Apple Music hits 15m subscribers

Apple Music now has 15 million paying subscribers, the company revealed at WWDC 2016 in San Francisco. As part of its preview of iOS 10, Apple also revealed details of Apple Music's extensive redesign, which will feature a new design language that "allows the music to become the hero" and a new structure that makes it easy to navigate and discover new music. The Library, For You, Browse and Radio tabs have been completely redesigned, while a Search tab has been added.

[PIAS] announces expanded global operations

[PIAS] has announced details of its newly expanded global operations including the restructuring of several key divisions and a number of senior staff appointments. Following the acquisition of classical, jazz and world music specialists harmonia mundi last year, [PIAS] has expanded its global operations, which will sit at the heart of the business. The newly formed global team will both drive and support the expanding global network of local [PIAS] offices who will have access to a broad range of centralised business functions. In addition, a dedicated international team will provide data analysis, commercial insight and territory specific market intelligence to help artists and labels maximize their activity around the world. Adrian Pope, MD of artist & label services, will head the team.

TuneCore customer growth rises by a third 

TuneCore’s UK customer growth has gone from 24% up to 34% in the space of a quarter. Its Q1 2016 figures also showed a 16% year-on year-increase in global artist earnings, up from £24.8m to £28.9m. Meanwhile, TuneCore’s UK independent grime artist Bugzy Malone charted at No.6 on Friday with his album Facing Time. TuneCore CEO Scott Ackerman said: “The first quarter of 2016 has seen a successful start to the year for TuneCore globally. In the UK specifically, since launching last September, we have seen artist growth increase from 24% in Q4 2015 to 34% in Q1 2016. It’s further proof that independent artists have all the tools necessary to sustain a successful career, and we are committed to continue innovating and creating new opportunities to support musicians on a local level.”

Jon Platt joins ASCAP board

Warner/Chappell Music chairman and CEO Jon Platt has been elected to the ASCAP board of directors. "Jon is a tremendous talent in the publishing industry, and we are thrilled to have him join the ASCAP Board," said ASCAP chairman and president Paul Williams. "Our publisher and songwriter members face complex challenges in the digital era that call for a progressive outlook, and Jon is one of the best leaders of his generation." (Billboard)

AIF warning over increased PRS tariff

The Association Of Independent Festivals (AIF) has warned any move by PRS for Music to increase the fees paid by its members could have grave consequences for a number of grassroots festivals. PRS for Music currently charges 3% under tariff LP to all concerts and festivals. A review of this tariff was launched last year and AIF is warning against the catastrophic effect that a rise to the live tariff would have on grassroots events. AIF is instead calling for a separate festival tariff that will take into account the unique nature, tight margins and high-risk nature of staging music festivals. Such a model already exists in Ireland with the ‘multi-venue’ Tariff MS. “It is remarkable and absurd that festivals and concerts sit under a single tariff,” said AIF general manager Paul Reed. 

SOCAN revenues top C$300m for first time

The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) has topped C$300 million (£165m) in total revenues from its membership for the first time since forming in 1990 after a merger between two PROs, CAPAC and PROCAN. The performance rights organisation collected C$307.8m in domestic and international royalties for the 2015 fiscal year, from the performance of music from more than 135,000 songwriters, composers and music publisher members. (Billboard)

Metal Hammer Golden God Awards winners revealed

The Metal Hammer Golden God Awards in association with Fireball were held at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith last night. Former member of Slipknot Joey Jordison was announced as 2016’s Golden God, following in the footsteps of Dave Mustaine, Lemmy and Marilyn Manson. Among other winners were Asking Alexandria for Best UK Band, Iron Maiden’s No.1 album The Book Of Souls won Album Of The Year and Ghost won Best International Band. Nikki Sixx picked up the Icon award, Anthrax won Inspiration and Lamb Of God were named Best Live Band.

Stone Roses top Trending Chart

The Stone Roses' latest track Beautiful Thing leads the way in this week's UK Trending Chart. Sex by Cheat Codes/Kris Kross is at No.2, ahead of Just Like Fire by P!nk, This Ones For You by David Guetta Ft. Zara Larsson and Hair by Little Mix. The Top 20 is as follows:

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