Table of contents for No. 1397 in Music Week

Relive Forever “I’m proud of every minute I was in Oasis, even the bad times,” Liam Gallagher told Music Week back in 2017. “We shouldn’t have split up, we still should be together today.” That millions around the world had agreed with him for years mattered not. For a long, long time, rumours of a grand Oasis reunion were so persistent – and so persistently dismissed – that you felt maybe it just wasn’t going to happen. And then it did. It didn’t matter where in the world you were, or how loud your surroundings, the sound of millions of parkas being zipped up en masse drowned out everything else as news of Oasis’ reunion tour broke on August 27. Our calendars may have said we were in 2024, but…

THE BIG DEAL Meta and UMG have made an expanded global, multi-year agreement. According to a statement, the new deal will “further evolve the creative and commercial opportunities for UMG artists and UMPG songwriters across Meta’s global network of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Horizon, Threads and, for the first time, WhatsApp”. The deal expands monetisation opportunities for UMG, its artists and songwriters even further with short-form video. THE BIG SIGNING Bucks Music Group has signed Nadine Shah to a global music publishing deal. Sarah Liversedge Platz, Bucks Music Group’s director A&R, said: “Nadine is a unique performer and songwriter. She is as much an activist and advocate as she is an artist, and this consistently shines through in her work.” (Pictured L-R) Flash Taylor (Bucks), Ros Earls (Shah’s manager),…

@SabrinaAnnLynn I reckon it’s… officially Short N’ Sweet month (Sabrina Carpenter) Thursday, August 1 @townsendyesmate Just accidentally referred to Slack as “Skype” to a younger colleague. It’s over for me. (Mike Townsend, ADA UK) Friday, August 9 @rachelchinourir You lots just love to have me yapping at shows before I do my warm downs and I always get in bloody trouble but I love getting the goss (Rachel Chinouriri) Sunday, August 25 @WezSaunders The passing of DJ Randall is a fucking huge loss to the British Jungle and Drum and Bass scene and, indeed, to music full stop. RIP Randall McNeil x (Wez Saunders, Defected Records) Thursday, August 1 @JamesParrish There is no better pint than the post-work pint after a busy, baking hot day. (James Parrish, Prescription PR) Thursday, August…

RELEASE: Kehlani LABEL: 300 Ent./Warner Records MANAGEMENT: Raw Power Management WHAT THE TEAM SAYS: Joe Kentish, president, Warner Records UK: “Jordan’s talent and artistic vision is exactly the kind we look to champion at Warner Records. It’s been an amazing success story with Kehlani but feels like just the beginning for such a talented artist. It’s been brilliant working so closely with his teams in setting up the foundations of a long career as a generational voice.”…

“I wouldn’t be here without the excellence of the Black women who came before me” Nubya Garcia How did the creative process of making your new album, Odyssey, differ from your debut record, Source? “I pushed myself in a different way with this work, writing and composing-wise. It really sees me progress and grow in terms of trying to expand my own musical voice and my way of writing and composing. Even the involvement of strings was a huge challenge; I’d never done anything like that before. It’s a beautiful reminder that we all have the capacity to do hard things, even if you may doubt yourself along the way – just do it, just keep going. If I had stopped because it was hard I wouldn’t have this album. So…

Having started her career at Luti Media, working with artists such as Little Mix, Drake and Zayn Malik, Nadya Persaud has since taken on various roles including executive producer, music video director’s agent and creative director. She co-founded her own company, Creativs Label, with Tony Longe in 2019, which has worked on videos featuring artists including Headie One, Enny, Tion Wayne, Aitch, Unknown T, Ms Banks and many, many more. This year, she produced the live performance for Byron Messia at the MOBO Awards, and she currently serves as a freelance video commissioner for Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music, overseeing the production of music promos for the likes of Ray BLK, Alesha Dixon, Westlife and Stefflon Don. Here, she shares her top five career tips… 1. Learn what…

Since its release in November last year, Dasha’s viral smash hit Austin has racked up over 450 million streams on Spotify and hit No.5 in the UK, with audiences across the world joining in on the country star’s instantly memorable line dance. Here, producer and co-writer Travis Heidelman reveals the key to great collaboration, talks country music and traces the track’s journey from ballad to banger… I was on the ground floor before Austin! I didn’t have a publisher or a manager, just a lawyer… that was it! I was very much ‘base level’, doing independent projects and working with one or two published writers. I met Dasha after I’d done some work at a camp with writers from LA and Nashville, and I had kept in touch with one…

