If it's true that Labour wants to fight the next election on the basis of "Look, it's us or the far right", as Macron did, then they're going to have to start explicitly denouncing the far right, as Macron does

Chair of The Ivors Academy, @automatom.bsky.social, opened the 70th edition of The Ivors ceremony with powerful, inspiring and honest speech. #TheIvors #IvorNovelloAwards #TheIvors2025 #TomGray #Songwriters #Composers

81 YEARS IN THE MAKING – A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE IVORS ACADEMY To kick off Ivors Week, we’ve launched something big. We’re proud to unveil a new brand, a new website and a new membership offer that makes it easier than ever to be part of The Ivors Academy. ivorsacademy.com/news/free-me...

Yesterday, Adam, Larry, The Edge and Bono were inducted into The Fellowship of The Ivors Academy 🏆 Watch their acceptance speeches from The Ivors 2025. #TheIvors #IvorNovelloAwards #IvorsAcademy #U2

With just two weeks to go, we’re thrilled to confirm that Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem, will join Guy Garvey for a headline conversation at the flagship Ivors Academy Summit. 🎟️ Don't miss out - book your tickets now. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-ivors-...

@prsformusic.bsky.social members, this is your final chance to vote for who represents you on their Members’ Council. Our Chair, @automatom.bsky.social , is standing for re-election. He’s the only Ivors Academy Board Director or Senator on the ballot. 🗳 Voting closes 5pm BST, Monday 6 May.

Great too to see creators in the EU supporting Majors in this, but there is a limit. Support cannot remain unconditional indefinitely.

It’s great the Majors are arguing creators must be rewarded for usage in AI. But, if money does not get fairly paid onto creators because of out-of-date or inequitable contracts with rightsholders, it sadly rings hollow. Time to *really* get the shop in order. #BrokenRecord

27 years (and a day)

I'm standing for the PRS Members Council. Please take the time to vote. It's so important that not only songwriters & composers are simply represented in that room, but they are represented emphatically, their interests articulated with knowledge and passion. Vote for me. Thanks.

Iford HP5 half frame Brighton, 2024 (Featuring @automatom.bsky.social )

I'm standing for the PRS Members Council. Please take the time to vote. It's so important that not only songwriters & composers are simply represented in that room, but they are represented emphatically, their interests articulated with knowledge and passion. Vote for me. Thanks.

@robertoneri.bsky.social, CEO of The Ivors Academy: “At a time when AI threatens to undermine human creativity, U2’s Fellowship stands as a testament to the irreplaceable role of songwriters and composers in shaping culture and inspiring change.”

@automatom.bsky.social, Chair of The Ivors Academy: “Their songs are sweeping catalysts: hymnals and rallying cries. U2’s induction into Fellowship honours their seminal contributions to music through exceptional songwriting craft.”

Their powerful, iconic and era-defining songs and lyrics have shaped music and culture for nearly five decades. U2 will be honoured at the 70th edition of The Ivors with Amazon Music on 22 May 2025.

U2 to receive songwriting’s highest honour: Fellowship of The Ivors Academy 🏆 Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. make history as the first Irish songwriters inducted into the Fellowship of The Ivors Academy, the highest accolade the Academy bestows. ✍️

Brilliant stuff from @anneliesemidgleymp.bsky.social!! Musicians, we have a new champ!! #BrokenRecord #ethicalAIplease

🙌🏻

Brilliant stuff from @anneliesemidgleymp.bsky.social!! Musicians, we have a new champ!! #BrokenRecord #ethicalAIplease

Really significant statement from @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social today on the subject of streaming. The work continues… From all musicians, thanks Chris!! #BrokenRecord #FixStreaming

Ahead of today’s meeting with the UK government and @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social, Minister for the Creative Industries and Arts, we are highlighting the growing challenges songwriters and composers face in earning a sustainable income. Read the full story here 👇 ivorsacademy.com/news/the-ivo...

This is pretty bloody significant. Rights reversion. If you are a songwriter or composer of long standing, make sure you read this. completemusicupdate.com/bombshell-co...

I think this is one reason why the BBC's coverage is so poor. It has to bend away from reality for fear of sounding extreme. The truth is that a delusional old man and an insane billionaire are executing an unconstitutional power grab at high speed but saying that sounds hysterical.

