The company that organises the Reading Festival have been fined £4,000 after admitting health and safety breaches in preparation for the event in 2006.
Reading Magistrate's Court ruled that Reading Festivals Ltd failed to carry out a proper risk assessment and failed to ensure the safety of workers.
The charges were brought against the company after two men were hurt when a crane ran into power lines during preparations for the festival in August 2006.
The company has agreed to pay £21,769 in prosecution costs.
Earlier, festival promoter Melvin Benn had more than 18 charges of failing to ensure the safety of contractors against him dropped by Reading Borough Council.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Watchdog opposes Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger
The UK Competition Commission has ruled against the controversial merger of ticketing giant Ticketmaster with the world's largest concert promoter Live Nation.
In a provisional ruling, it said it was concerned about the joining of the world's largest ticketing firm and the world's biggest concert promoter.
Such a deal would limit the development of competition in the market for sales of tickets to live music. As well as higher ticket prices, the Commission feared customer service could get worse, and there would be no innovation in the market.
The US Justice Department is also investigating the proposed merger, which was announced in February.
Both companies have said the merger would improve ticket price options, increase attendance at events and make ticket technology better.
Live Nation operates a number of large UK concert venues, as well as manages a string of high-profile artists.
The company signed the likes of Jay-Z and Madonna to deals that include touring, publishing and albums, as well as concert promotion deals with U2 and Shakira.
The watchdog’s main concern was based around an agreement that Live Nation had entered into with Europe's largest ticketing agent, CTS.
Live Nation signed an agreement with CTS for ticketing of its live music shows and venues in the UK, shortly before the merger with Ticketmaster was announced.
The Commission said the deal would have given CTS a way into the UK market. And it argued that if the merger went ahead, there was a danger of competition being reduced because Live Nation would "seek to limit" its relationship with CTS - limiting how many tickets it made available.
This could force up ticket prices, lead to poorer customer service and may have "the effect of putting CTS's future prospects in the UK in considerable doubt", it said.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster said they were committed to the merger going ahead and were confident it would eventually be approved.
"Where the recording industry was once the economic engine for the music business, it is live entertainment that is now the future of the music industry," the firms said, adding the deal would "help achieve needed change".
The watchdog will now consider ways in which its concerns could be addressed, before issuing its final report, due on November 24.
In a provisional ruling, it said it was concerned about the joining of the world's largest ticketing firm and the world's biggest concert promoter.
Such a deal would limit the development of competition in the market for sales of tickets to live music. As well as higher ticket prices, the Commission feared customer service could get worse, and there would be no innovation in the market.
The US Justice Department is also investigating the proposed merger, which was announced in February.
Both companies have said the merger would improve ticket price options, increase attendance at events and make ticket technology better.
Live Nation operates a number of large UK concert venues, as well as manages a string of high-profile artists.
The company signed the likes of Jay-Z and Madonna to deals that include touring, publishing and albums, as well as concert promotion deals with U2 and Shakira.
The watchdog’s main concern was based around an agreement that Live Nation had entered into with Europe's largest ticketing agent, CTS.
Live Nation signed an agreement with CTS for ticketing of its live music shows and venues in the UK, shortly before the merger with Ticketmaster was announced.
The Commission said the deal would have given CTS a way into the UK market. And it argued that if the merger went ahead, there was a danger of competition being reduced because Live Nation would "seek to limit" its relationship with CTS - limiting how many tickets it made available.
This could force up ticket prices, lead to poorer customer service and may have "the effect of putting CTS's future prospects in the UK in considerable doubt", it said.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster said they were committed to the merger going ahead and were confident it would eventually be approved.
"Where the recording industry was once the economic engine for the music business, it is live entertainment that is now the future of the music industry," the firms said, adding the deal would "help achieve needed change".
The watchdog will now consider ways in which its concerns could be addressed, before issuing its final report, due on November 24.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Guns N’ Roses Contest Copyright Infringement Claims
Guns N' Roses have come out in defence of the $1 million (£630,000) lawsuit which was brought against them by German electronic composer, Ulrich Schnauss.
Record companies, Independiente and Domino, who own the licensing rights to Schnauss' music, filed a lawsuit against GN'R and their label Universal Music Group.
The allegations are that the intro to the GN'R song 'Riad N' The Bedouins' uses parts of the Schnauss tracks 'A Strangely Isolated Place' and 'Wherever You Are'.
It's said their case focuses on 45 seconds of ambient soundscapes that form the introduction of Riad N' The Bedouins.
The bands manager Irving Azoff told Rolling Stone "The band believed when the record came out and still believes that there are no unauthorized samples on the track." Adding "[Guns N' Roses] vigorously contests these claims and intends to respond accordingly."
Record companies, Independiente and Domino, who own the licensing rights to Schnauss' music, filed a lawsuit against GN'R and their label Universal Music Group.
The allegations are that the intro to the GN'R song 'Riad N' The Bedouins' uses parts of the Schnauss tracks 'A Strangely Isolated Place' and 'Wherever You Are'.
It's said their case focuses on 45 seconds of ambient soundscapes that form the introduction of Riad N' The Bedouins.
