Music royalties row resolved

A LONG-running between a festival promoter and music rights chiefs looks set to be resolved.

POD Concerts, promoters of the Electric Picnic in Laois, yesterday said it hoped a disagreement with the Irish Music Rights Organisation would soon be resolved.

IMRO brought court proceedings against POD Concerts seeking €432,000 in alleged outstanding royalties related to music festivals going back four years, including the Electric Picnic concerts.

The High Court was told last month that if there was no settlement, IMRO may apply to restrain future POD events.

The case was adjourned so that both parties could negotiate. Last night, POD said: “A settlement has been reached between IMRO and POD Concerts relative to the dispute on royalties in respect of multistage events including the Electric Picnic. The proceedings are to be adjourned to allow IMRO to conduct a review of its concerts tariff and, if necessary, to allow the tariff to be ruled on by an arbitrator.”

The promoters insist next month’s Electric Picnic is going ahead.

Meanwhile, the first Rock’n’Roll tour bus has hit the streets of Dublin. U2, Thin Lizzy, Van Morrison, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce and Brendan Behan all feature on the tour.

The tour costs €15, and leaves from Westmoreland Street in Dublin.

www.dublinrocktour.ie