TAKE PART! 1. Take the Music Fans Voice Survey HERE: musicfansvoice.uk 2. Copy this post & post to your own socials with the link 3. Tag friends, ask them to take the survey and carry on the chain @automatom.bsky.social @paulkindred.bsky.social @bandonthewall.bsky.social @nikbarbosa.bsky.social

Been tricky to explain Spotify aren’t the *only* problem. It was always ‘Fuck Spotify’ without looking at who the biggest winners are. So Spotify have been mentioned less. But, right now, they seriously need calling out - fake artists, hurting songwriters, defunding etc. It’s pretty horrific.

Hugely honoured. Will do everything I can.

Happy birthday to my chum, the very clever, very talented, very musical, very handsome, MUCH OLDER @automatom.bsky.social today! Woot woot!

📢 Tom Gray re-elected as Chair of The Ivors Academy. “There is unfinished business.” - @automatom.bsky.social A passionate advocate for songwriters and composers, Tom’s leadership has driven real movement in government and the music industry. 📸 Kenny McKracken

Cinestill 2023, Brighton ( @automatom.bsky.social ‘working’ in his studio)

Illford HP5 plus 2022, Hove (photo of @automatom.bsky.social )

Who’s benefiting as UK music sales hit £2.4 billion, a 20-year high? Music creators are not seeing a fair share of this success. Our Chair @automatom.bsky.social on BBC News with @colingpaterson.bsky.social #ukmusic #songwriters #composers #musicindustry #musicnews #bbcnews #musicrights

Be grateful - sure - seek contentment - yep, but I’ll also hold what and who I’ve lost and what’s been sacrificed to endure/fail/succeed amongst so much precariousness. I’m unsure anything can be wholly joyful without the tragicomic or bittersweet. So, I wish you a healthy happy and sad New Year.

Creativity is invention not choice or calculation. Choice determines an understood direction. Calculation solves a known problem. Invention solves a problem you cannot necessarily perceive. It deals in unknown possibility. Creativity exceeds limitations. Choice is just knowing them.

Creativity is invention not choice or calculation. Choice determines an understood direction. Calculation solves a known problem. Invention solves a problem you cannot necessarily perceive. It deals in unknown possibility. Creativity exceeds limitations. Choice is just knowing them.

People living in areas with greater devolution are more confident in their mayors and devolution as a whole, shows new research shared with PolHome Confidence in mayors rose to 38% in the areas with the most advanced devolution settlements, Labour Together found @matildamartin.bsky.social reports

I cannot overstate how completely unblown my mind is by AI that makes film. The novelty has already worn off. Could all of that tech be put towards solving real problems now? Thanks.

AI: always completely reliable in its application. In no way an uncertain mishmash of predictions without discretion or reasoning that might give us an unprecedented level of corporate liability while they search for cost efficiencies.

Fucking hell. Just turn it all off, guys, until we’re sure it’s not just a science fair project gone rogue.

Bloody lovely new solo album by Cameron Winter - a member of Geese. open.spotify.com/album/7mOrnQ...

I first floated the idea of a ‘songwriter per diem’ at an Ivors meeting six or seven years ago. I was used to receiving them as a touring musician and it seemed an easy solution to the problem of rising costs. It’s been amazing to watch the idea have a life and become a demand across the industry.

I first floated the idea of a ‘songwriter per diem’ at an Ivors meeting six or seven years ago. I was used to receiving them as a touring musician and it seemed an easy solution to the problem of rising costs. It’s been amazing to watch the idea have a life and become a demand across the industry.

Human with 23,500 posts and 13 followers is lecturing me on what folk care about. Merry Christmas everyone!

Goood morning Bluesky. I have put up and decorated the Christmas tree and now I am strumming inchoate song chords in its prickling glow. If you wouldn’t mind making me a cuppa that would make this perfect.

Hugely privileged to be re-elected to the board of @ivorsacademy.bsky.social with this absolutely stellar cast of creators. A truly diverse abundance of household names and industry leaders. A step change for us as an organisation and I’m thrilled to have played a part in getting us here. C’mon!

You read all these pieces about what a formidable operator Kemi Badenoch is and then every Wednesday without fail she gets up for PMQs and is laughably shit

Hugely privileged to be re-elected to the board of @ivorsacademy.bsky.social with this absolutely stellar cast of creators. A truly diverse abundance of household names and industry leaders. A step change for us as an organisation and I’m thrilled to have played a part in getting us here. C’mon!

Stumbled across this. Hands up if you were there!

Good morning Bluesky. Feeling roughly three million years old after a wee bit of insomnia. But, just like storms and Trump presidencies, this too shall pass. Oh… and coffee helps.

actually quite enraging to find out that astronomical gig tickets aren't even benefiting the artists touring www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Huge if true