Brit Beat: U.K. Industry Quiets Down for Royal Mourning; Bring Me the Horizon’s Success Spurs Management Expansion

variety.com:

Mark Sutherland It’s been a curious month for the U.K. music biz, with events dominated by the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Her passing was announced just as the industry was descending on the Mercury Prize with Free Now awards in Hammersmith, West London – a ceremony that was abruptly pulled, despite 11 of the 12 nominated artists being in the room.

Organizers will now have another try on Oct. 18, although how many of the nominees will make the rescheduled date remains to be seen.

The official mourning period also had a significant impact on the country’s radio networks, with most music stations shifting overnight to somber music and news updates. The BBC won particular praise for its sensitive balance of music programming on stations such as Radio 1, Radio 2 and 6 Music, while the increased airtime demand for ballads even saw the vintage likes of John Legend’s “All of Me,” Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love,” Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” and Beyoncé’s “Halo” return to the upper echelons of the official Radio Monitor U.K.