Musical Chairs: Management change for Beyonce; Sony expands EDM team; New GM for AIF

Management changes for Beyonce, Muse

More major names have made changes to their management. Beyonce has dropped Live Nation executive Faisal Durrani, who was general manager of her management company Parkwood Entertainment. The singer set up the company in 2011 after getting rid of her father Matthew.

Muse dispensed with Anthony Addis and his company Brontone who looked after them for the past 12 years outside North America. The Brit band will now be managed worldwide by Peter Mensch’s Q Prime, who represented them in North America since 2003. Q Prime also manage Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Black Keys.

Kate McCabe joins Recon Music

Kate McCabe began this week as publicity manager for Recon Music. Recon is an expansion of Remote Control Records’ services, with strategies and publicity services to artists, labels, touring co’s, festivals and special events. Clients include the Sugar Mountain Festival, Elizabeth Rose, Saskwatch, Jeremy Neale, Fractures, Jen Cloher, Go Violets, Feelings and Civil Civic. McCabe replaces Adam Christou, now music director at RTR FM Perth.

Sony Music expands EDM team

Sony Music Entertainment hired Toby Andrews as London-based senior manager, International Electronic Music Marketing, to focus on EDM acts.

Kirkwood departs AFTRS

Christine Kirkwood left the Australian Film Television and Radio School, where she was radio division coordinator, to concentrate full time on her music career. Previously with The Apartments, she released an EP Sinners Come & Go in 2012 and was a finalist in the ABC’s Exhumed comp last year.

New booking team for Melbourne’s Workers Club

The Workers Club, in Melbourne’s Fitzroy, announced its new booking team. It is led by Indra Adams (who currently runs his own booking and management agency), with Rachel Marzorini to assist with administration and Rose Callaghan to oversee social media.

Straney quits politics, returning to radio

After a brief stint as adviser to Gilmore, NSW, MP Ann Sudmalis, Adam Straney decided politics is not for him. He is returning to radio and in negotiations with various outlets. He was previously at Wave FM and breakfast announcer at 2ST Nowra.

Two Maddens and a Scary for The Voice Kids

Benji Madden joins his twin brother and Good Charlotte colleague Joel Madden as coaches on the inaugural The Voice Kids. Also announced as coaches are Mel B and Delta Goodrem. The show, hosted by Darren McMullen, is aimed at singers aged 8 to 14.

New GM for AIF

Paul Reed is new GM of the UK’s Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) while his predecessor Claire O’Neill stays on as a senior manager. The AIF has built up its membership to 50 festivals in its five years.

Bush joins Rumble Studios

Joff Bush joined Sydney music and sound house Rumble Studios as in-house composer. Working across commercial, digital, film, television and theatre platforms, the Queensland Conservatorium and AFTRS graduate is also a sound designer performer, arranger and producer. His most recent project was the ABC’s #7DaysLater, an interactive show created in seven days by the audience, in which he had to score each episode in seven hours.

Sarah Osborn takes over at MPA

Sarah Osborn has taken over as CEO of the Music Publishers Association (MPA). She was previously its GM.

Warren stepping down at MEAA

After serving as secretary of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) for 15 years, Chris Warren told Mumbrella he would step down at the next election. The MEAA represents journalists, actors and musicians.

Five new names at Ensemble

Mediabrand’s branded entertainment unit Ensemble brought in content account director Jess Rutherford (Network Ten), senior sponsorship account managers Monika Greenfield (Ignite) and Kayla Greenville (Sports & Entertainment) and sponsorship account manager Frank Curcio (UM).