Live Nation among companies sued by Route 91 Harvest victim
Live Nation is among a number of companies being sued by a woman seriously injured during the attack on the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas earlier this month.

Paige Gasper accuses Live Nation of not adequately building and signposting emergency exits for the festival site, or training staff in how to deal with an emergency situation such as the one that unfolded at the event.

As previously reported, as final night headliner Jason Aldean began his performance a gunman opened fire on the 22,000 strong audience from a room on the 32nd floor of the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel. He killed 58 people, and left 489 injured.

Gasper's lawsuit says that she was shot through the arm and chest, then trampled by others attempting to escape further gunshots. She was apparently pulled to safety by a "good Samaritan", before being put in a truck and driven to hospital by a second person.

Also named in the lawsuit is MGM Resorts International, the owner of the Mandalay Bay hotel. The company is liable, says the legal filing, as staff at the hotel did not respond quickly enough to signs that something was untoward - in particular the shooting of a security guard, which police have said happened six minutes before shots were fired on the Route 91 Harvest audience. Failure to notice the gunman carrying weapons into the hotel and setting up security cameras in advance of the attack are also cited as a failing.

Thirdly, the suit names Slide Fire Solutions, a manufacturer of 'bump stocks', gun accessories which allow semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly, with provisions to add further companies at a later date.

Although the lawsuit seeks damages, lawyers for Gasper insist that the lawsuit is not about money, rather improving safety to prevent similar attacks. Her mother Heather Selken told CNN: "If allowed, evil will find a way to hurt and destroy. This can no longer be allowed".

Earlier this week, YouTube announced that it was banning bump stock tutorial videos. A spokesperson said in a statement to the Telegraph: "We have long had a policy against harmful and dangerous content. In the wake of the recent tragedy in Las Vegas, we have taken a closer look at videos that demonstrate how to convert firearms to make them fire more quickly and we've expanded our existing policy to prohibit these videos".

While pressure is placed on US politicians to implement new gun laws, it is likely that more civil lawsuits such as Gasper's will follow.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Spotify launches new app for artists
Spotify has launched a new app for artists to track how their music performs on the streaming service. It's called Spotify For Artists, which isn't very imaginative. But who needs to be imaginative when you have data?

Currently only available for iOS devices, it provides a number of tools and services, including information on listeners and streams, as well as allowing artists to manage their own presences on the public-facing Spotify platform. For the first week after a new track goes live on the service, the app will also provide real-time listening data.

Artists already verified with Spotify can start using the new app straight away. If you're not verified and you want to play around with it, get signed up here.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Nikki Sixx quits radio show
Nikki Sixx has announced that he is stepping down as host of his 'Sixx Sense' radio show, bringing an end to its seven year run. The final show will be broadcast on New Year's Eve.

Launched by iHeartMedia's Premiere Networks in 2010, the show is syndicated to 130 stations around the US, and boasts three million weekly listeners.

"When we first partnered with Nikki in 2010, we set out to create a unique programme from the perspective of true rock star, and that's exactly what we did", says Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott. "We're proud of the work we did together to make Sixx Sense one of the most-widely-syndicated rock radio programmes in the country, while establishing the ultimate platforms for rock music fans, as well as new and established artists. It's been a pleasure working with Nikki, and we wish him all the best".

Sixx adds: "I grew up discovering music on the radio. So to host my own show over the nearly eight years of Sixx Sense was beyond my wildest dreams. I could not have done it without my amazing team in the studio, or the guests, musicians, and listeners that brought the show to life. It's been an inspirational journey and I'll always be a fan of the medium, but it's time to shift gears outside the realm of solely radio. I'm in the process of developing new and unique programming and ventures across multiple platforms. But I'm really gonna miss 'Sixx Sense'".

The former Motley Crue bassist is leaving the show to concentrate on other projects, including putting out a soundtrack for his memoir 'The Heroin Diaries: A Year In The Life Of A Shattered Rockstar', building his career as a photographer, and doing some TV stuff.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Claire Mas named Island's head of digital
Island Records has named Claire Mas its new Head Of Digital. Having previously held the same position at indie label Communion, she actually joined Island in August.

"I am delighted that Claire has agreed to join Island as Head of Digital, she is a fantastic addition to the family", says Island MD Jon Turner. "Everyone who knows Claire knows she doesn't hold back and it's this kind of fearless approach that Island has always embraced".

The label's president Darcus Beese adds: "It's great news that Claire has chosen to join us. She's become known as one of the most talented digital executives in the industry and I'm THRILLED to have her energy and expertise at Island".

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross remix John Carpenter's Halloween theme
It's Friday the thirteenth, so what better time to release a new remix of John Carpenter's 'Halloween' theme by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross? Other than on actual Halloween, of course. But John Carpenter's new movie themes anthology will be out by then, so that would be a bit late.

The track is lifted from Carpenter's 'Anthology: Movie Themes 1974-1998', which will be out on 20 Oct. It also features music from 'Assault On Precinct 13', 'The Fog', 'Dark Star' and more. It doesn't have the original 'Halloween' theme on it, mind, just this new Reznor/Ross version.