01 RISE UP CHAPPELL ROAN The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess (Island) SALES: 48,862 Chappell Roan’s ascent continued in August with the US star finishing on top in our monthly rankings with The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess – almost a year on from its initial release. To underline her growing success, Roan’s debut was ahead of successful releases by Charli XCX, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish during August. The album made its final push to the weekly summit thanks to the release of a new Popstar Coke Bottle Clear double vinyl edition. The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess’ climb to No.1 came 16 weeks after it made its Top 75 debut, 10 weeks after cracking the Top 40 and seven weeks after entering the…

Your essential primer for the month ahead A IM interim CEO Gee Davy and chair Ruth Barlow have given their first joint interview ahead of the Independent Music Awards next month. The ceremony returns to London’s Roundhouse on October 17 with a wide-ranging list of nominees. Davy, who was promoted in April, was previously chief operating officer and head of legal & business affairs. She has been at AIM (Association Of Independent Music) since 2017. Barlow, director of live licensing at Beggars Group, took on the role of AIM chair in November 2023. “The strengths of the organisation, without a doubt, lie in the AIM community,” said Barlow. “It’s AIM’s job to bring that community together and make sure it’s educated, and that we, in turn, are educated by them.”…

TEAM Beabadoobee This Is How Tomorrow Moves Chart Position: No.1 Label: Dirty Hit Manager: Chris Melian (BannerYeer) A&R: Chris Fraser (Dirty Hit) Marketing: Jon Moore (Dirty Hit) Digital Marketing: Jack Caldwell/ Sahar Summer (Dirty Hit) Streaming: Perdi Higgs (Dirty Hit) Commercial: Erin Taylor (Dirty Hit) Social media: Alex Orr/Hannah Tyler (CYOA) Publishing: Sony Music Publishing National & Online Press: Adrian Read (Inside Out) Regional Press: Ian Cheek National Radio: Brad Hunner/ Ross Forrest (Radar) Regional Radio: Jessica Hall (RadioActive) TV: Karen Williams (Big Sister) Live Agent: Will Marshall (Primary Talent International)…

THIS MONTH: THE ERAS PODCAST Hosted by: Abbie McCarthy Contact: team@theeraspodcast.co.uk You’re already well known for all your years spent working in radio, what made you want to venture into podcasting? “I absolutely love radio, but I wanted more time and space to chat to artists with total freedom. There aren’t many platforms in the UK where artists can really talk in depth about their new album and share personal stories. As a massive music fan myself, I know this is the insight that fans crave. In a world of short-form content and throwaway conversation, I’m hoping this can really let fans into their favourite artist’s world. It’s called The Eras Podcast because we explore all the moments that have made the artists who they are today. Through these conversations,…

Label & trade marketing coordinator, Ditto Music @julesofficialmusic You began your career as an artist, performing at Sofar Sounds and releasing EPs which garnered support from stations like BBC Radio London and Reprezent. What inspired you to transition over to the business side of the industry? “I’m a huge music fan, first and foremost, whether it’s creating or listening to music. But the main thing I lacked – or didn’t have much access to as a fan and self-releasing artist – was how to navigate the industry and understand how the business side of things worked. I also really like to give back to communities that are marginalised or underrepresented, so my main goal was to build more accessible opportunities for up-and-coming artists.” You joined Ditto in 2022 as an…

COLDPLAY (FEAT. LITTLE SIMZ, BURNA BOY, ELYANNA & TINI) We Pray (Parlophone) Featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy, Palestinian-Chilean R&B act Elyanna and Argentine star Tini, We Pray jitters through the verses and booms during the chorus. This being Coldplay, it’s epic, but its biggest success is the showcase of their collaborators. Contact: Murray Chalmers murray@murraychalmers.com TSHA (FEAT. MASTER PEACE) Can’t Dance (Ninja Tune) TSHA turned heads with her debut album Capricorn Sun in 2022, and this month the artist and producer follows it up with Sad Girl, which places new emphasis on her own vocals, while the productions have a harder edge. This ironically titled floorfiller is a tantalising appetiser. Contact: Tom Adcock tma@ninjatune.net JAZ KARIS (FEAT. JUNE FREEDOM) Chill On Me (MNRK Music Group) Like the R&B greats she…

