Universal takes 49% stake in [PIAS]
Universal Music has taken a 49% stake in [PIAS], a key independent music company which encompasses a network of labels as well as its distribution and services division, which rebranded as [Integral] in early 2021.

[PIAS] announced a strategic partnership with Universal in June last year, under which the major would access the indie's distribution and label services expertise, while [PIAS] would get access to Universal's resources so "to further grow its global offering and strengthen its position as the leading independent services provider".

At the time [PIAS] co-founder Kenny Gates said: "Almost 40 years since Michel Lambot and I launched [PIAS] we are as eager and driven as we ever were and remain wholly committed to providing independent labels and artists with a platform to reach a global audience. This new, somewhat unconventional, strategic agreement with UMG will help both companies maximise the many opportunities we know are available, while not compromising our independence whatsoever".

Under the latest expansion of that partnership, Universal becomes a significant shareholder in the [PIAS] business. However, the proudly independent music group is very keen indeed to stress that [PIAS] will "remain fully independent and its founders Kenny Gates and Michel Lambot will retain majority control of the company - Universal Music Group will have no seats on the company's board".

On that expansion of the partnership, Gates said this morning: "These days we are competing with finance and tech giants, and a partner like Universal Music Group provides the additional support for us to compete and grow".

"Universal made it clear that they like us, they trust us and they need us, because they can't do what we do and they value it highly", he added. "For Michel and I this is our life's work and an ongoing journey and I am excited about the prospect of this new chapter in the life of [PIAS]. This move makes us stronger and secures the future of our brand, our staff and our partners while maintaining control of our destiny".

Meanwhile, co-founder Lambot stated: "We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Universal Music Group team since we announced our strategic global alliance with them last year. Kenny and I are celebrating our company's 40th anniversary this year and we are still as ambitious as we were when we started out about growing our global presence and providing a world class service to the independent music community".

Speaking for the Universal side of this deal, the mega-major's boss Lucian Grainge said: "The boldly independent and music-centric culture that Kenny and Michel have built over the last four decades has provided a vital creative network to so many artists".

"While much of the past was focused on 'majors versus indies', it's clear that today, the important divide in our industry is about those committed to artist development versus those committed to quantity over quality", he went on. "We share Kenny and Michel's passion for developing artists and moving culture, and we recognise that a healthy music ecosystem needs companies like [PIAS] who are committed to amplifying the best voices in independent music".

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Night & Day noise abatement notice court case begins
The court hearing to consider the noise abatement notice served against Manchester venue Night & Day got underway yesterday.

Manchester City Council served the notice last year following a complaint from one of the venue's neighbours, a person who moved into a residential property adjacent to Night & Day during the COVID lockdowns.

While it's always annoying when people move into a part of a city famous for its nightlife, and then complain about that nightlife, the Night & Day saga is all the more annoying because when the residential property where the newish neighbour lives was redeveloped, the local council reportedly anticipated the noise issues and told developers to mitigate the problem as part of the building work. But that planning condition was seemingly neither followed nor enforced.

The Night & Day Café was founded in the early 1990s by Jan Oldenburg. When it opened, the part of Manchester in which it is based was, in the words of a recent Observer article, "dangerous and dilapidated". It was cultural institutions like Night & Day that turned Manchester's Northern Quarter into a particularly vibrant part of the city, where lots of people now want to live.

The council has been under considerable pressure from the Manchester creative community and the wider music industry to revoke the noise abatement notice, but so far it has refused, hence why the matter is now in court. If the notice is kept in force, it's likely that Night & Day will have to close, because it would require the venue to alter its operations in a way that would make the whole enterprise commercially unviable.

Night & Day is now run by Oldenburg's daughter and her husband, Jennifer and Ben Smithson.

According to the BBC, Jennifer spoke in court yesterday, confirming she remains "shocked" that the future of the legendary venue has ended up being decided in court. She told city magistrates hearing the case: "I can't understand why the council thinks Night & Day have done something wrong. I'm at a loss as to why I'm sat here in a courtroom. We're running our business in the same way for 31 years and I thought the council would be really proud of what we've done for the city of Manchester".

Acoustic expert Peter Rogers also spoke in court, confirming that he had observed sound engineers at the venue and was satisfied they were doing all they can to reasonably keep noise levels down. The issue, he added, was that the necessary measures were not taken when the residential property next to the venue was redeveloped all the way back in 2000.

He explained, the BBC report continues, that "a bedroom which shares a wall with the venue has such 'poor' sound insulation that even the higher frequency vocals could be heard and the only way to address the issue would be to effectively create a 'box within a box' in the flat to insulate it from the sound".

