spend ALSO MENTIONED • Music industry welcomes proposed new laws to help performers protect their voices and likeness from AI clones • Artificial Intelligence and the music industry in 2023 • CMU's 2024 Masterclass Sessions • Sony Music chief talks streaming, short-form, gaming and AI in investor presentation (May 2023)
On this week's show we discuss Spotify's change of heart on shutting down in Uruguay, the latest easyJet lawsuit against a musician - this time PC Music-signed producer Easyfun - and more. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:04:45) 02: News in brief (00:13:37) 03: Easyfun (00:18:29) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Spotify won't exit Uruguay following clarification to new ER rule in copyright • easyGroup sues PC Music producer Easyfun NEWS IN BRIEF • Music consumption at an all time high, IFPI reports, though "unlicensed music is still an issue" • Music industry cautiously welcomes outcome of last week's EU AI Act talks • European Commission set to force changes to Apple's rules around in-app payments • Hipgnosis Songs Fund confirms sale of catalogue of "non-core songs" • Vinyl sales of two 1980s classics may decide who is Christmas number one in 2023 ALSO MENTIONED • Taylor Swift's record breaking tour topped a billion dollars
On this week's show we look at calls for government support for the grassroots live music industry following the closure of music venue Moles and the announcement that the Nozstock festival will shut down after its 2024 edition, plus the next evolution of Kiss as superhero holograms. SECTION TIMES 01: Grassroots live music (00:03:13) 02: News in brief (00:10:44) 03: Kiss (00:14:53) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Music Venue Trust calls for law forcing live industry support for grassroots venues, as Bath Moles closes after 45 years • Nozstock festival to end after 2024 edition, prompting new call for government support for festival sector • Kiss preview new avatar show at final human performance NEWS IN BRIEF • Spotify confirms the cost of its dramatic downsizing, cancels two in-house podcasts • Indie labels suggest delaying Spotify's royalty payout revamp to allow proper consultation • CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus calls on EU to keep clear transparency obligations in AI Act • Record industry tells US Copyright Office training AI with existing music is “rarely, if ever, fair use” • BBC Sound Of 2024 longlist revealed ALSO MENTIONED • Blackpink renew deal with YG, but uncertainty over group's future remains • IMPALA's questions for Spotify over the changes it is making to its model
On this week's show we have a good old chat about Sony Music exec Dennis Kooker's call for a US-wide publicity right through which artists can protect their voices and identity order to stop the unauthorised cloning of their vocals by AI, plus the big bust up between Hall & Oates over “the ultimate partnership betrayal” and more. SECTION TIMES 01: AI loopholes (00:06:54) 02: News in brief (00:16:53) 03: Hall & Oates (00:20:14) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Sony Music digital chief asks Congress to close “legal loopholes” to ensure artists can stop authorised AI voice clones • Hall & Oates both make court filing as the legal dispute over their joint venture company continues NEWS IN BRIEF • Shane MacGowan dies • UK government pauses the blocking of the proposed London MSG Sphere - even though MSG has given up on the plan • BMG announces restructure to “future proof” the business • European Parliament committee calls for new EU rules to regulate streaming • Caity Baser, The Last Dinner Party and Sekou named BRITs Rising Stars ALSO MENTIONED • Spotify unwraps Wrapped - assigns everyone a Sound Town
On this week's show we've got a big round-up of Spotify news, in particular the company's confirmation of changes to the way it pays out (or doesn't pay out) royalties. We also discuss plans for an MSG Sphere venue like the one recently opened in Las Vegas being bounced out of London. Oh, and we've spruced up the format of the show a little, including the introduction of a news in brief section to bring you even more music industry news. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:03:30) 02: News in brief (00:16:37) 03: MSG Sphere (00:20:35) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Spotify confirms changes to its payment process - including the 1000 plays a year threshold • Specifics of Spotify's deal with Google on in-app payments revealed in Epic court case • Spotify says it will exit Uruguay next year because of new performer ER right in copyright law • London mayor blocks MSG's grand plan to build a Sphere venue next to the Olympic Park NEWS IN BRIEF • BMI confirms deal to sell to New Mountain Capital • US Senate committee subpoenas Live Nation to access documents for its investigation into “abusive consumer practices” • Council Of Music Makers criticises lack of music-maker representation at government roundtable on AI and the creative industries • Shakira strikes deal with Spanish prosecutors to avoid €14.5m tax fraud trial • LadBaby bow out of Christmas number one race ALSO MENTIONED • Monkey Week • O. - ATM
