European export offices join forces

Over 20 European music export offices has joined forces to create the European Music Exporter Exchange Network (EMEE), a new strategic network aimed at increasing the circulation of European repertoire. The first working board consists of Anna Hildur Hildibrandsdottir, Programme Director at the Nordic Music Export Programme (NOMEX) (Chair), Peter Smidt from Dutch organisation BUMA Cultuur Vice Chair) and Virgo Sillamaa from Music Estonia (Secretary). Members of the EMEE will meet at least three times a year to share information and set best practices within Europe. Hildur says EMEE's common goal is to export music and increase the circulation of European repertoire. Hildur commented: “Music remains one of Europe’s most prized cultural and economic assets, and the creation of this network is hugely significant given that support and approach to our sector is being reassessed at EU level."

NME partners with Great Western Railway

Great Western Railway (GWR) has partnered with NME for 2016’s festival season. The online hub on GWR.com, launching on Friday June, 3 is called #TracksOnTheTrack and features Spotify playlists with music recommendations for Glastonbury, Wireless, Lovebox, Wilderness and Reading festival from NME journalists and popular bloggers. GWR’s head of external communications Dan Panes said: “We are incredibly privileged to have some of the World’s most renowned music festivals on our network, and what better way to travel to them than by train, listening to recommendations from the music industry’s leading voices. Designed for festival fans and music lovers, GWR’s #TracksOnTheTrack hub means that everyone can get involved in the festival spirit while travelling there on the day.”

CAA signs Krept & Konan for representation worldwide

The UK hip-hop duo’s debut album, The Long Way Home, was released in 2015 and was one of the highest-charting UK rap albums in history. They won a BET Award in 2014 for Best International Act: UK and are nominated again this year in the same category. Following a sold-out tour in the UK, Krept & Konan are in the studio working on their follow-up project, due out later this year. Krept & Konan are signed to Virgin Records/Def Jam Recordings and continue to be managed by Riki Bleu, Docta Cosmic, and Vash Khatiri.

Qobuz partners with Musimap

Online music service Qobuz has partnered with Musimap, a company specialising in cognitive technologies applied to music. Musimap is a Belgian start-up specialising in music recommendation: its pioneering algorithm is based on singular interdisciplinary human curation extended by machine learning.
Denis Thébaud, CEO of Xandrie, said: "This announcement is part of our ambitious plan for Qobuz, with the ultimate goal to become the best online music platform in the world.”

 Attitude is Everything and ATC Live partner on 100% accessible tour

Attitude is Everything, the music charity campaigning for improved access to live music for millions of Deaf and disabled fans, are proud to announce their involvement in the upcoming UK tour by hugely acclaimed Kinshasa band Mbongwana Star.Eleven-date UK tour starts on June 9th, including performances at Field Day, Glastonbury Festival and Liverpool’s Africa Oye, aims to be fully accessible for both disabled audiences and artist. The tour sees more yet venues sign up to Attitude is Everything’s Access Starts Online campaign. Suzanne Bull MBE, Attitude is Everything CEO, said: “Helping to develop this all-accessible tour for Mbongwana Star has been a real highpoint for Attitude is Everything, and encapsulates what our charity is about - working with a truly forward-thinking partner like ATC Live to help bring one of the world’s most exciting live bands to fans from all backgrounds. This is truly ‘music without barriers’. I hope it leads to more venues and festivals coming onboard and supporting our Access Starts Online campaign.”

The Official Trending Chart

The Official Trending Chart is the Official Charts Company's new chart highlighting the hot new tracks which are growing, week-on-week. From now on the chart will now be published each Tuesday based on sales flash data from the first three days of the chart week (from Friday up to midnight Sunday). This is designed to get it ahead of all playlist meetings.

Here's this week's Top 10 (Week 23)

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