Digital Economy Act passes introducing new ticket tout regulations
While Theresa Mayhem's General Election may have put the ongoing parliamentary investigation into secondary ticketing on hold, the proposed new regulations on the ticket touting business have made it onto the statute book. The revised Digital Economy Act got its royal assent yesterday, with amendments made by the Lords getting approval from the Commons before Westminster winds down for the big vote.

Those amendments include two relating to secondary ticketing. First, the bots ban outlawing the use of special software to hoover up large quantities of tickets from primary ticketing sites. Government ministers originally said this was unnecessary, as using such technology is arguably already against the law, but they subsequently backed the bots ban proposal.

Secondly, the obligations on ticket resellers to provide certain information about the tickets they are reselling - contained in the Consumer Rights Act 2015 - will be extended, so that that information must include a "unique ticket number that may help the buyer to identify the seat or standing area or its location".

Both new measures have been welcomed by those campaigning for a better regulated secondary ticketing market, not least the music industry's FanFair Alliance. Though those campaigners recognise that the new rules will only be of any use if they are enforced.

The regulations introduced in the Consumer Rights Act arguably haven't been enforced very well. Though the government has said that it accepts the recommendations of the Waterson Review of the secondary market, which included the proposal that National Trading Standards be given the remit and the budget to do the enforcement in this domain.

Responding to passing of the Digital Economy Act, a spokesperson for the FanFair Alliance commented: "On top of government measures to criminalise the bulk-buying of tickets, this relatively minor amendment to the Consumer Rights Act, for a 'unique ticket number' to be displayed when a ticket is listed for resale, should greatly increase transparency in the so-called secondary ticketing market. If enforced, it will give users some assurances that the ticket they are buying actually exists, as well as disrupting the practices of hardcore touts that thrive on sites like Viagogo, StubHub, Get Me In! and Seatwave".

They added: "Going forward, it is now vital that the UK's consumer laws are enforced, and recommendations made in the Waterson Review of secondary ticketing are fully implemented. After the General Election, we will need details on how all these changes will work in practice. Only then, and combined with a concerted effort from industry and regulators, will this broken market be fixed and British audiences provided with the open and properly-functioning resale market they deserve".

The Music Managers Forum, one of the key backers of the FanFair Alliance, also welcomed the new rules included in the DEA. Its CEO, Annabella Coldrick, said last night: "Industrial-scale ticket touting is a real blight on the UK's live music scene, and a cause of growing concern for managers and artists alike. Members of the MMF were instrumental in setting up the FanFair Alliance to campaign for a fairer and more transparent resale market, and so we are delighted that government has listened to the concerns of artists and fans and moved forward with these sensible and pragmatic measures".

She added: "We now need UK consumer law to be properly enforced. With that in place there will be a real opportunity to create a sustainable ticketing market that prioritises the needs of fans above the greed of touts".

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New lawsuit over Jefferson Starship name
A founding member of Jefferson Starship has gone legal to try to stop the current incarnation of the band from using the name.

The rock band Jefferson Starship evolved out of the group Jefferson Airplane of course, and birthed the spin off outfit Starship, so that's already pretty confusing. Guitarist Craig Chaquico was a founder member of the Jefferson Starship line-up, and subsequently played with Starship too.

The Jefferson Starship name was originally retired in the mid-1980s after a little legal wrangling between various members of the band. However Paul Kantner, a founder member of both Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship, subsequently started using the latter moniker again in the 1990s.

Chaquico says that he gave permission for that latter use of the band's brand, but that that agreement was with Kantner personally, and he died last year. Kantner's final set of bandmates do not have his permission to continue using the name now and - says Chaquico - past agreements between the original members of the group mean his permission is required.

To that end the guitarist has asked a judge to intervene and prevent the current line-up from using the name. According to the Associated Press, he states that: "For this band line-up to tour and call itself Jefferson Starship is woefully misleading to the public and confuses longtime fans".

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TuneCore launches ramped up social media service
DIY digital distribution platform TuneCore has announced the launch of a ramped up version of the TuneCore Social service it launched last year after acquiring JustGo.

Like JustGo, TuneCore Social provides tools to help DIY artists manage their social media presence. The newly launched TuneCore Social Pro is a paid-for version which offers extra tools and tips to artists looking to simplify the posting of messages to their social channels, and utilising the data that such channels return.

Says TuneCore chief Scott Ackerman: "Social media management can be a full-time job, and we want to make sure TuneCore members are focused on their art. We know that a successful online social media presence is essential to our artists' success, so we prioritised the development of this tool and will continue adapting our resources to meet the demands of the evolving music industry and social media landscape".

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Eventbrite adds Facebook integration in the UK
Self-service ticketing firm Eventbrite has announced integration with Facebook in the UK, meaning people can now buy tickets from within the social network. It follows a similar tie-up with the social media firm in the US last year. The first promoter to make use of the service in the UK is the Womad festival.

Confirming the integration, Yoav Zeevi at Facebook says: "Our focus with ticketing on Facebook is to give people an easier way to attend the events that interest them and make selling tickets easier for our partners, like Eventbrite. We've gotten great feedback from our partners that posting on Facebook helps them drive sales and attendance".

