Setlist

On this week's show we discuss the start-of-year memos from the bosses of Universal Music and Warner Music, both of whom put the spotlight in super-serving superfans, plus the ASA ruling against Viagogo's advertorial pieces in the NME, and lots of stats about the music market in 2023. SECTION TIMES 01: New year memos (00:04:45) 02: News in brief (00:18:37) 03: Viagogo (00:25:01) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Universal “most successful company in the history of the music industry” hoots Grainge in 2024 memo • Lucian Grainge's 2024 memo to Universal Music Group staff • Warner Music boss talks streaming model and super-fans in start-of-year memo • UK’s Advertising Standards Authority raps Viagogo over NME paid editorial NEWS IN BRIEF • Vinyl sales grow, cassettes slump; streaming now 87.7% of UK music consumption • UK music retail brought in £2.2 billion in 2023 says ERA • India’s streaming growth explodes to hit over one trillion streams, Gen Z pull back on str

On this week's show we discuss Spotify’s change of heart on shutting down in Uruguay, the latest easyJet lawsuit against a musician - this time PC Music-signed producer Easyfun - and more. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:04:45) 02: News in brief (00:13:37) 03: Easyfun (00:18:29) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Spotify won't exit Uruguay following clarification to new ER rule in copyright • easyGroup sues PC Music producer Easyfun NEWS IN BRIEF • Music consumption at an all time high, IFPI reports, though "unlicensed music is still an issue" • Music industry cautiously welcomes outcome of last week's EU AI Act talks • European Commission set to force changes to Apple's rules around in-app payments • Hipgnosis Songs Fund confirms sale of catalogue of "non-core songs" • Vinyl sales of two 1980s classics may decide who is Christmas number one in 2023 ALSO MENTIONED • Taylor Swift's record breaking tour topped a billion dollars

On this week's show we look at calls for government support for the grassroots live music industry following the closure of music venue Moles and the announcement that the Nozstock festival will shut down after its 2024 edition, plus the next evolution of Kiss as superhero holograms. SECTION TIMES 01: Grassroots live music (00:03:13) 02: News in brief (00:10:44) 03: Kiss (00:14:53) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Music Venue Trust calls for law forcing live industry support for grassroots venues, as Bath Moles closes after 45 years • Nozstock festival to end after 2024 edition, prompting new call for government support for festival sector • Kiss preview new avatar show at final human performance NEWS IN BRIEF • Spotify confirms the cost of its dramatic downsizing, cancels two in-house podcasts • Indie labels suggest delaying Spotify’s royalty payout revamp to allow proper consultation • CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus calls on EU to keep clear transparency obliga

On this week's show we have a good old chat about Sony Music exec Dennis Kooker's call for a US-wide publicity right through which artists can protect their voices and identity in order to stop the unauthorised cloning of their vocals by AI, plus the big bust up between Hall & Oates over “the ultimate partnership betrayal” and more. SECTION TIMES 01: AI loopholes (00:06:54) 02: News in brief (00:16:53) 03: Hall & Oates (00:20:14) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Sony Music digital chief asks Congress to close “legal loopholes” to ensure artists can stop authorised AI voice clones • Hall & Oates both make court filing as the legal dispute over their joint venture company continues NEWS IN BRIEF • Shane MacGowan dies • UK government pauses the blocking of the proposed London MSG Sphere - even though MSG has given up on the plan • BMG announces restructure to “future proof” the business • European Parliament committee calls for new EU rules to regulate

On this week's show we've got a big round-up of Spotify news, in particular the company's confirmation of changes to the way it pays out (or doesn't pay out) royalties. We also discuss plans for an MSG Sphere venue like the one recently opened in Las Vegas being bounced out of London. Oh, and we've spruced up the format of the show a little, including the introduction of a news in brief section to bring you even more music industry news. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:03:30) 02: News in brief (00:16:37) 03: MSG Sphere (00:20:35) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) THIS WEEK'S MAIN STORIES • Spotify confirms changes to its payment process - including the 1000 plays a year threshold • Specifics of Spotify’s deal with Google on in-app payments revealed in Epic court case • Spotify says it will exit Uruguay next year because of new performer ER right in copyright law • London mayor blocks MSG’s grand plan to build a Sphere venue next to the Olympic Park NEWS IN BRIEF • BMI confirms deal to sell t

