Apple to continue pursuing streaming exclusives
Apple Music's Jimmy Iovine has said the company will continue to pursue streaming exclusives despite the controversy over such deals. Universal has reportedly banned such agreements, but Apple will continue to seek exclusives with other labels such as Sony and Warner. “We put a lot into this, we’ve had some real successes, and we always hold up our end of the relationship,” said Iovine. “We’re feeling our way around and seeing what works… Every time we do [an exclusive], we learn something new.” Iovine also spoke out against free, ad-supported streaming models. “The rights holders, whoever they are, have to do something, because there’s a lot of free [music] out there, and it’s a problem,” he said. “There’s enough out there to make people say, Why should I subscribe to something?" (Buzzfeed)
Cooking Vinyl partners with Fat Cat Records
Cooking Vinyl has announced a strategic partnership with Fat Cat Records. Under the agreement, Cooking Vinyl, who will take equity in Fat Cat Records, will work with the company’s founders Alex knight and Dave Cawley and their existing staff to develop the business and increase the label’s international reach. Brighton-based Fat Cat has worked with such artists as Sigur Ros, Animal Collective, Frightened Rabbit, Vashti Bunyan, Mum, Max Richter, The Twilight Sad, Hauschka, Dustin O Halleran and Nina Nastasia among others. Its current roster includes Honeyblood, C Duncan, Ian William Craig, Resina, Oliver Alary, Big Deal, PAWS, Shopping, Tal National, Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch and Dmitry Evgrafov.
Beyoncé and Justin Bieber head MTV EMA nominations
Beyoncé and Justin Bieber lead the way with five nominations each for the MTV EMAs 2016. Adele followed closely behind with four nods, alongside Best Rock nominees Coldplay, Best New Act nominee Lukas Graham and Best Male candidate Shawn Mendes. Rihanna and Drake earned three nominations each, including a Best Song nomination for Work. Adele’s Hello, Justin Bieber’s Sorry, Lukas Graham’s 7 Years and the Seeb remix of Mike Posner’s I Took A Pill In Ibiza also earned nominations for Best Song. The 2016 MTV EMAs will broadcast around the globe from the Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam, Netherlands on Sunday, November 6.
Columbia/Legacy to release Bob Dylan's 1966 concerts as a 36-CD box-set
Sony continues to dig into the vaults of Bob Dylan with plans to release what is probably one of the most ambitious projects to date relating to his recordings. On November 11, Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings, the catalogue division of Sony Music Entertainment, will release Bob Dylan: The 1966 Live Recordings, a 36-CD box set containing every known recording from the artist's 1966 concert tours of the US, UK, Europe and Australia, 50 years after they were performed.
Abbey Road Red unveils latest members
Abbey Road Studios is introducing the newest members of its music-tech incubator start-up programme, Abbey Road Red. Developing the latest music technology startups, entrepreneurs and researchers, Abbey Road Red is the first incubator of its kind in Europe. Scored, Qrates and The Audio Hunt will join Red and begin a six-month mentoring programme where Abbey Road Studios will support these startups in every aspect of development, providing access to the studio’s staff, knowledge and facilities.
Zara Larsson to feature in Vevo's LIFT series
Vevo has announced Zara Larsson as the latest act to feature in its LIFT series, joining the line-up for the annual Halloween celebration alongside 2016’s LIFT acts Jack Garratt, Aurora, Blossoms and Izzy Bizu. This year’s Vevo Halloween will take place at Bramley-Moore Dock, Liverpool on Saturday, October 29. For eight weeks from October, Vevo.com will share exclusive new content from Zara Larsson, including live performances and behind-the-scenes footage.
Date set for MMF report
The Music Managers Forum's latest report, Dissecting the Digital Dollar: Part 2, will be launched in London at a venue to be confirmed at 9.30am on Thursday, October 6. The findings are based on discussions from 12 round tables, which heard from more than 200 people in the industry. Part 1 was published last year and contained a number of recommendations "to support a fairer and more transparent music industry".
