Will Of The People  becomes the first UK chart-topper ever to include NFT components, the release included a limited edition “Digital Pressing”, produced in collaboration between Warner Music UK and green music web3 marketplace Serenade. After Aitch’s Close To Home became the first NFT project to enter the UK’s Official Chart last week, Will Of The People made history today reaching Number 1.

Congratulations to Muse – The world’s first chart eligible music NFT format, sold out in 25 minutes. pic.twitter.com/vWbZwbaYAX

— Warner Records UK (@warnerrecordsuk) September 1, 2022

The NFT release was limited to 1,000 copies worldwide and sold out in a blinding twenty-five minutes. It had a different album sleeve and came as a downloadable high-res FLAC file that the band signed digitally, and each of the buyers had their name logged on the ledger providing them with verifiable ownership and the ability to trade on secondary markets. Digital Pressings will also render accurate, perpetual royalties for musicians, whoever owns the content and copyright holders.

What number did everyone get? pic.twitter.com/39ThOKfUil

— Serenade (@serenade__co) August 26, 2022

The Official Charts Company reported on their website their Chief Executive, Martin Talbot, thoughts on the adoption of NFT technology, “Over their seven decades, the Official Charts have always strived to move with the times, reflecting consumption of new formats and all new ways of distributing music, as they have evolved. Just as vinyl, 8-track, cassette tapes, CDs and even MiniDisc, DCC and DAT have been welcomed into the charts, we will also welcome Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) – and we will be delighted when the first album delivered as an NFT contributes to the chart, with Serenade and Muse leading the way this summer. NFTs are a new, exciting format, the potential for which is only just beginning to be explored and I am sure will play a part in the Official Charts for years to come.”

Taking about Muse’s adoption of NFTs for their new album, Sebastian Simone, Vice President, Audience & Strategy of Warner Records UK, added, “Muse have always been at the forefront of technological innovation and were one of the first music artists to pioneer in Web3 back in 2020. Their fans have an appetite for collectable rarities, and this format brings them closer to Muse than ever before, propelling them into a new space and offering an entirely unique experience.”

Serenade Founder Max Shand, adds, “As a simple, standardised and chart eligible format, Digital Pressings will be a game changer on the global stage,” he continued, “I have always been a huge fan of Muse, so I am beyond excited that they will be the first artist to release a Digital Pressing with Serenade.”

Official ticket resale for the #WillOfThePeople 2023 UK Tour is strictly limited to @Twickets, a fan-to-fan resale platform. Learn more here: https://t.co/lNuPIQLVGS pic.twitter.com/RiTN2qOiQ2 — muse (@muse) August 26, 2022

Muse will be touring the UK in 2023 dates are below, and click here to see ticket availability.

27/05/2023 – Home Park – Plymouth
20/06 – John Smith’s Stadium – Huddersfield
23/06 – Bellahouston Park – Glasgow
25/06 – The National Bowl – Milton Keynes

.@OfficialSteps‘ history-making Platinum Collection leads the Official Albums Top 10 ✨

See the Top 100 https://t.co/qA3DHUXugJ pic.twitter.com/gkxsbi8AU5

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) August 27, 2022

Those who buy Aitch’s new project will have a choice of unique NFT artwork to own; the collectable NFTs will be partnered with a physical copy of Close To Home. The new album is not only breaking ground within new media but has also sired Aitch his highest positioning release within the UK album charts. The 22 year old artist has also gained traction with the UK singles chart, his collaboration with Ed Sheeran has entered the UK top 10. The track, “My G”, has charted at number six and is the third single to be released from Close To Home.

Speaking to OfficialCharts.com, Aitch gave an exclusive statement, “A massive thank you to everyone who has bought my debut album, Close To Home. Also gassed to hear I’ve made Official Charts history, becoming the first artist ever to chart with an NFT project! Big up to everyone that has purchased an NFT from my collection, the support means the world to me. I’ll see you on tour very soon.”

Close To Home, my debut album is out now

Thank you to everyone who’s been involved and supported me, I can’t appreciate you enough.