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, the resignation of Stability AI's VP Of Audio Ed Newton-Rex over the tech company's position that the training of generative AI models constitutes fair use under American copyright law, and YouTube's plans to get AI generated clones both off and onto its platform. SECTION TIMES 01: Stability AI (00:06:04) 02: YouTube (00:14:08) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Stability AI's VP Of Audio resigns over its position that training AI with copyright works is 'fair use' • YouTube to allow labels to remove AI-generated voice clones • YouTube begins piloting voice cloning tool to provide AI-generated vocals for creator videos ALSO MENTIONED • Edith Piaf to narrate her own life story through AI
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, competition law expert (as well as musician and label owner) Amelia Fletcher's letter to Spotify boss Daniel Ek about the streaming services plan for a two-tier royalty system, and the rickrolling takedown battle between two stream-ripping platforms. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:04:27) 02: Stream-ripping (00:19:56) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Spotify two-tier payment “discriminatory and exploitative” says competition law expert • Stream-ripper gets court order to identify who is behind rick-rolling Google takedown notices ALSO MENTIONED • Music industry contributes £6.7 billion GVA to British economy • Download the UK Music This Is Music 2023 report • Amelia Fletcher's full letter to Daniel Ek
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, big tech companies' insistence that training AI on existing content constitutes fair use under US copyright law, and the Grammy Awards' insistence that Christians do not swear. SECTION TIMES 01: AI fair use (00:03:55) 02: Grammy Awards (00:15:02) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Tech companies insist training AI models with existing content is fair use in Copyright Office submissions • There is no swearing in Christian music, says Grammys ALSO MENTIONED • Eminem launches Mom's Spaghetti pasta sauce
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, Spotify's plans to change the way it allocates revenues to individual tracks and catalogues each month, and the confirmation that digital is now the biggest driver of revenue for the song rights collecting societies. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:04:35) 02: CISAC (00:18:27) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Spotify also in talks with industry to change track allocation process • Digital now biggest revenue generator for song right collecting societies, CISAC confirms ALSO MENTIONED • Hipgnosis vote shock: 83.2% of shareholders vote against continuation • Read CISAC's Global Collections Report 2023
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, artist managers criticise Universal Music over a change it made to the way it pays Pandora royalties to artists, and new Bandcamp owner Songtradr making 50% of the direct-to-fan platform's staff redundant. PLEASE NOTE: This episode was recorded before the settlement between Megan Thee Stallion and her former label 1501 Certified Entertainment was announced. SECTION TIMES 01: Universal (00:05:13) 02: Bandcamp (00:21:35) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Universal Music criticised over unannounced change to Pandora payments • Half of Bandcamp's staff made redundant as Songtradr acquisition is completed ALSO MENTIONED • Megan Thee Stallion has "no label right now" and that's how she wants it
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, British band Easy Life agree to change their name following legal action from owner of the EasyJet airline EasyGroup, and Coldplay's ongoing legal battle with their former manager Dave Holmes. SECTION TIMES 01: Easy Life (00:05:32) 02: Coldplay (00:20:08) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Easy Life concede defeat in EasyGroup battle, will change name • Coldplay countersue former manager Dave Holmes in £14 million lawsuit
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, the call for "consent, respect and remuneration" to be central to the development of music AI platforms and tools, and the RIAA's latest stats on US recorded music revenues. SECTION TIMES 01: AI red lines (00:03:18) 02: RIAA (00:20:41) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • "Consent, respect and remuneration" crucial as music AI evolves, say UK music-makers • BPI boss responds to the five AI fundamentals published by the Council Of Music Makers • Premium streaming and vinyl continue to power growth in US recorded music market ALSO MENTIONED • AMG allowed to re-open Brixton Academy subject to meeting 77 conditions You can read a full transcript of this episode on our website here.
