Iconic Wolverhampton music venue renamed under university partnership

Billie Eilish, Robert Smith, Stevie Wonder and Nicki Minaj are just a handful of artists who have signed an open letter warning against the “predatory” use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music.Yesterday (April 2), non-profit organization Artist Rights Alliance issued an open letter titled ‘Stop devaluing music’ about the rise of AI in music, signed by over 200 prominent names in the music industry. Read the full letter here.Through the letter, the artist-run nonprofit organization asks that developers, technology companies, and platforms and digital music services “pledge that they will not develop or deploy AI music-generation technology, content, or tools that undermine or replace the human artistry of songwriters and artists or deny us fair compensation for our work.”The letter states: “Make no mistake: we believe that, when used responsibly, AI has enormous potential to advance human creativity and in a manner that enables the development and growth of new and exciting experiences for music fans everywhere.”“Unfortunately, some platforms and developers are employing AI to sabotage creativity and undermine artists, songwriters, musicians and rightsholders.

Naman Ramachandran Bollywood A-list actor and musician Ayushmann Khurrana has signed a global recording deal with Warner Music India. Hit songs sung by Khurrana over the past decade include “Mitti Di Khushboo,” “Paani Da Rang” and “Mere Liye Tum Kaafi Ho.” Signing with Warner Music India will enable Khurrana to access the label’s global ecosystem, helping him connect with audiences and artists beyond India’s borders, Khurrana and the label said.

“Quiet on Set” docuseries.“I know many folks want me to respond to the ‘quiet on set’ documentary,” Underwood, 33, began his lengthy post. “I’m going to share with you something I never thought I would have to talk about publicly, as it’s honestly none of your business anyway.” “When I was 12 years old, I was groomed and molested by my best friend’s stepfather,” he wrote.

Matthew Underwood, star of Nickelodeon‘s Zoey 101, is sharing he was sexually harassed and assaulted by his former agent.

It's played host to Paul McCartney, U2, Blondie, New Order and a legendary gig by The Smiths. And now bands are to return to the stage at Maxwell Hall at Salford University for the first time in 10 years.

Calvin Harris has hit out at people who criticised his Ultra Music set, which was described as “underwhelming”.The Scottish DJ replied in the comments of a now-deleted post from dance music magazine Dancing Astro, where some users reportedly took issue with Harris’ set.In response, Harris wrote: “You expect me to play none of my songs? how deep is your love – billion streams, this is what u came for – billion streams, my way – billion streams, slide – billion streams, feels – billion streams, one kiss – billion streams, and the other 5 half a bil, and before 2014 another 20, and not cheesy shit, proper fucking songs with real artists.”He went on to point out the many new and unreleased edits of his songs that he did play, accusing the commenters of wishing he’d play “‘FE!N’ trap edits” instead (‘FE!N’ is a Travis Scott/Playboi Carti song).“And you wonder why I never play edm festivals,” Harris continued. “At least people I saw irl had a great time and I can be happy with that, but fuck at this point whatever I do is gonna piss you off.”This summer, Harris is due to play a headline DJ set at TRMSMT Festival 2024 in Glasgow, joining Liam Gallagher and Gerry Cinnamon.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music The U.S. recorded music industry grew its revenue by 8% in 2023, reaching an all-time high of $17.1 billion and marking eight consecutive years of growth. However, there’s no question that the streaming boom of the past decade, which produced years of double-digit growth, is leveling off and the industry is reacting with layoffs and talk of a “transformational moment” in the months and years to come.

Reading & Leeds would look very different this year if it weren’t for grassroots music venues.As revealed in a concept poster shared by the Music Venue Trust, the festival would be missing virtually all of its 2024 artists – including headliners Liam Gallagher, Fred again.., Lana Del Rey, Catfish And The Bottlemen and Gerry Cinnamon – if it weren’t for their foundations in grassroots venues.The reimagined poster highlights how many of today’s most successful artists came up by playing smaller music venues, which continue to face indefinite closure across the UK without urgent government action and investment.“Today’s festival headliners can only sell thousands of tickets because of the essential role played by these venues in their development,” the MVT shared in a social media post today (Monday 25).“Nurtured in grassroots music venues, they built their audiences from tens to hundreds, laying the foundation for their success on the grand stages of festivals like Reading & Leeds.”Check out the bare line-up poster below.The Reading & Leeds festival lineup poster, minus any artists who launched their careers in Grassroots Music Venues….Posted by Music Venue Trust on Monday, March 25, 2024Only artists like Reneé Rapp, who started in theatre, Digga D, who rose to prominence with freestyles, and Kenny Beats, who came from a production and industry background, would remain on the bill.It’s not just the Reading & Leeds line-up that would lose most of its acts were it not for grassroots music venues.