COVER STORY “The most interesting artists are comfortable in the unknown, that’s where the magic appears” MICHAEL KIWANUKA When Michael Kiwanuka is speaking, you listen. Whether his musings are about his musical journey or his place in the wider industry, passion envelopes his every word. You could call it confidence, but he’s not so sure. “Some days I’m really confident, I know the direction I want to go in terms of music and as an artist and the decisions I’m making,” he says from his home in Southampton. “And then there are some times where there’s a lot of doubt. I think it’s an ongoing journey and, the older I get, it’s a necessary one.” The son of Ugandan immigrants who came to the UK during the regime of the dictator…

“Artists have to maximise exposure without getting it wrong, and that’s the job of a good agent – not to mess it up” EMMA BANKS, CAA Emma Banks and Mike Greek aren’t quite ready to talk about what sort of legacy they want to leave behind yet – there’s still too much work to be done – but one thing the co-heads of CAA’s London operation would like to be remembered for is that they put in place a vibe and mode of working they can be proud of. It would mean a company made up of people, says Banks, who are the opposite to certain age-old industry archetypes of booking agents. “I think if our legacy can be that we leave a whole load of agents at CAA who are…

“It’s gone from label power to artist power – deals are now shorter and you have to show up and deliver” MATT RILEY, AWAL I n the arms race to target superfans, AWAL holds a secret weapon in its midst. One of the Sony-owned firm’s fastest-rising acts, CMAT, is an authority on the music industry’s buzzword of the hour. “She’s phenomenal at that because of her backstory,” grins AWAL SVP Victoria Needs. “She was a Bombay Bicycle Club superfan – so much so that the band knew of her.” The depth of the Irish singer-songwriter’s fandom became public knowledge last year when she spent the majority of a radio interview raving about the indie rockers instead of promoting her latest single, leading to a wholesome social media exchange with her heroes.…

You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever is the debut album by Scottish post-punk band Orange Juice. Released in February 1982 via Polydor, it can’t be said that it set the charts alight or broke records, but it’s very important to me. I went to the Our Price Records on Oxford Street in London the day it was released and bought my vinyl copy for £3.99. In the 42 years since I took it home, I’ve possibly played it more than any other record I ever bought before or after. There’s something about its deliberate amateurish approach and songwriting brilliance which has brought me back to it again and again. For a long time, I’ve also been fascinated by another aspect: the record’s history. The story of how it came to…

UNITED KINGDOM Charli XCX & Billie Eilish Guess Video Creations: 114,000 There’s a new Charli XCX track all over TikTok. The Brat global takeover continues to thrive, as she teams up with Billie Eilish for their electroclash remix of Guess, which has won Charli XCX her first ever UK No.1 as a lead artist. This surprise collaboration brings together Charli XCX’s hyper-pop edge and Eilish’s alternative flair, leading to a viral sound that’s driving dance routines and creative edits across the platform. Unsurprisingly, audiences have loved Eilish’s verse, using it to soundtrack everything from their exercise regimes to make-up routines. TikTok UK & Ireland’s music partnerships manager Alice Razack notes how both Charli XCX’s and Eilish’s audiences came together to celebrate the song’s release on the platform. “No one saw…

“We’re trying to increase streaming revenues – we’re ready for that fight” PAUL CLEMENTS, MPA/MCPS MCPS has recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, how important has it been for the industry and songwriters/composers? “I think MCPS has been hugely important. Since the Copyright Act in 1911 – when the mechanical right was recognised and enabled songwriters/ composers and emerging publishers to collect revenues and protect rights in respect of the reproduction of a song – it’s ensured that creators are remunerated fairly whenever their music is copied. And it’s becoming increasingly important in this digital age.” You were appointed to lead the MPA five years ago, how do you reflect on that period? “I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved. To have increased revenues to members by 43% is a really positive…