"I clearly remember my friends and I at thirteen years old conning our parents into letting us see 'Halloween' when it came out in 1978", says Reznor. "We left the theatre forever changed. We were damaged and scarred, with the shit genuinely scared out of us and that theme stuck firmly in our heads. John Carpenter, it's your fault that I turned out the way I did".

Carpenter adds that he's "impressed" by Reznor and Ross's "moody and dark" version of the 'Halloween' theme, saying that it "does amazing justice to the original".

See if you agree with him here.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Gary Barlow announces 2018 solo tour
There are hardly any members of Take That left in the group anyway, so Gary Barlow has decided to just ditch the lot of them and head out on tour on his own next year. That's a better way to maximise profits too. Which you shouldn't take as a comment on Barlow's tax affairs, which I'm sure are all now in order.

The tour will take him around what are being describing as "intimate" venues, a few of which are in unusual places - including the Isle Of Man and a couple of forests.

He last did a tour of small(er than arena) venues in 2013, as he notes in this statement here: "I had such a lot of fun back in 2013 when I played those smaller venues because you're so much closer to the fans. The audience always seem to love the intimacy of it all too. I'm also really looking forward to playing in a couple of cities I've never played before as well as getting a chance to meet the fans there".

Tickets for the shows (some of which are actually in arenas) will go on general sale next Friday. Here are the dates:

16 Apr: Edinburgh, Playhouse
17 Apr: Edinburgh, Playhouse
19 Apr: Perth, Concert Hall
20 Apr: Dundee, Caird Hall
21 Apr: Aberdeen, BHGE Arena
23 Apr: Hull, City Hall
24 Apr: Hull, City Hall
26 Apr: Leicester, De Montfort Hall
27 Apr: Blackpool, Opera House
28 Apr: Blackpool, Opera House
30 Apr: Sunderland, Empire
1 May: Sunderland Empire
3 May: Manchester, Apollo
4 May: Manchester, Apollo
8 May: Belfast, Waterfront
10 May: Dublin, BGE Theatre
12 May: Kilarney, INEC
14 May: Brighton Centre
15 May: Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
17 May: London, Palladium
18 May: London, Palladium
21 May: Llandudno, Venue Cymru
22 May: Llandudno, Venue Cymru
24 May: Halifax, Victoria Theatre
25 May: Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
26 May: Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall
28 May: Isle Of Man, Villa Marina
29 May: Isle Of Man, Villa Marina
31 May: Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
1 Jun: Bournemouth International Centre
4 Jun: Sheffield, City Hall
5 Jun: Sheffield, City Hall
8 Jun: Thetford Forest
9 Jun: Delamere

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Jessie Ware, Thundercat, John Maus, more

Other notable announcements and developments today...

• Jessie Ware has released the video for new single, 'Alone'. Her new album 'Glasshouse' is out on 20 Oct and she'll be playing UK shows in March.

• Thundercat has released a video for 'Show You The Way', featuring Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, from his 'Drunk' album.

• John Maus has released new single 'Teenage Witch'. His new album, 'Screen Memories', is out on 27 Oct. He'll play two shows at The Victoria in Dalston later this month.

• Rukhsana Merrise has released new single, 'Talk About It', featuring Ghetts. She'll headline the Notting Hill Arts Club on 22 Nov.

• Fufanu have released the video for new single, 'White Pebbles'.

• Pixx has released the video for new single 'Romance'. Currently on tour with HMLTD, she also has headline dates lined up this month.

• The Streets have announced a third Brixton Academy show on the end of their April 2018 reunion tour. Tickets on sale now.

• Kelela has announced that she will play the Roundhouse in London on 22 Feb. Here she is performing 'LMK' on this week's 'Later'.

• Seal has announced that he will tour the UK in February next year, finishing up at the London Palladium on 22 Feb. His new album 'Standards' is out on 10 Nov. Here's a trailer.

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

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Beef Of The Week #376: Shane Richie v Nick Knowles
I think we can all agree that the real pop beef of this week is that between Eminem and Donald Trump. Eminem really went to town on the US president and his many failings in a freestyle for the BET Hip Hop Awards this week.

The only problem with this is, everything that needs to be said on Eminem's side already has been sad, and Donald Trump hasn't deigned to respond in any form as I write, freestyle rap or otherwise. I thought about making up some tweets in the style of Trump, but it's quite hard to parody someone who's already a walking parody of himself. Sad.

Thankfully, as the deadline for this column drew ever closer, another beef erupted with two figureheads of similar stature. Two men who wield similar power in the entertainment industry and across the globe. Neither is yet a world leader, but it wouldn't surprise me if either one did rise to that position in the imminent future. I'm talking, of course, about Shane Richie and Nick Knowles.

"Wait a minute", you may be thinking. "While they are indeed behemoth's of British light entertainment, neither of those men has anything to do with music". But that's where you're wrong. So very wrong. And at least one of them will be very upset when he finds out you said that.

