Richard Smirke
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Past articles by Richard:
Harry Styles and Glass Animals Help Lift UK Music Exports to Record Highs
Consumption of British music increased in every region last year, says BPI. → Read More
Adele’s Agent Lucy Dickins to Receive U.K.’s Music Industry Trusts Award
WME’s global head of contemporary music and touring will take home the same award that her uncle, Rob Dickins, received 20 years ago. → Read More
UK Management Group YMU Exploring Financial Options to Address Mounting Debt: Report
The company, whose clients include Steve Aoki and Paris Hilton, reportedly owes $87 million to lenders and has agreed to appoint a chief restructuring officer. → Read More
UK Music Industry to Improve Streaming Metadata With ‘Landmark’ Pact
The government also launches a new review of artist remuneration that will study the impact of AI on music. → Read More
Inside Track: Eurovision 2023 Brings the Party (And Millions of Pounds) to Liverpool
An estimated TV audience of 160 million watched the 67th edition of the contest, held in Liverpool, U.K., on behalf of war-torn Ukraine. → Read More
Eurovision 2023: Sweden’s Loreen Becomes First Female to Win Competition Twice
Loreen’s song “Tattoo,” a bombastic electro-pop ballad, placed first with 583 points. → Read More
In Audience and Novelty Acts, Eurovision Is Still the King of Music Television Shows
The Eurovision 2023 song contest has unrivaled reach as a marketing platform, making it an attractive launch pad for record labels to develop artists. → Read More
After Gaining Ground on Major Labels, Believe Targets U.S. Market
The French company, facing criticism for operating in Russia, has grown with a digital focus and early bets on emerging markets like India and China. → Read More
‘United By Music,’ Second Set of Winners Advance to Eurovision Final
Australia, Austria and Belgium among countries with popular acts joining favorites Sweden and Finland on Saturday night at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena. → Read More
Eurovision Semifinal: 10 Acts Advance, Including From Sweden & Finland
In U.K.’s first Eurovision hosting in 25 years, Liverpool stands in for 2022 winner Ukraine, which continues to fight a war with Russia. → Read More
Why BPI’s New ‘Billion’ Certification Hits Different
The “BRIT Billion” award makes the United Kingdom the first country in the streaming era to recognize the milestone of drawing 1 billion career streams. → Read More
Believe Weathers Global Ad Market Decline to Record 22% Boost in Revenues
Growth in first quarter coming largely from investments and paid streaming overseas, especially in Asia Pacific and Latin America. → Read More
IFPI Global Report
A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. → Read More
Five Takeaways From the 2023 IFPI Global Music Report
As revenue growth slows in the developed world, AI makes executives nervous, China surges to No. 5 and all eyes turn to Africa’s massive potential. → Read More
Meta Is Pulling Italian Music From Platform, Drawing Ire of Industry
Tech firm is trying to ‘hold artists at gunpoint,’ one rights group says of removal of repertoire of Italian Society of Authors and Publishers. → Read More
Queen’s Brian May and Sade Producer Robin Millar Knighted in U.K. New Year Honours List
The annual tradition bestows titles upon individuals in recognition of their work and this year is presented in the name of King Charles for the first time. → Read More
UK Live Music Business Looks to New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Cut Taxes Affecting Concert Tickets
With Rishi Sunak's appointment as the U.K.'s new prime minister, concert executives want taxes cut on tickets in effort to support the sector's recovery after the devastating impact of the pandemic. → Read More
Russia Blocks SoundCloud Over ‘False’ Content About Its Ukraine Invasion
A government watchdog says some information being streamed on SoundCloud distorts the “essence” of its invasion. → Read More
Believe Is ‘Maintaining All Its Operations’ in Russia — And Some Claim ‘Aggressively’ Growing Market Share
While major music companies have ceased business in the country since its invasion of Ukraine, Believe is "maintaining all its operations." That means it's still making deals and hiring staff. → Read More
The Queen’s Death Upended the UK Music Biz With Canceled Concerts, Delayed Release Plans
The monarch’s passing and 10-day mourning period led the industry to pull shows, hold music releases and close offices. → Read More