Mean Fiddler to launch download division

Mean Fiddler, the live music events group headed by Irishman Vince Power, has announced a move into recorded music with the launch of a division specialising in music downloads.

The company said it has signed supply deals with Bertelsmann, Warner Music International, and V2. It expects to sign deals with the remaining three major music labels in time for the April launch of the service.

The new division - Mean Fiddler Media - "will provide digital download services for the sale of music over both Internet and mobile phone platforms," the group said, adding: "The service will start in the UK but will be subsequently rolled out to the rest of Europe, the US and Asia."

"The standalone business has been launched in response to current market demands for legal competitively priced music downloads with iTunes leading the way in the US providing millions of downloads each month," it said.

Acts covered by the agreements already reached include Dido, Stereophonics, The Darkness and Muse, who recorded the biggest ever download single with Stockholm Syndrome.

The Mean Fiddler owns the Jazz café in London and the Reading, Leeds and Glastonbury festivals.

MCD owner and fellow Irishman Denis Desmond owns 16.21% of the group.