Help Musicians UK puts £100k into new mental health initiative
On the back of the mental health research it began at the CMU Insights conference at The Great Escape back in 2016, music charity Help Musicians UK has committed £100,000 to a new mental health fund and launched a campaign called Music Minds Matter.

The charity says that its research identified a "mental health crisis" in the music industry, which it hopes to help tackle through various initiatives and, in particular, a new 24/7 helpline that will launch later this year.

There has, of course, been a much franker conversation about depression, addiction and mental health within the UK music community in the last couple of years, in no small part as a result of individual artists and music business practitioners coming forward to share their own personal stories.

A number of new initiatives are now underway to provide more bespoke support for artists and those who work behind the scenes in the music industry; initiatives that account for some of the peculiarities of working in and around music, and the impact those peculiarities can have on your mental health.

Alongside existing and new support channels from Help Musicians UK, there is the Music Support helpline and Safe Tent programme at music festivals, which are backed by the BRIT Trust and Festival Republic, plus the Music Managers Forum launched its mental health guide for artist managers at this year's Great Escape.

The MMF has reported interest in its mental health work from other artist manager groups around the world, and Help Musicians also hopes to partner with organisations abroad to provide better support to the global music community.

The need for this kind of support worldwide was back in the spotlight last week, of course, following the very sad death of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, who died by suicide. This weekend his band posted links to suicide prevention helplines and organisations around the world on their official website.

In addition to the £100,000 Help Musicians has already committed to funding the launch of a dedicated mental health service, it is seeking further funding from within the music industry, with an online donations link put live this morning. Doubling HMUK's investment would, the charity says, "allow the mental health service to be sustainable beyond 2018".

Confirming the new initiative, Help Musicians CEO Richard Robinson said: "For generations and generations, the music industry has lost some of its brightest talent and future stars due to the scourge of mental health and related issues. The situation is now urgent and we can no longer allow this to continue".

He added: "The forthcoming specialist 24/7 mental health service will be a global first and go hand in hand with Help Musicians' traditional health and welfare support, which offers advice and often financial support to people in the industry across a wide range of issues".

In a call to action to the industry, Robinson added: "We have decided to make this landmark investment as a precursor to a dedicated service - but we cannot undertake this work in isolation. We need the music industry to step up, arm in arm with Help Musicians, and match our support pound for pound, so we are proud to launch the Music Minds Matter campaign".

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Quincy Jones takes to the stand in Michael Jackson royalties dispute
Legendary music producer Quincy Jones finally took to the witness stand last week in his legal battle with the Michael Jackson estate over allegedly unpaid royalties.

As previously reported, Jones accuses Sony Music and MJJ Productions - one of Michael Jackson's companies, now controlled by the Jackson estate - of screwing him out of $30 million in royalties. Mainly in relation to projects and deals done since the late king of pop's death in 2009 which exploited the famous Jackson recordings that Jones produced.

MJJ counters that Jones is incorrectly interpreting contracts he signed with Jackson in 1978 and 1985, from which the royalty claims stem.

In a testimony on Thursday, Jones said that those contracts had been handled by his lawyers and that he didn't really read legal agreements. However, according to Variety, he told the court that: "If we made the record, we deserve to get paid - it's that simple".

However, a legal rep for the Jackson estate, Howard Weitzman, insisted that it's not quite that simple, and then tried to get the producer to admit that, while he is obviously due a cut of the income generated when records are sold, what happens with monies stemming from licensing deals is more complicated. "That's a joke", Jones answered.

Pressed further by Weitzman, Jones responded with an ethical rather than contractual argument, stating that: "I don't care what the agreement says. If I put my heart and love into making a record, I want to get paid. I don't care what the paper says".

Of course, beyond any ethical debates, lawyers repping Jones argue that the producer is also contractually due royalties on various projects that exploited Jackson recordings he produced, including the 'This Is It' movie.

Weitzman later made things a little bit personal, declaring to Jones: "You understand the estate of Michael Jackson is comprised of his children, correct? His children are the beneficiaries".

"I'm not suing Michael - I'm suing y'all", the producer hit back, referring to the estate's lawyers, later adding: "I've got children too".

The case continues.

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Sony/ATV renews admin deal with Michael Jackson's Mijac Music
The Michael Jackson estate may no longer be a shareholder in the Sony/ATV music publishing company, but the mega publisher will continue to administrate the rights of the late king of pop's Mijac Music business. Mijac owns Jackson's own song copyrights, plus some other works too, ownership of which were kept out of the merger of the popstar's music publishing interests with those of Sony to create Sony/ATV in the 1990s.

Confirming Sony/ATV had secured a long-term extension of the deal that allows it to administrate the Mijac rights, the publishing giant's boss man Marty Bandier said: "Michael Jackson's Mijac catalogue is one of the most significant and valuable in music. Michael's songwriting talents are respected and admired by everyone, but I also want to acknowledge his gifts as a smart businessman who put together an incredible catalogue of classic songs. His estate continues to further his vision and we are privileged to be the administrators of such an important collection of songs".