Knowles announced plans to release his debut album last month, through Universal Music no less. The 'DIY SOS' presenter has been messing around with his guitar, writing songs for fun for years. Why shouldn't the world be subjected to his talents?

"Music's always been a major part of my life since I was fourteen and picked up a guitar", he told The Sun. "I'm the kind of person who gets home from work and picks up the guitar and strums a lot. It's always been part of my life and a friend of mine said to me one day 'why don't you do an album?' So he connected me up to Universal, we did a couple of test tracks and they came back and said: 'Would you like to make an album'. It's been really exciting".

Yes. Exciting. Actually, scoff you may, but remember that Bradley Walsh had the best-selling UK debut album of 2016, and Jason Manford's first album is set to go top ten this week, so clearly there's a market for this nonsense.

What's this all got to do with Shane Richie though? Well, in a new interview with The Guardian, he says that all these entertainers recording albums are just cashing in, whereas he's been putting out records for years (yes, really) and is in it for the long haul. Don't you come around here suggesting they're anything like him.

"That lot, they do it for a hobby, but I do this for a fucking living", he says. "When I wasn't working on 'Eastenders', I'd go and play with my band. I'd play festivals. I'd get changed in car parks".

Meanwhile, "these guys" are just getting by on major label money - Knowles and Manford with Universal, Walsh with Sony. That Richie is now signed to Warner Music's East West label is beside the point. They haven't had to graft in the music business like him. And that's why his new country album, 'A Country Soul', is better. "Two years ago, I was funding this album myself", he says. "I met with all sorts of labels, and they said: 'You like country, why don't you do Johnny Cash?' and I said: 'Why don't you fuck off?'"

Turning his attention to Knowles, he continues: "I don't know Nick very well, but he's a chippie who sings. I do this to make a living. When I wasn't on 'Eastenders' and there wasn't much in the way of work, I'd put in a three-week tour and we'd go and play for cash. It's horrible being tied in with Nick Knowles and Jason Manford. I'd like to be judged on the tracks. If they think it's shit then, fine".

I'm not sure if you've heard that there was a period when Shane Richie wasn't on 'Eastenders'. Anyway, back to judging him on his songs. I'll pick one at random. How about 'Let's Do Sex' from his now deleted 2000 album 'Once Around The Sun'?

Before you mock him, Richie does address that song in the Guardian interview, saying: "Sometimes you write a song and your tongue can be in your cheek, but people don't see it". I think he's doing himself down though. "You say let's do lunch, but I say let's do sex" is one of the great slow jam lyrics of our time.

If we're going to examine Richie's music, we should probably take a look at what Nick Knowles has to offer too. You can hear a bit of his album's title track, 'Every Kind Of People', in this trailer. I think it's possibly supposed to sound like he's channelling Chris Rea, although it does get dangerously close to David Brent's 'Spaceman Came Down'.

A deeper delve into Knowles' YouTube channel also finds some more nuggets of information about his ascendance into the music industry. It turns out that the person who 'connected him up with Universal' is a family friend who works in A&R at the label, which is quite handy.

What's more perplexing is the claim that the idea for him to make an album came after he jammed on a rooftop with Biffy Clyro. That's not something I've heard Biffy Clyro bragging about in interviews, but surely a formal collaboration is now on the cards. Do they appear on 'Every Kind Of People'? Well, no. But you don't want to rush in too quick on your debut. That's definitely something for a second album. He'll probably have a little guest spot on their next record first.

In a recent interview with Heart, Knowles explained further: "When I'm away filming with the BBC, lots of the crew play guitars and we sing when we are in hotels rooms. I even found myself on the rooftop of a Soho hotel with Biffy Clyro after the NME Awards and ended up playing songs until five o'clock in the morning".

In the same interview, he also repeats the line he wheels out in every interview, about music having been a part of his life for a long time, but always something he kept as a hobby until now, adding ominously: "I've turned up at gigs without anybody knowing and plugged in my guitar".

I presume he means he's played a few open mics, but it really does sound like he just gets on stage while other bands are performing and lets rip. Perhaps that's how he came to 'jam' with Biffy Clyro.

Anyway, we were talking about Shane Richie, before we got onto all the Nick Knowles name-dropping. Does Shane have a top showbiz anecdote we could go out on? Sure.

"Ed Sheeran, who was living with my son, Jake, said that of all the accolades he's got - the Grammys, the BRITs - the one thing that meant the most to him was his Nando's card", he says, bringing out the big guns. Does he have a story about hanging out with Ed Sheeran in Nando's? Well, not quite. He does have one about the one and only time he used his own black card though.

"I was filming in Belfast with Kevin Bishop and John Sessions", he teases. "I said: 'I think we can get a freebie at Nando's'. John got such a giggle out of not paying for a Nando's. He said: 'I can't believe it, Richie: we're having as much chicken as we want and we're not paying for it!'"

What a time to be alive. Richie's new album, 'A Country Soul', which features no Johnny Cash covers (but does feature a version of Nik Kershaw's 'I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me'), is out on 10 Nov.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN