Music Week Sync Awards 2016 winners revealed
The industry’s finest filled London's Bloomsbury Ballroom for the annual Music Week Sync Awards last night (October 20), with Sony Music, BMG and Beggars Group among the evening’s winners. Sony Music scooped the award for Sync Team – Record Company, while Beggars Group was decorated with the Sync Team – Independent Record Company award. Elsewhere, BMG won in the Sync Team – Publisher category and the Sync Team – Independent Publisher prize went to Just Isn’t Music. Jamie N Commons was celebrated with the Sync Artist of the Year Award, while the Overall Sync of the Year Award went to Grace’s You Don’t Own Me, featured in House of Fraser.
David Bowie, Beyoncé and Jamie xx win at UK Music Video Awards
The ninth annual UK Music Video Awards took place at the Camden Roundhouse last night (October 21), with Beyoncé, David Bowie and Jamie xx among the big winners. Best Pop Video went to Michael Kiwanuka with Black Man In A White World, whilst Coldplay won Best Rock/Indie Video with Up & Up, directed by Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia. Jamie XX snapped up Best Alternative Video with Gosh alongside recent breakthrough artist Nao who won Best Urban Video for Bad Blood. Wide Open by The Chemical Brothers triumphed winning both Best Dance Video and Best Visual Effects in a Video whilst Best International Rock/Indie Video was awarded to Tame Impala with The Less I Know The Better.
Fabric makes bulk of staff redundant as club stays shut
As London nightclub Fabric awaits a court date to appeal Islington Council's decision to revoke its licence, it has been forced to make most of its staff redundant. The club closed at the beginning of August pending a licence review after two drug-related deaths at the venue. On September 7, despite strong public and industry support, its licence was revoked. Writing in a new update about how donations to its legal fund are being used, Fabric MD Gary Kilby said "It has been a very sad two weeks where have unfortunately had to allow most of our staff to take redundancy and revere to a small manageable team." The fund now stands at almost £300,00 and an appeal hearing has been scheduled for November 28.
Lady Gaga streams new album
Lady Gaga's fifth album Joanne is now streaming on Apple Music and Spotify. Released today (October 21), the record emerged on the platforms overnight and features contributions from Mark Ronson, Florence Welch, Beck, Father John Misty and Tame Impala's Kevin Parker. The album's lead single Perfect Illusion was released last month, charting at No.12.
Reissue of Prince's Purple Rain announced
A remastered, deluxe reissue of Prince's 1984 album Purple Rain is set to come out via NPG Records/Warner Bros early next year. The release was compiled with plans that were "agreed [upon] with Prince before he passed away," according to press information. An album of "previously unreleased material" will accompany the reissue. Meanwhile, a new Prince greatest hits compilation, Prince 4ever, is due on 22 November, featuring 40 hits and the unreleased Moonbeam Levels. Last week it was revealed that a vault of unreleased music from late pop icon Prince was reportedly being shopped around for a fee of £29m, sparking a bidding war among the three major labels.
Jay Z could become first rapper to enter Songwriters Hall Of Fame
Jay Z is among 24 nominations for entry into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame for 2017. Joined by fellow nominees Madonna, Bryan Adams, Gloria Estefan, George Michael, Max Martin and more, the rapper would become the first rapper to be inducted were he to be chosen. Songwriters are eligible once their career spans 20 years; Jay Z's debut Reasonable Doubt was released in 1996. Members can vote for two performing songwriters and three non-performing ones, with votes counted on December 16. The five individual writers or writing teams will be inducted in June. Former inductees include Stevie Wonder, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Keith Richards and Dolly Parton
Bob Dylan acknowledges Nobel literature prize
After five days without comment on being awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, Bob Dylan appears to have acknowledged the news via a post on his website. A page advertising a new book of lyrics, Lyrics 1962-2001, now includes the line "winner of the Nobel prize in literature'. It is the first evidence of recognition from the 75-year-old, and comes after Nobel academy permanent secretary Sara Danius revealed several attempts at contact had been made. The ceremony takes place in Stockholm on November 10.
Tony Blackburn to return to BBC radio
Tony Blackburn will return to host BBC Radio 2's Friday evening show Pick Of The Pops after his sacking in February relating to evidence he gave to the corporation's Jimmy Savile review. Blackburn claimed he was axed for disagreeing with the BBC over two 1970s incidents, particularly how it handled allegations that he had abused a teenage girl who subsequently took her own life. Yesterday, The BBC stated: "The BBC stands by the findings and the decision it made to take Tony Blackburn off air at the start of this year based on Dame Janet’s Smith’s preference for the documentary evidence relating to meetings that took place over Tony Blackburn’s statements. Tony Blackburn for his part stands by his statements to Dame Janet Smith but recognises that the BBC considered a period off air was appropriate.” Blackburn, who hosted a new show on Thames Radio after leaving Pick Of The Pops, said, “I do not seek to criticise the BBC for decisions it has made in the past. I have had a difficult year personally, but I’m pleased to be returning to the BBC and can’t wait to get behind the mic again”.
YouGov survey finds streaming too expensive for mainstream
New research from YouGov and subscription technology company Zuora says the music industry must introduce lower-priced streaming services to entice the 90% of UK adults yet to pay to stream. The research quizzed more than 2000 consumers to find that roughly 10% of adults in Britain are currently paying for streaming. Pricing was found to be a major factor for those not currently paying to stream, with 48% saying current platforms were too expensive. Meanwhile, 52% of people already using platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music said they never expect to buy a CD again, while 37% "rarely" listen to the radio.
Craig David reveals Twickenham performance
Craig David has announced plans to play at Twickenham in October. The gig will take place at Twickenham before the NFL International Series match between the New York Giants and the Los Angeles rams as the American sport makes its debut at the home of England rugby. Craig David recently celebrated his first No.1 album in 16 years with Following My Intuition and will play an arena tour in 2017. “I am hungry, passionate and making music that I’m truly proud of and I want to deliver the music that people have been asking for," he said. "I am thrilled to be performing at Twickenham for such an historic sporting event and am looking forward to an exciting event in an amazing atmosphere."
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