Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has hinted that artists affected by EMI and Universal’s merger could withhold their new albums in protest of being left out of negotiations during the sale.
Live4Ever and The Independent report a number of EMI artists are unhappy that they had no say in the merger, and that some feel like they’ve been treated like ‘assets’.
A number of EMI divisions have been sold off by Universal to comply with European competition laws surrounding the label’s purchase. One of these divisions is the famous Parlophone label, which is currently home to the likes of Coldplay and The Beatles.
“Artists are the only people currently being left out of the conversation, which is unfortunate,” Rowntree said.
“If the staff at the label are unhappy with the new arrangements they are free to leave, but the artists are not.”
“The FAC (Featured Artists Coalition) was formed by musicians who were fed up with the industry taking decisions without considering the impact it would have on those who actually make the music.
“The FAC and the Music Managers Forum are looking to engage with Parlophone to see how we can help.”