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including a call from the FanFair Alliance campaign group against ticket touting for the introduction of legislation to ban the for-profit resale of tickets in the UK, and criticism of Deezer's new proposals for ‘artist-centric' royalty payments. SECTION TIMES 01: Ticket resale (00:04:13) 02: Deezer (00:11:41) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • FanFair Alliance calls for ban of for-profit ticket touting in the UK • Believe criticises ‘reverse Robin Hood' elements of Deezer's new artist-centric model for payments ALSO MENTIONED • MMF publishes AI guide • Download the MMF AI guide • The revenue politics of streaming - Chris's session at the Reeperbahn conference, Friday 22 Sep, 12.30pm • Silvia Montello speaking about user-centric royalties on Setlist
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Deezer's announcement that it is making changes to the way it allocates revenues to tracks later this year, and claims that organised criminals are using streaming services to launder money. SECTION TIMES 01: Deezer (00:04:22) 02: Streaming fraud (00:18:58) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Deezer set to roll out Universal Music endorsed "artist centric" model to royalty payments in France next month • Swedish tabloid alleges streaming fraud organised crime gang link • Key stakeholders say industry has shared responsibility to tackle crime links to streaming fraud ALSO MENTIONED • Ezra Collective become first ever jazz band to win Mercury Prize
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the newly announced licensing hearing to decide the future of London's Brixton Academy venue nine months after it was closed down when two people were killed in a crowd crush incident, plus Eminem's battle with US presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy. SECTION TIMES 01: Brixton Academy (00:05:33) 02: Eminem (00:11:48) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Lambeth Council to consider future of Brixton Academy at two day hearing this month • Eminem tells Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy to stop using his music ALSO MENTIONED • ASCAP takes advantage of growing controversy over imminent BMI sale MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including YouTube's three new AI music principles published alongside the launch of a new YouTube Music AI Incubator, plus questions from various songwriter groups to the boss of American collecting society BMI about the organisation's decision last year to become a for-profit enterprise. SECTION TIMES 01: YouTube (00:05:11) 02: BMI (00:15:15) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • YouTube sets out three principles for the development of AI music • Songwriter groups demand information about a newly for-profit BMI's plans and possible sale • BMI reportedly considering acquisition offer from New Mountain Capital ALSO MENTIONED • Sheffield City Council says it “cannot directly intervene” in ongoing Leadmill dispute MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the debate surrounding comments made by The 1975's frontman Matty Healy on stage in Malaysia regarding the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and the latest developments in the battle over who will run the Leadmill music venue in Sheffield. SECTION TIMES 01: The 1975 (00:12:00) 02: The Leadmill (00:24:58) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • The 1975 cancel performances in Asia after being banned from Malaysia • Ten artists and vendors set to sue The 1975 over Good Vibes Festival cancellation • Save The Leadmill campaign ramps up ahead of September licensing committee meeting ALSO MENTIONED • Mercury Prize shortlist announced • Save The Leadmill video (Facebook) MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including TikTok and Warner Music's “first-of-its-kind partnership” – a licensing agreement that involves both the Warner Music record company and music publishing business Warner Chappell and covers various platforms run by TikTok owner Bytedance – and the NME's return to print. SECTION TIMES 01: TikTok (00:03:04) 02: NME (00:18:53) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Warner Music announces new deal with TikTok, as TikTok Music arrives in three more markets • NME announces return to print ALSO MENTIONED • Parklife founder and NTIA boss hit out at Home Office's “demonstrably untrue” statement on festival drug testing policy MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the stepping up for the Featured Artists Coalition's 100% Venues campaign, which encourages music venues to allow artists to sell merchandise at their shows without being charged any commission on sales, and the new legal challenge to the UK government's festival drug testing policy. Apologies for the sound issues in this episode. As you'll hear, we have a new recording set up. After some great sounding test recordings, one of us (see if you can guess who) managed to record through their laptop mic instead of their studio mic. SECTION TIMES 01: 100% Venues (00:09:42) 02: Drug testing policy (00:20:08) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • FAC steps up its 100% Venues campaign against merch commissions • NTIA seeks judicial review on government's “reckless” festival drug testing policy ALSO MENTIONED • UK Music sets out proposals for AI regulation in letter to government • Sarah Silverman joins authors in suing ChatGPT for copyright infringement • Universal Music calls for federal publicity right and more transparency in