New Robbie Williams album out next month
Robbie Williams’ new studio album Heavy Entertainment Show will be released on Columbia Records on November 4. The album, which features songs co-written with Guy Chambers, Ed Sheeran, The Killers, Rufus Wainwright and John Grant, among others, is Williams’ first to be released through Sony Music and follows a string of 11 UK chart-topping albums, a tally only matched by Elvis Presley. A trailer for the new album was premiered on ITV last night during the X Factor ad break. The title track is available to stream and download now.
Apple hires ex Epic Records exec
Apple Music has hired former Epic Records SVP Scott Seviour. Seviour, who left Epic in 2014, will be based in Los Angeles and will work on original content and is expected to be involved in securing streaming exclusives. (Business Insider)
Visa specialists unveil rebrand
Music visa specialists Re-Production have rebranded under a new name, Viva La Visa. The Suffolk-based company has also opened a new London office at 6 Church Row, Wandsworth Plain, London SW18 IES. Established in the late 1990s by Andy Corrigan, a founder member of acclaimed Leeds punk band The Mekons and later independent tour manager for a string of global artists, Re-Production specialises in visa and immigration services for the UK and international music business. Recent clients include Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, Take That, Wild Beasts, Stormzy, Daughter, Primal Scream and Muse.
Mayor vows to protect historic venues
In potentially good news for music venues, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has vowed to protect London's historic buildings from developers with new planning rules. The Mayor said he is planning regulations, which mean developers building flats near existing venues will be responsible for soundproofing sites. It comes after more than 25,000 people signed a petition to save Mayfair's historic Curzon cinema from being shut down over a soundproofing dispute. Khan said: “I intend to protect venues like the Curzon Mayfair by introducing an ‘Agent of Change’ rule into the next London Plan. That would mean developers building flats near existing venues will need to ensure that residents are not unduly affected by sound from the venue, and that may include paying for soundproofing.” (Evening Standard)
Warner/Chappell signs Dyo
Warner/Chappell Music has signed a publishing deal with pop/R&B songwriter and performer Dyo, formerly known as Ms D. Dyo originally came to the attention of the music world by co-writing and appearing as a featured artist on Wiley’s hits Heatwave, Can You Hear Me? (Ayayaya) and Reload. She also co-wrote Iggy Azalea’s 2014 hit Bounce and Swedish producer Neiked’s current track Sexual.
Sky Tickets acquires Una Tickets
Sky Tickets, the new ticketing venture by sky has acquired British start-up Una Tickets. Sky will serve as the exclusive ticketing partner of Ben Lovett’s new London venue, Omeara, and Curious Arts Festival in the New Forest, deploying Una’s fully digital solution for both. (IQ)
'Trampled' T.I. fans sue Live Nation
Two music fans are suing Live Nation, alleging they were left with “serious” injuries and mental anguish after being trampled as people fled a T.I. concert following a shooting backstage before the show. One person died and three people were wounded in the shooting at Manhattan's Irving Plaza on May 25. The lawsuit claims the venue did not adequately screening attendees. (TMZ)
Nova Twins on the RADAR as showcase returns
Music Week’s showcase RADAR returns to Under The Bridge in London on Thursday, October 6. Urban punk duo Nova Twins head an eclectic line-up also featuring Off Colour, Matt Wills, Cameron Bloomfield, Joy Crookes and Miller Blue. RADAR showcases the best unsigned and just-signed talent to the UK music industry. The event was born as a collaboration between Music Week, ILUVLIVE and MusicConnex.
Music Week out now
This week's bumper edition of Music Week features the big autumn releases in our massive Q4 preview. We explore the rise of urban music as the MOBOs return and there's all the news, views and hullabaloos from last week's MUSEXPO Europe conference. The issue also features our annual look at booking agents, while BMG's Alexi Cory-Smith takes on the Big Interview. Subscribe here.
