DCMS Committee: Chair calls on Chancellor to provide urgent support for festivals 26 Feb 2021
Chair calls on Chancellor to provide urgent support to enable opening up of festivals' sector
DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight has urged the Chancellor to announce support next week to encourage more festivals to go ahead this summer.
The Treasury had earlier rejected a call, which had the support of more than 100 organisations and individuals in the performance sectors, to extend an underwriting scheme offered to other creative industries including film and TV.
In correspondence to the Chair which has been published today, John Glen, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, had suggested that the publication of a roadmap for the reopening of the events sector could be the 'right point' to consider potential support, including insurance-based options.
DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP said:
"The Treasury rejected our earlier call for a government-backed insurance scheme that would have provided a safety net for festivals to go ahead, saying the time was not right.
"While we've seen welcome news for fans that the Reading and Leeds festivals will happen, the rest of the sector needs more than a roadmap to give them the confidence it takes to get events underway. For some, like Glastonbury, it's already too late.
"We're calling on the Chancellor to review that decision now that the government has a better sense of the road to recovery. There's still time ahead of next week's Budget to give the festivals' industry, which makes a significant contribution to the economy, the helping hand it needs."
NEWS & PRESS
Brits spend over £580 a month on entertainment and leisure, but 61% regret social media-driven purchases
A new study from credit card brand Aqua has revealed how Brits are spending on lifestyle, and what drives certain purchases Eating out tops the list of lifestyle spending categories, with over half of Brits indulging in restaurants and takeaways 70% of Brits admit...more
Noctil leverages The MLC’s public musical works database
Noctil leverages The MLC’s public musical works database to give its users the ability to view The MLC’s data for unmatched sound recording products and musical works with unclaimed shares within the Noctil platform The latest in a series of strategic...more
Impala warns of risks to cultural diversity posed by UMG/Downtown deal
A crucial element in reviewing mergers in the music sector is what’s at stake for the ecosystem and cultural diversity. A new paper published by IMPALA predicts that the proposed UMG/Downtown acquisition carries significant risks for both the quantity and...more
Concord Music Publishing signs songwriter-producer Nickname Jos
Today, Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of artist, songwriter, and producer Josef Kuhn, known professionally as Nickname Jos. The universal co-publishing deal, effective immediately, includes Nickname Jos’ full catalog and future works. Nickname Jos is a multitalented performer, songwriter, and producer that has...more
Wear the music, share the joy: Music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins launches Christmas jumper collection
Available now at nordoff-and-robbins.teemill.com A percentage of every sale goes directly to Nordoff and Robbins Endorsed by Nordoff and Robbins Music Ambassador, Edith Bowman Created in partnership with sustainable print on demand platform Teemill Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity, has today...more
IMPF establishes key targets across tech, data and emerging markets at Global Music Summit
Record 650 delegates attended 2025 event.Dates set for 2026 event. The IMPF established a number of key targets and priorities for the independent music publishing community across tech, data and newer markets at this year’s Global Music Summit Palma. Dates have also...more
Sophie Ellis-Bextor features on episode 4 of ‘The Red Carpet Treatment - On The Road Presented by Mastercard’
The Red Carpet Treatment - On The Road Presented by Mastercard Hosted by Luke Hamnett Sophie Ellis-Bextor features on episode 4, out TODAY available to watch in full on @BRITs YouTube or on @BRITs social channels The BRIT Awards with Mastercard today releases the fourth...more
Mercury rises for Sam Fender
WINNING ALBUM, PEOPLE WATCHING, ENJOYS 159% CHART SALES INCREASE IN THE OFFICIAL ALBUMS CHART MIDWEEK DATA UK record labels association the BPI, which organises the Mercury Prize, today reports an increase in demand for Sam Fender’s album People Watching after last week’s acclaimed triumph in his hometown. The...more
Industry Organisations Sign Groundbreaking Seat at The Table Inclusion Pledge
