Live Nation upbeat on post-COVID revival as it publishes third quarter financials
The live sector at large may still be someway off normality, but Live Nation yesterday declared that "live music roared back over the past quarter" as it published its latest quarterly financial report. All that roaring, it added, drove "all our business segments to positive operating income and adjusted operating income for the first time in two years, with a company-wide operating income and adjusted operating income of $137 million and $306 million respectively".

The return of shows and festivals over the summer months - especially in the US and UK - helped ensure that Live Nation, the biggest live music company in the world, is now in full-on recovery mode. With many fans eager to return to live entertainment after all the COVID lockdowns, the live giant says that many of its festivals sold out in record time this year, despite ticket prices having risen in many cases. And once inside venues or on site, fans have been spending more on food, drink and other services.

Capitalising on that demand required the live sector to meet COVID safety requirements, of course. And, Live Nation brags in its financial report, it rose to that challenge rather well. "We delivered these results within an operating environment that required us to ramp up quickly, institute new health and safety protocols, and staff our front line in a tight labour market", CEO Michael Rapino writes in his note to investors.

"On the health and safety front, we set the industry standard by requiring proof of vaccine or testing for our shows, with no change in fan purchasing behaviour. More importantly, our protocols proved effective in mitigating major COVID disruptions to our business in the US and the UK and allowed us to work in conjunction with local health officials to mitigate transmission risks from our events".

Of course, comparing Live Nation's revenues in quarter three 2021 to quarter three 2020 doesn't really tell us much, except that last year was really really bad. However, the live firm says, aspects of the business are starting to perform well compared to 2019 figures.

"As fans came back, so too did our brand partners who continue to seek to connect to the live music fans", Rapino goes on. "As a result, our sponsorship and advertising business delivered over $100 million in operating income and adjusted operating income in the quarter, the first time at this level since third quarter of 2019. The return of sponsorship and advertising has been largely driven by our historical major partners, along with the addition of new brands including Truly Hard Seltzer, as well as Coinbase and Solana in the fin-tech space".

And looking ahead into 2022, Rapino adds: "We are encouraged by all our leading indicators across each business. Through October, our confirmed show count across amphitheaters, arenas and stadiums is up double-digits relative to the same time in 2019 for 2020 shows, and through mid-October, we have already sold 22 million tickets for our shows in 2022. Demand has been stronger than ever for many of these on-sales with one million tickets sold for each Coldplay and Red Hot Chili Peppers tours, and several other tours already selling over 500 thousand tickets".

He concludes: "As we get close to turning the page on 2021, I remain more convinced than ever on the power and potential of live entertainment, and the strength of our position. No industry was more impacted by the pandemic over the last two years, and no industry has so proven its durability of demand in the face of such disruption. I fully expect we will continue to have bumps in the road in the coming months, and it will take some time for international artists to be touring on a truly global basis, but the fundamental strength of live entertainment and Live Nation has proven out, and I expect we will only continue to grow from here".

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Record industry campaign group makes another call for radio royalties in the US as iHeart announces big gambling deal
Music industry campaign group the musicFIRST Coalition has used the announcement of a big old partnership deal between US broadcast giant iHeart and betting company DraftKings to again criticise the American radio industry for not paying any royalties to artists and labels for music played on AM/FM stations.

Nasdaq-listed betting company DraftKings is now "the official odds supplier for iHeartMedia's broadcast, digital, podcast and social platforms", and will "co-create and distribute long-form content with iHeartMedia" while receiving "preferred access to iHeartMedia's full roster of diverse personalities".

So that's all good news. For DraftKings. And iHeart. Though the big bucks sponsorship deal won't help any of the artists or labels whose music is played on iHeart's main music stations.

Because, of course, under US copyright law the owners of sound recordings don't enjoy full performing rights, meaning AM/FM radio stations do not need a licence from the record industry, or to pay any royalties to artists or labels.

It's a quirk of American copyright law that the record industry has been trying to amend for decades, with recent efforts centred on the proposed American Music Fairness Act. But broadcasters like iHeart continue to lobby hard against any changes to US copyright law, arguing that artists and labels who get airplay on their music stations get free promo and should be happy with that.