latest AI hearing in US Congress • FXR and CMU put the spotlight on music royalty reporting – provide your input now • 100% Venues petition (Change.org) MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Twitter being sued by a consortium of music publishers for hosting “countless” videos that contain unlicensed music, and the alliance of music distributors that has come together with Spotify and Amazon Music to form Music Fights Fraud, a new initiative described as “a global task force aimed at eradicating streaming fraud”. SECTION TIMES 01: Twitter (00:04:48) 02: Music Fights Fraud (00:07:23) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Music publishers accuse Twitter of “massive copyright infringement” in $250 million lawsuit • Music distributors ally to fight streaming fraud ALSO MENTIONED • Ed Sheeran gets a giant bear tingly for his hot sauce MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Coldplay's update on their work to reduce the environmental impact of their live shows during the first year of their Music Of The Spheres Tour, and the unveiling of Apple's Vision Pro headset and what it might mean for the music industry. SECTION TIMES 01: Coldplay (00:04:48) 02: Apple Vision Pro (00:13:51) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Coldplay provide update on their environmentally sustainable touring efforts • Apple unveils its Vision Pro headset ALSO MENTIONED • Culture Secretary insists new music-maker remuneration working group will not become a mere talking shop • Coldplay emissions update (coldplay.com) • Craig Charles' 1993 VR gameshow CyberZone (YouTube) MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the US Supreme Court ruling on a long-running copyright dispute between the Andy Warhol Foundation and the photographer Lynn Goldsmith, and Universal getting into bed with AI music company Endel. SECTION TIMES 01: Prince (00:06:30) 02: AI Music (00:23:37) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Music industry welcomes US Supreme Court ruling in Prince artwork copyright case • Universal Music allies with music AI company Endel to create some “science-backed soundscapes” ALSO MENTIONED • TikTok sues Montana over ban • CMU Podcast: Sound Of 2017, AI in music, Kate Bush (December 2016) MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including news that more than 20,000 people have made representations to Lambeth Council in support of the Brixton Academy as the local authority considers a request by London's Metropolitan Police to revoke the licence of current operators Academy Music Group, plus the latest round in the ongoing battle between the Village People and Donald Trump. SECTION TIMES 01: Brixton Academy (00:06:38) 02: Village People (00:15:39) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • More than 20,000 representations submitted in support of Brixton Academy ahead of licence review • Village People hit out at lookalike performance at Donald Trump event MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Ed Sheeran's victory in another high-profile headline-grabbing song-theft legal battle – this time over whether or not he ripped off Marvin Gaye's ‘Let's Get It On' when he wrote his 2014 song ‘Thinking Out Loud' – plus two sets of proposals for better regulating the sale of tickets put forward in US Congress late last month and another industry-led campaign launched last week that says it will advocate for “a ticketing experience better than the nightmare many fans and artists currently navigate”. SECTION TIMES 01: Ed Sheeran (00:05:36) 02: US tickets (00:18:52) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Non-idiot (allegedly) Ed Sheeran testifies on first day of Thinking Out Loud song-theft trial • Ed Sheeran gets his guitar out in court as song-theft case continues • Ed Sheeran calls musicologist's actions “criminal” in Thinking Out Loud song-theft trial • Ed Sheeran losing will remove “an essential element in every songwriter's toolkit”, argues lawyer in song-theft case • Ed Sheeran did not rip off Let's Get It On says jury in song-theft case • Live Nation responds to proposed new ticketing regulations in the US ALSO MENTIONED • The Great Escape conference MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Universal Music latest call for streaming platforms to play their part in ensuring that generative AI tools are not infringing the copyrights of the music industry, plus the news that cassette sales are booming and driving chart success in the UK. SECTION TIMES 01: AI (00:05:49) 02: Cassettes (00:27:31) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Universal Music again demands streaming platform support over AI-created music as fake Drake goes viral • Drake says AI generated Ice Spice cover is “the final straw” • Liam Gallagher says AI version of himself sounds “mega” • Idiots rejoice! The cassette revival continues ALSO MENTIONED • The Great Escape conference • Download the TGE app MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
