On this week’s show we discuss how Apple Music’s “spatial audio bonus” will benefit major labels to the detriment of independent labels and creators, the report finding that on average two grassroots music venues per week closed down in the UK in 2023, and more.
SECTION TIMES
01: Apple Music (00:05:15)
02: News in brief (00:15:16)
03: Music Venue Trust report (00:18:29)
(Timings may be slightly different due to adverts)
THIS WEEK’S MAIN STORIES
CMU Exclusive: Apple Music’s “spatial audio bonus” will favour major labels at the expense of small labels and creators
Apple’s 10% ‘bonus’ operates at distributor level, not track, artist or label level – and creating Spatial Audio has significant costs. Major labels will definitely benefit – but whether independent labels and creators will is another question entirely.
Two grassroots venues close down every week, according to new report from Music Venue Trust
The Music Venue Trust has published its annual report, finding that in 2023 UK grassroots venues generated £500 million in revenues but just £2.5 million profit. MVT has again called for a levy on the top end of the live industry to provide financial support for small venues and promoters
NEWS IN BRIEF
Madonna and Live Nation will “vigorously” defend late show start lawsuit
Madonna and Live Nation have claimed that the late start of one of her shows last month was the result of technical issues and not bad time keeping. They were responding to a lawsuit in which fans claim that the late start time constitutes false advertising and a breach of contract
American musicians’ union begins talks over AI and streaming with the Hollywood studios
Negotiations are underway in Hollywood over the union contracts of musicians who make music for films and TV programmes, with commitments around AI and new payments from streamed shows among the priorities of the American Federation Of Musicians
Spotify uses EU Digital Market Act blog post to take potshots at Apple, announces superfan clubs
Spotify is fighting the good fight! Apple is a meanie! The DMA means we can spam everyone! In its latest blog post, Spotify heralds the DMA as a “huge opportunity” for Spotify. And maybe – just maybe – it offers “good things” for artists and labels too
Publishers hit back at Anthropic’s claim that AI copyright cases should be filed in “its Silicon Valley backyard”
The group of music publishers behind a copyright infringement lawsuit against AI firm Anthropic have hit back at its claim that Tennessee is the wrong US state for pursuing the litigation. They point out that Anthropic has both employees and customers in the state
Hipgnosis Song Management “cherry picked assets” for proposed sale to Blackstone says latest briefing from Hipgnosis Songs Fund
There comes a point where there should be rules about giving three companies near-identical names. There’s more Hipgnosis-Hipgnosis-Hipgnosis drama with memos flying and allegations ramping up
ALSO MENTIONED
BRIT Awards nominations finally balance gender, genre and independence
The 2024 BRIT Awards nominations are out and, after numerous attempts, organisers seem to have hit upon greater diversity and inclusion. For this year at least, the balance of genders, genres and independent artists is much improved, showing other ceremonies how things could be done differently