ATC Live and Ginger Owl Among First to Sign Pledge, with The Royal Albert Hall, AEG and The O2 Becoming Industry Champions New Live Sector-Wide Pledge Aims to Achieve Gender-Balanced Leadership and Measurable Progress by 2030 Following the release in April of the ‘Seat...more
EJAE signs with WME
EJAE, the vocalist and songwriter behind KPop Demon Hunter’s #1 hit, “Golden,” has signed with WME for worldwide representation in all areas of her music career. A breakout star of Netflix’s record-shattering animated musical film KPop Demon Hunters, EJAE is the...more
Blue Raincoat Music/Reservoir strikes publishing deal with Molly Drake Estate
Nick Drake Publishing Agreement Renewed Blue Raincoat Music Publishing, in conjunction with Reservoir, have signed a global publishing deal with the estate of songwriter and poet Molly Drake and have renewed their existing publishing deal with her late son, the seminal...more
hmv goes Dutch with new store in The Hague to open before end of the year
Music and popular culture retailer hmv is planning to open its first store in The Netherlands with a new site in The Hague in the latter stages of development. The new store will open its doors before the end of...more
Building on the momentum of its inaugural landmark edition SXSW London Announces it is Open for Business for 2026
SXSW London builds on the success of its inaugural year with its 2026 programme. Passes for access across the festival are now available to purchase on the SXSW London website. The leading European platform for the convergence of technology and the creative...more
Independent Venue Week announce Nova Twins as 2026 Artist Ambassadors
The UK’s annual celebration of independent venues, music and culture will run over 7 days and nights from Monday 26th January to Sunday 1st February Nova Twins will perform an exclusive live show as part of the week’s activities More than 200...more
Leading Entertainment Execs Launch Unit1 Studio, The World's First Independent Avatar Concert Producer
Headed by Barney Wragg (AEG, EMI, Really Useful Group, Universal) Breakthrough CGI and AI technologies deliver digital humans virtually indistinguishable from the artists themselves Unlocks potential for immersive avatar concerts through lower production costs and improved time-to-market Partnership with KT Tunstall ahead of...more
PPL announces Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE as new Chair
PPL has appointed Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE as its new Chair. He will succeed John Smith OBE, effective 5 January 2026. Burgess will lead the PPL Board as the organisation continues to grow as a global leader in neighbouring rights...more
2AM introduces Lenny, the first AI agent redefining audience engagement in live entertainment
After a successful large-scale deployment at Rock en Seine, the Paris-based startup brings AI-native communication to festivals and venues. 2AM unveils Lenny, the first AI agent purpose-built for audience engagement and live event operations, covering the full audience journey - before,...more
Tickets For Good bolsters international growth with appointment of veteran ticketing executive Henk Schuit as European board advisor
The ADE Conference Startups alumni reveals latest Netherlands expansion news. TfG boasts almost 600k registered healthcare workers, teachers, and charity workers across UK, EU and U.S. It's distributed 1million+ free and discounted tickets from 1,000+ live event partners, including Dua Lipa, Idles,...more
KiTbetter and Duran Duran Deliver First-Ever Dolby Atmos Upgrade to a Physical Album
Groundbreaking upgrade to 2023's 'Danse Macabre: De Luxe' KiTalbum marks a new era for physical-digital music formats KiTbetter, the company reshaping physical music for the digital era, today announced a world first: the upgrade of a previously released physical album to...more
Yoto Launches David Bowie Card: Introducing the Legendary Artist to a New Generation
Yoto's latest addition to its growing popular music offering is filled with the immortal icon's classic songs Yoto, the award-winning audio platform for kids, today announced the launch of a new Yoto card featuring the timeless work of David Bowie. With...more
The Other Songs announce team expansion
Global independent music and entertainment company The Other Songs have announced the exciting expansion of their team as they recruit music industry executives Louis Brown, joining as General Manager, and Raju Watts, joining as Financial Director. Speaking on today’s news, founders...more
Day Fever partners with Ticketmaster’s Universe
