Antifragile Music expands global endeavours and opens UK office in London 23 Jun 2021
Independent label AntiFragile Music founded by Tom Sarig announces opening of UK office in June 2021, which will be headed by international music industry executive Wally van Middendorp.
Van Middendorp will help expand global marketing initiatives, develop artists and further cement the footprint for AntiFragile Music in the UK and rest of Europe. He will be responsible for the marketing and brand development of AntiFragile Music releases and artists in the UK and international markets.
AntiFragile Music founder and CEO Tom Sarig says, “When I first met Wally he was this tall, eccentric Dutchman working as a young executive at [PIAS]. Twenty something years later he’s just as tall, even quirkier and has built an impeccable reputation as an expert in our industry. I’m elated to have him join the team.”
Van Middendorp commented, “Looking back now I think Tom and I were always destined to collaborate. I’ve always admired Tom - his extraordinary A&R skills have led him to sign incredible artists and his innovative and open approach to the business keeps things fresh and exciting. It’s a real pleasure to embarking on this adventure with him."
Van Middendorp brings his expertise to AntiFragile Music from previous label posts in Europe including Managing Director of Eleven Seven Music Group Europe and SVP International at Roadrunner Records. In his previous life Van Middendorp has also worked as General Manager for International Artist Labels Sony Music Netherlands and was General Manager for Play It Again Sam in Benelux.
NEWS & PRESS
Defected signs producer Anthony Gorry & M People's Andrew Lovell for ambient album
House music giant's first wellness album targets $4.4 trillion market with AjoiA project Defected Label Group has signed producer Anthony Gorry (Gwen Stefani, Moby, Richard Ashcroft) and M People's Andrew "Shovell" Lovell for their debut album The Essence of Being, marking...more
Activate - new animated series
On Tuesday 15 July 2025, Joe Wicks MBE (The Body Coach), will release a new online animated series, Activate, designed to get children moving and to make fitness fun. The new series has been co-created by Joe and BAFTA award-winning Studio AKA (the creators of Hey...more
Orfium awarded EU funding to lead first of its kind research into copyright detection in AI-generated music
Global music and rights tech leader is part of a prestigious pan-European consortium to develop explainable AI tools that identify copyrighted music in generative AI outputs Orfium, the global technology company shaping the future of music rights management, has been awarded...more
Sonopress Launches EcoRecord Production in the United States
First production line successfully commissioned at new Charlotte, North Carolina site Last week marked a bold step into the future of LP record manufacturing and truly historic moment for Sonopress. The leading global manufacturer of storage media and a subsidiary of...more
Naoki Osada Launches Nebula17, a Global Creative Venture
Bridging Japanese Talent to the WorldBacked by Top Industry Leaders Naoki Osada, former CEO of Avex USA, has launched Nebula17, a next-generation creative ecosystem that integrates label, publishing, management, international strategy, and venture capital under one roof. Headquartered in Los Angeles,...more
GigSalad Expands Roster, Pays Out $31.8M to Performers Since 2024
Boosted by strong growth and notable payouts to talent, the leading event talent platform is refreshing its design to help its diverse roster book more and better gigs. GigSalad, the largest online booking destination for event talent, is growing by leaps...more
Symphonic Distribution Expands European A&R Client Development Team with 5 New Hires
Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, has hired a team of A&R Client Development Leads to expand their presence in Europe. They include Thomas Williamson (Director, A&R & Client Development, EU & UK), Sander...more
Music Venue Trust Appoints Four New Trustees
Sammy Andrews, Richard Perry, Helen McGee & Adrian Norman Join Board Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents over 800 UK grassroots music venues (GMVs), has announced the addition of four new members to its Board of Trustees. Bringing a...more
Orla Lee-Fisher named Head Of Dual Catalog Strategy at Warner Music Group
Experienced leader to champion catalogs represented by WMG across both Recorded Music and Music Publishing Orla Lee-Fisher has been appointed to the new role of Head of Dual Catalog Strategy at Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG), crafting and leading campaigns for the company's...more