Jordan Adetunji looks at life through the eyes of a gamer. “I live on the internet, so I don’t think about my location or, ‘Oh, I’m in the UK so I need to make this kind of music,’” the genre-bending rising star tells Music Week, as he drives back to his London hotel after a long day of photoshoots. “It’s like a video game: I just live in my own world, make music in my bedroom and then I put it out.” Indeed, when it comes to releasing his music, the anime-inspired star is all about creating an immersive experience for his audience. Influenced by the imagery used in games like Tekken and Final Fantasy, Adetunji has always wanted to make his music and promos feel like a simulation. “I…

Shaad D'Souza Music writer, The Guardian LAUREL – PALPITATIONS Palpitations, the second album by British-born pop artist Laurel, is a reinvention of epic proportions – a full-throated reintroduction to a musician who has, to this point, been known for windswept pop and grunge-inflected folk. Bright, passionate and reckless in its pursuit of emotional truth, it is the work of a mature songwriter with a restless spirit. Contained in these 11 songs are all of life’s highs and lows, coated in gleaming ’80s lacquer and shot through with tension and ecstasy. Laurel has had support from BBC Radio 1 and Australia’s Triple J. Having toured with the likes of Muna, Mø, MSMR, Oh Wonder, and Flume, she also featured on Flume’s album Palaces and joined the musician on the main stage…

Management: Robert Swerdlow & David Nicoll (Starwood Management) Label: Polydor Records CEO & chairman: David Joseph (Universal Music UK) President: Ben Mortimer MD: Jodie Cammidge & Stephen Hallowes A&R: Ben Mortimer Marketing: Connie Meade (Lunar Sea) Digital Marketing: Oliver Hunter Publisher: Warner Chappell Music Agent: Angus Baskerville (Pure Represents) Print & Online Press: Jon Lawrence & Matt Ganfield (Chalk Press Agency) Radio: Laurence Pinkus TV: Karen Williams (Big Sister) Creative Directors: Marco Grey & Jeremy Ngatho Cole, Yout; Semera Khan & Emily Jeffery (Polydor)…

Toyin Mustapha Head of music partnerships, UK, Ireland & SSA You’ve been at TikTok since 2018. How has the platform’s role in the music industry changed over that time? “It’s been a really great evolution. We have really matured and, as a music team, our focus has been on finding new ways and tools that help artists to promote their music and connect with audiences. Where TikTok has really thrived, is that it’s a really great promotional platform. When artists are looking to release their music, it is obviously part of their plans in how they can maximise the potential to get their music heard. The way that content is typically served means it finds people that might not already be following you or might not have heard of you.…

“AI is going to play a significant role in the royalty audits of the future” AUSTIN JACOBS, PRAGER METIS For all the understandable concerns about AI, the royalties market offers a strong case for the defence in how the technology can serve as a force for good in music. “Music has been a great adopter of new technology and we are excited about the potential that AI opens up,” says Kate Reilly, chief membership & people officer at music licensing company PPL, which has signed artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Ice Spice, FLO, London Grammar, Kenya Grace and The Last Dinner Party this year alone. Reilly, who maintains and develops the service the organisation provides, sees both sides of the AI coin. “We’ve several projects that will lean into AI tools…

01 LUCKY CHARM CHAPPELL ROAN Good Luck, Babe! (Island) SALES: 171,269 Released in April, Good Luck, Babe! is now Chappell Roan’s biggest UK hit by some distance. It has 635,062 total sales to date and, despite not reaching No.1 in the weekly chart, reaped the benefit of consistency to top our monthly list. The hit finished in the Top 3 in all four weeks of August, and its success is even more remarkable given that it does not feature on the singer’s debut album The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess, which did top the weekly chart during August and also claimed first place in the monthly list. Good Luck, Babe! moved 171,269 units last month, pipping Sabrina Carpenter’s hit Please Please Please to the top spot by just 442…

Not only are LL Cool J and his label Def Jam celebrating their 40th anniversaries this year, the legendary MC has also just released his brilliant new album The Force. Here, the iconic rapper talks rocking mics, abandoning Dr Dre beats, and the dangers of resting on your laurels… The reason I got into hip-hop in the first place… “Was because I love the juice of it. Let me tell you something: when you’re 14 years old, and you get on the mic at a party or in front of a crowd for the first time, you’ve got to own that, bro. So to go from that to celebrating 40 years of LL Cool J and Def Jam this year? It’s pretty wild!” I made my new album The Force……