New music to feature in 2012 Olympic Games

PRS for Music Foundation has launched a programme to put new music centre-stage of the Cultural Olympiad in 2012.

New Music 20x12 will support 20 new musical works, each lasting 12 minutes. Together these will celebrate the UK’s musical talent and creativity throughout 2012 and beyond.

It will be delivered by the PRS for Music Foundation in partnership with the BBC, LOCOG (the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) and Sound and Music.

The proposal invites music organisations, festivals, ensembles or venues to present ideas for new work they would like commissioned from a UK-based composer. Each work will premiere in 2012 and receive at least 2 additional performances.

A panel of experts, chaired by Roger Wright, Controller BBC Radio 3 and Director, BBC Proms, will be announced later this year and will select the best 20 works. All selected works will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and some may be considered for inclusion in other official events relating to London 2012.

In addition to financial support for the commissions, New Music 20x12 will include networking and professional development opportunities for the selected composers and musicians.

UK-wide call for applications is now open; deadline for applications is Friday 1st October 2010.

For more information and how to apply see http://www.prsformusicfoundation.com/

Bon Jovi Looking For UK Bands To Open London Gigs

Bon Jovi are offering aspiring musicians a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They're giving up-and-coming bands the chance to open for them in front of thousands of cheering fans at The O2 Arena when they take to the stage in London this summer.

The rock icons will perform a 12-date residency at the O2 Arena next month (Jun10) and they want new talent to warm up for them on their five opening dates.

A post on the website reads: "If you are in a band, looking for a break - then this is as good as it gets...

"We are looking for 5 fresh and promising new bands to fill the opening nights at The O2 arena... Start uploading videos and content which proves that you're good enough to open for Bon Jovi."

Applicants are invited to upload a track via http://www.openforbonjovi.com/. A panel of industry experts, including Bon Jovi's management company, will pick the winners.

Five emerging UK acts will win an opening slot to perform approximately 30 minutes of original music on the following nights: 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th and 13th June.

Entrants have until 31 May (10) to take part in the competition.

Bon Jovi kick off their O2 residency on 7 June (10) and will be supported by Kid Rock and OneRepublic on their remaining London dates.

NME Breakthrough Competition for Unsigned Bands

UK’s favourite music magazine’s, NME, are running a new competition to give one lucky unsigned band or act the chance to play at this year's Lovebox festival.

NME Breakthrough Competition which is supported by Blackberry is looking for an emerging act to open the Lovebox Festival in London's Victoria Park on July 16.

The winning act will be chosen by a judging panel, which includes NME Editor Krissi Murison, NME Radar editor Jaimie Hodgson as well as guest judge Dizzee Rascal.

The act chosen as the winner will be sharing a bill with the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Hot Chip, Ellie Goulding, Mystery Jets, The Maccabees and The Noisettes.

If you want to be in with a chance of winning and performing at the Lovebox Festival in London or want more information, go to NME.com/breakthrough

The closing date for the competition is June 7.

RIAA Scores Victory in LimeWire Copyright Case

A US federal judge has ruled that filesharing site LimeWire is liable for mass copyright infringement following a case brought against it by the RIAA.

The court's decision comes after the RIAA, Recording Industry Association of America, on behalf of the recorded music industry, brought a lawsuit against Lime Group, the company behind the software, four years ago.

District Judge Kimba Woods ruled that it was clear that Limewire and the company's former CEO Mark Gorton were guilty of promoting copyright infringement among users for their own personal gain.

LimeWire created its service in 2000 and has been downloaded 200 million times, describes it as the world's most popular P2P file-sharing service, with more than 50 million monthly users. In the case, it was claimed that 93 per cent of all traffic on LimeWire was made up of infringing content.

A spokesperson for the RIAA said: “By finding Lime Wire's CEO personally liable, in addition to his company, the court has sent a clear signal to those who think they can devise and profit from a piracy scheme that will escape accountability.”

The 13 record companies that filed the lawsuit against LimeWire are Arista, Atlantic, BMG Music, Capital, Elektra, Interscope, LaFace, Motown, Priority, Sony BMG, UMG, Virgin and Warner Music Group.

The next hearing in the case is set for June 1.

Report claims File Sharers ‘Often the most valued Consumers’

A new study has indicated that filesharing activity is less damaging to the arts than has previously been claimed.

Research conducted by the University of Amsterdam suggests that the buying and sharing of online content tend to go hand-in-hand, meaning music, film and video game sales potentially benefit from filesharing practices.

The study indicated that 68 per cent of filesharers also purchase music legally, and spend at least the same amount as non-filesharers on media content overall.

This presumably backs up the much touted theory that many use file-sharing for the purposes of previewing an artist’s work before they make a purchase.

In addition, filesharers tend to purchase more branded merchandise and go to concerts and festivals more frequently, benefitting the artists, it claimed.

The Dutch researchers stated that "Filesharers are the industry's largest customers. Note that no causal relationship is implied here,”

"Aficionados of music, games or films will typically buy more, get into related products more but also download more."

The report also found that, fear of online piracy prevented the music industry from the digital innovation required to provide appealing legal alternatives.

Search for Live Band to Play Nevis Range

Organisers of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Rare Management, have partnered with music promoters Leith Records to search for a band to play at this year’s event.

Together, they’ve launched the first ever World Cup New Band competition.

Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands is home to some of the longest and toughest courses in the world and the event features some of the best downhill and 4-Cross riders in the world. It’s also renowned for its enthusiastic crowds.

Thousands of spectators are expected to gather on the 5th and 6th of June.

To be in with the chance of playing on the main stage before the 4-Cross final on Saturday night, as well as accommodation and passes for what promises to be an awesome weekend, emerging artists are being invited to submit their demos.

The deadline for entries is midnight on Wednesday 12th May.

Click here to submit your demo.

City Airport Launches Live Music Competition

Glasgow Airport is giving aspiring musicians a once in a lifetime opportunity to play in front of an international audience of thousands. Scotland has one of the most thriving music scenes in the world and what better way to showcase talent.

A series of "Airplay" sessions will be held over the summer in the terminal building to give bands and solo acts the chance to entertain travellers.

Acts are being given the chance to enter to take part in 'Airplay' sessions; highlights will be posted online with a prize of £1,000 going to the best act.

The competition is designed to highlight Glasgow's status as a United Nations (UN) City of Music, awarded in 2008 because of its rich musical heritage.

The honour, bestowed by the UN cultural body, UNESCO, acknowledges the city's musical past and its role in music-making, performance and enjoyment.

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: "Glasgow has been recognised as a UNESCO City of Music because of the important contribution the city has made to the music industry. It seems fitting that we should launch this search for the recording artists of the future at the city's gateway airport.

"Our 'Airplay' sessions are a fantastic platform for young musicians, and we're delighted to play our part in support Glasgow as the City of Music.

"As Scotland's long haul and transatlantic gateway, performers can expect to play to thousands of travellers from across the globe. For one lucky performer, it could help their dreams of stardom really take off."

To take part in Airplay, send a CD or DVD with a selection of your recordings, or a link to your website to: Airplay, Glasgow Airport, St Andrew's Drive, Paisley, PA3 2SW or email flightpath@baa.com