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, the resignation of Stability AI's VP Of Audio Ed Newton-Rex over the tech company's position that the training of generative AI models constitutes fair use under American copyright law, and YouTube’s plans to get AI generated clones both off and onto its platform. SECTION TIMES 01: Stability AI (00:06:04) 02: YouTube (00:14:08) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Stability AI's VP Of Audio resigns over its position that training AI with copyright works is 'fair use' • YouTube to allow labels to remove AI-generated voice clones • YouTube begins piloting voice cloning tool to provide AI-generated vocals for creator videos ALSO MENTIONED • Edith Piaf to narrate her own life story through AI

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, competition law expert (as well as musician and label owner) Amelia Fletcher's letter to Spotify boss Daniel Ek about the streaming service's plan for a two-tier royalty system, and the rickrolling takedown battle between two stream-ripping platforms.  SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:04:27) 02: Stream-ripping (00:19:56) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Spotify two-tier payment “discriminatory and exploitative” says competition law expert • Stream-ripper gets court order to identify who is behind rick-rolling Google takedown notices ALSO MENTIONED • Music industry contributes £6.7 billion GVA to British economy • Download the UK Music This Is Music 2023 report • Amelia Fletcher's full letter to Daniel Ek

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, big tech companies' insistence that training AI on existing content constitutes fair use under US copyright law, and the Grammy Awards' insistence that Christians do not swear. SECTION TIMES 01: AI fair use (00:03:55) 02: Grammy Awards (00:15:02) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Tech companies insist training AI models with existing content is fair use in Copyright Office submissions • There is no swearing in Christian music, says Grammys ALSO MENTIONED • Eminem launches Mom's Spaghetti pasta sauce

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, Spotify's plans to change the way it allocates revenues to individual tracks and catalogues each month, and the confirmation that digital is now the biggest driver of revenue for the song rights collecting societies. SECTION TIMES 01: Spotify (00:04:35) 02: CISAC (00:18:27) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Spotify also in talks with industry to change track allocation process • Digital now biggest revenue generator for song right collecting societies, CISAC confirms ALSO MENTIONED • Hipgnosis vote shock: 83.2% of shareholders vote against continuation • Read CISAC's Global Collections Report 2023

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, artist managers criticise Universal Music over a change it made to the way it pays Pandora royalties to artists, and new Bandcamp owner Songtradr making 50% of the direct-to-fan platform's staff redundant. PLEASE NOTE: This episode was recorded before the settlement between Megan Thee Stallion and her former label 1501 Certified Entertainment was announced. SECTION TIMES 01: Universal (00:05:13) 02: Bandcamp (00:21:35) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Universal Music criticised over unannounced change to Pandora payments • Half of Bandcamp’s staff made redundant as Songtradr acquisition is completed ALSO MENTIONED • Megan Thee Stallion has "no label right now" and that's how she wants it

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, British band Easy Life agree to change their name following legal action from owner of the easyJet airline easyGroup, and Coldplay’s ongoing legal battle with their former manager Dave Holmes. SECTION TIMES 01: Easy Life (00:05:32) 02: Coldplay (00:20:08) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Easy Life concede defeat in EasyGroup battle, will change name • Coldplay countersue former manager Dave Holmes in £14 million lawsuit 

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week. On this edition, the call for "consent, respect and remuneration" to be central to the development of music AI platforms and tools, and the RIAA’s latest stats on US recorded music revenues. SECTION TIMES 01: AI red lines (00:03:18) 02: RIAA (00:20:41) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • "Consent, respect and remuneration" crucial as music AI evolves, say UK music-makers • BPI boss responds to the five AI fundamentals published by the Council Of Music Makers • Premium streaming and vinyl continue to power growth in US recorded music market ALSO MENTIONED • AMG allowed to re-open Brixton Academy subject to meeting 77 conditions You can read a full transcript of this episode on our website here.

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including a call from the FanFair Alliance campaign group against ticket touting for the introduction of legislation to ban the for-profit resale of tickets in the UK, and criticism of Deezer’s new proposals for ‘artist-centric’ royalty payments. SECTION TIMES 01: Ticket resale (00:04:13) 02: Deezer (00:11:41) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • FanFair Alliance calls for ban of for-profit ticket touting in the UK • Believe criticises ‘reverse Robin Hood’ elements of Deezer's new artist-centric model for payments ALSO MENTIONED • MMF publishes AI guide • Download the MMF AI guide • The revenue politics of streaming - Chris's session at the Reeperbahn conference, Friday 22 Sep, 12.30pm • Silvia Montello speaking about user-centric royalties on Setlist