Keen to keep those efforts to get a radio royalty for recordings on the political agenda, the musicFIRST Coalition responded to iHeart's big gambling deal yesterday.

"Instead of doing the right thing and ending a century-old injustice by paying music creators when their music is played on AM/FM radio, billionaire broadcasters are focused on inking a new gambling partnership with DraftKings", it said in a statement. "That deal is sure to enrich iHeart and the other billion-dollar broadcasters. Yet they refuse to pay a dime to hard-working American artists. This is why Congress needs to act so music creators are paid fairly for their work".

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Universal Music Publishing signs Lionel Richie
"Lionel Richie signs with Universal Music Publishing Group", announced the first official email we received about this deal.

"Universal Music Publishing Group signs global superstar Lionel Richie to exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement", declared the second email we received about this deal, somewhat more excitedly.

"We've only fucking gone and fucking signed Lionel fucking Richie to a motherfucking worldwide publishing deal", shouted the third email we received about this deal.

OK, I made one of those up. See if you can guess which one. There's a free toffee apple for the first person to spot it!

So, yes, Lionel Richie - a global superstar, remember - has signed with Universal Music Publishing Group - and it's an exclusive worldwide agreement. Richie has had a long-term partnership with Universal Music owned labels on the recordings side, and now the major gets to manage his songs too. I bet they're THRILLED about that.

"I am THRILLED", confirms UMPG boss Jody Gerson. "I have known Lionel personally for years and have always wanted to be his publisher. I am so happy the day has finally come. We will be the best publisher Lionel has ever had. My teams around the world couldn’t be more excited to work with his illustrious catalogue of hits, spanning many, many decades".

And Richie himself adds: "Having partnered with Universal Music as a recording artist for almost my entire career, joining the UMPG family as a songwriter feels like coming home. With their outstanding global team, I know my songs are in the best hands and I’m excited for what we can accomplish together".

By the way, no toffee apple for you. Because you're wrong. It wasn't the second headline I made up!

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Warner Music launches Atlantic Records Benelux
Warner Music has announced the launch of another Atlantic Records label. Which means that - not only is there an Atlantic Records on that side of the Atlantic and an Atlantic Records on this side of the Atlantic - but now there's an Atlantic Records on this side of the North Sea and an Atlantic Records on that side of the North Sea. But the North Sea is technically part of the Atlantic Ocean, so we're all good. Yay geography!

In the unlikely event that the previous paragraph wasn't 100% clear to you, let me explain: Warner Music has launched Atlantic Records Benelux, "a new label dedicated to discovering and promoting the best emerging domestic hip hop artists" across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. And why the hell not?

"Atlantic Records is one of the most culturally impactful labels in the world with a track record of breaking original talent for more than 70 years", says Sander Stijnen, who is Head Of A&R for the new division. "It’s a huge privilege to build on that legacy here in Benelux and we're delighted to launch our roster with DJ Dylvn, a hard working artist and DJ who combines amazing talent with great vibes".

Oh yeah, the first signing for Atlantic Records Benelux is Dutch artist DJ Dylvn, who released his first track for the label, 'Fashionova', featuring BKO and Defano Holwijn, yesterday. I got all distracted with geography and forgot to mention it.

"I feel honoured to be part of this new adventure with Sander and the rest of the team, who have worked incredibly hard to get everything ready for launch", adds Ixia Verdooren, the new division's Head Of Domestic Marketing. "We want to build a family of diverse local artists who are impossible to ignore and deliver real cultural impact, pushing the limits of local repertoire".

In addition to Atlantic Records in the US, UK and Benelux, there's also Atlantic Records Russia, which launched earlier this year after Warner bought Russian indie Zhara Music. Which raises interesting questions, doesn't it? I mean, yes, technically the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea are also part of the Atlantic, but they seem somewhat removed from the main ocean. Arctic Records Russia, now that would have made more sense.

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Charli XCX crashes in with new album announcement
Charli XCX has announced that she will release her fifth studio album, 'Crash', on 18 Mar. She's also put out new single 'New Shapes' and scheduled UK tour dates in May next year.