Day Fever, the acclaimed daytime clubbing brand, has entered into a multi-year partnership with Ticketmaster’s white-label ticketing platform Universe, making the company its exclusive ticketing partner.Through the partnership, Day Fever will tap into Universe’s all-in-one ticketing and marketing platform, delivering...more
Simon Dunmore Partners with Armada Music to Launch New Label, NBT Records
The imprint will operate from Armada’s brand-new creative hub in London Acclaimed industry figure Simon Dunmore and Armada Music, the world’s biggest independent dance music label, have partnered to launch NBT Records – a brand-new label dedicated to soulful, dancefloor-driven records. Formed...more
Moises and Cory Henry Launch Global Music Competition with $50,000 in Prizes
Jam Sessions Invites Musicians Worldwide to Reimagine GRAMMY Winner's Track Through AI-Powered Tools Moises, Apple's 2024 iPad App of the Year, today launched Jam Sessions, a global music competition connecting artists, producers, and creators through AI-powered music technology. The inaugural edition...more
rightsHUB unveils tool to transform data ingestion process, signs Artist Theory alongside deal renewals with Believe, Defected and others
- New tool, rightsDROP, allows labels and publishers to optimise collection of metadata and resources via single point of entry or releases - rightsHUB now provides a fully end-to-end solution to streamline flow of rights data and assets- Artist Theory (Sam...more
Madi Diaz signs global co-publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Crush Music Publishing
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter’s new album, ‘Fatal Optimist,’ out now First signing to Crush’s newly-launched publishing division Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and Crush Music Publishing (CMP) today announced a global co-publishing deal with acclaimed singer-songwriter Madi Diaz. She is the first signing to Crush’s newly-launched...more
Warner Chappell Music Signs Victor Le Masne
GLOBAL ADMINISTRATION DEAL COVERS ALL WORKS PRODUCED THROUGH LE MASNE'S MULTIMAN RECORDS Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has today announced the signing of Victor Le Masne to a global administration deal. The agreement covers all works produced through Le Masne's Multiman Records...more
Impala's fifth equity, diversity, and inclusion report: Reaffirming commitment to a more inclusive music industry
IMPALA has released its fifth Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Report, providing insights into its ongoing efforts in this area. Published on the anniversary of the organisation's EDI Charter, the report is the result of work by IMPALA's taskforce, which for the...more
DJ brands unite to launch OneLibrary
The DJ world is about to become more open. As part of its ongoing commitment to the sustainable growth of DJ culture and a more open industry environment, AlphaTheta has been actively collaborating with other manufacturers on an exciting...more
Dancefloor launches the Nightlife Dividend Programme to support grassroots venues and promoters
A recent report by The Night Time Industries Association suggests rising costs and ongoing pressures mean the UK is losing three nightclubs every week and will have none left by 2030. To help the fight for survival of independent venues...more
THE HEADLINES
Lyor Cohen: AI won’t replace artists — it will make them unstoppable (see Opinion)
Omdia tips music publishers’ revenues to hit $10bn this year (see Reports)
Unit1 Studio launches offering potential for immersive avatar concerts through lower production costs (see Digital)
Are we still in the music business? When your POV is worth more than your mp3s (see Opinion)
Is rock’n’roll dead? (see Features)
Book extract: Body Of Work: How The Album Outplayed The Algorithm And Survived Playlist Culture (see Comment)
With MTV channels switching off, is the music video under threat? (see Features)
Spotify partnering with multinational music companies to develop ‘responsible’ AI products (see Digital)
Sam Fender wins 2025 Mercury Prize (see News)
Spotify working on ‘SongDNA’ feature that showcases the people behind tracks (see Digital)
How far should cultural boycotts go? (see Features)
How Subvert is building a co-op owned Bandcamp alternative (see Digital)
Lucian Grainge outlines UMG’s strategy for generative AI partnerships and product development (see News)
The future of music streaming: Change or be changed (see Comment)
Sam Altman: the man who stole the rights from copyright. If he’s the future, can we go backwards? (see Features)
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl discusses the company's “tremendous catalogue” (see Features)
There’s a £1 idea that could save small music venues. Is Live Nation holding it back? (see Features)
Breaking down the arguments around VMG’s Downtown Music acquisition (see Analysis)