That would have been an expensive solution, he conceded, but something like that should have been implemented when the redevelopment occurred.

The hearing will continue today.

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Fire Records partners with IDOL
Fire Records has announced a new partnership with IDOL which will handle all of its digital distribution. The two companies will work together on marketing and release strategies, and IDOL will provide a dedicated staff member to work solely on Fire's extensive back catalogue.

"IDOL's music-first approach, independent spirit, and attention to detail fits perfectly with our own ethos at Fire Records", says Managing Director James Nicholls. "I feel strongly that they're the right partner for this exciting new chapter and to help manage the unstoppable growth of the label group".

IDOL UK General Manager Roo Currier adds: "IDOL are extremely happy to welcome Fire Records to our growing roster. Their ethos of quality before all else sits particularly well with us, so we're excited to work with their excellent team in this new era for the label".

Fire already has over 20 new releases scheduled for 2023, including albums from artists like Jane Weaver, RVG and Vanishing Twin. It will also reissue numerous albums from across the Fire Records and Earth Recordings catalogues.

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US senators want anti-bot laws to be better enforced following Taylor Swift ticketing meltdown
Two more US senators have been prompted by the recent issues around the sale of tickets for Taylor Swift's 2023 tour to put the spotlight back on the ticketing business. Though, for Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal, the current focus is touts employing bots to buy up tickets at scale.

There was plenty of social media outrage, resulting in widespread news coverage and political commentary, after Live Nation's Ticketmaster recently struggled to cope with the demand for tickets for Swift's first live shows in five years.

That has renewed criticism of Ticketmaster itself among both the artist and political communities, including the fact the ticketing giant is part of the wider Live Nation group. As a result senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee announced that the Senate's Judiciary Subcommittee On Competition Policy, Antitrust And Consumer Rights would hold a hearing to "examine the lack of competition in the ticketing industry".

"But what about the bloody bots?", you might wonder. When responding to all the hoo haa that kicked off when Swift's fans struggled to buy tickets via its Verified Fan system, Ticketmaster in part blamed the bots that were seeking to circumvent said system for adding to the strain that caused the ticketing firm's online platform to fall over.

The Verified Fan system is actually designed to stop touts using clever tech to hoover up tickets for in-demand shows before fans have had a chance to buy them. Though technically speaking said touts shouldn't be using technologies of that kind in the first place, because the US is one of the countries to outlaw such tactics.

In the US, the use of bots by ticket touts became illegal in 2016 via the passing of the Better Online Ticket Sales Act - or BOTS Act if you prefer. So, while Klobuchar and Lee are using the Swift tickets meltdown to investigate the market dominance of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, Blackburn and Blumenthal want to know why the BOTS Act isn't being better enforced.

To that end, they have written to the US government agency meant to be doing the enforcing, that being the Federal Trade Commission. In their letter to its Chair Lina M Khan, the senators begin: "We write to ask for information about the steps the FTC is taking to combat the use and operation of bots in the online ticket marketplace".

"As you know", they go on, "the Better Online Ticket Sales, or BOTS Act, became law in 2016. This law prohibits the circumvention of a security measure, access control system, or other technological control measure used online by a ticket issuer".

"It also prohibits the selling or offering of an event ticket obtained through a circumvention violation if the seller participated in, had the ability to control, or should have known about the violation. The BOTS Act gives the FTC and state attorneys general the authority to enforce violations as unfair and deceptive practices".

They then run through various recent shows and tours where fans have reported experiencing all sorts of technical issues when buying tickets, including concerts from Bob Dylan, Blake Shelton and, of course, Taylor Swift.

"While bots may not be the only reason for these problems, which Congress is evaluating", they add, "fighting bots is an important step in reducing consumer costs in the online ticketing industry. While some consumers opt to purchase tickets on the secondary market, most fans cannot afford to pay thousands of dollars for a single concert ticket".

"Some reports have found secondary ticket sales ranging from $1000 (Bruce Springsteen) to $40,000 (Adele). Preventing this type of consumer harm is exactly why Congress chose to enact the BOTS Act six years ago and why we both chose to sponsor that bill".

They then write: "We understand that, in January 2021, the FTC took its first enforcement actions under the BOTS Act. However, given the numerous high-profile incidents in the online ticket marketplace, it would be helpful to understand how the FTC intends to act to address such conduct going forward".

With that in mind, they ask the following four questions.