"I, Charli XCX", she says, "am announcing my fifth studio album, 'Crash', out on 18 Mar. I am also releasing one of the most exquisite tracks from the album alongside the tour dates. Although, honestly, all the tracks are totally divine".

Yeah, I just said most of that already. Let's hear something about this new single from Charli herself though, eh? That track, she adds, "features my demonically talented friends Caroline Polachek and Christine And The Queens" and "I summoned up Deaton Chris Anthony and Linus Wiklund from the depths of hell to produce it".

So, that's quite a team. The rest of the album is going to have to be pretty impressive or she might be accused of peaking too soon. I'm sure it'll be great. Actually, there are a whole load more guests on the full record. So many, that it's sort of inevitable that you'd end up with both Caroline Polachek and Christine And The Queens on one track.

"I was able to possess and persuade an incredible group of producers and collaborators to contribute to 'Crash' by using my femme fatale powers and a multitude of dark spells and curses", says XCX. "Some [more] of these include AG Cook, George Daniel, Lotus IV, Oscar Holter, Digital Farm Animals, Rina Sawayama, Ian Kirkpatrik, Jason Evigan, Justin Raisen, Ariel Rechtshaid, Ilya, Oneohtrix Point Never, Jon Shave and Mike Wise. They will all remain locked in my basement forever".

There's also the matter of these tour dates, tickets for which will got on sale on 10 Nov. "If you don't stream 'New Shapes' or purchase tickets to the tour you will most definitely burn in hell", she says. Just so you know.

Here are the UK and Ireland dates:

13 May: Dublin, Olympia Theatre
15 May: Glasgow, Academy
17 May: Manchester, Victoria Warehouse
18 May: Birmingham, Academy
19 May: London, Alexandra Palace
21 May: Norwich, UEA
22 May: Sheffield, Academy
23 May: Nottingham, Rock City

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UK Music Video Awards presented
The UK Music Video Awards returned last night at The Roundhouse in London, with Duck Sauce's 'Mesmerize' being declared video of the year, and Ukrainian director Tanu Muino taking the overall Best Director prize for her work on videos by the likes of Lil Nas X, Cardi B and Normani.

Lots of awards were presented, with lots of people involved in the winning videos. So, let's get onto the winner list quickly, shall we?

Here it is, the big old list of winners:

Video Of The Year: Duck Sauce - Mesmerize (director: Keith Schofield; repped by Caviar; commissioner: Katy Eggleton for Duck Sauce)

UK awards

Best Pop Video: Dua Lipa - Love Again (director: Lope Serrano; producers: Karen Saurí, Oscar Romagosa; prod co: Canada; commissioner: Katie Dolan for Warner Records)

Best R&B / Soul Video: Celeste - Tonight Tonight (director: Noah Lee; producers: Kate Brady, Suzan Mustafa; prod co: Riff Raff Films; commissioner: Marco Grey for Polydor Records)

Best Dance / Electronic Video: Hot Chip, Jarvis Cocker - Straight To The Morning (director: RÉALITÉ; producer: Karen Saurí; prod co: Canada; commissioner: John Moule for Domino Recording Co)

Best Rock Video: Beabadoobee - Last Day On Earth (director: Arnaud Bresson; producer: Théo Gall; prod co: Division; commissioner: Chris Melian for Dirty Hit Records)

Best Alternative Video: James Blake - Say What You Will (director: Bear Damen; producer: Salim El Arja; prod co: Couscous; commissioner: Semera Khan for Polydor Records)

Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video: Pa Salieu feat Backroad Gee - My Family (director: Femi Ladi; producer: Mathias Gilay; prod co: Untold Studios; commissioner: Oksi Odedina for Warner Records)

International awards

Best Pop Video: Lil Nas X feat Jack Harlow - Industry Baby (director: Christian Breslauer; producers: Andrew Lerios, Luga Podesta, Saul Levitz, Brandon Bonfiglio; prod co: London Alley; commissioner: Saul Levitz for Columbia Records)

Best R&B / Soul Video: Normani x Cardi B - Wild Side (director: Tanu Muino; producer: Jack Winter; prod co: UnderWonder Content; commissioners: Camille Yorrick & Chris Clavadetscher for RCA Records)

