Muse Disappointed At Warner’s Streaming Music Decision…

…Band Also Confirmed To Play 2010 Oxegen Festival

Muse bassist Chris Wolstenholme has expressed his disappointment at Warner Music’s decision to remove it’s artists work from free streaming sites such as Spotify.

Wolstunhulme told BBC’s Newsbeat the move could deter potential listeners from enjoying their music: “It’s like taking your song off the radio, isn’t it? You’re instantly taking your song away from a group of potential listeners,” he said.

“The corporations are setting the rules on these things because they’re clutching at straws. They’ve lost so much money on record sales because of the Internet.

“I do sometimes feel that this whole restriction that’s been set on how your music can get out there these days that doesn’t ever really come from the bands. It’s coming from the corporations behind everything. As far as bands are concerned you just want people to hear your music whichever way they can.”

Earlier this month, Warner chief executive Edgar Bronfman Jr said he believed streaming sites are not a commercially viable option for the major labels: “Free streaming services are clearly not net positive for the industry and as far as Warner Music is concerned will not be licensed,” he said.

“The ‘get all your music you want for free, and then maybe with a few bells and whistles we can move you to a premium price’ strategy is not the kind of approach to business that we will be supporting in the future.”

In other news, Muse have been confirmed to play this year’s Oxegen Festival, which will take place at Punchtown Racecourse near Dublin between 9-11th July. As at Scotland’s T In The Park festival, Muse will be joined by the likes of Kasabian, Eminem and Jay Z.

Tickets go on sale on March 12th at 8am (BST).