One Liners: N-Dubz, Four Tet, Rachel Chinouriri, more

APPOINTMENTSUniversal Music’s label services division Virgin Music has announced three promotions in the US. Leslie Cooper is now SVP Artist Development & Special Projects, Marisa Di Frisco becomes VP National Promotion, and Lauren Holman moves up to VP Streaming Marketing.Warner Chappell has promoted Amber Davis to the role of Senior Vice President. “I’m honoured to be stepping into this wider role at Warner Chappell Music”, she says.

DEALSMinistry Of Sound has signed LF System. “We’re absolutely buzzing to be working with such an iconic label for the dance music scene and it feels like the perfect home to be releasing our new music on”, say the duo. “And finally, we are able to share our new single with the world and hope that you love it as much as we do!” What’s that? A new single? Yes, the first release under the deal is ‘Dancing Shoes (Take Me Higher)’.BMG has acquired the artist royalties associated with nine Pointer Sisters albums released between 1978 and 1988, as well as 100% of their US royalties, including from their 1982 song ‘I’m So Excited’.

DEALSPendulum have signed a new worldwide record deal with Mushroom Group and Universal Music’s label services division Virgin Music – the first joint venture signing between the two businesses. “We are pleased to be joining forces with Mushroom [and] Virgin and reuniting with [Mushroom boss] Korda Marshall, a visionary who played a pivotal role in our journey back in 2006”, says Pendulum’s Rob Swire.BDi Music has signed multi-instrumentalist, music director, composer, producer and songwriter Ben Lythe to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal.

LABELS & PUBLISHERSUniversal Music shareholders have agreed a new pay package for boss man Lucian Grainge, which will see his basic wage reduced by more than two thirds to $5 million. He will, however, be eligible for an annual performance bonus of $10 million, and is set to receive new stock options. So, you know, he’s not going to starve.

DEALSNia Archives has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner Chappell. “Last year was a mad one for me and I am gassed to kick off 2023 by signing with Warner Chappell”, she says.

EXCLUSIVE: Magnolia Pictures has acquired North American rights to The Stones and Brian Jones, a documentary about the “lost creative genius” who launched – and named – The Rolling Stones.

LEGALA judge has dismissed the majority of Marilyn Manson’s defamation claims against actor Evan Rachel Wood under California’s so-called anti-SLAPP free speech laws. Wood’s attorney, Michael Kump said that Manson had “failed to show that his claims against her have even minimal merit”.

Skrillex, Fred again.. and Four Tet have shared a full recording of their closing set from weekend two of Coachella 2023 – watch below.The three DJs took the the “TBA” slot after Blink-182 on the main stage on Sunday, which came after Frank Ocean’s withdrawal from Coachella Weekend 2 following doctor’s orders due to leg fractures sustained by the singer in the lead up to the festival.Prior to their upcoming set at Coachella, Skrillex, Fred again.. and Four Tet last performed together at New York’s Madison Square Garden, selling out the surprise show within minutes.

Here is another hot package set to hit the Cannes Market later this month as Sebastian Lelio has set Voyagers as his next film at FilmNation Entertainment with Andrew Garfield attached to play astronomer Carl Sagan and Daisy Edgar-Jones attached to play Ann Druyan.

DEALSShed Seven have signed a new worldwide services deal with Cooking Vinyl, ahead of new music set for release later this year. “We are THRILLED to announce that we’ve signed with Cooking Vinyl”, says guitarist Paul Banks. “They’re a label that truly values creativity and empowers their artists to explore and develop their craft, which aligns perfectly with our musical vision.

APPOINTMENTSBecause Music UK and its London Records division have both announced new Managing Directors. Rhian Emanuel moves up from Marketing Director of Because, while Laura Kelly shifts from General Manager of London. Meanwhile, Ed Pearson has been promoted from Marketing Director to SVP Marketing, Dance & Electronic at Because Music UK, and Junior Foster joins London Records as Digital Marketing & Strategy Manager.————————————————–RELEASESHarry Styles has released the video for ‘Satellite’ from his ‘Harry’s House’ album.Brian Eno and Fred Again will release a collaborative album, titled ‘Secret Life’, this Friday. It is, says Four Tet – who is releasing the album on his Text Records label – “the most beautiful album of 2023”.Little Dragon will release their latest album ‘Slugs Of Love’ on 7 Jul, which will feature a collaboration with Damon Albarn on its tracklist.

DEALSUniversal Music Publishing has signed Yahritza of sibling trio Yahritza Y Su Esencia to a worldwide publishing deal. “I feel very honoured and grateful to form part of the UMPG family”, she says. “Hoping to continue touching hearts with our music.

APPOINTMENTSVenue operator ASM Global has appointed former artist manager and major label exec Brian Celler to the newly created role of Senior Vice President, Content And Programming, Europe. He will be “responsible for leading ASM Global’s best-in-class live entertainment offering, driving high-calibre, diverse content across ASM Global’s growing portfolio of venues in the UK and Europe”.

Four Tet stepped up to close out Coachella alongside Fred Again.. and Skrillex.

DEALSPrimary Wave has entered into a new partnership with Times Music in India. The deal will see the former invest in the latter – the music business of Indian media firm The Times Group – and provide resources to assist it in growing its reach globally. “Music is synonymous with India and Times Music has built an incredible catalogue with amazing global potential”, says Times Music COO Mandar Thakur.

Owen Gleiberman Chief Film Critic In college one night, I got very stoned and read T.S. Eliot’s “The Wasteland.” I was gripped by it, and felt I understood it — a feat I’ve never come close to accomplishing since. Yet I don’t think I was under some delusion about having glimpsed the poem’s essence. Eliot was a mystic doomsayer whose verse was torn, as if by shrapnel, with fragments of misanthropy and heartbreak. He channeled the despair of the 20th century but did it with a glint of rapture (to contemplate it was to be alive). To connect with his poetry, you almost need to leave rationality behind, to give yourself over to the experiential quality of Eliot’s words. I think the reason I could grasp Eliot while stoned is that I forgot I was reading “poetry,” forgot that I was facing stanzas arranged in elegant pieces on a page. Instead I was living each word, each phrase, as its own moment.

DEALSWarner Music Singapore and Cross Ratio Entertainment have agreed a new worldwide distribution deal. “Cross Ratio Entertainment and our talented roster of artists are excited to be joining forces with Warner Music Singapore”, says the firm’s founder Dean Augustine.

Len Goodman was known on Strictly Come Dancing for his witty and well-intentioned one-liners, which were often delivered with a dramatic sweep of the arm. While many viewers will remember the late star for popularising the shout of “seven”, his colourful comments extended far beyond that.

Blink-182 will perform in the headline slot at Coachella this weekend with the band stepping in for the injured Frank Ocean. News of Ocean's decision to pull out of the second weekend of the California festival was announced earlier this week. Blink-182 appeared during the first weekend, playing a surprise set on the Friday.

APPOINTMENTSBMG has promoted Heath Johns to President Of Australia, New Zealand And South-east Asia. He was previously Managing Director of BMG Australia. “Heath Johns personifies so much of what makes BMG great”, says Chief Content Officer Dominique Casimir.