150 Indie Labels Devastated By London Riots In Sony, PIAS Warehouse Fire

U UPDATED – Sony and Universal Music sent London staff home early as riots spread. PRS prepared to evacuate its Berners St office according to reports.

A Sony Music warehouse in north London, which also served as the distribution center for many independent labels, has been destroyed in a fire during the riots spreading through the UK capital. The warehouse contained the stock of more than 150 large and small record labels distributed by PIAS, the UK's largest wholesaler of independent music. PIAS issued this statement:

"There was a fire last night at the SonyDADC warehouse which services the physical distribution for PIAS in the UK and Ireland. PIAS is working closely with SonyDADC who are implementing their emergency plans. PIAS's UK offices in London and all other areas of our business are unaffected. More information will be communicated shortly to all our labels and partners."

The Association of Independent Music (AIM) representing most of the indie labels including many run by artists who lost all of their stock in the fire issued the following statement:

To all music fans: You may have heard that the London riots have caused the destruction of a warehouse in North London housing many of the UK's independent labels and artists. All the stock has been destroyed by fire. This will lead to much hardship for the artists and labels affected. What music fans can do to show their support for the indie label community, and help them survive this disaster is to buy a digital download of an album from any one of the digital retailers in the UK, as well as going to their local record store while stocks last. This way, the labels will be able to remanufacture their CD's and vinyl more quickly, to resupply the record shops who are also affected by the riots. Alison Wenham, Chairman and CEO of AIM, the UK's Trade Association for the Independent Music Industry: "This is a disaster for the music community, but with the fans' help, labels and artists will survive. Please show your support for the music community by buying a digital album from an independent label today". The Association of Independent Music (AIM)

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