A BLOG OF SORTS FROM CHRIS COOKE
Here is some stuff I did in March 2024…
This week’s Setlist
If you’re looking for some bank holiday listening tomorrow, how about the latest edition of Setlist? We discuss the Parliamentary session focused on the crisis in grassroots live music and the legal dispute over Nirvana’s smiley face, plus more of this week’s music business news. Access it via your podcast app of choice.
Pathways update
We’ve had a brilliant response to our ‘Understanding The Pathways Into Music’ programme for music educators (April 27/28). Most of the places have now been allocated, though for anyone working in music education based in the East Midlands who doesn’t need accommodation, we do still have a small number of places available. If that’s you – or you know that person – there is info on how to apply here.
CMU digested
It’s this week’s CMU Digest. Global music stats bonanza; fake streams and fake artists in the Scandis; legal updates in Astroworld and Brixton crowd crush tragedies; vocal cloning in the spotlight as BPI threatens to sue Voicify and Tennessee’s ELVIS Act passes to help performers protect their voices; Night & Day legal case ends, but judge says club nights do not have community value. Read here.
Streaming fraud
Interesting developments in the streaming fraud saga this week in Aarhus, Denmark. So where better to discuss the streaming fraud saga than at Spot+ this May in Aarhus, Denmark? I’ll also be reviewing the key developments that have occurred in music streaming at large in the (nearly) ten years since I started working on the ‘Dissecting The Digital Dollar’ project. Info on Spot’s Let’s Talk Streaming strand here – and our report on this week’s streaming fraud judgement in the Aarhus court here.
Get Paid Guide
It was great to moderate a panel at the launch of the expanded ‘Get Paid Guide’ with IPO, PRS and PPL earlier this week. If you’re making music, make sure you are on top of your rights and data. Check out the ‘Music Copyright Explained’ guide we produced with the IPO – and then make sure your data is sorted with the ‘Get Paid Guide’.
CMU digested
It’s this week’s CMU Digest. And it’s the BAN edition! The US wants to ban TikTok. The UK Labour Party wants to ban insane ticket prices. Slightly more tenuously: French regulators haven’t said anything about banning a Warner x Believe deal – but might they? Probably not. The EU Parliament banned nothing, but passed the EU AI Act. A bunch of bands banned themselves from playing SXSW. Read here.
This week’s Setlist
On this week’s Setlist we discuss the US House Of Representatives passing a sell-or-be-banned law targeting TikTok and Bytedance, plus all the developments around ticket touting, including the Labour Party’s commitment to introduce a resale price cap. Also mentioned: WMG’s bid to buy Believe, Neil Young returning to Spotify and more of this week’s music business news. Access it on the CMU website or via your podcast app of choice.
TikTok votes
Without taking sides in the actual debate, I did let out a little cheer when the big vote on the TikTok ban in the US House Of Representatives reached the required 290 Yeas earlier today, but only because the CMU article I’d prepared needed at lot less work in the final edit if it was Yes vote. But don’t worry, there are plenty more First Amendment debates still to be had before any US TikTok users need to find another app. Read the final story here.
CMU digested
It’s this week’s CMU Digest, recapping key music business stories from the last seven days. France has stood firm against Spotify’s bullying – and Spotify is having a tantrum; Warner Music has thrown its hat into the ring for Believe; Apple’s EU mega-fine was far larger than expected; TikTok is facing double trouble in the US as it fights publishers and politicians; and new retail and consumption stats from ERA. Read here.
This week’s Setlist
On this week’s Setlist we discuss Apple’s big mega-fine from the EU over its App Store rules and the Spotify dissing that it prompted. Why rising ticket prices for the biggest shows are definitely not the fault of Live Nation, according to Live Nation. Plus some quick mentions for Tidal getting rid of its top subscription tier, Warner wanting to buy Believe, and more of this week’s music business news. Access it on the CMU website or via your podcast app of choice.
Pathways Into Music
As you may or may not know, we have a not-for-profit called the Pathways Into Music Foundation which builds connections between music education and the music industry. And we’ve just announced an exciting new professional development programme for music educators supported by Arts Council England. It helps teachers, tutors, lecturers and anyone else working with young music talent to provide the best information and advice about music careers. There is more info here.
CMU digested
It’s this week’s CMU Digest, recapping key music business stories from the last seven days. The latest 3tone developments; TikTok/UMG bust-up rumbles on; lawsuit pending after Kanye’s “shameless” rip-off of Donna Summer hit; jury in Supertramp royalties dispute says 41 years long enough; Apple and Spotify continue to call each other names as EU mega-fine looms. Read here.
