March 16, 2009 13:13

Radiohead's Ed O'Brien: 'Featured Artists' Coalition is deemed a threat' Radiohead Tickets

Guitarist says the group is trying to help musicians and fans

Photo Gallery: Radiohead

Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien has said he anticipates a negative reaction from some sections of the music industry in relation to the Featured Artists' Coalition (FAC).

The FAC, which aims to look after the needs of musicians and fans, held its first meeting last week (March 11), at London club Heaven. It was attended by stars including Robbie Williams, Mick Jones and Travis' Fran Healy.

O'Brien, who alongside Blur's Dave Rowntree, Kate Nash and Billy Bragg is one of the FAC's directors, blogged about the meeting on Radiohead's Dead Air Space site.

"Two days ago a historic meeting took place in Heaven (!) under Charing Cross railway station in London," he wrote, before stating that he wasn't sure how readily the FAC would be received by the music industry.

"I'm going to post up stuff about this because it's an exciting time and also because there is going to be some seriously heavy PR aimed at us by the interested parties who might deem the FAC a threat…there's a lot of fear out there in the biz."

In the blog, the guitarist outlined the FAC's mission status, saying the group wants to give both musicians and fans a voice.

"Traditionally in the music industry two groups have been shut out of any negotiations and rights/revenue carve ups…and that's the artists and the fans. The formation of the FAC is all about changing this state of affairs…hopefully we can not only do artists justice but also the people who listen to our music.

"After all, in order to be a musician you have to be a music fan. And first and foremost this is about trying to ensure that young bands and artists get a fair deal and are able to make a living in the digital era."

O'Brien also gave fans an update on Radiohead's world tour, which is currently on its South American leg.

"We are in Mexico City, our first show tonight," the guitarist wrote. "The last time we were here, 'My Iron Lung' EP had just been released. It was 1994. We then head on down to Brazil, Argentina and Chile…I've waited years for this!"