Global expands festival portfolio, increases stake in Broadwick Live
Media and entertainment group Global has expanded its festival business via an increased stake in Broadwick Live, along with a series of other strategic acquisitions. These include SouthWestFour, Field Day, Boardmasters and Rewind Festival, which were previously owned by Impresario, as well as Y Not and Truck, previously owned by Count of Ten. The firm’s increased stake in Broadwick Live will help create a stronger partnership between the two companies, which will work in tandem to co-create new festivals and branded events, and take existing events to new countries. In August, Global and Broadwick Live announced they will be transporting Snowbombing from Europe to North America with the first Snowbombing Canada in 2017, sponsored by Coors Light.
PRS and PPL creating 200 new jobs in Leicester
PRS For Music and PPL are opening a new office Leicester, which will bring over 200 new jobs to the area. The companies will be looking to license premises in the city so that they can play music and support the growing number of UK festivals. The new jobs will include field staff who will visit festivals and venues, as well as call handlers and support staff. Leicester City Council Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "We extend a warm welcome to PRS and PPL, who I know looked at a number of other locations before choosing Leicester as the home of their new operation. (Leicester Mercury).
Fabric fundraiser campaign hits £250,000
A fundraiser to save iconic London Fabric nightclub has passed the £250,000 mark in two weeks. The nightclub had its licence revoked earlier this month following the drug-related deaths of two teenagers. In a bid to save the club, Fabric’s owners launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund a legal appeal against the decision. This has now passed the £250,000 mark and Fabric managing director Gary Kilbey revealed the club has been given a court date for their appeal, which will be heard at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on November 28. (Evening Standard)
Global launches MY app for Capital radio station
The new app essentially allows listeners to take control of a curated Capital playlist, enabling them to see what the next eight tracks playing are and skip past the tracks they don’t want to hear. The app also allows users to listen to Capital DJs discussing music, as well as the latest music news and gossip. Also, in a world first for radio, presenters will be able to invite listeners to tap the screen during links to view/hear the content being discussed live on the station. The app can be downloaded now from the Apple and Android Play store.
A Certain Ration announces partnership with Mute
UK post punk outfit A Certain Ration have entered into a new partnerhip with Mute, which will see the company look after the band’s extensive catalogue for recording and publishing. Mute is now set to embark on a programme of releases that will run over a period of at least two years, starting in February 2017 with a selection of the band’s studio albums. The releases will continue with box sets, vinyl and cassette releases that will include B-sides, unreleased and rare tracks, remixes and live recordings.
MelodyVR teams up with Telefonica Germany to roll out app across 600 stores
MelodyVR has announced a partnership with Telefónica, Germany's largest mobile provider. The partnership will soon see Telefónica showcase a lite version of the Melody VR app across over 600 O2 stores throughout the country for a period of one year. In addition to this, 42 of the brand's concept stores, which allow customers to try new technology, have begun hosting specially designed areas to showcase MelodyVR via Samsung Gear VR headsets. The MelodyVR app is designed to place fans at the heart of their favourite bands’ live performances via virtual reality technology.
Dolly Parton to receive Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
Country legend Dolly Parton will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 50th annual CMA Awards. The award celebrates artists that have attained the highest degree of recognition in country music, achieving both national and international prominence.
Parton will be presented with her award on Wednesday, November 2.
