Music Industry Moves: Chvrches Sign With Futures Music Group; MSG Entertainment Names Josephine Vaccarello President

Scottish synth-pop outfit Chvrches has inked a deal with Futures Music Group, celebrating the partnership by releasing "Roses," their first fresh material in three years. The trio is set to perform two UK dates next month, with a London stop before returning to their native Glasgow. The new single arrives on the heels of frontwoman Lauren Mayberry's solo debut, which dropped last year via Island Records.

Futures Music Group operates as an independent label collective, established by Neon Gold's Derek Davies and Avenue A's Dave Wallace. The venture, which launched in 2024, functions autonomously from both founding companies and emphasizes transparent deal structures alongside integrated technology partnerships. Contracts are structured to benefit artists through extended collaboration and shared participation rather than conventional ownership models. Its roster features Lykke Li, Mt. Joy, Cavetown, Phantogram, the Knocks and more. This artist-centric philosophy mirrors a wider transformation in the independent label landscape, where upstart companies increasingly challenge major labels by providing creators with better terms and more ownership over their masters. Industry analysts suggest that such models could pressure established players to reconsider their own contractual practices.

Meanwhile, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. has elevated Josephine Vaccarello to the role of president. In her expanded capacity, she will guide strategy and operations across several business divisions, encompassing all non-Knicks and non-Rangers sports bookings along with the productions unit, which includes the Radio City Rockettes and the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. She will additionally maintain oversight of bookings for live concert residencies and touring acts at Sphere, which is owned by Sphere Entertainment Co. and operates within the MSG Family of Companies. Vaccarello formerly served as EVP of live. Jim Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO of MSG Entertainment and Sphere Entertainment, praised her nearly three-decade career, noting she "has not only been instrumental in growing our live event business but also established herself as one of the industry's most impactful and respected leaders," and adding that her "deep understanding of our businesses and unparalleled industry relationships will continue to be an asset in this new role." The Sphere, a 17,500-capacity venue that debuted in Las Vegas in 2023, has rapidly become a premier destination for high-profile residencies, rendering Vaccarello's supervision of its bookings an especially crucial component of her expanded portfolio.

Primary Wave Music has finalized an agreement with the estate of celebrated R&B/pop vocalist Robert Palmer, securing his publishing and recording catalog in addition to a portion of his name, image and likeness rights. The catalog encompasses the 1985 blockbuster "Addicted to Love," alongside hits such as "Bad Case Of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)," "Simply Irresistible," "Johnny & Mary" and "She Makes My Day," plus collaborations including "Some Like It Hot" with the Power Station and "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" with UB40. Palmer, whose diverse career also featured work with New Orleans legends the Meters, died in 2003 shortly after issuing his final album, "Drive." An estate representative expressed enthusiasm about advancing his legacy and reaching both new and longtime audiences, while Samantha Rhulen, Primary Wave's SVP of Business & Legal Affairs, characterized him as "a truly unique artist whose distinctive voice, songwriting, and style left an indelible mark on popular music."

Elsewhere in the industry, UK garage artist-producer MPH has signed with DisOrder/Capitol Records, which will release his forthcoming album "Here, Forever" on November 20. He kicks off a US tour on Oct. 2 in Portland, OR, running through late November. His resume includes collaborations and remixes for Calvin Harris, Chris Lake, Anderson .Paak, Four Tet, Sammy Virji and Tokimonsta, among others. In a separate development, ASCAP has appointed Jackson Wagener as Senior Vice President and Head of General Licensing, effective January 1, 2027. Reporting to EVP and Head of Licensing Stephanie Ruyle, Wagener will lead the team responsible for licensing ASCAP's repertory of more than 20 million works to restaurants, bars, hotels, airlines, fitness studios, live venues and other businesses. A 12-year ASCAP veteran who has served as SVP of Business and Legal Affairs since 2020, he previously worked at Greenberg Traurig and Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Ruyle remarked that Wagener "pairs deep legal expertise with a clear sense of what licensees want and music creators need in today's world."

Chrysalis Records, part of the Reservoir group, has introduced a new integrated marketing framework for its London team. SVP of Marketing James Meadows continues to lead, with Marketing Director Colin Rice managing the roster and directing campaigns. Roman Tagoe assumes expanded duties as Digital Partnerships Director, while Matt Sherratt, formerly of Amuse, joins in the newly established Head of Audience Development position. Jonny Halliday arrives from Fire Records as Marketing Manager, Grace Campbell becomes Associate Marketing Manager, and Marianne Frederick takes on the role of Senior Vice President, Production & Distribution. Eva Davies has been promoted to the new position of Project Coordinator, collaborating closely with Frederick on frontline production. Lastly, entertainment attorney Sasha Safavi, most recently with UnitedMasters, has founded Syndicate, a law firm whose initial client list includes sports media company Overtime, streaming service Audiomack, Rebellion Records, various artists and producers, and UnitedMasters itself. Safavi's background includes time at TuneCore and work with UnitedMasters' sister company Translation.