European independent music body IMPALA has raised concerns with Deezer and UMG’s proposals for an artist-centric streaming model, saying the plans could lead to a “two-tier” market.
After the unveiling of the plans, which aim to create a streaming model that better rewards artists, IMPALA members have raised several questions. The org is concerned that the model could negatively impact the work of independent labels (who it says account for 80% of new releases), as well as label decisions on which services they choose to deal with.
IMPALA also points to the exclusive nature of the plans, “developed in a vacuum with a market leader instead of the sector generally,” as a source of contention. Unless other stakeholders agree, the org says it doesn’t see how the proposal could apply outside of UMG repertoire.
IMPALA’s Executive Chair Helen Smith welcomed “Deezer’s commitment to improve the streaming market” while noting “it will be interesting to see the modelling and understand if this has been discussed with other stakeholders, as well as with regulators.
“The gap between bigger and less-streamed artists should be addressed and our plan sets out a number of different ways to achieve that. If Deezer’s approach were to create a two-tier market that would have a negative impact on our members, that would not be good for diversity.”
IMPALA has its own 10-point plan to improve streaming, which includes using AI to detect fraud, increasing subscription prices and for labels to increase digital royalty rates for artists.
AIM CEO Silvia Montelllo said: “AIM welcomes efforts to review the current streaming economics model. But whilst there are many positives to takeaway, including Deezer’s continued intention to combat streaming fraud, boosting royalties for artists who meet certain consumption thresholds could encourage a ‘two-tier system’ that would disadvantage those navigating the first steps of their careers or working within emerging genres. Considering these proposals were agreed without industry consultation, more collaboration and transparency around modelling is needed to ensure they work for rightsholders operating at all levels of the business.”
London’s Brixton Academy could reopen under a new operator with the MET Police recommending a replacement of Academy Music Group following the crowd crush at Asake’s gig last year.
The future of the venue, which has remained closed since December, was debated at a licensing hearing in London this week. There, the MET Police said it didn’t believe AMG should continue as the licensee, without going further into the reasons.
The local council, however, said it supported Brixton Academy’s reopening under AMG “in principle” as long as certain conditions are met, among them a new entry system and barriers on the adjacent highway to better manage crowd control.
The crush at the Asake concert resulted in two deaths after reports said that thousands of fans tried to force their way in, leading to overcrowding.
Since then, AMG has overhauled its security procedure, installing stronger doors, a “better” queuing system and “more secure” ticketing. A petition to keep the 5k capacity venue has reached more than 115k signatures. A decision on the venue's future should be made next week.
Anti-secondary ticketing campaign group FanFair Alliance is urging the U.K. Government to adopt new legislation to outlaw the resale of tickets for profit.
A host of music business companies support the campaign, among them managers and teams for Ed Sheeran, Arctic Monkeys, PJ Harvey, Noel Gallagher, Iron Maiden, Pixies and Biffy Clyro.
FanFair is also urging Google and other online platforms to stop promoting ticket touts. It’s calling on the live music industry to boost consumer-friendly resale services, making it easier for fans to resell tickets for the price they paid or less.
Proposed legislation would mirror similar laws in countries such as Ireland, France and Australia.
FanFair Alliance campaign manager Adam Webb said that despite “substantial progress” to improve online ticket touting in the U.K. since the group was launched in 2016, “it is now clear we need a reset.”
“We need fresh legislation and fresh thinking, ending once and for all the parasitical practices of online ticket touts, while doing more to proactively promote capped consumer-friendly ticket resale. The U.K. is rightly proud of its live music culture, and this is an area we should and could be leading the world."
Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS (Geffen) is outselling the rest of the U.K. Official Albums Top 10 at today’s midweek point. Over on singles, Rodrigo is battling with Doja Cat for #1.
GUTS is set to become Rodrigo’s second U.K. #1 album on Friday after shifting more than 33k sales so far. It leads a Top 6 of all new releases.
At #2 is Roisin Murphy’s sixth set, Hit Parade (Ninja Tune). The Coral’s Sea of Mirrors (Modern Sky/Run On) is also new, at #3; the group’s accompanying release, Holy Joe’s Coral Island Medicine Show, is #13).
The Chemical Brothers’ For That Beautiful Feeling (EMI) is predicted to land at #4 as BTS member V starts at #5 with Layover (Interscope).
The first solo record from The xx member Romy, Mid-Air (Young), is #6 today.
Last week’s Mercury Music Prize winners, Ezra Collective, look set to score a new peak for their winning album, Where I’m Meant To Be (Partisan), re-entering at #18.
On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, “Paint the Town Red” (Ministry of Sound) by Doja Cat is still #1. Rodrigo’s “vampire,” however, could overtake it by the end of the week: It’s currently just over 1k sales away from the summit.
“vampire” is one of three tracks from Rodrigo in today’s Top 5: “bad idea right” is up nine places to #3, while “all-american bitch” is the highest new entry at #4.
Cassö, RAYE and D-Block Europe’s “Prada” (Ministry of Sound) is expected to jump two to #5 and “adore u” (Atlantic) by Fred again.. and Obongjayar could also lift to a new high at #6.
