The Killers register their eighth U.K. Official Albums #1 with Rebel Diamonds (EMI) is. Over on singles, Wham! spend a second week at the top.
Elsewhere on albums, Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 (Island) is her highest charting in over a decade, landing at #3. Tate McRae’s Think Later (Ministry of Sound) is her first Top 5 at #5.
Jewels of Romance (UMG) from Andre Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra rises seven to #19.
On the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart, “Last Christmas” (Epic) by Wham! remains at #1, putting them firmly in with a chance of scoring the coveted Christmas top spot next week for the first time ever.
The track will be boosted over the coming week with its debut arrival on CD today, alongside the release of a limited edition green vinyl.
Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” (Republic) is up three to #2, while Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Columbia) is #3.
“Fairytale of New York” (Rhino) by The Pogues f/Kirsty MacCall is #5. Sam Ryder’s “You’re Christmas To Me” (East West/Rhino) is his second Top 10 at #10.
Discontent over streaming royalty payouts remains in the U.K., where a series of industry execs and artists, including Merck Mercuriadis and Nile Rodgers, offered evidence at a session in Parliament.
Offered as a progress update following 2021’s Economics of Music Streaming report, Tuesday’s session yet again focused on compensation for creators.
Mercuriadis criticized the decision to set up an industry working group to explore issues and develop actions surrounding fair pay for creators. He called it a “missed opportunity” to instead create policy interventions, Music Week reported.
Rodgers criticized the major label’s defense of streaming rates, which centers on their investment in A&R and level of risk-taking. “I really hate the fact that they keep using that argument that is completely archaic. I hate to use words like ‘lie’—but it’s a lie,” the Guardian quoted him as saying.
The days are “truly over” when an act like David Bowie would be given the amount of time to produce a hit record (his first Top 5 album in the U.K. was his fourth, Hunky Dory, in ’71), Rodgers added. Mercuriadis said that due to streaming data, labels don't ever take a gamble on artists who haven't yet proven their potential.
Others in the session included MPA CEO Paul Clements, who defended major publishers for not driving up publishing royalty rates. “The influence the majors have had has been a positive one,” he said, pointing out that they increased the rate to around 15% from 7-8% due to bilateral negotiations with platforms. “As the tide has risen, everybody else’s rates have increased—and there is a real misunderstanding about how that has worked.”
The Killers’ Rebel Diamonds (EMI) is set to debut at #1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart. Over on singles, Sam Ryder is challenging Wham! for the top spot.
Rebel Diamonds is outselling its closest competition— Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2 (Island)—by more than 2:1 while Tate McRae’s Think Later (Ministry of Sound) is less than 100 chart sales behind Minaj at #3.
Kylie Minogue’s Extension (The Extended Remixes) (BMG) is on track to debut at #8. Porcupine Tree could secure their second Top 10 this year with live LP Closure/Continuation.Live (Sony) at #9.
On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, Ryder’s “You’re Christmas To Me” (East West/Rhino) is less than 800 sales away from knocking “Last Christmas” (Epic) from the top spot.
Ryder’s Amazon Music Original is expected to rise to #2 on Friday but the Top 3 is not yet a done deal—“Fairytale of New York” (Rhino) by The Pogues f/Kirsty MacCall isn’t fair behind at #3.
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Columbia) is #4.
Another Amazon Music Original to keep an eye on is Jorja Smith’s cover of “Stay Another Day” (FAMM), which is up 18 midweek to #8.
Peter Gabriel has beaten ATEEZ to take the top slot on this week’s U.K. Official Albums Chart. Over on singles, Wham! returns to the top.
Gabriel’s i/o (Bright Side Mix) (Real World) has emerged victorious after a neck-and-neck race. It’s his first #1 in 37 years and his third solo chart-topper.
THE WORLD EP.FIN: WILL (KQ) by K-pop group ATEEZ ends the week at #2.
Elsewhere, Michael Bublé’s Christmas (Reprise) is up one to #3 and Cher’s Christmas (Warner Records) breaks the Top 10 for the first time at #8.
P!nk’s former #1, TRUSTFALL (RCA), returns to the Top 20 at #15 following the release of its Tour Deluxe Edition.
On the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart, Wham!’s “Last Christmas” (Epic) jumps four places to claim its fourth stint at #1. The track tallied 53k sales this week.
The track has helped set a new chart record today as one of 29 Christmas songs in the U.K. Top 40, the most ever.
“All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Columbia) by Mariah Carey is up four to #2. On the day of Shane MacGowan’s funeral, “Fairytale of New York” (Rhino) by The Pogues f/Kirsty MacColl is #4.
