NTIA calls for night-time economy advisors to be appointed in fourteen more cities
The UK's Night Time Industries Association has called for more British cities to appoint night-time economy advisors, arguing that such appointments provide a tangible boost for the venues, nightclubs and other businesses that make up each local night-time economy, but that the UK has been slow to embrace the concept.

The NTIA has seemingly been prompted to speak out now by a new scheme that is going live in Ireland, which will see night-time economy advisors appointed in nine towns and cities: Buncrana, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Longford Town and Sligo. That scheme was originally unveiled earlier this year, with the number of participating places recently increased from six to nine.

There are some local night-time economy advisors in the UK already, including Amy Lamé in London and Sacha Lord in Manchester. However, the NTIA says that - compared to the new scheme in Ireland and a recent flurry of appointments in the US - the UK is falling behind in this domain.

In a statement published this weekend, the trade group explains that "major cities across the world are establishing nightlife offices, commissions and ambassadors to embrace recovery and work towards a sustainable, safe night time economy". And this trend, it adds, "is bearing fruit" with "dynamic work on soundscaping, noise, training, safety" and so on.

But, in the UK, where the night-time sector "is responsible for over 300 million nightlife tourists per year, generating over £112 billion in revenue and employing just under two million people", we are only currently seeing a new night-time economy advisor being appointed every couple of years.

And, of course, the night-time sector needs more support now than ever before from both national and regional governments following all the COVID-caused shutdowns and the current impact of surging energy prices and the cost of living crisis.

Last week the NTIA published new stats showing that, given all those challenges, nightclubs are currently closing at a rate of fourteen per month, up from just under eleven a month during the pandemic itself.

It added "if nightclubs were to close in line with the current trajectory for the remainder of 2022, we would see one in three nightclubs lost since 2019 by the end of 2022, up from one in five at the end of 2021".

The NTIA's new statement this weekend adds that, given all those challenges, "we have been calling for reform, a consistent and considered approach post-pandemic, deregulation, licensing and planning easements, and retraining of enforcement officers to truly understand our industry and culture. But we are confronted with austerity, taxation and noise abatement notices".

The trade group reckons that having more night-time advisors on the ground in British cities would help the sector "work towards tackling these issues" whilst also "building collaborative working relationships and trust between the industry and government representatives in every major city across the UK".

To that end, the NTIA is specifically calling for night-time economy advisors to be appointed in: Belfast, Brighton, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Southampton and Swansea.

NTIA boss Michael Kill says: "I am calling on every major city across the UK to work with us in creating these vitally important roles in our cities, building on the network of night-time economy advisors across the country to support nightlife and rebuild our local and national economy".

"The UK is held in such high regard for its cultural tapestry, from festivals to clubs, and deserves the commitment from regional politicians to lay the foundation for a successful future", he adds.

"Over 100,000 businesses generate over £100 billion in revenue annually. If we are not careful our world leading night time economy will lose ground on the rest of the world", he concludes. "Let's not get left behind because of political and local indifferences. Our industry is fundamental to the economic recovery of this country and needs greater consideration".

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Moon Projects allies with Warner Chappell on new publishing division
Moon Projects, the LA-based record label and creative agency headed up by Mary Rahmani, last week announced a partnership with Warner Chappell around a new music publishing division.

Rahmani launched Moon Projects last year after stints with both Triller and TikTok. Earlier in her career she worked for a number of major and indie labels in the US, including EMI and Universal Music. The label side of her new venture has a partnership with Universal's Republic Records.

Announcing the new publishing division and Warner Chappell alliance, she says: "I'm so THRILLED to be launching the publishing division of Moon Projects. Warner Chappell is one of the most trusted names in music publishing, and I am a huge admirer of their work".

"I could not be prouder to be working with them on this exciting joint venture", she continues, "which will allow Moon Projects to further its goal of supporting the artists and songwriters we love in an equitable and transparent way that encourages career longevity".

Warner Chappell's SVP Of A&R And Venture Partners, Rich Christina, adds: "Mary is bringing a new and fresh approach to the industry with Moon Projects and this joint venture will expand those efforts even more. We're proud to be working together to ensure more songwriters and digital creators have a publishing partner that protects their best interests".

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Inquiry into Manchester Arena terrorist attack makes many criticisms of the emergency response
The independent public inquiry into the 2017 terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena last week published a report on the emergency response that followed the bombing.

A total of 22 people died on 22 May 2017 when suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated a bomb as an Ariana Grande concert ended at the Manchester venue. In his new report, John Sanders, Chairman of the inquiry, makes a number of criticisms of those involved in the emergency response to the attack and sets out a series of recommendations for government, emergency services and venue operators.

In his report, Sanders acknowledges the many individual acts of heroism that followed the attack, adding: "I pay tribute to all those who selflessly went to the aid of others". He also confirms that some aspects of the formal emergency response worked well.

