Music Week's round-up of essential music biz stories you might have missed...
All Points East expand park’s life
All Points East have announced a line-up of free events to take place in London’s Victoria Park in the week between its festival days.
Between May 27-30, the AEG event, winner of Festival Of The Year at the 2019 Music Week Awards, is hosting a series of music, film screenings and children’s entertainment each day from 10am to 9.30pm.
The main gigs, which kick off today, are being headlined by The Chemical Brothers, The Strokes and Christine & The Queens this weekend, followed by Bring Me The Horizon, Mumford & Sons and Bon Iver the next.
Read Music Week's interview with promoter Oscar Thornton.
Songtrust make new UK and Ireland appointment
Former AIM marketing & events director Lara Baker has joined Songtrust as its new director of business development for the UK and Ireland.
“The UK is a critical music market for the songwriting community and the ever growing independent music sector deserves access to global music publishing now more than ever,” said the company’s Molly Neuman of the appointment.
“It is increasingly urgent that Songtrust as a company is actively engaging with the music community of songwriters, producers, managers, labels and those who work with them. I’ve had the pleasure to work with in many capacities over the years, and there is no one more aligned with our company’s mission than Lara. I’m thrilled to have her join our team.”
Baker, who has started her own company The Bkry since leaving AIM, added: “Empowering independent creators has been the common thread through all my work in music, and so I’m thrilled to be joining a company like Songtrust that shares this core purpose. Songtrust is simplifying music publishing administration for the independent creative community, and I can’t wait to get started on helping creators in the UK and Ireland gain access their global publishing royalties.”
DJ Khaled will lead you through the Waze
Navigation service Waze has recruited DJ Khaled as a new voice to provide directions.
Marking the release of his Father Of Asahd album, the artist will be available to guide users globally until the end of June thanks to the Waze by Deezer collaboration.
“We are beyond excited to launch the DJ Khaled voice in partnership with our friends at Deezer,” said Adam Fried, head of global partnerships at Waze.
“DJ Khaled has one of the most recognisable voices in the industry and is beloved by many of our 115 million users around the world, so we can’t think of anyone better to safely and entertainingly guide Waze drivers on their journeys.”
SSD Concerts double workforce as they stage three Newcastle events
With three major events planned SSD Concerts have undergone a big recruitment drive.
The promoter says it has doubled its workforce in the last 12 months, adding 14 members of staff ahead of staging This Is Tomorrow, Hit The North and Wasteland Festival events in Newcastle.
“It was always our intention to add more events to our roster this year and we've raised things to a whole new level. We've had to find the best to help us and we're confident we've done just that,” said SSD boss Steve Davis.
“This is Tomorrow will be biggest outdoor live music show the region has ever witnessed, Wasteland Festival featuring Richard Ashcroft will take over Spillers Wharf in July, and Hit The North, our inner city live music party, will be bigger than ever before. The industry is changing rapidly and we're moving along with it. We're trying to do what's right by the industry and for the region in all that we do.”
Now employing 25 people in total, the new roles have been added to SSD's stage production and marketing teams.
Live Nation goes green
Live Nation Entertainment has announced a series of environmental goals for all its venues, clubs, theatres and festivals.
The Green Nation initiative will see the business aim to deliver a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and will end sale of single use plastics at its venues and events by 2021 amongst a raft of other measures.
"Hosting over 35,000 concerts and festivals each year, Live Nation has the opportunity and responsibility to provide our artists and fans with a live music experience that protects our planet,” said president and CEO Michael Rapino.
“The adverse effects of climate change are undeniable, and we want to use our place on the world stage to be part of the solution. Together our concerts, venues, festivals, and offices around the world are setting new sustainability standards for live events.”
