Journey has released their first new music since 2011 with “The Way We Used To Be.” The song is the band’s debut release with their new lineup, which includes American Idol bassist Randy Jackson. It envisions a world in which the COVID-19 epidemic has been eradicated. Neal Schon, the band’s founding member and lead guitarist, said in a statement that the song represents a “complete new beginning chapter.”
LIL BABY IS YOUR 2021 ASCAP SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) named Lil Baby Songwriter of the Year for 2021. The Voice Of The Heroes, his collaboration with Lil Durk, was another No. 1 record for the Quality Control leader. Cardi B and Quavo have already won the prize.
Final £300million of Culture Recovery Fund to help save venues and festivals announced by government
The UK government has announced the final £300 million of the Cultural Recovery Fund. This is in an effort to assist artistic spaces and institutions that have been closed or restricted due to ongoing coronavirus closures and limitations. This resulted in the cancellation of almost 4,000 events in England’s grassroots music venues over the next few weeks, with a total loss of £36 million. Meanwhile, nightclub executives are threatening mass evictions in the absence of immediate funding and clarification.
We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.
UNIVERSAL INKS GLOBAL DEAL WITH SNAP INC. SPANNING RECORDED MUSIC AND AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCES
UMG has agreed to a multi-year deal with Snapchat to allow users to include music in their Snaps. According to the terms of the arrangement, UMG’s full recorded music collection will be available globally in Snapchat’s Sounds service. In addition, the business is creating augmented reality music Lens content with the company’s artists.
In Musical Chairs…
MANUEL MARTOS APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER OF VIRGIN MUSIC LABEL & ARTIST SERVICES IN SPAIN
He will be based in Madrid and will report to Victor González, President of Virgin Music Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. He has been the Artistic Director of Universal Music Spain since 2017 and has previously worked as an artist, composer, artistic producer, and advisor.
And in music tech news…
The Sims is getting an in-game music festival with Simlish songs
It’s the latest game to incorporate a virtual concert, but there’s a twist. Some of the songs will be performed in Simlish, a fictitious language. It will be fronted by Bebe Rexha, who will perform her single “Sabotage” in Simlish. Players will be able to explore the festival space, design new outfits, and purchase products in addition to listening to music.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]And that concludes today’s update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.
Have a great weekend![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]