My G is a song on the album that probably means the most to me, written for my sister Gracie. The video is out now https://t.co/UOmmkshgbK pic.twitter.com/KKnrJQaZai

— Aitch (@OfficialAitch) August 19, 2022

Since their creation in 2014, NFTs have been utilised by various musical acts to offer fans exclusive content. They have also gained vast popularity throughout all avenues of the entrainment industry. Standing for Non-fungible token, an NFT serves as a record stored on a blockchain typically attached to digital and physical assets. Each comes with metadata and unique ID codes; this information is used to separate each NFT. Their use has extended further than music, culture and the arts; this recent invention has even been used to represent properties and rights such as real estate.

The first instance of a release containing NFT data coming to the charts was made this April, it was confirmed that The Amazons’ forthcoming new album would be eligible to enter the UK album charts. The British rockers will release How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me? this September, the album will come with an attached digital boxset edition of the Vinyl release and additional NFT digital content.

The UK Official Charts Company CEO Martin Talbot has given the following statement, “We are delighted to approve this first-ever NFT for Official Albums Chart inclusion, it is an incredibly exciting moment for the chart and the UK music scene. As far as we are aware, this is the first release to include an NFT component to achieve chart approval anywhere in the world – so congratulations to The Amazons for this fantastic first. The UK’s Official Charts have always strived to evolve as music fans change how they buy and consume their favourite music, and this is another example of how we have always sought to reflect the pioneering spirit of the music industry and, in particular, the UK scene.“

Click here to buy/download/stream Close To Home.

I’m excited to share my first venture into Web3, “Ringo Starr NFT Collection | The Creative Mind of a Beatle” Each NFT comes with a signed print and access to join me on an exclusive virtual tour of the groundbreaking digital gallery experience, RingoLand. Peace & love Ringo! pic.twitter.com/6RVt5NlWxj

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) May 24, 2022

The 81-year-old artist’s NFT collection will include digital artworks which will accompany canvas prints signed by Sir Starr. The collection will also include five original artworks by the artist, two paintings, one self-portrait in the style of Bansky and two further pieces, with each purchase customers will also be given a signed physical print of the purchased piece of art. Each one bought will also include a musical accompaniment, customers will receive an original composition by Starr, these exclusive recordings of the drummer will be inspired by the artwork and has been specifically created for the collection.

Also included within the collection’s range is RingoLand, a digital musical wonderland which consists of a virtual gallery featuring the drummer’s artworks. With a purchase from the upcoming NFT collection customers are granted access to an exclusive virtual tour of the innovative experience of Starr’s creative digital universe. Fans and customers will be able to access the gallery via Spatial, a metaverse platform.

A statement from the drummer provides further information concerning the NFT collection, “I only ever wanted to be a drummer, yet you never know where a new idea or path will lead you. This new technology is so far out it’s inspired me and I loved creating these NFTs combining my art and my music. Who’d have thought I would be spreading Peace and Love in the MetaVerse.”

A portion of the proceeds that occurred from the sales of the new collection will be donated to The Lotus Foundation, the musician’s charity which was originally formed to provide support to the Tsunami disaster which affected South East Asia in 2004, the organisation continues to provide relive to those in need.  An announcement has also been made that the NFT carbon footprint will be counterbalanced by the efforts of Carbon Fund, a charity leading the way in the battle against climate change.

Sir Starr is currently performing a two-day residency at Ontario’s Casino Rama Resort. On the 30th of May, the artist will perform in New York and will kick off the long North American leg of the tour. After 20 performances across the pond, Starr will conclude his Summer appearances on 26th June 2022 with a set in Florida. The legendary musician will resume his touring schedule this autumn with an appearance in Bridgeport on 23rd September 2022 and will conclude his string of live shows on 20th October 2022.

Click here for further information concerning the auction.