Lisa Nandy MP addressed the UK Music Summer Party
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP addressed the UK Music Summer Party(Text from AI translation, lightly edited) It's been brilliant to work with you all and get to know you all over the last 12 months, since we won the election back...more
Co-op Live's Annual £1 Million Donation to Co-op Foundation Supporting Youth-Led Social Change
FungALL among first wave of projects backed by Young Gamechangers Fund empowering young leaders in Manchester and beyond Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena, is marking its first year with a major milestone – the first in an annual donation...more
European artists unite in powerful campaign urging policymakers to 'Stay True To the [AI] Act'
Today [15 JULY], over 30 prominent and up and coming artists from across the EU have launched a united video campaign urging EU policymakers to uphold the original intent of the EU AI Act and protect creators from the unchecked...more
StrmMusic Joins Forces With Breaking Sound, Kicks Off US and Live Music Expansion
StrmMusic, the music career accelerator, is now the official distribution partner of Breaking Sound, the live showcase organization dedicated to highlighting emerging artists in premium venues. To kick off the partnership, the two organizations are announcing a showcase at LA's Peppermint...more
Fatboy Slim book launch - It Ain't Over... 'Til the Fatboy Sings
FATBOY SLIM IN CONVERSATION WITH PRESENTER GUY LLOYD AT THEATRE ROYAL IN BRIGHTON TUESDAY 14TH OCTOBER TICKETS HERE Join legendary DJ, producer and Brighton icon Norman Cook - AKA Fatboy Slim - for an intimate evening celebrating the publication of his debut book,...more
Hull sets out ambitious 5-year music plan to build, support and promote a successful, sustainable music industry
Bid for UNESCO City of Music status for 2027 Newly appointed Hull Music Board Hull sets its sights on the coveted, globally renowned UNESCO City of Music status, to join UK cities Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast and London, as it sets out an...more
Iconic Brighton Venue Transformed Into Quarters
Electronic event specialists AMAAD will completely rebuild the space, formerly known as The Arch, to create a dynamic cultural space. Quarters will be inclusive and affordable, delivering high-quality electronic and live music, adding to the rich tapestry of Brighton’s club...more
ClicknClear Wins 2025 WIPO Global Award
Honoured by the UN’s Intellectual Property Agency for Innovation with Global Impact ClicknClear, a UK-based copyright technology platform, has been named one of ten global winners of the 2025 WIPO Global Awards, a prestigious initiative of the World Intellectual Property Organization...more
NTIA Says Ban on Upward-Only Rent Review a Clear Signal of Government's Intent to Back Local Business and Night Time Economy
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has welcomed the Government’s Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, describing the decision to ban upward-only rent review (UORR) clauses as a landmark win for independent businesses and a clear direction of intent to support...more
NTIA to give Evidence in Culture, Media and Sport Committee Inquiry on Modernising Protections in place for Built Heritage
House of Commons - Culture, Media and Sport Committee Protecting built heritage inquiry: MPs hear from historic places of worship and creative industries – Tuesday 15 July at 10am Evidence session Protecting built heritage Tuesday 15 July, 10am, Committee Room 16, Palace of Westminster Watch live...more
Official Charts presents honorary award for album featuring tracks by stars including Bob Geldof, U2, Brian May, Sting and Madonna
Album released featuring pop and rock’s greatest hits PURCHASE TICKETS HERE FOR JUST FOR ONE DAY - THE LIVE AID MUSICAL Bob Geldof accepted a special honorary award from Official Charts on the release of an album featuring 8 UK Number 1...more
Angry Mob Music Continues Marching Forward with New Brand Identity
New Identity Re-Introduces Angry Mob Music as Modern, Key Player in the Independent Publishing Community Angry Mob Music Group, an independent music publisher boldly serving songwriters, composers, artists, and creatives, has announced the launch of their new brand identity. Angry Mob's revitalized...more
OneRepublic sign new global recordings partnership with BMG