Other Christmas songs in the Top 10 are: Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (MCA) at #6; Ed Sheeran and Elton John’s “Merry Christmas” (Atlantic/EMI) at #7; Michael Bublé’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (Reprise) at #8; Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” (Geffen) at #9; and Shakin’ Stevens’ “Merry Christmas Everyone” (Epic) at #10.
Island-signed band The Last Dinner Party have been crowned winners of the 2024 BRITs Rising Star award. They are only the second group to win.
The indie-rock quintet will release their debut album, Prelude to Ecstasy, in February. It follows a string of singles that includes “Nothing Matters,” which hit #16 in the U.K. in July, “Sinner” and “My Lady of Mercy.”
They’ve been in the studio with Arctic Monkeys and Haim producer James Ford. What’s described as a “breakthrough summer” this year saw them packing tents at festivals across the U.K. and Europe.
In perfect five-part harmony, The Last Dinner Party said of their win: “We are so proud beyond measure to have won the BRITs Rising Star. It’s an honor to achieve something so iconic so early on in our career and we can only hope to keep making music that connects with all the incredible people who have listened to and supported us so far. Thank you.”
They are the first winners to be announced for the 2024 BRIT Awards, which take place in London on 3/2.
Photo credit: John Marshall
European independent music org IMPALA has a series of questions for Spotify about its plan to reform the streaming market. The org aims to assist the streaming company to ensure changes benefit the independent community.
Created in partnership with Impala members in 32 countries across Europe, the questions raise concerns over Spotify’s proposal to introduce a 1k stream per year threshold for tracks to receive remuneration.
While the IMPALA board agrees with the aim of tackling revenue dilution, it “opposes the principle of a ‘blunt instrument’ that demonetizes repertoire altogether to the benefit of more popular tracks.”
The org contends that the data for any change must show that smaller and less established labels and artists do not lose out, as well as deep catalog repertoire and smaller territories, specialist genres and longer tracks.
Within its series of questions, IMPALA asks Spotify to suspend the implementation of the new policies, which are set to start in early 2024, to accommodate further debate.
It also asks the streaming company whether it will commit to subscription price increases which “at least” follow inflation and about its plans to support diversity and local artists.
"We share the same goal of fostering a fairer streaming ecosystem and agree that the level of content currently flooding Spotify's open platform is unsustainable,” IMPALA Executive Chair Helen Smith said. “We welcome elements of the new proposal, and at the same time seek assurances and adjustments.”
You can view the full (and rather extensive) list of questions here.
UMPG and the London-based label DnB Allstars have launched a new joint venture. As the "epicenter" of the U.K. drum and bass scene, DnB Allstars have cultivated a unique community with artists such as Vibe Chemistry and Alcemist. Rising writers joining DnB Allstars and UMPG include Grace Barton, Elipsa and Tsuki.
“I’m incredibly excited to start the next chapter of DnB Allstars alongside UMPG," Joshua Williams, creator of DnB Allstars, said. 'We’re thrilled to be working with [UMPG Senior A&R Director] Dougie Bruce and the team to sign some of the best new and established artists and writers in the scene to shape the future of Drum and Bass.”
Bruce added, “Josh is a pioneer on the new wave DnB scene. What he has achieved in such a short space of time across the label and his events is sets a truly entrepreneurial standard in the genre. Adding publishing to his already successful business was a logical step for him and we are delighted that he chose UMPG to partner and grow with. His infectious nature and self-belief in the brand will ensure there will be many signings to DnB Allstars Publishing.”
Pictured wondering why we haven't dug up our pacifiers and JNCO jeans yet are (l-r) DnB Allstars attorney Pete Bott, Bruce, Williams and UMPG Senior Legal & Business Affairs Manager Erin Ruxton.
Boutique publishing house Next Era Music Publishing will partner with Downtown Music Publishing to streamline collection and administration as well as drive unique opportunities for its creators and partners.
Downtown Music Publishing will represent the Next Era catalog worldwide for administration and collection, excluding Korea and China.
"This collaboration not only strengthens our commitment to supporting artists globally but also opens up exciting prospects for the vibrant music scene in the Netherlands,” said Next Era’s Olga Heijns.
Next Era Music Publishing currently represents 45 songwriters and manages more than 7k titles. Among its writers are The Track Masters, Nick Vall, Laidback Luke, Young Ellens, TJWave and Merow.
Andrew Bergman, CEO of Downtown Music Holdings, adds: “With Downtown Music Publishing already working across the Next Era catalog in North America, we look forward to expanding and continuing our relationship with Olga and the Next Era team on a more global scale.”
