David Gilmour has joined with other major arts such as Bryan Ferry, Jools Holland, Radiohead, Robbie Williams, Iron Maiden and the Kaiser Chiefs, all signing up to a new pressure group, the Featured Artists' Coalition.

FAC campaigns for the protection of performers' and musicians' rights. They want all artists to have more control of their music and a much fairer share of the profits it generates in the digital age. Their aim is to speak with one voice to help artists strike a new bargain with record companies, digital distributors and others, and are campaigning for specific changes.

The coalition is also intending to speak up for artists' rights. It wants changes to copyright law and for the rights of performers to be brought in line with those of songwriters. The body noted that when a song is played in a TV advert, on US radio or in a film, its authors are paid but the performers are not.

A spokesperson from the BPI (the body that represents the UK's recorded music business) said it was "looking forward" to working with the coalition. "The UK music business is a complex community that binds performers, songwriters, promoters, managers, agents, record labels, publishers, distributors, manufacturers and retailers.

"No one part of the business can function without the other. This is a business under huge external pressure, and we are stronger united. The creators themselves - featured artists, session musicians and songwriters lie right at the heart of this business, and we look forward to working closely with FAC in the future."

Talking about the FAC, Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien said: "For us, this is a no-brainer of an issue and we believe that all artists and musicians should be signing up to this too.