Music Biz Headlines, March 13, 2020
A profile of rising star pianist Alexandra Stréliski, US Girls’ Meghan Remy talks booze and abuse, and a plethora of Coronavirus-themed stories. Also in the headlines are Madonna, Donna Summer, Merck Mercuriadis, PMR, Billie Eilish, the Beatles, and the Beastie Boys.
By FYI Staff
Neo-classical pianist Alexandra Stréliski carves out a niche among more pop-oriented Juno nominees
– The Globe and Mail
Alt-pop star US Girls: 'Things happened to me as a kid that broke part of my brain'
She is the face of Canada’s most vital band, creating a furious soundtrack for our collapsing world. Meghan Remy talks booze, abuse and why she’s feeling mad as hell. – Ben Beaumont-Thomas, The Guardian
Quebec bans indoor events of more than 250 people to help limit Coronavirus spread
Quebec Premier Francois Legault asked people returning from abroad to self-isolate for 14 days and cancelled large indoor gatherings Thursday as he called on the population to join the fight against the spread of COVID-19. – CP
Paid in booze: musicians struggle to earn a living
It is normal for some bars in Halifax to pay musicians in free drinks only, with no cash and no offer to substitute drinks with food instead. Famously, many musicians struggle with a history of alcohol and drug abuse and one local artist says for this reason paying musicians in drinks is commonly perceived as “an insult.” – Jay Heisler, Chronicle-Herald
‘She lived a number of different lives’: the push and pull behind ‘Summer: The Donna Summer Musical’
Wherever you fall in debates about disco’s evergreen status, what cannot be disputed is the central place of the late American singer and songwriter Donna Summer in the history of the genre. – Karen Fricker, Toronto Star
A list of events cancelled through coronavirus fears
In Canada and in the U.S., several artists have postponed concerts, while Coachella, one of North America’s largest music festivals, postponed the event until October. Here’s a list of major events, conferences and sporting events that have been cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19. – Global News
‘Come From Away’ Chinese tour postponed over coronavirus worries
The Newfoundland-set musical was slated to open in China this spring. A spokesman for Junkyard Dog Productions says the tour has been rescheduled to 2022, citing the global impact of COVID-19. –The Canadian Press
International
Live Nation, AEG, Agencies suspend major music tours until April due to Coronavirus
As concern over the spread of coronavirus spread rapidly this week, the world’s two largest live-entertainment companies, AEG and Live Nation, and several major agencies have announced that they are suspending tours for the rest of March. Jem Aswad, Variety
As Coronavirus spreads, the concert industry braces for the worst
With South by Southwest cancelled and Coachella postponed, the live-music business is facing a scenario that could lead to billions of dollars in lost income. The New York Times
The music industry has welcomed some of the announcements made by Rishi Sunak, the UK’s recently installed Chancellor Of The Exchequer, during his budget statement to Parliament yesterday. – Chris Cooke, Complete Music Update
How Coronavirus will affect the entertainment industries
The coronavirus is a global pandemic. Even if coronavirus doesn’t tip us into recession, the next few months will see a major disruption of consumer behaviour patterns with major implications for the entertainment industries. – Music Industry Blog
'No more nightlife': With Italy on lockdown, Europe's music industry enters 'uncharted water'
COVID-19 is forcing thousands of live event cancelations and mounting losses as governments crackdown on movement and gatherings. – Billboard
Live Nation stock crashes dramatically as Coronavirusis termed a pandemic by WHO
LNE continues to see its market cap valuation driven dramatically down by fears over the spread of the so-called Coronavirus. – Tim Ingham, MBW
As price falls, Live Nation CEO Rapino buys $1 Million worth of shares
The stock buy comes as share prices fell more than 16%. on Thursday. – Dave Brooks, Billboard
Merck Mercuriadis’ Hipgnosis added to FTSE 250 Index, as stock withstands coronavirus pressures
The UK-based company, which floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2018, will be added as a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index, effective after market close on March 20. Hipgnosis’ stock price has largely withstood recent wider market turmoil. – Rights Tech
Global entertainment industry surpasses $100 Billion for the first time ever
The global entertainment market — consisting of theatrical and home entertainment — has surpassed $100 billion in revenues for the first time in history, according to a new report released by the Motion Picture Association. Worldwide box office receipts accounted for $42.5 billion of that haul, setting a new industry high in 2019. Rebecca Rubin, Variety
Coronavirus could decimate touring musicians’ livelihoods
Nashville singer-songwriter Caleb Caudle on the tough choices that independent artists are facing under the threat of the pandemic. – Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone
Miami’s Ultra music fest, cancelled due to coronavirus fears, won’t offer refunds
This year’s Ultra Music Festival was officially cancelled last week. Late Monday, ticket holders received an email that made no mention of refunds. Instead, people who purchased tickets to this year’s Ultra — one of the largest and most prominent electronic music festivals in North America — will have access to either the 2021 or 2022. – Joey Flechas Miami Herald
As the coronavirus spreads around the world — forcing government officials to declare states of emergency, shutting down entertainment events and creating a trove of memes — it has also sparked an unlikely new trend: catchy songs meant to educate but also make you sing and dance. – Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times
Florida-based royalty collection firm Pro Music Rights LLC (PMR) sues “the entire music industry”
Named in the suit are Apple, Amazon, Google, Youtube, Spotify, Digital Media Association, National Religious Broadcasters Music License Committee, Radio Music License Committee, Inc., The National Association Of American Wineries, Television Music License Committee, Llc, 7digital, Deezer, iHeartmedia, Connoisseur Media, Pandora, Rhapsody International and SoundCloud. – MBW
Body of work: why Billie Eilish is right to stand her ground against shaming
Billie Eilish has done everything right in her career so far, but that’s not enough for a celebrity industry fixated on sex. – Laura Snapes, The Guardian
Peter Jackson's new documentary charting the Beatles' troubled Let It Be sessions will be released in September
Walt Disney Studios has acquired worldwide rights to the film. – Jason Chester, TheDaily Mail
Madonna’s disastrous ‘Madame X’ tour is officially cancelled
– Ashley King, Digital Music News
Burt Bacharach, 91, would love to collaborate with Billie Eilish. Who says no?
The legendary pop songwriter has real respect for the young star. – The LA Times
The bizarre history of the copyright symbol
The copyright symbol (©) is one of the most ubiquitous and most easily-recognized symbols in the world. – Jonathan Bailey, Plagiarism Today
Spike Jonze has released the first full-length trailer for his upcoming documentary, Beastie Boys Story.
The film will chronicle the history of the Beastie Boys with archival footage of members Michael “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, and the late Adam “MCA” Yauch. – Live For Live Music