Best Dance / Electronic Video: Duck Sauce - Mesmerize (director: Keith Schofield; repped by Caviar; commissioner: Katy Eggleton for Duck Sauce)

Best Rock Video: Biting Elbows - Boy Is Dead (director: Ilya Naishuller; prod co: Versus Pictures; commissioner: MTS)

Best Alternative Video: Sansara - We Will Become Better (director: Andzej Gavriss; producers: Egor Solomatin, Mikhail Marizov, Evgeny Primachenko, Andrei Gubaidullin, Alexandra Galius; prod co: Daddy's Film; commissioner: Egor Solomatin for Nepokoi)

Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video: Megan Thee Stallion - Thot Shit (director: Aube Perrie; exec producer: Boris Labourguigne; producer: Sarah Park & Nick Callais; prod co: Left Productions; commissioner: Lucas Prevost for 300 Entertainment)

Newcomer awards

Best Pop Video: Drew Sycamore - 45 Fahrenheit Girl (director: Jonatan Egholm Keis; producer: Jonatan Egholm Keis; prod co: New Land; commissioner: Jan-Erik Stig for Warner Music Denmark)

Best R&B / Soul Video: Bamao Yendé & Le Diouck - Marvin Gueye (director: Vincent Catel; producer: Roman Pichon Herrera & Pierre-Edouard Sigwalt; prod co: Diplomats; commissioner: Max Le Disez for Boukan Records)

Best Dance / Electronic Video: Modeselektor - Mean Friend (director: Abigail Wilson; producer: Paulien Voorkamp; prod co: Bwgtbld; commissioner: Matthias Klein / C/O Magick for Sony Music)

Best Rock Video: Jeremy Ivey - Someone Else's Problem (director: Kimberly Stuckwisch; producer: Ian Blair; prod co: Invisible Inc; commissioner: Ryan Marian for Anti Records)

Best Alternative Video: Audiobooks - Lalala It's The Good Life (director: Rottingdean Bazaar; producer: Rosie Brear; prod co: Blink Productions; commissioner: Danny Mitchell & Jeff Barrett for Heavenly Recordings)

Best Hip Hop / Grime / Rap Video: Homeboy Sandman - Monument (director: Pavel Buryak; producers: Gretta Wilson, Pavel Buryak; rod co: Rafesthetic-tv; commissioner: Angel Del Villar for Mello Music Group)

Specialism awards

Best Performance: Salvatore Ganacci - Step-Grandma (performer: Salvatore Ganacci; director: Vedran Rupic; prod co: Business Club Royale; record co: Zatara Recordings)

Best Production Design: DJ Snake & Selena Gomez - Selfish Love (production designer: Taísa Malouf; director: Rodrigo Saavedra; prod co: The Directors Bureau & Landia; record co: Interscope)

Best Wardrobe Styling: Joy Crookes - Feet Don't Fail Me Now (stylists: Matthew Josephs (Joy Crookes), Natalie Roar (cast); director: Taz Tron Delix; prod co: Compulsory; record co: Sony Music)

Best Hair & Make-Up: Joy Crookes - Feet Don't Fail Me Now (stylist: Mata Marielle (MUA), Issac Poleon (Hair); director: Taz Tron Delix; prod co: Compulsory; record co: Sony Music)

Best Choreography: Purple Disco Machine feat Moss Kena & The Knocks - Fireworks (choreographer: Adam Beta; director: Greg Barth; prod co: Common People Films & Rekorder; record co: Sony Music)

Best Cinematography: Califato 3⁄4 - Fandangô De Carmen Porter (dop: Michal Babinec; director: Nono Ayuso; prod co: Landia & Dude Originals; record co: Breaking Bass Records)

Best Colour Grading: Bastille - Distorted Light Beam (colourist: Alex Gregory; director: Jak Payne; prod co: Blink Productions; record co: Virgin Records)

Best Editing: Little Simz - Introvert (editor: Elise Butt at Trim Editing; director: Salomon Lighthelm; prod co: Prettybird UK; record co: AWAL / Animal 63)

Best Visual Effects: Bicep feat Clara La San - Saku (vfx artist: Alexis Baillia at Firm Studio; director: David Betram; prod co: Diplomats; record co: Ninja Tune)

