Australian News 6/21

Fees To Hike Up For Bars

After its win for higher fees for music played in nightclubs, the record companies’ licensing arm is targeting cafes and restaurants.

The PPCA proposes new calculations that will see a 120-seat venue pay $19,344 instead of the current $125.

Cafes could face a rise of $5,860 from $124, or almost 4800 percent.

The Australian Hotels Association asked the Small Business Commission and Australian Competition And Consumer Commission to investigate.

Richard Branson Makes His Call

When Sydney college station FBi lost half its sponsorship revenue thanks to the economic climate, it started a campaign for listeners to ask Sir Richard Branson to donate A$1 million.

A listener vacationing in the Caribbean swam five kilometers to Branson’s retreat at Necker Island. He rang the station to say they wouldn’t be getting the $1 million, but his Virgin empire would help with sponsorship and fund-raising initiatives.

He also aided FBi’s subscribers drive with two tickets to London on his carrier Virgin Atlantic to attend V Festival.

Short Notes

New Kids on the Block canceled its Australian tour, set to kick off Aug 1. A statement cited “Circumstances beyond their control.”

Britney Spears’ “The Circus” extravaganza lands for six arena dates through Dainty Consolidated Entertainment Nov. 6-24.

Marilyn Manson returns after two years to do five arenas and theatres for Michael Coppel Presents (MCP) Oct. 5-17.

Flo Rida, here to open for Beyoncé in September for MCP, will do four headlining shows.

Keith Urban will do four arenas Dec. 12-19.

The One Movement For Music Perth summit – an initiative of Sunset Events, Chugg Entertainment and A&R Worldwide – tapped the Australian Independent Record Labels Association to curate two days of seminars on the future of independent music. It struck a deal with bluesman John Butler’s grants program JB Seed where 10 emerging managers who attend its skill-developing workshops get free entry.

Funding for the arts in the South Australian budget rose 7.8 percent to $127 million. It includes $46 million for the Adelaide Entertainment Centre’s planned 2,500-seat hall and $2 million for Adelaide Festival Centre. But the $1 million indigenous arts exchange with Manitoba in Canada was scrapped, as were plans to upgrade the Lion Art Centre.