Little Mix member Leigh-Anne could score a second Top 20 solo single with “My Love” (Warner Music U.K.) f/Ayra Starr at #12.
The average annual income of U.K. musicians from music work is £20.7k ($26k), although nearly half earn less than £14k, according to research from the Musicians’ Union and Help Musicians.
Nearly a quarter (23%) of 6k U.K. musicians surveyed by the orgs said they don’t earn enough to support themselves or their families, while nearly half (44%) said a lack of sustainable income is a barrier to their music career.
Over half of respondents (53%) sustain their career by sourcing other forms of income outside of music. Nearly two thirds (62%) of these generate additional funds from alternative employment, but other sources of financial support include support from family and friends (14%) and Universal Credit or other benefits (12%).
The average income of those making 100% of their earnings from music is around £30k ($37.5k)—slightly less than the average median income in the U.K. of £33,280.
The majority of musicians (80%) reported at least one or more career-restricting barrier. Forty-six percent report cost-related challenges, with cost of equipment (30%), transport (27%) and training (18%) limiting their careers. Other barriers include no clear route for career progression (36%), not knowing anyone in the industry (25%) and unsociable working hours (22%).
The findings come from the first ever U.K. Musicians’ Census, which can be found in full here.
Royal Blood goes four for four in hitting #1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart while Doja Cat earns her first-ever #1 U.K. single.
Back to the Water Below (Warner), the fourth studio set from the Worthing-formed rock duo, follows Royal Blood (2014), How Did We Get So Dark (2017) and Typhoons (2021) in hitting the top of the album chart. Back to the Water Below was the top seller on vinyl and at record stores; physical sales accounted for more than 85% of the album’s opening week total.
The 10th anniversary of The 1975’s eponymous Dirty Hit/Polydor debut returns to the Top 5 for the first time since 2013, coming in at # 3. Slowdive registers a career high #6 debut with their first U.K. Top 10 LP, Everything is Alive (Dead Oceans). Sigur Ros’ ÁTTA (BMG) opens at #30 following its release on CD and vinyl, hitting #2 on the Official Record Store Chart.
At singles, Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” (Ministry of Sound) rises one slot to #1; it’s her 15th Top 40 single in the U.K.
Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” (EMI) rises to a new peak of #2 while Fred again.. claims his first Top 10 single as a solo artist with “adore u” (Atlantic) featuring Nigerian vocalist Obongjayar at # 9. Kyle Minogue’s “Baby” (BMG ) is this week’s highest new entry, debuting at #19.
The London-based Ezra Collective has won the 2023 Mercury Prize for its album Where I’m Meant To Be. (Partisan).
The win, announced by judging-panel spokesperson DJ Jamz Supernova during the awards ceremony at London's Eventim Apollo on Thursday evening (9/7), marks the first victory for a jazz act and first win for independent label Partisan.
The Ezra Collective joins previous winners like Skepta, Dave, Pulp, Portishead and PJ Harvey.
Where I’m Meant To Be debuted at the top of the U.K. Jazz & Blues Albums Chart and hit #24 on the U.K. Albums Chart. Said Supernova, "It's an uplifting and timely record that represents the very best of where we are in 2023.”
The nominees also included Arctic Monkeys’ The Car (Domino)—the band’s fifth Mercury nod—Fred again..'s Actual Life 3 (January 1–September 9 2022) (Atlantic), J Hus' Beautiful and Brutal Yard (Black Butter), RAYE’s debut album, My 21st Century Blues (Human Re Sources) and Shygirl's Nymph (Because Music)
Royal Blood, the rock duo of Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher, is aiming to lock in their fourth consecutive U.K. #1 album this week, while Doja Cat is eyeing her first #1 at singles.
At midweek, Royal Blood’s Back to the Water Below (Warner) is outselling its closest competition, a 10th anniversary edition of The 1975’s self-titled debut from Dirty Hit/Polydor, by more than 2:1.
At #3, is Slowdive’s Everything is Alive (Dead Oceans), which would be their first-ever U.K. Top 10 placement. Their 2017 comeback Slowdive registered a career-best #17.
Rounding out the all-new Top 4 is Sigur Ros’s Atta (BMG), which was released on vinyl on Friday.
A 40th anniversary edition of Jethro Tull’s 14th studio album, The Broadsword and the Beast (Rhino), is currently #6 followed by Rivers of Heresy (Roadrunner) by Empire State Bastard, the duo of Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neal and former Oceansize frontman Mike Vennart, at #7.
Deacon Blue’s greatest hits collection All The 45s: The Very Best of Deacon Blue (Cooking Vinyl), released to coincide with a new U.K. tour, is #8.
At Singles Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red” (Ministry of Sound) is predicted to leapfrog Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (Geffen) to claim the top slot.
Calvin Harris & Sam Smith’s “Desire” (Columbia) could climb into the Top 5 for the first time—it’s #4 at midweek—while Fred again..’s “adore u” (Atlantic) is looking to become his first Top 10 single as a solo artist.
Kylie Minogue's “Tension” (BMG) is on course to be the week’s highest new entry, opening at #14.