And for Eventbrite, Marketing Director UK & Ireland Marino Fresch says: "Buying tickets on Facebook, without ever leaving the app, is a much more intuitive, faster way to get into your favourite event. And this is just the beginning. The ability to buy tickets for interesting events, wherever you may be online, is changing the future of ticket sales. And it will benefit our event organisers, who are able to sell more tickets and in turn grow their revenues by reaching their fans at this crucial intersection".

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Epidemic Sound raises new funding
A platform that provides royalty free music to YouTubers, Epidemic Sound, has secured new funding to further expand its business. The new cash injection comes from Kichi Invest, an investment company co-founded by Fredrik Wester, CEO of Swedish gaming firm Paradox Interactive.

Founded in 2014, Epidemic Sound provides library music and bespoke compositions to big brands and bedroom YouTube video makers where the producer pays a one-off fee or monthly subscription and doesn't have to subsequently pay ongoing performance royalties per play. Last year it apparently turned over $6 million and this new round of funding more than doubles its valuation to $45 million.

"Currently, we have hundreds of thousands of content creators on YouTube using our music", says founder and CEO Oscar Höglund. "We plan to ride this wave to dominate the global market and become the main provider of music to all manner of today and tomorrow's online creatives and creators by 2020. We are excited to have Fredrik's onboard as he has great knowledge and expertise".

Kichi Invest CEO Oscar Ingdahl adds: "[Epidemic Sound] now boasts a global customer base, a healthy seven figure revenue and powers a large proportion of the mobile and online-media industry with a recurring subscription model for music - investing was a no-brainer for us. We are excited to impart our experience and help the team move from generating millions to billions in revenue".

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Outgoing MP Michael Dugher to head up UK Music
Cross-sector trade group UK Music has announced outgoing MP and former Shadow Secretary of State For Culture, Media And Sport Michael Dugher as its new chief executive. He will replace Jo Dipple, who revealed back in January her plans to leave the trade body after five years in the top job.

Dugher, who has been Labour MP for Barnsley East since 2010, announced his intention to step down as a politician earlier this month. In a statement at the time, he said: "I have worked for the Labour movement for nearly all of the past 20 years. Throughout that time I have always tried to fight for a Labour party that is in touch with working class people and one that can get into government so we can actually do something to really help people. I wish the party and more importantly the people of Barnsley nothing but the best for the future".

"There are always lots of reasons when you make any big decisions", he added mysteriously. "It's time now for me to make a difference in life outside of politics. It's also time that I do what is best for my wife and children, whom I love with all my heart".

Of course, as head of UK Music, with its lobbying role, he will continue to come into contact with politics and politicians on a regular basis, but he'll also get to spend time trying to make all of the different music industry trade bodies agree with each other, which I'm sure will make a nice change.

No longer being coy about his future, Dugher shouted yesterday: "I'm THRILLED to have been appointed Chief Executive of UK Music. I have engaged with the organisation for several years and have seen it go from strength to strength thanks to its board, chairman Andy Heath and previous CEOs Feargal Sharkey and Jo Dipple. There is a great team at UK Music who do brilliant work and I'm really looking forward to working with them".

He continued: "British music is a world-beating industry which brings huge economic benefits for our country. I am determined to work with all the individual members of UK Music - on the business and creator side - to ensure our industry is protected during the Brexit process and that we continue to thrive. Safeguarding intellectual property, protecting venues, promoting new opportunities and broadening diversity in the sector are all central to our work at UK Music".

Quieting any doubters, he added: "Music has been a lifelong passion for me and I'm looking forward to helping make a real difference as UK Music's new chief executive".

The aforementioned Heath also commented: "Michael is a first class and dynamic choice with a proven track record as a powerful supporter of British music - both the artists and the commercial organisations. He knows the business and politics inside out. Jo has been a tireless champion for the music sector and has built an organisation which is now a powerful unified voice for the industry".

Yeah. Unified. Anyway, Dugher will take up his new position in mid-May.

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Haim have something to tell you
Haim are back. Which is want you wanted, wasn't it? They'll release a new album, called 'Something To Tell You', on 7 Jul.

The news was announced yesterday with a studio-based live performance of new song 'Right Now', in a video shot by that Paul Thomas Anderson of making films and music videos fame. It was premiered to a select few the night previously at a party at Canters Deli in Los Angeles, where the sisters Haim played their first show almost eighteen years ago.

Here is that very video.

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Lapalux finds new album in ruins
Lapalux will release his third album, 'Ruinism', on 30 Jun, through Flying Lotus's Ninja Tune imprint Brainfeeder.

"'Ruinism' is a made-up term I use to describe the way in which blended sound palettes and inspirations interact with one another to form this album", the producer says of the title. He created the samples on the record using live instruments, then went to work on each one "until it was 'ruined'", before building them back into the finished tracks.

First single, 'Rotted Arp', featuring Louisahhh, is out now, of which he says: "It sums up the whole idea of this record - having Louisahhh's vocals made me think of this track as a much more meaningful piece and helped me push it further and further into a developed abstract dance track".

