During the MidemNet conference in Cannes, PIAS Entertainment Group announced that it has signed alternative rock act Placebo, which had a long association with EMI.
Placebo has released albums via EMI’s Virgin label since its 1996 self-titled debut, but the band has moved to PIAS Entertainment Group for the European release of its sixth record, out in June.
Kenny Gates, co-founder and co-chairman of PIAS Entertainment Group, announced the signing during the “Serving Artists, Serving Fans” panel discussion at MidemNet, which was moderated by Billboard international bureau chief Mark Sutherland.
The partnership is for Europe and it is service deal, allowing the band to retain copyright on the album. PIAS will provide marketing, promotion and music services; the British release will go through PIAS U.K.’s Integral service.
“We will work with them hand in hand to cover all aspects of what needs to be done with the next Placebo album, coming out in June, to make it a very big success,” said Gates.
“We are delighted to be signing with PIAS, one of the world’s most respected and successful independent music companies,” said singer Brian Molko in a statement. “We were very lucky to have so many great labels interested in signing us, it means a lot, especially after 12 years of releasing records.”
The band’s 2006 set “Meds,” released on Astralwerks in the U.S., went to No. 1 in France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Mexico and Chile. Placebo has sold a total of 10 million albums, according to PIAS.