The deal marks the group's first new label home in nearly two decades Grammy nominated and multi-Platinum selling band OneRepublic have signed a new global recordings partnership with BMG to release their upcoming seventh studio album. The first single, "Beautiful Colors",...more
Comment from the Musicians' Union on the government's approach to cutting disability benefits
Naomi Pohl, MU General Secretary, said: "I would urge the government to rethink its approach to cutting disability benefits. "Our latest Musicians' Census showed disabled musicians already face serious financial challenges, including a pay gap of 13 per cent, and many unable...more
Reservoir extends deal with Grammy-winning songwriter-producer Khris Riddick-Tynes
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a new global publishing deal with Grammy Award-winning songwriter-producer Khris Riddick-Tynes, who has been represented by the Company since 2020. Under the extended partnership, Reservoir will continue to...more
Bronski Beat receive PRS For Music Heritage Award, presented by Tom Rasmussen, at site of historic debut performance
Award formally recognises the lasting impact of the seminal 80s band and the venue where they began their careers, The Bell in London's King's Cross (presently Big Chill) UK star Tom Rasmussen to deliver commemorative performance and unveil a plaque during...more
River House Artists and Sony Music Publishing Sign Rising Singer-Songwriter Kenny Whitmire
River House Artists, in partnership with Sony Music Publishing Nashville, announced today the signing of breakthrough country singer-songwriter Kenny Whitmire to a global publishing agreement. Kenny Whitmire moved to Nashville in 2022 to pursue a career in songwriting and quickly began...more
TikTok launches #THISISFOR campaign to celebrate the new album from global K-Pop sensations TWICE
TikTok has partnered with TWICE on an immersive in-app experience featuring exclusive content Fans can engage with the #THISISFOR campaign to unlock a profile frame, collect digital stickers, and access exclusive merch and rewards TikTok is excited to unveil #THISISFOR, a...more
UK music tech sector faces critical
MTUK's first-ever state of the nation report on the UK music tech sector urges the Government to ensure music tech remains a cornerstone of the UK's creative economy A comprehensive new report from Music Technology UK (MTUK), the UK trade association dedicated to...more
Northampton's Billy Lockett signs gargantuan publishing deal with independent Notting Hill Music
Critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter Billy Lockett has inked an immense global publishing deal with Notting Hill Music, one of the UK's most respected independent music publishers. The deal marks a pivotal moment in Lockett's flourishing career, following a breakout few years that have seen him...more
Concord Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with Grammy-Nominated Producer Duo Tropkillaz
Marking Concord’s First Signing Out of Brazil Concord Music Publishing is thrilled to announce the signing of Tropkillaz, the dynamic GRAMMY-nominated Brazilian production duo of Zegon and Laudz, to a global publishing agreement covering all new copyrights. This landmark deal, orchestrated...more
THE HEADLINES
Industry calls for streaming sites to tag music created by AI-generated acts (see News)
“Content is king” say analysts - so why is Spotify worth more than the entire music rights industry? (see Comment)
Where’s the next wave of working-class rock stars? (see Features)
Populists vs. tech titans: The battle over AI and the future of music (see Comment)
Can TikTok revive classic songs? A statistical analysis (see Analysis)
UMG’s Michael Nash: ‘AI can be instrumental to the future of music’ (see Digital)
In the post-music streaming era, do artists and labels give too much away? (see Comment)
Songwriters ‘missing millions in royalties from more than 100,000 UK gigs’ (see News)
Merck Mercuriadis plots comeback with Hipgnosis remix (see Business)
V&A East Storehouse to open the David Bowie Centre (see News)
ESCA calls on the EU to block Universal Music’s deal to buy Downtown (see News)
Virgin Music CEOs push back against critics of Downtown Music deal (see News)
Record labels are running on empty (see Opinion)
AI music is going viral, but it’s not what fans want (see Comment)
The Velvet Sundown may be the first breakout AI band from Suno (see Digital)
Amid cuts, WMG to "continue to supercharge our capabilities in long-term artist, songwriter, and catalog development" (see Business)