Best Animation: L'Impératrice - Hématome (animators: Roxane Lumeret, Jocelyn Charles, Chloé Farr; director: Roxane Lumeret & Jocelyn Charles; prod co: Studio Remembers; record co: Microqlima)

Best Special Video Project: Topaz Jones - Don't Go Tellin Your Momma (directors: rubberband, Topaz Jones; producer: Luigi Rossi; prod co: SMUGGLER; record co: New Funk Academy / Black Canopy)

Best Live Video: Pa Salieu - Frontline (live on Jimmy Fallon) (director: Tawbox; producer: Ghandi El-Chamaa; prod co: Film Band; record co: Atlantic Records)

Best Music Film: Dua Lipa - Studio 2054 (director: Liz Clare; producer: Peter Abbott; prod co: Ceremony London;record co: Warner Records)

People/Company awards

Best Commissioner: Kat Cattaneo
Best Agent: Sam Davey
Best Producer: Precious Mahaga
Best Production Company: Canada
Best Post Production Company: Electric Theatre Collective
Best Director: Tanu Muino
Best New Director: Aube Perrie
Outstanding Achievement Award: Juliette Larthe

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APPOINTMENTS

Chris Gobalakrishna and Jonathan Serbin have been named as the new Co-Presidents of Warner Music Asia. "Chris and Jonathan are hugely talented and experienced execs who've already been very impactful at Warner Music Asia", says Warner's President Of International for Recorded Music, Simon Robson. "Their skills complement each other perfectly and make for a formidable partnership, which will be hugely beneficial to growing the success of Warner Music's domestic and international artists in Asia and beyond".

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RELEASES

Post Malone and The Weeknd have teamed up for new single 'One Right Now'. The track is lifted from Post Malone's upcoming fourth album.

Travis Scott has released two new tracks, 'Escape Plan' and 'Mafia'.

Silk Sonic - aka Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak - are back with new single 'Smokin Out The Window'. Their album, 'An Evening With Silk Sonic', is out on 12 Nov.

Slipknot have released new single 'The Chapeltown Rag'. "It's a punisher man", says vocalist Corey Taylor of the track. "It's classic Slipknot. And it's frenetic. But lyrically, it's coming from a point of talking about the various manipulations that can happen when social media meets media itself. And the different ways that these manipulations can try to pull us in different directions, in the fact that we're all becoming addicts to it, which is very, very dangerous".

Westlife have unveiled new single 'My Hero'. Not a Foo Fighters cover, sadly. It was co-written by Ed Sheeran and Steve Mac though. "'My Hero' has such beautiful lyrics. It is a powerful, heartfelt song which has such a strong meaning for all of us", say the band. "The single reminds us of the heroics people have shown over the last eighteen months and it also reflects on our own loved-ones who so often have been our own personal heroes".

Lorde has released a deluxe edition of her latest album 'Solar Power', featuring two new tracks, 'Helen Of Troy' and 'Hold No Grudge'. "These songs were fun explorations on the album journey", she says. "They didn't quite fit into the tracklist for whatever reason but they're both big tunes". This week she also put out a video for album track 'Fallen Fruit'.

Jvck James has released new single 'Love In The Club'. He says: "'Love In The Club' is new Jvck era. Now that we're 'outside', I wanted to make something for everyone to dance to. The song is about being cautious of falling in love in the club, although sometimes we can't help ourselves".

Foals are back with new single 'Wake Me Up'. "With 'Wake Me Up', I just wanted to write a song about transporting yourself to a better, idyllic situation", says frontman Yannis Philippakis. "I think we all had that feeling of the last eighteen months being like a weird fever dream that felt surreal but very affecting. I think we all wished we could have woken up somewhere else at various points".

TNGHT - aka Hudson Mohawke and Lunice - are back with their first new track since 2019, 'Tums'.

Teedee has released his TikTok hit 'Love Me' on streaming services.

Sega Bodega has released new single 'I Need Nothing From You', which was co-written with Bea1991. The track is taken from his new album, 'Romeo', which is out next week.