The bands manager Irving Azoff told Rolling Stone "The band believed when the record came out and still believes that there are no unauthorized samples on the track." Adding "[Guns N' Roses] vigorously contests these claims and intends to respond accordingly."
Friday, 2 October 2009
Edwyn Collins’ Manager Angered by Myspace and Major Labels
Scots pop legend Edwyn Collins has been stopped from putting his own music on the internet by Warner Music Group, even though they do not own the rights.
Collins wanted to put his 1995 hit single ‘A Girl Like You’ on his Myspace page for fans to enjoy and download for free. However, the social networking site would not allow this, because Warner Music Group claimed it was their song.
Grace Maxwell, wife and manager of the former Orange Juice frontman has detailed her "running battle" with MySpace and Warner, who she says are "claiming the ownership" of the song, despite Collins owning the copyright for it – on her blog.
"I was told Edwyn was attempting to breach a copyright and he was sent to the Orwellian myspace copyright re-education page," she wrote.
After writing to MySpace she was put in touch with a Warner Music Group rep who "promised to get it sorted" some months ago.
She added that "MySpace are not equipped to deal with the notion that anyone other than a major can claim a copyright".
She also went on to vent her frustration that 'A Girl Like You' is being sold elsewhere on the internet rather than being offered for free.
"'A Girl Like You' is available for sale all over the internet. Not by Edwyn, by all sorts of respectable major labels whose licence to sell it ran out years ago and who do not account to him," she wrote.
The track propelled Collins to new fame during the 90s, when it hit number 4 in the chart and stayed in the top 40 for 14 weeks.
To read in full, go to the blog at http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=81170767&blogId=512410712
Collins wanted to put his 1995 hit single ‘A Girl Like You’ on his Myspace page for fans to enjoy and download for free. However, the social networking site would not allow this, because Warner Music Group claimed it was their song.
Grace Maxwell, wife and manager of the former Orange Juice frontman has detailed her "running battle" with MySpace and Warner, who she says are "claiming the ownership" of the song, despite Collins owning the copyright for it – on her blog.
"I was told Edwyn was attempting to breach a copyright and he was sent to the Orwellian myspace copyright re-education page," she wrote.
After writing to MySpace she was put in touch with a Warner Music Group rep who "promised to get it sorted" some months ago.
She added that "MySpace are not equipped to deal with the notion that anyone other than a major can claim a copyright".
She also went on to vent her frustration that 'A Girl Like You' is being sold elsewhere on the internet rather than being offered for free.
"'A Girl Like You' is available for sale all over the internet. Not by Edwyn, by all sorts of respectable major labels whose licence to sell it ran out years ago and who do not account to him," she wrote.
The track propelled Collins to new fame during the 90s, when it hit number 4 in the chart and stayed in the top 40 for 14 weeks.
To read in full, go to the blog at http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=81170767&blogId=512410712
Glastonbury Ticket Registration Closes Tonight
Glastonbury fans are being reminded that they must register by 23:59 (BST) tonight (October 2) if they want to buy tickets for the music event.
Anyone hoping to buy tickets for Glastonbury 2010 must register by tonight before they are allowed to buy tickets which go on sale on Sunday (October 4). Tickets cost £185 plus a £5 booking fee, and £4.95 for postage and packaging.
Fans can pay a £50 deposit to reserve a ticket and pay the rest by February 28 next year. Festival goers can still choose to pay the full price in one go from Sunday.
Fans from both the UK and overseas will need to enter their personal details, plus submit a digital passport-style photo. There is also an option to extend your registration details for future years to prevent having to re-register again.
Tickets will arrive with the submitted photographs printed on them to help prevent touting and fraud.
Glastonbury 2010 – 40th Anniversary - takes place next year on Worthy Farm, Somerset on June 25-27. Fans can camp on site from the Wednesday (June 23) to the Monday (28). Camping is included in the ticket price.
The line-up is yet to be announced.
For more information, go to Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Anyone hoping to buy tickets for Glastonbury 2010 must register by tonight before they are allowed to buy tickets which go on sale on Sunday (October 4). Tickets cost £185 plus a £5 booking fee, and £4.95 for postage and packaging.
Fans can pay a £50 deposit to reserve a ticket and pay the rest by February 28 next year. Festival goers can still choose to pay the full price in one go from Sunday.
Fans from both the UK and overseas will need to enter their personal details, plus submit a digital passport-style photo. There is also an option to extend your registration details for future years to prevent having to re-register again.
Tickets will arrive with the submitted photographs printed on them to help prevent touting and fraud.
Glastonbury 2010 – 40th Anniversary - takes place next year on Worthy Farm, Somerset on June 25-27. Fans can camp on site from the Wednesday (June 23) to the Monday (28). Camping is included in the ticket price.
The line-up is yet to be announced.
For more information, go to Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Thursday, 1 October 2009
ALBUM REVIEW: Hockey, Mind Chaos
Mind Chaos is the long awaited debut album from Portland-based quartet, Hockey. Combining razor sharp lyrics with funky baselines and a lot of soul, Hockey have produced an extremely catchy, uplifting and thoroughly enjoyable debut offering.