Former Celebrity Big Brother star Jemma Lucy has opened up about her hopes of appearing on Celebs Go Dating, despite dating a Love Island star.The 35 year old, who has been spotted looking loved up with Mitch Taylor, has revealed that they are not “official” yet despite first being seen looking cosy together last month. Even though she's been seen with Mitch, 27, Jemma says they're not quite at the “boyfriend and girlfriend” stage at the moment, meaning that the TV personality is still open to meeting new people romantically – perhaps this time on a certain popular dating show? In an interview with the Daily Star, Jemma confessed that she'd love to be part of Celebs Go Dating because she could really use some expert advice from the professionals on the show, saying that she “needs” it.

a group of four gunmen opened fire at the Crocus City Hall on the outskirts of Moscow, and used incendiary devices to set the venue ablaze. The incident occurred ahead of a performance by the Russian rock band Picnic. It has become the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia since 2004, and the worst ever in the country’s capital.

Mark Sutherland The IFPI Global Music Report has long been viewed as the definitive snapshot of the international music industry’s health (or otherwise). After all, the global recorded music industry trade body’s report has chronicled both the industry’s long, painful period of physical decline and celebrated its streaming-led return to growth.But the publication of its 2024 report — launched Thursday at a press conference in London — felt like one of those years when the numbers are slightly lagging behind the real story of what’s happening in the industry.The statistics, certainly, paint an almost across-the-board picture of a business in good health.

The iconic Burns statue in Dumfries is set to be cleaned up.

a noise complaint from a resident who had moved to Manchester during the lockdown.Now, after over 94,000 people signed a petition to remove the Noise Abatement Notice (NAN) – including Johnny Marr, New Order, Courteeners, Frank Turner, Mogwai and more – and a reported £160,000 in court fees, it has been ruled that the venue can continue to operate.Following four rounds of hearings, District Judge Margaret McCormack announced her ruling during a Manchester Magistrates’ court hearing today (March 18).In her ruling (via Manchester Evening News), she said that a nuisance was being created by the venue, particularly due to it running from 11am to 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. That being said, she did go on to state that the Northern Quarter is a “lively, vibrant” area, but as the city evolves, its “usages are changing” – which means the area can now be considered mixed-use.“In an ideal world, a balance would be able to be struck in the ability of the resident to enjoy their property and the venue to operate as a going concern.

Glastonbury line-up poster has been edited to remove every artist that started their career in grassroots venues – and hardly any names are left standing.The first taste of the festival’s 2024 line-up was shared on Thursday (March 14), with Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA topping the bill.But as revealed by the Music Venue Trust’s edit of the poster on social media, the vast majority of the dozens of names announced so far started their careers coming through the small music venues that now find themselves straining under unbearable pressure in the UK in 2024.Yesterday I was read a quote from a senior figure in the live music industry which ran as follows: “We don’t see any problems in the pipeline for developing the next Ed Sheeran's etc due to grassroots music venues closing, the headliners are still coming”I call bullshit. https://t.co/vGe4RlBUIx— Mark Davyd (@markdavyd) March 16, 2024Only names such as Nigerian afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, the K-pop group SEVENTEEN and Camila Cabello, who rose to fame on the US version of The X Factor, remain when the direct beneficiaries of grassroots venues are taken away.Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd commented on the edited poster, writing on X/Twitter: “Yesterday I was read a quote from a senior figure in the live music industry which ran as follows: ‘We don’t see any problems in the pipeline for developing the next Ed Sheerans etc.

In January, Universal Orlando shared the first official “look” inside its highly anticipated new theme park, Universal Epic Universe, a development that the company expects to be a game changer.

Mark Wahlberg knows a thing or two about shooting a Calvin Klein campaign, and he had some thoughts about Jeremy Allen White‘s viral photoshoot with the brand.

A popular outdoor food, drink and live music attraction in an iconic area of Wigan has been given the go-ahead to continue for the next three years until the site can be redeveloped. The Feast at The Mill complex in ‘boiler house’ in the Wigan Pier Conservation Area has been operating at weekends since October and councillors on the town’s planning committee have now given their retrospective blessing for it to carry on.

EXCLUSIVE: Australian streamer Stan has today unveiled a 25-strong slate, adding scripted titles from Matchbox Pictures and the producers behind Colin From Accounts, acquisitions from the UK and U.S. and a new version of Drag Race to its ranks.

Kelly Rowland will never be able to live this moment down!

IQ Mag, three minors and one adult were arrested on Sunday morning (March 4). The adult suspect hailed from Liège, whilst the three minors were from Ninove, Brussels and Charleroi.The 18-year-old suspect was brought before a judge the next day and charged with “participating in the activities of a terrorist group and preparatory acts with a view to committing a terrorist attack.” The remaining three minors appeared in front of a judge in Dendermonde.All four met online and reportedly planned the attack on Botanique, a music venue located in Brussels, scheduled for a few weeks ahead.