However, he adds, "many have acknowledged that mistakes were made in the aftermath of the explosion", and "by no means all the mistakes that were made were inevitable. There had been failures to prepare. There had been inadequacies in training. Well-established principles had not been ingrained in practice".

As well as reviewing how Manchester emergency services responded to the incident, Sanders also considers the response of venue operator SMG and the company it had hired to provide on site healthcare, Emergency Training UK.

He concludes that "ETUK's provision of a healthcare service on the night of the attack was inadequate", adding that "ETUK had not adequately prepared to deal with a major incident response. There were not enough staff with necessary clinical qualifications, skills and experience on duty. Some staff were not sufficiently qualified to provide healthcare at events".

SMG - now part of ASM Global - should have had systems in place to identify these deficiencies, Sanders adds. He writes: "SMG took an unacceptable approach to ensuring that there were adequate healthcare services at the Arena. SMG failed to carry out basic checks that would have revealed major deficiencies in ETUK's approach".

Later in this report, Sanders stresses the importance of having on site expertise to provide an initial response to major incidents at big events, given the urgency with which those affected may need life-saving treatment.

Although also critical of local emergency services, Sanders notes: "There will always be a time lag between the emergency having happened and the arrival of the emergency services that are able to assist the casualties. That is a critical time when lives can be lost if no action is taken to save casualties. This makes it essential that as much help as possible can be provided on site by people who are in the vicinity and prepared to help".

"This means", he adds, "that it is vital that establishments of a similar size to the Arena have a reasonable number of adequately trained and equipped medical staff on hand to give emergency care, to bridge the gap before the ambulance service and the fire and rescue service can arrive. Standards need to be laid down and enforced to ensure that this happens".

With that in mind, Sanders formally recommends: "A standard should be set for the level of event healthcare services that are required for any particular event. I recommend that Department Of Health And Social Care consider what that standard should be. I do not consider that it is a standard that should be contained only within guidance. Serious consideration should be given to putting it on a statutory footing. The consequences of failing to meet the standard could be fatal".

You can access the full report here.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Jazz FM and BBC Radio 3 announce joint broadcasts to mark 30th anniversary of the London Jazz Festival
Jazz FM and BBC Radio 3 have announced a series of joint broadcasts to mark the 30th anniversary of the London Jazz Festival. The two stations will later this month both air a series of short features presented by Clive Myrie under the banner 'Clive Myrie's Ten Essential Jazz Albums'.

"Two of my favourite radio stations and ten of my favourite jazz albums", says Myrie. "What's not to like? It's wonderful to be part of this brilliant collaboration between Radio 3 and Jazz FM. It was a privilege to be asked to work on this series. I won't lie, it wasn't easy whittling down my jazz collection and a lifetime of jazz listening to just ten albums, and ten tracks. I hope everyone enjoys the selection, though I'm sure there'll be fierce debate about the final choice".

BBC Radio 3 Controller Alan Davey adds: "At Radio 3 we are fans of all kinds of music and we love working with colleagues in the music industry to make sure audiences have access to the most carefully curated, exciting, and stimulating output across a variety of genres".

"We are therefore delighted to partner once again with those brilliant, lovely people at Jazz FM for this year's EFG London Jazz Festival, to present jazz chosen by none other than Clive Myrie", he goes on. "Clive is a friend of Radio 3, a regular Proms TV presenter, and a music lover. I look forward to listening to his jazz choices on our airwaves and on those of our friends and partners at Jazz FM".

Jazz FM's Content Director Nick Pitts also comments: "This is a unique partnership that is built on years of respect, and the chance to work in collaboration with our friends Alan, Janet [Tuppen, Radio 3 commissioner] and all at Radio 3 - and of course Clive again - is always welcome".

"This innovative series of shorts is an example of a simple but incredibly effective piece of programming that all jazz lovers will enjoy", he continues, "plus it gives Clive a chance to remind people of his unbridled knowledge of jazz, wherever they listen".

Myrie will introduce his ten albums and play a track from each on Jazz FM and Radio 3 daily from 11-20 Nov, the same dates as this year's London Jazz Festival.

If you can't wait to find out which jazz albums are the ones Myrie reckons you should also be listening to, I can tell you now that they are these:

Miles Davis - Porgy and Bess
John Coltrane Qaurtet - Africa/Brass
Nala Sinephro - Space 1.8
Art Blakey - A Night In Tunisia
Pharoah Sanders - Journey To The One
Dizzy Gillespie - Dizzy On The French Riviera
Nubya Garcia - Source
Lee Morgan - Search For The New Land
Vijay Iyer Trio - Historicity
Della Reese - Blue Skies

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Aaron Carter dies
Singer and rapper Aaron Carter has died, aged 34. According to reports, he was found dead in the bath at his home in California on Saturday morning.

