SoundCloud to roll out subscription service
Following the multi-territory European licensing agreement signed with publishing giant Sony/ATV Music in April, SoundCloud finally has “everyone aligned” to launch its subscription service this side of the Atlantic. “We have all the deals we need to be able to launch in the UK,” said co-founder and CTO Eric Wahlforss, speaking to Music Week. “The UK is our second biggest market. It’s hugely important for us.” Launching in the UK and Ireland on May 3, SoundCloud Go is priced at £9.99 in the UK and €9.99 in Ireland with a 30-day free trial. The service offers offline listening, and is free of advertising – which is also being introduced to all non-paying users this week. “Our top requested feature is not, When can I have offline syncing? It’s now moved to, When can I have SoundCloud Go in my country? The biggest country on that list is the UK, so we’re super happy about the UK being next,” he added. Wahlforss wouldn’t say which country will follow the UK on the “list”, but suggested that “if I could launch in the whole world tomorrow, I would”, hinting at on-going negotiations with collecting societies for the gap between launches.
Drake's Apple exclusive sets Views on a record week
Drake's new album, Views, is on its way to become a million-seller on its week of release in the United States without even being available in physical format. The new set, which dropped April 29, has sold over 822,000 album project units in the US and 89,000 in Canada through three days (April 29-May 2), according to BuzzAngle Music, which tracks downlaods and streams in North America.
Nelly Furtado calls out YouTube
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado has added her voice to the debate about artist rights and payments involving YouTube. “I am educating myself to understand the arguments and have found that there is certainly a lack of transparency and a lot of spinning going on,” she said in an open letter. “Music is the greatest single contributor to happiness. It’s time music creators got the revenue they deserve from Google’s YouTube. Let’s stop the spinning and let’s focus on fairness from both sides.”
Beyoncé, Prince post strong US sales figures
Beyoncé’s Lemonade sold 653,000 copies in the US in its first week to debut at No.1 with the biggest sales week of the year to date. All six of her albums have topped the charts in their first week. Meanwhile, five Prince albums – The Very Best of Prince, Purple Rain, The Hits/The B-Sides, Ultimate Prince, and 1999 – all reached the Top 7 of the Billboard 200 in the first full chart week since his death.
Warner expands board
Warner Music Group has increased its board of directors from 11 members to 12 following the appointment of former Maker Studios CEO Ynon Kreiz. WMG owner Len Blavatnik said Kreiz’s "global perspective and proven track record of innovation in the entertainment and media space make him ideally suited" for the role. (Billboard)
T In The Park capacity capped at 70,000
The capacity for this year’s T In The Park has been reduced by 15,000 after complaints about overcrowding at last year’s festival. The festival’s maximum attendance will be capped at 70,000 after its public entertainment license was adjusted. (Scotsman)
New Radiohead album imminent?
Radiohead deleted their internet presence over the weekend, leading to speculation that the release of the group's ninth studio album is imminent. All posts on the band's Twitter and Facebook pages were erased and their Twitter and Facebook pages were deleted. The band's website links to a blank page, while tweets were also deleted from Thom Yorke's Twitter page. (CNN)
Nominations open for AIM Awards
The Association of Independent Music is now accepting entries for this year’s awards. Ten categories are open for submissions from both members and non-members. The deadline for entries24 May, application forms can be downloaded now from www.musicindie.com/awards/enternow Entries will be considered by an expert panel of judges from across the media and music industry.
Best of the Music Week Awards
Read Max Hole's Strat acceptance speech from last week's Music Week Awards in association with Google Play here. A recap of five amazing events from the event can be viewed here.
Music Week out now
The new edition of Music Week features a full interview with SoundCloud’s Eric Wahlforss about the UK and Ireland rollout of SoundCloud Go, a career-spanning interview with Strat winner Max Hole, a huge tribute to Prince and a feature on the progress of Jockey Club Live. Subscribe here.