You can catch Lapalux live in London at Mick's Garage on 25 May. And you can listen to 'Rotted Arp' here.

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Jack White, BMG, Spotify, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Jack White has signed a global publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group to administer his entire catalogue. "We are excited", says White's manager Ian Montone. "I am thankful", adds UMPG boss Jody Gerson.

• BMG has promoted Keith Hauprich to General Counsel & SVP Business & Legal Affairs for North America. "I am delighted", says BMG US president Zach Katz.

• Spotify's UK Country Manager Chris Forrester (he managed operations in this country, not the UK country music playlist) has departed the company, just under a year after joining. Spotify told Campaign that the split was "amicable".

• MelodyVR has appointed Ian Hanson as a non-executive director. Currently Chief Operating Officer of Global, he also previously held the same role at EMI.

• The PRS Foundation has secured 200,000 euros from the European Commission's Creative Europe fund for a new European talent development programme called Keychange, an expansion of its UK Women Make Music Fund. "Keychange's focus on giving talented women access to international networks and new markets at critical stages in their career will help them realise their potential as future leaders of an industry that is ready for change", says the foundation's Vanessa Reed.

• PJ Harvey is releasing two new songs today, 'A Dog Called Money' and 'I'll Be Waiting'.

• A new track has been released from Chuck Berry's upcoming posthumous album, 'Chuck', has been released. Here's 'Wonderful Woman'.

• The Afghan Whigs have released the video for new single 'Oriole'.

• Bonobo has released the video for 'Bambro Koyo Ganda', featuring Innov Gnawa.

• Little Dragon have released the video for new single, 'Celebrate'.

• Doldrums has announced that he will return with a new album, 'Esc', on 30 Jun. Here's first single, 'Runner Up'.

• Analog Africa is releasing a new compilation, 'Pop Makossa - The Invasive Dance Beat Of Cameroon 1976-1984' on 16 Jun. From it, here's Bill Loko's 'Nen Lambo'.

• Blondie will be livestreaming a show in Berlin at 8pm tonight. Click here to tune in.

• Ride have announced that they will play Village Underground in London on 12 Jun. They've also released a new track, 'All I Want'.

• You can probably be fairly confident that a genre has peaked when Disney gets in on it. So, allow me to introduce Disneyland Paris's new EDM festival, Electroland.

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Beef Of The Week #352: Aretha Franklin v Dionne Warwick
Sometimes someone says something so egregious about you, so unbelievable offensive, that you still find yourself seething about it years later. It's probably best to let old grudges go, but sometimes that's easier said than done when something so blatantly untrue is said about you.

Which is how Aretha Franklin came to send a "lengthy fax" to the Associated Press this week, correcting the "libel" Dionne Warwick committed five years ago when she said at Whitney Houston's funeral that Franklin was Houston's godmother.

Speaking at the funeral in 2012, Warwick, who is Houston's cousin, introduced Franklin to the 1500 odd mourners, only to discover that she was not actually there - she had been too unwell to appear. Correcting her mistake, she said: "Ree's not here, but she is here [in spirit]. She loves Whitney as if she were born to her. She is her godmother".

I know. You'd be angry too, right? The matter was corrected a number of times subsequently by Houston's mother Cissy. This included an interview with New York radio station WBLS, in which she said that Franklin was "not really" her daughter's godmother, adding: "She was just a good, good friend of ours. We were always around [each other] and we called everybody everything".

This did not placate Franklin though, who still reckons that Warwick's comment did her serious damage. "At this point it isn't about an apology, it's about libel", Franklin told the AP, following on from her fax laying out her claim against Warwick. "She blatantly lied on me ... fully well knowing what she was doing".

Being an actual family member, it is possible that Warwick was aware that Franklin was never actually tasked with Houston's religious upbringing. Although, given that it was claimed for many years before Houston's death that Franklin was indeed her godmother, it's also arguably a thing even a cousin might legitimately mistakenly think. Especially as Houston's mother apparently admits to having said as much.

The question, of course, is why did Franklin wait so long to go public with this, rather than moving to correct the error before it all grew out of hand?

"There's been so much going on around [Houston], around the service, around the drugs, around her and Bobby [Brown] supposed to be fighting, I didn't want to add anything to that and I didn't want to be a part of that", she explained. But now, with Houston's death and the fallout from it far enough in the past, the time has come to raise this matter.

Also, it seems, she was reminded of the slight last week when she bumped into Warwick at the premiere of a documentary about Sony Music exec and Houston's longtime mentor Clive Davis - 'Clive Davis: The Soundtrack Of Our Live' - at the Tribeca Film Festival.

"She said, 'Give me a hug'. I said, 'Oh hell no. You couldn't be serious'", recalled Franklin. "We've never been friends and I don't think that Dionne has ever liked me".

Despite the fax, the interview and the repeated claims that what Warwick said constitutes libel, Franklin gave no apparent indication that she plans to go legal over this. Time will tell.

In the meantime, a spokesperson for Warwick said: "She will not dignify a response to the statement made by Aretha Franklin".

For the record, Whitney Houston's godmother was actually Darlene Love. Unless she wasn't, in which case we apologise.

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