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The iconic group are offering a unique ticketing process for fans; ticketholders will be able to obtain a proof of attendance NFT which will not only act as a traditional ticket but will also include other elements. Included within the NFT is a special experience with exclusive offers and gifts. Ticketholders will also be given album artwork from the band’s 2021 release Future Past.

A press release has given the following statement, “These highly collectable NFTs will be limited to 1,400 a night, and each show will feature a different artwork from the FUTURE PAST collection. The initiative is being powered by specialist blockchain community builders, Cub3, who will not only mint the NFTs, but can also hold them in individual wallets for those fans who have yet to have their own. After the shows, the NFTs will be tradable on Cub3’s bespoke platform should fans desire.”

The statement continues to describe the band’s experience with their previous “ground-breaking” NFT rollout which included “limited-edition collection of works that had been created by their collaborative AI partner, Huxley, and connected them on the blockchain to living trees in a newly planted micro-forest in New Zealand.”

The group released their fifteenth studio album last year. Future Past dropped on 22nd October 2021 and was the band’s first full release since the 2015 album Paper Gods. Released via BMG, the group co-produced the album with Italian composer Giorgio Moroder, Erol Alkan and multi-talented artist Mark Ronson. The album sired six singles with the first single “Invisible” released on 19th May 2021. “Laughing Boy” was the album’s last single and was released on 9th February 2022.

The album featured various collaborations with the following artists Tove Lo, famed pianist Mike Garson, Japanese rock band Chai, Ivorian Doll and fellow music legend Graham Coxon. The Blur band member can be heard within the tracks “All Of You”, “Give It All Up” featuring Tove Lo, “Anniversary”, “Future Past”, “Wing” and “More Joy! (featuring Chai)”.  A third of tacks featuring Coxon were released as singles, “Give It All Up” featuring Tove Lo was made available on 20th October 2021 and “Anniversary” was released on 31st August 2021.

General Tickets for the group’s tour went on sale today at 10 am, and members of the group’s VIP community were given pre-sale access on Wednesday 20th April 2022 at 9 am. Pre- sale tickets via LiveNation and for the band’s upcoming O2 shows are on sale now, click here to purchase tickets

Duran Duran UK tour dates

21/05/2022 – O2 Academy – Leicester
22/05 – 02 Academy – Leicester
12/06 – St Annes Park – Dublin
17/06 – Castle Howard – York
01/07 – Lytham Festival – Lytham Saint Annes
02/07 – Caledonia Stadium – Iverness
05/07 – The Piece Hall – Halifax
10/07 – BST Hyde Park – London

BABYLON DROPS TOMORROW pic.twitter.com/6ilc6iuuZ1

— MATAverseANGI (@MIAuniverse) November 11, 2021

As well as making new music, M.I.A. has been active in other areas, namely the newly burgeoning market of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). NFTs allow artists to sell their work purely on a digital basis, giving a unique seal of ownership to one particular file so it has value above other copies, similar to how in physical art, only the original will fetch up a high price. This technology can be used to sell things such as online art, music or even gifs, stopping other online copies from having the same value since they lack a unique digital signature. To find out more, you can read an informative article here or see the video below. Suffice to say, it’s changed the relationship between the artist and their market, as well as the very idea of what can be seen as a sellable piece of work, with the likes of video clips on YouTube and tweets being sold for thousands and even millions of dollars. M.I.A. announced her involvement with the NFT market last April, using it to launch her NFT GARAGE DANCE series. Following this, she released her first-ever digital artwork, titled KALA COYN, which she first made back in 1996. Also, last Friday, M.I.A. auctioned off both “Babylon” and an extended version of her 2010 mixtape Vicki Leekx as NFTs, which you can again read about here.

In a recent interview with CoinDesk, M.I.A. says she auctioned Vicki Leekx as an NFT because “I always saw the “Vicki Leekx” mixtape as a piece of art rather than a piece of music, just because it was very serendipitous, of everything and events that was going on in the world.” She argues that people have been empowered by recent technological innovations, being freed financially. In response to accusations of environmental harm from the NFT market, she had this to say: “If you think about what’s happening in America right now… it’s sort of debatable what’s destroying the world and what’s not destroying the world…The military-industrial complex, the consumption of beef and the fashion industry are the top three polluters of this planet. So for us to be against NFTs, we also have to be against these things. It’s such a confusing area because it’s, like, shifting your priorities and your values to adjust to the time.”

