There's been a lot happening in the world of music these last few days - so here is a brief round up of some key events, in case you missed them.
BBC Introducing Under Threat:
Since 2007, BBC Introducing has been creating a space for up and coming musical artists around the UK, to get some crucial exposure. 32 regional Introducing shows across BBC Local Radio, currently provide this creative opportunity. It has helped to open up the careers for a number of now well known musicians, including Florence & The Machine, Ed Sheeran, Little Simz and Lewis Capaldi.
Lewis Capaldi: Bruises - https://youtu.be/QwtRXG1QpR4
Florence & The Machine: Kiss With A Fist - https://youtu.be/1SmxVCM39j4
But this ability to capture talent at a local level could diminish, it is feared, as plans have been proposed to cut these 32 local shows right down to 11. This is a part of a major shake-up of local radio schedules, although the plan has not yet been fully confirmed. Abbie McCarthy, who presents the Introducing show on BBC Radio Kent, said, "We currently have 32 shows around the UK, but it's looking like that number is going to be severely slashed. They haven't been locked in as of yet, but we're doing our best to fight them."
Yorkshire band Yard Act added, "Removing local shows presents less opportunities for local voices to break through nationally." A group of 13 organisations have added their weight to a campaign to stop these cuts, by writing an open letter to the BBC Chairman Richard Sharp. The group includes the Association of Independent Music and the Music Venue Trust - and the letter tells Mr Sharp - "We want to impress on you very strongly that this would be a fundamental blow to the health of the entire grassroots sector."
The BBC, for their part, say that any schedule changes "will not compromise the essence of BBC Introducing." Whatever that means....
Brixton Academy Security Face Bribery Allegations:
Following on from the awful scenes at the Brixton Academy on 15 December, when a crush caused by a crowd surge at a gig by Afro-pop singer Asake, ultimately led to two people being fatally injured. Nursing graduate Rebecca Ikumelo was in the crowd, while Gaby Hutchinson was working as part of the venue security team, when they got caught in the surge - several other concert goers were injured.
Lambeth Council had already ruled that the venue will have its license suspended for at least three months, pending further investigation and a full hearing. The Met Police reported that a similar crush event had occurred at a gig at the venue in February 2020, during a gig by Naira Marley. Concerns at that time were raised around the strength of the front doors.
But now, more revelations are circulating about events at the Academy that night. The BBC has seen paperwork from AMG (Academy Music Group) that run the venue, suggesting that there wasn't enough security on duty that evening - maybe only 157, instead of the 200+ suggested in the AMG risk assessment.
Additionally, the issue of fraudulent tickets being used has been raised by a whistleblower who had been working for the security company (AP Security) on the night. He told Radio 4's File On 4 that there was only 110 staff on duty, instead of an expected 190 (different to AMG's claim of 157). He also said that several security staff regularly took cash bribes to let in people without tickets, often several hundred per show. Guards could make as much as £1,000 from helping ticketless people inside!
He said, "When you let a few people in, they would text their friends, and they'll text their friends. And the bouncers started being greedy, and it got out of hand. And people wanted to come in anyway, without a ticket." He adds that AP Security were fully aware of this practice, because he had been in meetings where complaints about certain guards had been made. AP Security did not comment when approached by the BBC.
Bruce Gowers, Director of Iconic Music Video, Dies:
Bruce Gowers, who directed the legendary music video for Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, has died aged 82.
Guitarist Sir Brian May led the tributes. "Bruce was, of course, the architect of our Bohemian Rhapsody video, and quite a few others as well. He will be sadly missed in the rock community and certainly never forgotten."
Gowers had also worked with Michael Jackson and the Rolling Stones, but it is for the Queen video, where the four band members faces are featured in a diamond formation on a black background, that he will be best remembered. The video, however iconic it may be, took just three hours to shoot and cost a princely £3,500 to make. It was the first music video to be shown on Top of the Pops, and paved the way for others like it. Gowers is said to have been paid £590 for his services!
Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody - https://youtu.be/fJ9rUzIMcZQ
Renowned Australian Singer Dies:
Renee Geyer, Australian soul and jazz singer, has died aged 69 from complications following a hip operation.
A statement from Mushroom Music Group said, “It is with immense sadness that we announce that Renée Geyer has passed away from complications following hip surgery. While in hospital, it was discovered that Renée also had inoperable lung cancer. She was in no pain and died peacefully among family and friends. Naturally, we are all utterly devastated,”
She was famed for her husky, powerful voice and worked over the years with the likes of Sting, Joe Cocker and Chaka Khan. Colin Hay (Men At Work) said on his website, "The US had Aretha, the UK Dusty Springfield. We had Renée. She taught us all so much. She knew not only what music was, but where it came from. We had an inkling, but so much of it was so far away. It came drifting down to us over an ocean of radio waves. We had to wonder and learn. She already contained it within."
Renee Geyer: Heading In The Right Direction - https://youtu.be/5RIIYWZgb4I
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