Artists who are in line to be directly affected by provisions made by Universal in order secure its takeover of EMI could withhold their new albums in the future in protest at being treated like ‘assets’, reports The Independent.
In order to comply with EU competition laws, a number of EMI divisions were agreed to be sold off by Universal in the event of its purchase, including the famous Parlophone label, which is currently home to the likes of Coldplay and The Beatles.
And Blur drummer Dave Rowntree has now said action could be taken by the artists who are unhappy at being left out of negotiations during the sale.
“Artists are the only people currently being left out of the conversation, which is unfortunate,” he has 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.”