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Deezer’s announcement that it is making changes to the way it allocates revenues to tracks later this year, and claims that organised criminals are using streaming services to launder money. SECTION TIMES 01: Deezer (00:04:22) 02: Streaming fraud (00:18:58) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Deezer set to roll out Universal Music endorsed "artist centric" model to royalty payments in France next month • Swedish tabloid alleges streaming fraud organised crime gang link • Key stakeholders say industry has shared responsibility to tackle crime links to streaming fraud   ALSO MENTIONED • Ezra Collective become first ever jazz band to win Mercury Prize

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the newly announced licensing hearing to decide the future of London’s Brixton Academy venue nine months after it was closed down when two people were killed in a crowd crush incident, plus Eminem’s battle with US presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy. SECTION TIMES 01: Brixton Academy (00:05:33) 02: Eminem (00:11:48) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Lambeth Council to consider future of Brixton Academy at two day hearing this month • Eminem tells Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy to stop using his music ALSO MENTIONED • ASCAP takes advantage of growing controversy over imminent BMI sale MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights’ Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including YouTube’s three new AI music principles published alongside the launch of a new YouTube Music AI Incubator, plus questions from various songwriter groups to the boss of American collecting society BMI about the organisation’s decision last year to become a for-profit enterprise. SECTION TIMES 01: YouTube (00:05:11) 02: BMI (00:15:15) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • YouTube sets out three principles for the development of AI music • Songwriter groups demand information about a newly for-profit BMI’s plans and possible sale • BMI reportedly considering acquisition offer from New Mountain Capital ALSO MENTIONED • Sheffield City Council says it “cannot directly intervene” in ongoing Leadmill dispute MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights’ Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bul

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the debate surrounding comments made by The 1975’s frontman Matty Healy on stage in Malaysia regarding the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and the latest developments in the battle over who will run the Leadmill music venue in Sheffield.  SECTION TIMES 01: The 1975 (00:12:00) 02: The Leadmill (00:24:58) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • The 1975 cancel performances in Asia after being banned from Malaysia • Ten artists and vendors set to sue The 1975 over Good Vibes Festival cancellation • Save The Leadmill campaign ramps up ahead of September licensing committee meeting ALSO MENTIONED • Mercury Prize shortlist announced • Save The Leadmill video (Facebook) MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights’ Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including TikTok and Warner Music’s “first-of-its-kind partnership” – a licensing agreement that involves both the Warner Music record company and music publishing business Warner Chappell and covers various platforms run by TikTok owner Bytedance – and the NME’s return to print.  SECTION TIMES 01: TikTok (00:03:04) 02: NME (00:18:53) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Warner Music announces new deal with TikTok, as TikTok Music arrives in three more markets • NME announces return to print ALSO MENTIONED • Parklife founder and NTIA boss hit out at Home Office’s “demonstrably untrue” statement on festival drug testing policy • Setlist episode on drug testing policy MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights’ Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the stepping up of the Featured Artists Coalition’s 100% Venues campaign, which encourages music venues to allow artists to sell merchandise at their shows without being charged any commission on sales, and the new legal challenge to the UK government’s festival drug testing policy.  Apologies for the sound issues in this episode. As you’ll hear, we have a new recording set up. After some great sounding test recordings, one of us (see if you can guess who) managed to record through their laptop mic instead of their studio mic.  SECTION TIMES 01: 100% Venues (00:09:42) 02: Drug testing policy (00:20:08) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • FAC steps up its 100% Venues campaign against merch commissions • NTIA seeks judicial review on government’s “reckless” festival drug testing policy ALSO MENTIONED • UK Music sets out proposals for AI regulation in le

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including Twitter being sued by a consortium of music publishers for hosting “countless” videos that contain unlicensed music, and the alliance of music distributors that has come together with Spotify and Amazon Music to form Music Fights Fraud, a new initiative described as “a global task force aimed at eradicating streaming fraud”. SECTION TIMES 01: Twitter (00:04:48) 02: Music Fights Fraud (00:07:23) (Timings may be slightly different due to adverts) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Music publishers accuse Twitter of “massive copyright infringement” in $250 million lawsuit • Music distributors ally to fight streaming fraud ALSO MENTIONED • Ed Sheeran gets a giant bear tingly for his hot sauce MORE FROM CMU • Upcoming CMU webinars • Buy MMF and CMU Insights’ Dissecting The Digital Dollar book on Amazon • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin • Listen to the full Setlist theme tune