The album is energetic and cheery with each song as infectiously catchy as the next, guaranteed to lift the darkest of moods, from the synth-adorned debut single, "Too Fake” to the upbeat electronic funk of "3 AM Spanish".
This is an album full of literate songs that’ll get you up dancing, including hit single “Learn to Lose”, that combines a vocal soulfulness with a funky beat and the immensely catchy punchy choruses of “Song Away”.
They offer the listener a mix of songs to satisfy any musical taste, from the more Rock influenced “Curse this City”, with it’s crunching guitar solo, through to the chilled out "Work", which blends world weary lyrics with dancefloor groove.
They have clearly drawn influence from a range of artists, but added their own unique sound with a modern twist of Pop and Indie party anthems. Hockey have charisma as well as an incredible energy about them that’s totally infectious.
Track listing:
1. Too Fake
2. 3am Spanish
3. Learn to Lose
4. Work
5. Song Away
6. Curse This City
7. Wanna Be Black
8. Four Holy Photos
9. Preacher
10. Put the Game Down
11. Everyone's the Same
The album is energetic and cheery with each song as infectiously catchy as the next, guaranteed to lift the darkest of moods, from the synth-adorned debut single, "Too Fake” to the upbeat electronic funk of "3 AM Spanish".
This is an album full of literate songs that’ll get you up dancing, including hit single “Learn to Lose”, that combines a vocal soulfulness with a funky beat and the immensely catchy punchy choruses of “Song Away”.
They offer the listener a mix of songs to satisfy any musical taste, from the more Rock influenced “Curse this City”, with it’s crunching guitar solo, through to the chilled out "Work", which blends world weary lyrics with dancefloor groove.
They have clearly drawn influence from a range of artists, but added their own unique sound with a modern twist of Pop and Indie party anthems. Hockey have charisma as well as an incredible energy about them that’s totally infectious.
Track listing:
1. Too Fake
2. 3am Spanish
3. Learn to Lose
4. Work
5. Song Away
6. Curse This City
7. Wanna Be Black
8. Four Holy Photos
9. Preacher
10. Put the Game Down
11. Everyone's the Same
Tommy Reilly – ABC, Glasgow – 25th September 2009
The crowd went wild when the unassuming young singer-songwriter from Torrance, just outside Glasgow, Tommy Reilly, announced “This is the best night of my life”.
After winning Channel 4's talent show Orange UnsignedAct earlier this year, the likeable lad has been taken to heart by his Scottish fans. He seems like the kind of guy who really deserves it, as he remains modest and unaffected by his raw talent.
Reilly opens his set with, Just Like the Weather, a song that makes comparisons between a past relationship with a girl to that of the horrible weather of his hometown. Although he’s not the greatest singer, Reilly still manages to captivate you as he sings with a soft Glaswegian accent and his charismatic charm.
“This place is huge,” he marvels, as he looks around the Glasgow venue in bewilderment and scratches his head. When he first penned the lyrics “Tonight I wander carelessly, through the tunnels of the ABC” of what became his debut single, Gimme a Call, I bet he never imagined that this night would ever come.
The place went crazy when he announced “This is a song about the ABC” before playing, Gimme a Call, the crowd showed their appreciation as they took the lead on vocals during the chorus, managing to drown out Reilly’s efforts on acoustic guitar.
The modest 20 year old finished his set with his unique rendition of Mr Brightside, and it was obvious that the Glasgow crowd, men and woman alike, had full admiration and affection for him.
Tommy Reilly’s performance was not seamlessly flawless; neither were his vocals pitch perfect or even outstanding but that doesn’t really matter because it’s his passion and his charismatic charm that makes him endearing and a joy to watch.
After winning Channel 4's talent show Orange UnsignedAct earlier this year, the likeable lad has been taken to heart by his Scottish fans. He seems like the kind of guy who really deserves it, as he remains modest and unaffected by his raw talent.
Reilly opens his set with, Just Like the Weather, a song that makes comparisons between a past relationship with a girl to that of the horrible weather of his hometown. Although he’s not the greatest singer, Reilly still manages to captivate you as he sings with a soft Glaswegian accent and his charismatic charm.
“This place is huge,” he marvels, as he looks around the Glasgow venue in bewilderment and scratches his head. When he first penned the lyrics “Tonight I wander carelessly, through the tunnels of the ABC” of what became his debut single, Gimme a Call, I bet he never imagined that this night would ever come.
The place went crazy when he announced “This is a song about the ABC” before playing, Gimme a Call, the crowd showed their appreciation as they took the lead on vocals during the chorus, managing to drown out Reilly’s efforts on acoustic guitar.
The modest 20 year old finished his set with his unique rendition of Mr Brightside, and it was obvious that the Glasgow crowd, men and woman alike, had full admiration and affection for him.
Tommy Reilly’s performance was not seamlessly flawless; neither were his vocals pitch perfect or even outstanding but that doesn’t really matter because it’s his passion and his charismatic charm that makes him endearing and a joy to watch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