As for M.I.A.’s future, a follow up to her 2016 album AIM is due for 2022, entitled Mata. She went to social media to explain the title choice, saying “To reflect what I am, and what we wanna build, I’m proud to announce, starting today, my LP is now Mata.” According to the Oxford Leaner’s Dictionaries, Mata can refer to a mother, or be “a title that is used before the name of a female Hindu spiritual leader or the mother or wife of a Sikh spiritual leader”. But in terms of the NFT technology, we’ll just have to wait and see what’s in store for the future, for both M.I.A. and other artists in general.

 

 

 

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The app has worked with American artist L.A. Migiotto on the new series. The digital virtual reality platform and Migiotto have teamed up to create 10 assembles.
The app’s pieces have been re-imagined from never-before-seen images and artwork from the chosen musical artists. Terra Virtua’s website has provided the following statement concerning their exciting new partnership. “Fuelled by a very modern obsession, L.A. Migiotto gained access to the Lyons Archive, a vast photographic treasure chest, chronicling over 30 years of celebrity from candid shots, to infamous moments in time. From this gold mine, Migiotto has curated images of icons such as Bowie, Madonna, Jagger and Winehouse – figures the world has elevated to levels of unattainable perfection, previously reserved for those depicted in myths, legend and fiction. While to many they are heroes, in just one moment they can be made the villain… Migiotto’s work seeks to question, who created them? Was it us, as a society? Do we have as much influence over them as they have over us.”

L.A. Migiotto has LANDED!! Witness the evolution of celebrity! Iconic paparazzi shots transformed into beautiful animated #NFTs

Amy Winehouse, Britney, Jagger, Bono, Sir Elton and more RIGHT NOW https://t.co/UMgBo6ba7h #NFTdrop #NFT #nftart #NFT #nftcollectors $TVK pic.twitter.com/dzZhkBpHVG

— Terra Virtua $TVK | Collecting. Reinvented. (@terra_virtua) September 3, 2021

The purpose of an NFT or a non-fungible token is to store data, the NFT is a unit of data that is then stored on a digital ledger. The ledger is often called a blockchain and exists to certify the digital asset (files and information that is in a digital format and includes the right to use) to enable the asset to be distinctive and thus non-interchangeable.
Terra Virtua is often regarded as a new and exciting format in which fans can boost their passion and own un-breakable collectables of their favourite artists and interests.

The CEO at Terra Virtua, Gary Bracey has given the following statement regarding the new collection and the platforms new alliance with Migiotto. “This is an incredibly exciting partnership for us. Our collaboration with Lyons Gallery provides another exciting platform for us to showcase the breadth and quality of Terra Virtua’s digital collectables. It’s fascinating to see how this collection of images, of icons from past and present, have been brought to life by L.A. Migiotto and we look forward to building on this partnership in future.”

The complete collection was made accessible on 2nd September 2021 at 5 PM via the Terra Virtua marketplace. The full collection includes a list of iconic figures from various genres of music including David Bowie, Sir Mick Jagger, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Madonna, Amy Winehouse, Mariah Carey, Jay Z, Iggy Pop and Sir Elton John. The website has affixed the collection’s piece staring Sir John with this description. “With his ‘dressing-up box’ the envy of the world, Elton has taken on many guises from Louis XIV to Rocket Man with as much added glitter as you can handle. In real life existing in a bubble of success – outside the chaos of reality – but still feeling the itch of the universe calling for more. Are the successful ever satisfied as they battle against the insatiability of the ‘id’.”

A press release provides the following statement concerning the new series: “the relationship society as an audience has with these figures”. The statement describes the collection’s representation of Bowie. (The piece) “draws on images from NASA expeditions in an ode to Starman, Major Tom and Ziggy Stardust.”

