Sales of CD albums continued to fall in 2009, dropping by 6.1%. Digital income now represents over 20% of overall recorded music revenues, taking into account earnings from online downloads alongside mobile, subscriptions and advertising-supported services. An unprecedented 4.22 million singles were sold in the last week of 2009 - more than in any previous week. The sales boom was put down to the use of new MP3 players received as Christmas presents, as music fans downloaded a wide range of tracks, old and new.
Big Time - Cheryl Cole, Rihanna and JLS are among the artists confirmed for this year's Radio 1 Big Weekend held at Bangor's Faenol Park, Wales. Florence and the Machine, Dizzee Rascal, Alicia Keys, Justin Bieber and Paramore will also take to the main stage on 22 and 23 May. Now in its 10th year, last year's Big Weekend, held in Swindon, was headlined by Snow Patrol and The Prodigy. Elsewhere, Faithless (Saturday) and Vampire Weekend (Sunday) will headline the In New Music We Trust stage.
House Full - Organisers of this year's ABTT Theatre Show report that demand for space has been exceptional. The list of companies taking stands at ABTT 2010 covers the spectrum of products and services for the theatre production and staging market, with a strong showing from the engineering sector. This is partly due to the biennial International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference (ITEAC) running in parallel with the Theatre Show.
To cope with the increased demand for stand space the organisers will be using the mezzanine area of the Lawrence Hall for the first time. Show director Roger Fox comments, "We are very pleased to be in the position of having to look for space to accommodate exhibitors. The ITEA Conference is increasing the focus on the Theatre Show but in general people in the industry want to see the latest products and discuss what is going on in the market. Our exhibition provides that forum and this year's event is set to be the best ever."
(Jim Evans)