Reef have announced that they will release their new album - produced by former Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor - on 15 Apr next year. Titled 'Shoot Me Your Ace', the title track is out now. "It's the sound the world needs right now", insists vocalist Gary Stringer. There will also be UK tour dates in April too.

Pictish Trail will release new album 'Island Family' on 18 Mar. He's released two new tracks from it, 'Island Family' and 'Melody Something'. Tour dates have also been set for March and April next year.

Chaii has released new EP 'Pineapple Pizza'. Here's the video for the title track.

BXKS has released the video for '321', featuring Oscar #Worldpeace. The track is taken from her new mixtape 'Hack The Planet', which is also out today.

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

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Kanye West says signing Big Sean to GOOD Music was "the worst thing I've ever done"
Kanye West is not best pleased about Big Sean leaving his GOOD Music label. Or maybe he is. Either way, he's now said that signing Big Sean back in 2007 was "the worst thing I've ever done".

West was speaking on the latest episode of the 'Drink Champs' podcast, which aired this morning. It follows Big Sean's recent confirmation that he's now departed West's label where he'd spent his entire recording career to date, in order to "start getting a bigger cut" of his recording revenues.

When he said this last week, Sean claimed that whatever record company he was now aligned to, GOOD Music was "a forever brotherhood". He might want to run that past Kanye though, he seems none too happy with both Sean and another artist who recently left GOOD, that being John Legend. Not least because neither of them backed him when he ran for US President last year.

"Nah, look, I know [Legend's] mama", says West in the interview. "I've changed this man's family. And both John Legend and Big Sean, when I ran for office, got used quick by the Democrats to come at the boy that actually changed their life and that's some sell out shit. And I don't rock with neither of them and I need my apologies".

If you're wondering what Sean might have to say in response, you'll have to wait a little bit longer. And probably also sign up to the 'Drink Champs' podcast. Shortly before the latest episode of said podcast dropped, Sean revealed that he had suspicions about what was about to happen, tweeting: "I just got asked to be on the next 'Drink Champs', so I'm assuming Ye [is] talkin crazy".

After the episode came out, he posted pictures showing that he'd been with West after the interview was recorded, adding that his former label boss had said none of this to his face, and that: "I can’t wait to go on 'Drink Champs' now".

So that should be fun. If you're wondering how we're sure that those images posted by Sean are so recent, another person who can be seen in them is Marilyn Manson. The rock star - who is accused by numerous women of sexual assault - joined West in a prayer circle at his Sunday Service event last weekend.

A spokesperson for Sunday Service told People that Manson had been an "integral part" of the show and that it was "nobody's business" if the famously anti-Christian musician had now turned to Jesus. One of the women suing Manson, Ashley Morgan Smithline, told the publication that seeing him welcomed into a prayer circle with West and Justin Bieber - who was also in attendance - was "like being retraumatised".

Elsewhere in the 'Drink Champs' episode, West defends his willingness to appear publicly with Manson - though specifically he was referring to having the musician with him during one of his listening events for latest album 'Donda'. The pair were also joined on that occasion by DaBaby, who had just been criticised for making homophobic comments on stage at the Rolling Loud festival.

"When I sit next to Marilyn Manson and DaBaby, right after both of them got cancelled, for five songs, you know, it's like they can't cancel a song", he says.

Turning to the accusations against Manson, he goes on: "They'll hit you with the accusations of somebody who you was with ten years ago. And also, there's women who've been through very serious things, pulled in alleys against their will - that's different than a hug, but it's classified as the same thing. It's power and politics. You know, power-hungry maniacs and just control. This is 1984 mind control we're in".

Just to be absolutely clear, Marilyn Manson is not the subject of several lawsuits and one criminal case at the moment because he really likes hugs.

West also mentions politics several times during the 'Drink Champs' interview, and at one stage admits that he remains a Donald Trump supporter - despite running against the former US President in last year's election - saying: "I still got a red hat on today. I'll let y'all know that. I might not got it on, but I'll let y'all know where I stand".

I think it's fair to say - just from the topics covered in this one edition of the 'Drink Champs' podcast - there's plenty of room for debate on what exactly is "the worst thing" West has ever done. Though, I'm proposing, it's not signing Big Sean.

Watch the full interview here.

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