Speaking for the estate, co-executors John Branca and John McClain said: "The incredible songs in the Mijac Music catalogue showcase Michael's creative genius as a songwriter, and further, his acumen in understanding the creative and commercial value of these acclaimed third party songs. We trust in Martin Bandier's leadership and in his team. The music of the greatest entertainer that ever lived, Michael Jackson, is in the hands of the number one publishing company in the world".

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BBC to fill 2018's Glasto gap with its own music festival
The BBC is using 2018 being a fallow year for Glastonbury as a big fat excuse to launch its own festival, The Biggest Weekend. It will be a bit like Radio 1's existing Big Weekender, but it will take place in four locations over four days at the end of May and will be broadcast across the Corporation's TV and radio networks.

Yes, at last the BBC has spotted the total lack of music festivals in the UK and has been brave enough to take the lead and put one on itself. Praise the Lord for BBC empire building. If only they'd do something about that one night of the year when the music industry doesn't have an awards ceremony. Oh yes, they already did!

That said, BBC bosses assure us that The Biggest Weekend is a one-time thing and once the whole escapade is done and dusted the Corporation promises to get back to the business of making telly programmes and radio shows. You know, like it's fucking meant to. So don't worry, this is not another BBC Music Awards.

Says BBC Music's Empire Builder In Chief Bob Shennan: "BBC Music has a strong history of bringing the nation together for some special moments, and this is the biggest single music event ever attempted by the BBC. We will be celebrating the diversity of music from four different corners of the country, bringing the best UK music to the world and the best global music to the UK".

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UK Live Music Group endorses access charity's best practice charter
The UK Live Music Group has given its official backing to access charity Attitude Is Everything's Charter Of Best Practice, declaring it as the "industry standard" for assessing how accessible festivals and venues are to disabled and deaf music fans.

The UK Live Music Group is, of course, the trade body of trade bodies that sits within that other trade body of trade bodies, UK Music.

It brings together reps from the Agents' Association, the Association For Electronic Music, the Association Of Festival Organisers, the Association Of Independent Festivals, the Concert Promoters Association, the National Arenas Association, the Production Services Association, the Music Venue Trust and live industry conference ILMC.

Through the Live Music Group, those parties feed into UK Music, which also involves industry organisations repping artists, songwriters, managers, labels and publishers, plus collecting societies PPL and PRS.

It is hoped that, by officially endorsing Attitude is Everything's charter, the Live Music Group will help ensure those standards are more widely adopted by the British live music industry, making events and venues more ever accessible to disabled and deaf music fans.

Commenting on the development, Attitude Is Everything CEO Suzanne Bull said: "I am delighted that the UK Live Music Group is backing Attitude Is Everything's Charter of Best Practice. The Charter is a result of seventeen years development; working with our music industry partners and disabled people to create a set of standards in access for the live music industry. The UK Live Music Group represents all quarters of this industry. Their endorsement is important in driving the message home that every live music event can be accessible and inclusive in some way, and that live music can be opened up to all disabled audiences, artists, volunteers and employees".

Meanwhile Live Nation's Paul Latham, in his role as Chair of the UK Live Music Group, said: "The UK Live Music Group is committed to ensuring that live music is accessible to all. Attitude Is Everything has done great work over the years to improve the experience of music fans. I am delighted that the UK Live Music Group is taking a lead and has endorsed the Charter Of Best Practice. I would encourage other parts of the industry to do all they can to make sure live music is accessible to all".

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Vice to close Thump site as focus shifts even more to video
Vice Media announced a restructuring late last week which will see at least 60 employees -about 2% of its worldwide workforce - leave the business.

From a music industry perspective, the biggest change is the shutting down of dance music focused site Thump, with the editorial remit of that service subsumed by the main Vice.com site.

The rejig sees Vice focus even more on its video-based operations, with all the jobs axed being non-video roles. Vice's Creators website will also seemingly be folded into the main Vice.com platform, while there will also be cuts at Vice Sports, though that is expected to remain as a standalone brand.

According to Variety, Vice will continue to hire new staff despite the cuts, with the focus on video content roles and new international offices in India and the Middle East.

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BBC presenters call for closure of gender pay gap before 2020 target
More than 40 of the BBC's most high profile female presenters have signed an open letter calling on the broadcaster to close its gender pay gap.

As previously reported, last week the BBC revealed the names and approximate salaries of on-air talent who are paid more than £150,000 a year. On the list, around two thirds were men, with female presenters being shown to earn less than their male counterparts for doing the same work.

A number of male presenters came forward and said that something should be done. Although at a time when the BBC is under pressure to cut costs, this may mean some of them taking a pay cut. Director General Tony Hall also said that the broadcaster was working to overcome this issue by 2020.