A special edition of the show recorded live at Wide Days in Edinburgh. CMU's Chris Cooke is joined on stage by Clara Cullen from Music Venue Trust, Toni Malyn from EmuBands and Silvia Montello from AIM. As Setlist returns after a short break, our guests dissect three topics that have been big talking points within the music industry in recent months: the ongoing challenges in the live sector, the debate around making streaming more “artist-centric”, and the increasingly urgent discussions about music-making AI. SECTION TIMES 01: Live sector (00:04:25) 02: Streaming (00:23:40) 03: AI (00:43:15) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Music Venue Trust annual report says grassroots venues are “operating on razor thin margins” and often “struggling to survive” • Own Our Venues initiative to move onto venue-buying phase, MVT confirms • Universal boss says streaming needs to shift to an “artist-centric” model • Universal Music announces alliance with Tidal to shake up the streaming business model • Universal and Deezer's alliance to find “potential new economic models for streaming” officially announced • Music industry organisations back Human Artistry Campaign putting the spotlight on generative AI debates ALSO MENTIONED • An edition of Setlist where we explained user-centric royalty distribution MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU events • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Hybe CEO Park Ji-won's defence of his company's recent acquisition of shares in rival SM Entertainment after its management hit out at the deal, plus concerns raised by two more US senators about TikTok and its Chinese parent company Bytedance and what access the Chinese government has to users and user-data on the video sharing platform. SECTION TIMES 01: Hybe (00:06:51) 02: TikTok (00:19:11) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Hybe CEO defends his company's bid to control rival SM Entertainment • Hybe boss sets out vision for SM alliance • Two more US senators hit out at TikTok over data concerns • European Commission bans staff from using TikTok on work devices over data concerns ALSO MENTIONED • David Bowie archive acquisition (V&A press release) MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the boss of Scottish live music firm DF Concerts' proclamation that any ban on alcohol brands sponsoring shows and festivals would be “nothing short of disastrous for Scotland's live music industry”, plus the Australian record industry's anger at TikTok over its ongoing experiment in the country to test the role music plays on the video-sharing platform. SECTION TIMES 01: Alcohol ban (00:05:28) 02: Merch fees (00:20:14) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • DF Concerts chief says that alcohol sponsorship ban in Scotland would be “nothing short of disastrous” for the country's live sector • TikTok is working super hard on tackling harmful content and data concerns, says TikTok ALSO MENTIONED • CMU at SXSW, MENT and Liverpool Sound City MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Live Nation and Ticketmaster coming under fire from both sides of the political spectrum, as the US Senate Judiciary Committee staged a session looking at ticketing following the problems that occurred last year when tickets for Taylor Swift's upcoming tour went on sale via Ticketmaster's Verified Fan system, plus one US venue company's decision to stop taking a cut of income when artists sell merch at gigs. SECTION TIMES 01: Live Nation (00:07:53) 02: Merch fees (00:29:12) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Live Nation's market dominance in the spotlight at Congressional hearing • US venue owner axes merch commissions following artist's testimony in Congress • Artists welcome progress on venue merch commissions, but call for more venues to drop their merchandise fees ALSO MENTIONED • Rick Astley says Yung Gravy track infringed his publicity rights • Clyde Lawrence's full statement to US Congress (judiciary.senate.gov) MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the campaign against proposed cuts to BBC Music Introducing, which gained momentum last week after a plethora of music industry organisations published an open letter to the board of the BBC seeking reassurance that the service does not become an “unintended victim” of any changes being made to ensure the “future stability and viability” of the broadcaster. STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Music industry groups say cuts to BBC Introducing local radio shows would be “fundamental blow to the health of the entire grassroots sector” • Tom Robinson urges artists and music fans to communicate their appreciation for the local BBC Introducing shows • BBC provides update on local radio cutbacks • BBC execs defend local radio cuts to MPs (December 2022) • BBC boss Tim Davie talks about an internet-centric future with fewer TV channels and radio stations (December 2022) ALSO MENTIONED • PRS announces new funding model for PRS Foundation, securing current levels of support • Full transcript of Tim Davie's Royal Television Society speech (BBC) MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
CMU's Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Universal Music boss Lucian Grainge's confirmation that a big old rejig of the way streaming monies are allocated to individual tracks by the digital platforms each month is a key priority for the biggest music rights company in the world, plus Dr Dre's legal run-in with US Congress member Marjorie Taylor Greene. SECTION TIMES 01: Lucian Grainge (00:06:51) 02: Dr Dre (00:32:03) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Universal boss says streaming needs to shift to an “artist-centric” model • Dr Dre sets lawyers on Marjorie Taylor Greene over copyright infringement • Marjorie Taylor Green responds to Dr Dre ALSO MENTIONED • Public Image Ltd vying to represent Ireland at Eurovision • Eurovision hopeful John Lydon brands competition “disgusting” MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights' Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune
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