In a statement to PA, representatives for Carter confirmed his death, saying: "Right now it's a really bad time, we're trying to figure out what happened and what the cause of it was. We're just as upset as everyone and hope that fans can give thoughts and prayers to his family".

The younger brother of Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter, Aaron first became famous as a singer aged nine. He released his debut album, 'Aaron Carter', in 1997, which included the singles 'Crush On You' and 'Crazy Little Party Girl'. The follow-up, 'Aaron's Party (Come Get It)', was released in 2000 and went triple platinum in the US. Two more albums quickly followed, although his fourth, 2002's 'Another Earthquake', saw his popularity dip.

Subsequently Carter became better known for his personal and legal issues than his music. He had well-documented drug issues and went into rehab a number of times. He also had numerous public feuds with his siblings, and in 2019 Nick secured a restraining order against his brother, after he allegedly threatened to kill his pregnant wife and unborn child.

In a post on Instagram over the weekend, Nick Carter said: "My heart is broken. Even though my brother and I have had a complicated relationship, my love for him has never faded. I have always held onto the hope that he would somehow, someday want to walk a healthy path and eventually find the help that he so desperately needed".

"Sometimes we want to blame someone or something for a loss, but the truth is that mental illness and addiction is the real villain here", he went on. "I will miss my brother more than anyone will ever know".

In adulthood, Aaron Carter continued to make music, transitioning into rap. He released numerous singles, but only one more album, 'Love', which came out in 2018.

--------------------------------------------------

Low's Mimi Parker dies
Founder member of indie band Low, Mimi Parker, has died, following two years of treatment for ovarian cancer. She was 55.

A statement posted on the band's Twitter account yesterday reads: "Friends, it's hard to put the universe into language and into a short message, but she passed away last night, surrounded by family and love, including yours. Keep her name close and sacred. Share this moment with someone who needs you. Love is indeed the most important thing".

Parker and her husband Alan Sparhawk formed Low in 1993, with her on drums, him on guitar and both sharing vocals. They released their debut album, 'I Could Live In Hope', the following year, with their sound often referred to as 'slowcore', with their quiet songs performed at slow tempos.

The band made thirteen albums in total. That included seven released by Sub Pop, beginning with 'The Great Destroyer' in 2005 through to the most recent, 'Hey What', which came out last year. Having worked with various bass guitarists over the years, 'Hey What' was Parker and Sparhawk's first album as a duo.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

James Acaster launches new music project, Temps
Comedian James Acaster has announced a new music project, Temps, which sees him working with a range of other musicians, including Seb Rochford, Shamir and Nnamdi. An album is set for release on Bella Union next year, and first single, 'No, No', is out now.

In 2019, Acaster published a book called 'Perfect Sound Whatever', in which he argued that 2016 was the greatest ever year for music, and for which he interviewed many of the artists who recorded the albums he featured. During the first COVID-19 lockdown, he got in touch with a number of those musicians and asked if they'd like to collaborate with him on some new music.

He spent the next two years sending tracks back and forth, cutting up what his contributors provided and adding drums himself - describing himself as "a DIY Gorillaz".

"I became completely obsessed with this project", says Acaster. "It was all I focussed on for two years and we ended up making my favourite thing ever. I hope people enjoy it".

Featuring Shamir, Nnamdi, Quelle Chris, Xenia Rubinos, Seb Rochford, Deerhoof's John Dieterich, Joana Gomila and Laia Vallès, you can watch the video for 'No, No', here.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN

Dolly Parton sings with Judas Priest's Rob Halford and more at Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame induction
Against her initial wishes, Dolly Parton was inducted into the US Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame on Saturday night. She also performed at the event, including playing a new song called 'Rockin' and her best known song 'Jolene', for which she was joined by Pink, Brandi Carlile and fellow inductees Pat Benatar, Duran Duran's Simon LeBon, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, and - most surprisingly - Rob Halford of Judas Priest.

Parton originally asked to be removed from the running for this year's inductees, saying that - as a country artist - she didn't feel she had "earned" the right to be included in a Hall Of Fame with a rock n roll remit. But the Hall refused, it having long ago extended its remit far beyond rock n roll, and she subsequently said that she was "honoured" to be among the names put forward this year.

In her acceptance speech on Saturday, she said: "I'm a rock star now! This is a very special night for me. I'm sure a lot of you knew that back when they said they were gonna put me in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, I didn't feel like I had done enough to deserve that. And I didn't understand at the time that it's about more than that. But I'm just so honoured and so proud to be here tonight".

This year's other inductees were Pat Benatar, Duran Duran, Eminem, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Judas Priest.

BACK TO THE TOP OF THE BULLETIN