A BLOG OF SORTS FROM CHRIS COOKE
May 2025 Updates
To Brighton
Heading down to Brighton for a special post-birthday treat – working with Phil on refining our copyright and careers slides for the Pathways Into Music educator weekend. Which I know sounds like I’m being sarcastic, but I do actually consider that to be a bit of a treat!
50!
Not sure how I got to 50 so soon – it seems like only yesterday that I was 49.997. My sister got me this card tracking key events since 1975, three of which she specifically picked for me. Free slice of birthday cake to anyone who can figure out which ones they are.
Copyright news!
When I did my law degree in the 2000s, my dissertation was on contributory copyright infringement and music piracy. If I did that now, I’d need an extra chapter on the precedents set by the music industry’s big legal battle with Cox Communications. Unless, of course, the US Supreme Court reverses them all, as Trump’s Solicitor General has suggested it should. Here’s my CMU report.
Pathways Southampton
One more reminder that we are presenting our latest Pathways Into Music weekend for music educators in Southampton next month, on 14 and 15 Jun. Please do spread the word to anyone involved in music education or talent development in the Solent, Bournemouth / Christchurch / Poole and Hampshire regions. Info here.
Message for Harry
Heading back to London after a few days in Holmes Chapel, departing from Harry Styles Station. Inspired by the conversations at last week’s Ivors Summit I left the following message – “make sure you know your IPI, Harry!” – because even the superstars need to be on top of key metadata, right?
Insights + dramas
Lots of really interesting and insightful conversations at both The Ivors Summit and the Musically Unorthodox Conference this week – I’m still processing all the learning and discussion points. And while all that was happening – more drama was unfolding at the US Copyright Office.
Conferences galore
Brilliant day at the Ivors Summit yesterday – thanks to everyone who joined us. Tomorrow I’m in Northampton for the Musically Unorthodox Conference, focused on pathways into music and media for young people who have fallen out of mainstream societal infrastructures. Then next month to Warsaw for Music Week Poland.
Ivors Summit tomorrow
It’s the Ivors Academy Summit at the BFI IMAX in London tomorrow, packed full of insightful and fascinating conversations that will explore the business of songwriting and composition. Plus I’ll get to see my ‘rights and revenues’ diagrams on that massive screen! Hope to see you there – more info here.
Edinburgh reviews
Another quick reminder that we are currently recruiting reviewers to join the ThreeWeeks review team at Edinburgh Festival 2025. If you or anyone you know is interested, all the info is here.
Musically Unorthodox
I have two conferences coming up this week. In addition to the Ivors Summit in London on Tuesday, I’ll be at the Musically Unorthodox Conference in Northampton on Thursday. Pathways Into Music is a partner on this event, which is focused on pathways into music and media for young people who have fallen out of mainstream societal infrastructures. Get all the info here.
TGE talking
Quick stint on stage at The Great Escape yesterday as part of the strand curated by AIM and the Council Of Music Makers, talking through all the campaigns music-makers and the independent music community are working on right now. Next round of on-stage talking will be at the Ivors Summit on Tuesday – really looking forward to the conversations that will be happening there.
The Great Escape
As you all know (I think, maybe), we no longer work on The Great Escape. However, I’m still looking forward to popping down to Brighton tomorrow to check out the big event. Who knows, maybe while I’m there I’ll moderate a panel…
Ivors Summit
Really looking forward to the Ivors Academy Summit that’s taking place at the BFI IMAX in London next Tuesday, 20 May. CMU has been working closely with the Ivors team to curate a brilliant programme of interviews and conversations that will explore the business of songwriting and composition, and discuss the knowledge and skills music creators need to build sustainable careers. Info and tickets here.
Copyright dramas
Not many weekends have this level of high drama in the world of copyright. From CMU today: Was Trump sacking the boss of the US Copyright Office connected to it publishing a report on AI and fair use? Find out here. And what did that report actually say? Find out here.
Pathways Southampton
A quick reminder that we’re presenting our next Pathways Into Music weekend for music educators in Southampton on 14 and 15 June. If you know anyone involved in music education or talent development in the Solent, Bournemouth / Christchurch / Poole and Hampshire regions, please do let them know. Info here.
Peter Kolofsky Q&A
This Sunday in Covent Garden there’ll be a full-day celebration of 50 years of street performance on the West Piazza. I recently spoke to Peter Kolofsky from the Covent Garden Street Performers Association about the celebrations, how street performance works in Covent Garden, and recent run-ins with Westminster Council. You can read the interview here.
I’m in Dublin
I’m in Dublin. I think that’s a statue of Edmund Burke that I passed on the bus earlier. My last two trips to the island of Ireland involved flying right into the middle of a big storm. Today’s journey was rather uneventful. I’ll have to put some drama into my presentation at AIM Ireland Connects tomorrow instead – you’ve got to have some drama during a trip right?
To Dublin
I’m heading to Dublin this week to speak at the AIM Ireland Connects conference on Thursday, providing an overview of the music rights business today and talking through all the debates around copyright and AI. Hope to see some of you there!
VE Day flypast
I love a flypast – so it was very generous of whoever organised today’s VE Day flypast to have it literally fly over my house. Here’s the view from my back yard of the finale.
Aarhus wander
Short post-Spot wander around Aarhus this morning. Yesterday, it was great to hear Liz Pelly talk about her book ‘Mood Machine’ and Frederik Juul Jensen update us on his PhD on streaming models, plus presentations about the Fair MusE project and research into artist revenue streams from the 1990s to today. Next, back to London.
To Aarhus
Despite growing up about twelve miles from Manchester Airport, somehow I’ve never flown out of this place, until now! After a brilliant day at Liverpool Sound City, I’m currently on my way to Aarhus in Denmark for an equally brilliant day tomorrow (I’m sure!) at Spot+.
To Liverpool
I’m currently in sunny Manchester, but will soon be heading to Liverpool. Sam at CMU has curated some amazing panels for this year’s Liverpool Sound City+ Conference and I’m going to be moderating a few of them. Hope to see you there!