This is not Terra Virtua’s only exciting project, the pioneering digital platform recently made headlines with a historical venture. The app acquired the exclusive rights to the popular film ‘Godzilla Vs. Kong‘, making it the first NFT to be released in accordance with a major motion picture.

Click here to see the full collection.

The NFT is a late picture of the singer in the streets of New York City and was taken by photographer Charles Moriarty: ‘We walked through the wet streets of downtown Manhattan, eagerly trying to capture the moment in a city that never sleeps.’ Moriarty commented. The Executive Director of MusiCares, Laura Segura, hopes to raise further awareness and support of the delicate aspects of some musicians’ lives such as mental health, addiction and drug abuse. Moreover, she claims that the charity is ‘proud to collaborate’ with the Amy Winehouse Foundation on this NFT.

‘Here at MusiCares, we’ve seen time and time again how struggles with mental health can negatively impact someone’s life. That is why we’re proud to collaborate with the Amy Winehouse Foundation to not only honour Amy and her incredible life and career but also help those who are suffering from this devastating disease. We are here to help the people behind the music and we couldn’t be any more proud of this endeavour’. She explains.

The NFT is listed on the marketplace OpenSea until the 31^st of May. The currency used is Ether, and the reserve price is now 3 Ether, the equivalent of £5,400 ($7,623). You can find more about the auction here. The NFT auction is also part of the ‘Back to Amy’ exhibit and live stream that will be presented on July 23^rd to celebrate the life and talents of the young singer-songwriter, who died at the young age of 27.

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In Capaldi’s case, there is a chance to participate in the game and get them for free. NFTs will be available to collect from April, and by acquiring them fans will be presented with unique opportunities to access exclusive perks designed by the Scottish artist himself, including a private and in-person NFT ticketed event planned for next year.

The trading cards will be released in collaboration with the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity, UK’s biggest music charity organisation. ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be launching these trading cards with the incredible team over at Bondly’, BRIT Awards winner commented. ‘This has been something I’ve been really excited about for a while and have been working on the game behind the scenes so it’s great to be able to finally announce this to everyone! Can’t wait to be giving a small preview of what’s coming up to a few of ya early next year!’

Capaldi is not the only one having jumped on this NFT mania. In fact, this new interactive experience has already been embraced by Kings of Leon, Gorillaz, Grimes and Aphex Twin, to name a few. Liam Boyd, CEO of BONDLY, said: ‘It’s unbelievably exciting to be working with Lewis Capaldi, who has achieved an incredible amount in such a short space of time. Not only will we be launching his collectable card game, which is fantastic, but also be partnered together on the very first NFT ticketed music event. This intimate event where fans will be able to have just themselves, Lewis and other cardholders in an amazing location is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The fact that we are able to support a great charity like Nordoff Robbins at the same time, is really the icing on the cake.’

The first instalment will arrive as apparel in the new G-Foot Collection, showcasing the style of the brain behind the visuals, Jamie Hewlett. This clothing line will see a relaunch with new items on online retailers following its previous exclusive availability in pop up shops in London, New York and Los Angeles during the 2017 Winter season. The anniversary also sees the collaboration with “character based product and animated entertainment company” Superplastic. The company, who have previously worked with the likes of rapper Rico Nasty and artist Ricard Cavolo are collaborating with Gorillaz to bring fans four collectible figurines, one for each virtual band member. This exclusive collection is the first of its type from the band for over a decade and is available to pre-order here.

On a more controversial note, Gorillaz have been under fire for another inclusion in the anniversary celebrations. Collectibles in the form of NFTs (Non-fungible token) are also being released in collaboration with the band. News that prompted fans to quickly point out the irony of the situation. NFT has been shown to have a negative effect on climate change. This decision comes as out of character considering their third studio album ‘Plastic Beach’ is hailed as a forward-thinking piece of work focusing on environmentalism and anti-corporate themes.

Read more about NFTs and the campaign to make them more environmentally friendly here.