Storm Slows UK Artists’ March To Freedom

Today's inaugural meeting of the Featured Artists' Coalition was canceled after the biggest snow storm in 18 years hit the southeastern UK. But when this new coalition of more than 700 of the UK's top musicians including Coldplay, Robbie Williams and Radiohead finally meets, the goal is no less than increased control for all UK musicians.

"The music companies had us by the short and curlies. This isn't about revenge but now we have to take responsibility for ourselves," said Ed O'Brien, Radiohead's guitarist and FAC board member. "There are new digital rights and revenue streams which have to be carved up and we have to get together and do it ourselves. Nobody is going to do it for us."

"The issue here is that record labels are becoming increasingly redundant in an artist-driven landscape. This could impact the labels as selling sound recordings is their core business," Gregor Pryor, a partner at law firm Reed Smith told the Financial Times.

"The labels could end up being mere service providers as opposed to copyright holders. It is not surprising the artist is becoming disenfranchised with the label arrangement as they are not paid particularly well for digital."

To Hypebot Readers: Should U.S. artists form a similar organization?