1. Does the FTC have any pending enforcement matters before it with respect to the BOTS Act?
2. Why has the FTC only undertaken a single enforcement action to date using its BOTS Act authority?
3. Are there obstacles preventing the FTC from exercising its authority under the BOTS Act that Congress should be aware of?
4. Are there other solutions that Congress needs to consider in conjunction with the BOTS Act?

We await to see how the FTC responds.

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Bauer Media to further expand its Greatest Hits Radio network on FM in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Cumbria
Bauer Media's Greatest Hits Radio is further expanding its reach on the FM Network replacing local stations in the company's Hits Radio Network in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Cumbria.

The expansion of the GHR service - on AM, FM and DAB - has been a key priority for Bauer of late. Many of the local radio stations it has acquired in recent years have been relaunched as part of the GHR network, while some of the stations it has owned for longer have also been rebranded.

The latest rebrand is happening at CFM - the local station that broadcasts in Cumbria and south west Scotland, and which has been owned by Bauer ever since it acquired the EMAP radio business all the way back in 2008. From next April the CFM frequencies will start to air Greatest Hits Radio.

Given that CFM, despite the local branding, is part of Bauer's Hits Radio Network, most of its programming is made up of Hits Radio shows that air across England. Its breakfast show is made locally, though, hosted by Robbie Dee, and he will continue to host a local programme once the station becomes Greatest Hits Radio, albeit early afternoon rather than breakfast.

Of course, the music policy of Greatest Hits Radio is different to that of Hits Radio Network stations like CFM. However, the England-wide line up Hits Radio shows will still be available in the region on the local DAB network, where a version of Greatest Hits Radio is already airing.

Confirming the switchover, Bauer's Chief Content And Music Officer, Ben Cooper, told Radio Today: "Greatest Hits Radio has been going from strength to strength and we're delighted to be able to bring it to listeners to Cumbria and south west Scotland on FM with this exciting rebrand. We're really proud of the mixture of regional and nationally produced shows that the network delivers and know that listeners will love to continue hearing from Robbie Dee each weekday, as well as from lots of our other legendary broadcasters".

Dee himself adds: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Greatest Hits Radio family 1pm-4pm weekday afternoons across Cumbria and south west Scotland from April 2023. The music is fantastic from the 70s, 80s and 90s and as soon as you switch the radio on you know every great song! And after 20 years on the breakfast show I'm also extremely excited about not getting up at 4am! 'Robbie Dee In The Afternoon' on Greatest Hits Radio - the good times sound like this".

Down in Cheshire and Staffordshire, FM frequencies currently used by another Hits Radio Network station - the Stoke-based Signal 1 - will also switchover to Greatest Hits Radio in the new year. Although Signal will continue to air in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire on its 102.6FM frequency.

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Anna B Savage announces second album
Anna B Savage has announced that she will release her second album, 'in|FLUX', early next year. Alongside the announcement she has released the LP's title track and details of new tour dates.

Speaking about the new single, she says: "'in|FLUX' exemplifies the 'flux' as I see it between two seemingly disparate parts of me; my music, my mind and my creativity".

"The first half is a close, vulnerable and quiet start, full of introspection, vulnerabilities and a stilted inability to express something", she adds. "From there, the song unfurls in to a second half that is more certain, more vocal and expressive of self-assuredness. These feel like two states - along with everything in between, as well - that I inhabit simultaneously as a dynamic and multifaceted emotional human".

Talking about the wider album, she goes on: "I am so excited to play these songs live. These songs show little pockets of joy, or recovery, or hold difficult multitudes within them that hopefully show my development as a person and as a musician. I feel like this album is an exploration of recovery and the journey of therapy. It's a difficult thing [to engage in] but can also be the best thing ever, and lead you to feeling completely content".

The album is out on 17 Feb, and you can watch the video for the title track here.

Those tour dates will be happening on March. Look, here they all are:

16 Mar: Margate, Elsewhere
17 Mar: Bristol, Strange Brew
19 Mar: Nottingham, Bodega
20 Mar: Newcastle, The Cluny
21 Mar: Glasgow, CCA
22 Mar: Manchester, Yes (Pink Room)
24 Mar: Dublin, Workman's Club
25 Mar: Belfast, Black Box
27 Mar: Leeds, Brudenell Club
28 Mar: London, Village Underground

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LEGAL

The UK's Intellectual Property Office has written to Parliament's culture select committee with a list of the music industry experts that have been involved in the data and transparency working groups that were convened in response to that committee's inquiry into the economics of music streaming. Information about the members of those working groups was requested at a recent select committee session which discussed the ongoing IPO-facilitated work that is considering solutions to the various issues that have been raised by artists and songwriters about the streaming business. The lists are available on the Parliament website here.

