Heart of the Music Industry
The MU has expressed its welcome today for the Government’s plans for music education, at the same time highlighting that this publication represents only a first step in the provision of this key subject over the coming decade.
A superb weekend in the Kent countryside at the third Black Deer Festival. The event was cruelly cancelled at very short notice last year courtesy of an impactful lockdown and it was wonderful to be back amongst the enthusiastic crowd in Eridge Park.
I was delighted to attend the Music Producers Guild 2022 Awards event at the Tower Hotel tonight and to host the MU table and welcome our guests Gary Crosby, Janine Irons, Tom Gray, Anna Neale, Dave Webster and producer Greg Fitzgerald.
The Musicians’ Union (MU) and Black Lives in Music (BLiM) have announced a 3-year partnership that will see the organisations work together to challenge racism, promote inclusive practices and accelerate change regarding diversity in the music industry.
The summer 2022 issue of The Musician magazine is scheduled to be dispatched in print format to MU members this week. This is the 70th edition for which I have been editor, a role I have fulfilled since spring 2005.
A wonderful night at Chelsea’s Cadogan Hall in the company of Jimmy Webb as he performed a selection of his legendary songs on the first night of a UK tour. The awesome setlist included all my favourites, plus fascinating stories from his inspiring career composing for Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, Linda Ronstadt, the 5th Dimension, The Supremes, Art Garfunkel, and Richard Harris.
Mark Batchelor and I drove an Enterprise van up to Springfield Farm in St Albans this morning, to set up the MU presence at Flesh Festival, the UK’s first queer LGBTQ+ electronic music & camping festival.
As part of the ongoing Government and Intellectual Property Office (IPO) music streaming work, a small group of researchers have been commissioned by the IPO to interview artists and industry stakeholders about industry contracts.
Another rewarding day at Cumberwell Park, the challenging golf centre at Bradford-on-Avon just outside Bath, in aid of the Bath Cancer Support Group & Dorothy House. I had played in the competition, organised by Sarah and Neil Davies, in 2017 and 2018 and it was very pleasant to compete in its first return after the pandemic.
The second match of the cricket season for Beckenham CC’s Under 17 team, saw a straightforward victory by 71 runs over a youthful but committed side from Bickley Park in delightful early summer sunshine.
An excellent weekend in the company of photographer Jonathan Stewart, catching up with the UK guitar community at the ‘Guitar Show’ in the spacious New Bingley Hall in Birmingham.