The new open letter says that setting a target for 2020 isn't good enough, and a balance for pay between the genders should be reached sooner. Among those who have signed the letter are Clare Balding, Victoria Derbyshire, Emily Maitlis, Sue Barker, Fiona Bruce and Alex Jones.

"Compared to many women and men, we are very well compensated and fortunate", says the letter. "However, this is an age of equality and the BBC is an organisation that prides itself on its values. You have said that you will 'sort' the gender pay gap by 2020, but the BBC has known about the pay disparity for years. We all want to go on the record to call upon you to act now".

The letter also notes that this is not just an issue that affects those on-air, but that it also extends to behind the scenes staff throughout the organisation.

A BBC spokesperson said that significant progress had been made on the gender pay gap in recent years, but acknowledged that more "needs to be done". They also noted that the average pay of male BBC employees is currently 10% higher than women, better than the national average of 18%.

"The BBC's workforce has been hired over generations and this is complex and cannot be done overnight", they said. "We are, however, confident that when these figures are published again next year they will show significant progress towards that goal".

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Ed Sheeran to perform for World Refugee Day
Ed Sheeran has announced that he will play a show in support of Amnesty International and Sofar Sounds' Give A Home concert series for World Refugee Day in September.

As previously reported, various shows around the world will take place under the Give A Home banner on 20 Sep, with artists including Jessie Ware, Jack Garratt, Kate Tempest, Billy Bragg, Oh Wonder, The National, KT Tunstall, Lianne La Havas, Zero 7 and Wild Beasts already committed. The shows will also bring together refugees and local communities, and activists will speak alongside the musical performances.

In a statement, Sheeran said: "We all deserve a home, not just the memory of one. That's why I'm proud to join Amnesty International and Sofar's Give A Home campaign in raising awareness for the global refugee crisis and funds for Amnesty's important work".

Sheeran's show will take place in Washington, DC. However, like all other performances as part of the initiative, the exact location will be kept a secret until the day. Performing alongside him will be Jean-Jean Bashengezi, aka Jaja, a musician who fled the Democratic Republic Of Congo on 1994.

You can apply for tickets for all of the shows in the Give A Home series at sofarsounds.com/giveahome

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Roundhouse, Arcade Fire, The Cribs, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• The Roundhouse in London has appointed Delia Barker as its new Programmes Director. She joins from the English National Ballet School. "We're delighted to welcome Delia", says chief exec Marcus Davey.

• The Cribs have announced that they will release new album '24-7 Rockstar Shit' on 11 Aug. Here's new single 'Rainbow Ridge'.

• Former Bellowhead frontman Jon Boden has announced that he'll release a solo album, 'Afterglow', on 6 Oct. "'Afterglow' imagines a near-future world where the luxuries and comfort of 21st century life have become scarce, and a harder, simpler existence now prevails", explains Boden. Here's first single, 'Moths In The Gas Light'.

• Prophets Of Rage have released the video for new single 'Living On The 110'.

• DJ Shadow has released the video for 'Corridors' from his new 'The Mountain Has Fallen' EP.

• Kali Uchis has released a Spanish language version of new single 'Tyrant'. Re-named 'Tirano', it features fellow Colombian singer Fuego.

• Arcade Fire have announced UK and Ireland tour dates for next April, including two nights at Wembley Arena. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

• Ride have announced new UK tour dates for November, kicking off with a show at The Forum in London on 7 Nov.

• The 2018 Ivor Novello Awards will take place on 31 May, a little later in the month than usual. Which means there won't be a Great Escape/Ivors clash in 2018! Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

• Check out our weekly Spotify playlist of new music featured in the CMU Daily - updated every Friday.

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China still hasn't forgiven Justin Bieber's past "bad behaviour"
Justin Bieber created headlines on his UK tour last year by telling audiences off for what he perceived as bad behaviour. Now it's his own bad behaviour making the news again. Despite all those attempts to turn his life around, it turns out China still doesn't trust the popstar not to piss in all their buckets.

China's Bureau Of Culture seemingly quietly adopted a 'no Bieber' policy some time ago, but it recently came to light after a fan asked why the singer had not been allowed to perform in the country for several years. He is due to tour in several Asian countries in September, but China is not on the schedule.

In response, the bureau noted in a statement that Bieber is a "talented singer", but also a "controversial young foreign singer". It explained that he had exhibited "bad behaviour" in both his private life and during live performances.

"In order to maintain order in the domestic market, and clean up the performance market environment, it is not appropriate to introduce badly behaved [foreign performers]", the statement went on.

There is still hope for Bieber though. The statement added: "We hope that in the process of growing up Justin Bieber can continue to improve his words and deeds, and truly become a favourite singer of the public".

Bieber previously offended the Chinese government when he posted a photograph of himself next to a Japanese war memorial on social media back in 2014. He later deleted the post and apologised, saying that he did not realise what the shrine represented.

The latest news from Planet Bieber is that he bought a drink while topless. No word on how this is viewed by the Chinese government.

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