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DEALS

BMG has acquired the royalty interests of Haddaway, including those of his big hit 'What Is Love'. "The partnership with BMG means a lot to me", he says. "I am convinced that it is in the best hands with the BMG team in Berlin".

Kobalt has signed rapidly rising artist Venbee to a worldwide publishing administration agreement, and will also provide global sync and creative services for her catalogue and future songs. "From the moment we all heard 'Low Down' we knew Venbee was the real deal", says Kobalt's UK Head Of A&R, Kenny McGoff. "The music touches the mind, body and deep in the soul. Her way with words, melody, and of course bangers is a breath of fresh air and really exciting".

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APPOINTMENTS

Ethiopia Habtemariam has announced that she is stepping down as CEO of Universal Music's Motown Records. "It has been the greatest honour to work with some of the most incredible artists, songwriters and partners in the world", she says. "I have always had a clear vision for the talent that I've had the privilege to work with, which has led Motown to global success and returned the label to the forefront of contemporary culture. I am incredibly proud of what we have created during my tenure, and I consider this the perfect finale to my 20 years at UMG spanning publishing and recorded music".

DIY distributor TuneCore has promoted Melanie Seddon to the role of VP Brand Marketing. "Being a part of the TuneCore team for the past two and a half years has been a tremendously exciting journey that has led to a ton of innovation, expansion and development of our brand worldwide", she says. "I am honoured to lead an ever-growing team comprised of extremely talented individuals who work tirelessly to amplify our brand, our artists and our message globally every single day".

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LIVE BUSINESS

UK collecting society PRS For Music has announced the winners of its Back To Live Music Venue Prize. The six venues that will each receive £10,000 are: CWRW in Carmarthen, The Goat's Toe in Bangor, The Bungalow in Paisley, The County Music Bar in Chesterfield, The Sub Rooms in Stroud, and Doña in Hackney.

Young Fathers and Adwaith have been announced as ambassadors of Independent Venue Week 2023, for Scotland and Wales respectively. "By their very nature, independent music venues have to be resilient. It's always tough at the grassroots, but never more so than today with utility bills going through the roof and runaway inflation", says IVW founder Sybil Bell. "Because of this, I think 2023 might be our most important Independent Venue Week yet, and why I'm so grateful for the support of such brilliant Ambassadors as Young Fathers, Adwaith and [fellow ambassador] Philip Selway".

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RELEASES

The Music's Adam Nutter has announced that he will release his Maps-produced debut solo album, 'Badlands On Fire', on 21 Apr. New single 'Dreamtwister' is out now.

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GIGS & TOURS

Sugababes have announced that they will play The O2 Arena on 23 Sep next year. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.

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

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Metallica's Stranger Things sync came after "we started saying yes to everything", says Lars Ulrich
How do you get Metallica to agree to have one of their songs synced in you TV show? Just ask, apparently. Or so says drummer Lars Ulrich. They'll agree to any old nonsense.

Earlier this year we heard from 'Stranger Things' music supervisor Nora Felder about the meticulous and protracted operation that was put in place to convince Kate Bush to allow 'Running Up That Hill' to be used in the latest series of the show. Getting Metallica on board was seemingly not quite so difficult - but only because the request came at the right time.

"It used to be, with Metallica, we were always the 'no' guys", Ulrich tells Howard Stern. "'Hey can we have this song for this? Can we have that song for that?' It was just 'no, no, no, no, no'".

"A few years ago we kind of reversed it", he goes on. "We did a 180. We just said, 'You know what? This is stupid. Why are we hanging onto these songs like they're so important, like they're the crown jewels? Let's share our music with the world'. So a couple of years ago we started saying 'yes' to everything".

Of course, their song 'Master Of Puppets' ended up soundtracking a pivotal scene in that latest series of 'Stranger Things' and brought a whole new audience to the song and the band. Which is nice.

"It was such a mindfuck to see how that became a phenomenon, and we were so proud", says Ulrich. "I mean, who would've thought 40 years later that these songs could still have that impact? So we were psyched to be part of it, absolutely. It was just so unexpected".

Now, to capitalise on that new fanbase they've found themselves with, Metallica have just announced that they will release a new album, '72 Seasons', in April next year. It's a concept album about how our childhood experiences affect us in adulthood. Which almost sounds like a pitch for a new 'Stranger Things' series.

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