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Elton John plans in-store shows to help save HMV Elton John plans in-store shows to help save HMV
(7 months later)
HMV could be thrown a lifeline by Sir Elton John after it emerged that the singer plans to perform in one of the chain's stores. He has suggested that big artists could play a role in keeping Britain's last major music retailer on the high street by playing a series of in-store gigs.HMV could be thrown a lifeline by Sir Elton John after it emerged that the singer plans to perform in one of the chain's stores. He has suggested that big artists could play a role in keeping Britain's last major music retailer on the high street by playing a series of in-store gigs.
David Joseph, the chief executive of Universal UK, to which John is signed, said: "We've got lot of artist support for HMV. Last week one of our biggest global superstars said why don't we get a lot of the biggest artists to start doing gigs in HMV, just to turn up and say these are music stores, come and get your music here." He confirmed the artist was John.David Joseph, the chief executive of Universal UK, to which John is signed, said: "We've got lot of artist support for HMV. Last week one of our biggest global superstars said why don't we get a lot of the biggest artists to start doing gigs in HMV, just to turn up and say these are music stores, come and get your music here." He confirmed the artist was John.
The singer's spokesman, Gary Farrow, confirmed John would perform but could not say when or in what capacity. Any show was likely to be "intimate", he said. "Elton has always been a big supporter of record shops. He will be doing something with HMV although as yet we cannot confirm what or when that would be."The singer's spokesman, Gary Farrow, confirmed John would perform but could not say when or in what capacity. Any show was likely to be "intimate", he said. "Elton has always been a big supporter of record shops. He will be doing something with HMV although as yet we cannot confirm what or when that would be."
Joseph said major and independent record labels were in close discussion with HMV in an attempt to ensure its future on the high street and hoped for a 6 Music moment – referring to the outpouring of support for the BBC radio station when it was threatened with closure.Joseph said major and independent record labels were in close discussion with HMV in an attempt to ensure its future on the high street and hoped for a 6 Music moment – referring to the outpouring of support for the BBC radio station when it was threatened with closure.
"How HMV emerges is going to be an important factor for us, our artists and our record fans," he said. "I'm hoping, and doing everything I can with them, to make this a bit of what happened with 6 Music, which looked like it was going away and all of our artists said it was a part of culture didn't want to lose.""How HMV emerges is going to be an important factor for us, our artists and our record fans," he said. "I'm hoping, and doing everything I can with them, to make this a bit of what happened with 6 Music, which looked like it was going away and all of our artists said it was a part of culture didn't want to lose."
Joseph said HMV had to rediscover its roots as a music and film destination, with more knowledgeable staff and a better system for recommending music to fans. "I think it lost its way, you would go into a HMV to buy music and find yourself being able to buy a Twilight poster, a South Park keyring, some merchandise," he said.Joseph said HMV had to rediscover its roots as a music and film destination, with more knowledgeable staff and a better system for recommending music to fans. "I think it lost its way, you would go into a HMV to buy music and find yourself being able to buy a Twilight poster, a South Park keyring, some merchandise," he said.
"The way they survive is not to try to be Athena posters, Dixons, Apple and HMV all at the same time. They have to curate music. The conversations we have had which are healthy are about restoring it to its core values. Look at the way it works in Daunt Books or Waterstones, with recommendations on handwritten notes – that's what I firmly believe HMV has to do.""The way they survive is not to try to be Athena posters, Dixons, Apple and HMV all at the same time. They have to curate music. The conversations we have had which are healthy are about restoring it to its core values. Look at the way it works in Daunt Books or Waterstones, with recommendations on handwritten notes – that's what I firmly believe HMV has to do."
A source close to HMV said the company had been in "on-off" discussions with various labels about artists performing in stores and would be "honoured" if John performed. If the company emerged from administration a number of in-store events could help relaunch the business, the source said.A source close to HMV said the company had been in "on-off" discussions with various labels about artists performing in stores and would be "honoured" if John performed. If the company emerged from administration a number of in-store events could help relaunch the business, the source said.
HMV's administrators have struck a temporary deal with film studios and music labels to ensure that new releases such as the Bond film Skyfall and Madagascar 3 continue to be supplied to the group's stores while its future is decided.HMV's administrators have struck a temporary deal with film studios and music labels to ensure that new releases such as the Bond film Skyfall and Madagascar 3 continue to be supplied to the group's stores while its future is decided.
The chain's fate rests largely with Hilco, a specialist investor in distressed retail groups, after it acquired secured debts from Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and other lenders. It acquired HMV's Canadian business in 2011 and is the most likely to emerge as owner of the brand in the UK. Administrators from Deloitte have shut the HMV website and are cutting the number of HMV branches from 220 to 150 in the next few weeks.The chain's fate rests largely with Hilco, a specialist investor in distressed retail groups, after it acquired secured debts from Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group and other lenders. It acquired HMV's Canadian business in 2011 and is the most likely to emerge as owner of the brand in the UK. Administrators from Deloitte have shut the HMV website and are cutting the number of HMV branches from 220 to 150 in the next few weeks.
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