A BLOG OF SORTS FROM CHRIS COOKE
July 2025 Updates
Edinburgh trip
I’ve finally finalised my Edinburgh trip – travel and everything is booked! I’ll be there from a week tomorrow, hope to catch up with some of you. The ThreeWeeks review team is already on the ground of course, now the previews are underway. Meanwhile I’ve been talking to more Fringe venue directors.
Fringe Venue Q&As
As well as chatting to performers appearing at this year’s Edinburgh Festival, I’m also currently interviewing some of the people who run venues as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. So far Gilded Balloon, Greenside and Summerhall. Those Q&As are in the Edinburgh Backstage section on the ThreeWeeks website here.
Comedy copyrights
My brain is very much in comedy mode right now with the Edinburgh Fringe about to kick off once again – and look, there was even some comedy copyright news this week! Here’s my CMU report on the latest developments in the comedians v Pandora case.
Edinburgh 2025
With the Edinburgh Festival kicking off in a few days we’re now publishing articles every day on the ThreeWeeks website – plus two editions of the TW email bulletin every week – you can check out all our coverage here.
MU Conference
Enjoyable couple of days here at the MU Delegate Conference in Liverpool – and only slightly distracted by yesterday’s government announcements about the economics of streaming work. Today’s main task: write a load of questions for comedians performing at the Fringe next month.
I’m in Liverpool
More proof reading on tour today, doing a final read of my articles on the latest Kneecap and TikTok developments right next to this sign. I’m in Liverpool to see what happens at the Musicians’ Union Delegate Conference, which starts right about now.
I’m in HC
I’m currently in Holmes Chapel instead of Leyton but, interestingly, still two minutes walk from an Asda. Where, I think – if I’m understanding this sign correctly – any fruit and veg that you purchase has to be eaten in the past.
Jane’s Addiction lawsuits
As they always say, when successful bands fall apart, the only winners are the lawyers. But that’s not true, I’m a winner too, because – as you know – I love a lawsuit. And with this big band bust-up, I get two! Here’s my CMU report on the Jane’s Addiction litigation.
Another Fringe Q&A
I did another ThreeWeeks Edinburgh Fringe comedy interview! Trying not to think too much about how very close the Edinburgh Festival now is – I’m going to Liverpool next week, so at least it’s not yet my next trip out of London. Here’s the latest Q&A.
Shoes v Copyright
It’s quite a bold argument: we didn’t infringe copyright because TikTok didn’t have a pop-up that declared “it looks like you’re selling shoes, this pop song isn’t for your video”. Let’s see how that goes in court. Here’s my CMU report.
MusicTech + FAC
It was great to hear more about Music Technology UK’s new ‘Sound Investments’ report yesterday evening – and then I popped into the FAC Summer Party, which was lovely. Failed to take photos at either event, but here’s a church I passed when walking from one to the other.
Proof-reading on tour
This week in proof-reading on tour… today I proofed CMU Daily at this place, just across the square from Universal Music. Given proofing involves me reading the articles out loud, it’s sort of a live performance of the Daily. Alas, today’s bulletin didn’t include any indie labels slating the market dominance of Universal (just some indie venues slating the market dominance of Live Nation).
Music Week Poland
A slide and a photo from my recent trip to Music Week Poland. Super interesting to chat to Milosz Bembinow and Rachel Cartier about the digital music market, and especially how the streaming business model is and should be evolving. Plus all the challenges and opportunities around discovery and the algorithm, and the role of industry and policy-makers in addressing the issues. Lots of food for thought!
Not COVID (phew!)
I have a tedious summer cold that, for a very brief moment, I thought might be COVID, which I hear is doing the rounds again. But after figuring out where ASDA was hiding these things, happy confirmation that that’s not the case. Which is handy, given I’m planning on going to ISM, FAC and UK Music summer drinks in the next seven days!
ThreeWeeks Q&As
I’m never as prolific as Caro when it comes to Edinburgh Fringe interviews, but I’ll do a few, that’s for sure. My first Q&A of the year is with the rather remarkable Ben Hart, the award-winning magician whose show ‘The Remarkable Ben Hart’ is on at Assembly this August. Always love a bit of magic. Read the interview here.
Future leaders
One of my favourite weekly tasks is proof reading the CMU Horizon Future Leaders interviews that my colleague Kaya organises. They’re packed with practical advice on pursuing a career in music and lots of top tips I can pass on when I’m doing my workshops and lectures with aspiring music-makers and industry execs. Read all the recent interviews here.