150 Indie Labels Devastated By London Riots In Sony, PIAS Warehouse Fire
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UPDATED – Sony and Universal Music sent London staff home early as riots spread. PRS prepared to evacuate its Berners St office according to reports.
A Sony Music warehouse in north London, which also served as the distribution center for many independent labels, has been destroyed in a fire during the riots spreading through the UK capital. The warehouse contained the stock of more than 150 large and small record labels distributed by PIAS, the UK's largest wholesaler of independent music. PIAS issued this statement:
"There was a fire last night at the SonyDADC warehouse which services the physical distribution for PIAS in the UK and Ireland. PIAS is working closely with SonyDADC who are implementing their emergency plans. PIAS's UK offices in London and all other areas of our business are unaffected. More information will be communicated shortly to all our labels and partners."
The Association of Independent Music (AIM) representing most of the indie labels including many run by artists who lost all of their stock in the fire issued the following statement:
To all music fans:
You may have heard that the London riots have caused the destruction of a warehouse in North London housing many of the UK's independent labels and artists. All the stock has been destroyed by fire.
This will lead to much hardship for the artists and labels affected.
What music fans can do to show their support for the indie label community, and help them survive this disaster is to buy a digital download of an album from any one of the digital retailers in the UK, as well as going to their local record store while stocks last.
This way, the labels will be able to remanufacture their CD's and vinyl more quickly, to resupply the record shops who are also affected by the riots.
Alison Wenham, Chairman and CEO of AIM, the UK's Trade Association for the Independent Music Industry: "This is a disaster for the music community, but with the fans' help, labels and artists will survive. Please show your support for the music community by buying a digital album from an independent label today".
The Association of Independent Music (AIM)
Quel Domage! I hate to say it, but this is one case where armed security would have helped.
It is a very sad and unfortunate thing to happen, but whatever happened to insurance? Why should fans be asked to foot the bill by buying an album again? Or will they be reimbursed when the insurance pays up?
I am not so sure, it is about a lack of insurance covering. As it will be in how long it may take insurance to cover and how much they will cover. In this case the appeal is to the fans of the bands to help support their bands in anyway, shape or form.
lack of insurance covering?? the fucking building burned down.. this is sony distribution center.. NO WAY there is no insurance for that..
Ok , here’s the way I read it .
Sony has insurance to cover anything ” Sony ”
Everyone else has to have their own insurance .
Regardless of this , independent labels are usually very small and
can’t afford to wait months for their money , hire legal teams to battle
insurance companies and have their entire inventory go up in smoke
and still survive .
In America have the right to bare arms and protect our property.
This crap happened in the 60’s here and it was a real tragedy .
Cd sales are down lets have a fire sale 🙂 Never let a good opportunity pass.
that’s not correct. Since sony is distributing and cuts his share ofcourse all goods are insured on his behalf…
i’m sorry for all the losses but i’m pretty sure some people are really happy because they are getting money for albums that they can never actually sell…