Playlists are the lifeblood of most music streaming services. Since every major streaming service offers more or less the same millions of songs, gaining subscribers is about packaging, not inventory. Playlists aren’t only birthing stars, they’re the fusion reactors making stars shine brighter. Let’s discuss on how playlist professionals have replaced radio DJs as the new power brokers, as streaming services’ ready-made song lists become hitmakers.
Speakers:
Pete Downton, Deputy CEO, 7digital (UK)
Oscar Höglund, Co-Founder and CEO, Epidemic Sound (Sweden)
Patrik Larsson, A&R and Label Manager, Playground Music Scandinavia (Sweden)
Thaddeus Rudd, Co-President, Mom + Pop Music (USA)
Moderator:
Lara Baker, Music Business Consultant, (UK)
Are Streaming Services The New A&Rs? Watch This Video From MIDEM And Find Out
Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” Gets Covered By Computer Hardware Orchestra
Thank Ozzy for the internet.
The LEGO Movie 2’s Teaser Is Out Featuring The Beastie Boys
The much-anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed, global box office phenomenon that started it all, “The LEGO® Movie 2: The Second Part,” reunites the heroes of Bricksburg in an all new action-packed adventure to save their beloved city. It’s been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.
The battle to defeat them and restore harmony to the LEGO universe will take Emmet, Lucy, Batman and their friends to faraway, unexplored worlds, including a strange galaxy where everything is a musical. It will test their courage, creativity and Master Building skills, and reveal just how special they really are.
Reprising their starring roles from the first film are Chris Pratt as Emmet, Elizabeth Banks as Lucy (aka Wyldstyle), Will Arnett as LEGO BatmanTM, Nick Offerman as Metal Beard, and Alison Brie as Unikitty. They are joined by Tiffany Haddish, Stephanie Beatriz, and Arturo Castro as, respectively, new characters Queen Watevra Wa-Nabi, Sweet Mayhem and Ice Cream Cone.
“The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” is directed by Mike Mitchell (“Shrek Ever After,” “Trolls,” “Sky High”). It is produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Roy Lee, the team behind the LEGO film franchise since “The LEGO Movie” debuted in 2014.
“The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part” opens nationwide in 2D and 3D on Friday, February 8, 2019.
Johnny Knoxville Breaks Down Every Injury of His Career
Johnny Knoxville breaks down all the injuries of his career. From pepper spray and taser guns, to breaking his ankle crossing the LA river, to getting shot by a rocket over a lake and getting landed on by a motorbike, listen to Johnny break down the timeline of his injuries, Johnny’s new movie Action Point is out now in theaters.
Photo Gallery: Hall and Oates with Train at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
A-ha’s Obscure And Scrapped Version Of “Take On Me” From 1984
You likely know Take On Me by A-ha, but there was another version of the song a year before the massive success in 1985. The self-composed original version was produced by Tony Mansfield, and remixed by John Ratcliff, while the second version was produced by Alan Tarney for the group’s debut studio album Hunting High and Low.
The original “Take On Me” was recorded in 1984 and it took two versions and three releases to finally chart in the United Kingdom, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart in October 1985. In the United States in October 1985, the song became the only A-ha song to reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100, due in no small part to the wide exposure on MTV of its innovative music video, directed by Steve Barron.
https://youtu.be/keOvm0wl1qI
Shania Twain’s Charitable Foundation Launches Fundraising Efforts with Text-to-Donate Campaign
SHANIA KIDS CAN (SKC), the non-profit foundation established by artist and children’s advocate Shania Twain, is excited to announce a Text-to-Donate fundraising initiative campaign to coincide with Shania’s current North American NOW tour.
Founded in 2010 by artist and advocate Shania Twain, Shania Kids Can works directly with schools to help provide the basics, offering academic, social and personal support to children. Through Shania Kids Can Clubhouses, the foundation provides inclusive support and stability by qualified professionals in the form of one-on-one consultations as well as group activities while in a safe, inclusive, confidence-building environment.
Shania Twain’s NOW tour is currently underway and fund-raising efforts are in full swing for Shania Kids Can. Until August 6, 2018, fans throughout North America can text ‘SHANIA’ to 20222 and donate $10 to Shania Kids Charitable Foundation. Proceeds will support and expand programs offered to school children via Shania Kids Can Clubhouses in Canada and the U.S.; within SKC Clubhouse kids can access services that promote positive change in times of personal and economic hardship.
“My hope is to expand SKC programs to help support children who are facing challenges in their daily lives,” says SKC founder Shania Twain. “Through the SKC programs, we’ve witnessed improvement in the general health and well-being of the children. These kids are achieving higher academic marks, demonstrating improved social skills, and have an overall better attitude towards school.”
Studies show that by age three, children from low-income households begin to under-perform on cognitive tests. Children who live in poverty are more likely to experience weaker academic and health outcomes, and higher levels of anxiety and stress than affluent children. About a third of the children who grow up in low-income households will remain in low-income circumstances.
After experiencing poverty as a child, Shania Twain founded Shania Kids Can in 2010 to address the needs of young school children. SKC promotes positive change by working with elementary schools throughout North America to deliver programs by qualified professionals that provide support and stability to vulnerable children. SKC provides children with one-on-one consultations, academic support, group activities as well as nutritious snacks and meal programs, in the safe, confidence-building environment that is the Shania Kids Can Clubhouse.
“We support these children at a primary age and teach them how to become responsible, confident, and proactive members of their school community,” says Shania. “These children will grow to be adults who are in a better position to succeed and contribute positively to society.”
Liona Boyd to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from JoAnn Falletta Guitar Competition
Liona Boyd, “First Lady of the Guitar,” will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition on Saturday, June 9, at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, NY.
Boyd, an internationally renowned classical guitar player, has been given five Honorary Doctorates, The Order of Canada, The Order of Ontario, the Diamond Jubilee Medal, five Junos, and is five-time winner of the Guitar Player Magazine poll for best classical guitarist. On Saturday evening, her award list grows longer with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar Concerto Competition.
The guitar competition includes two semi-finals at 7:30 pm Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7, at WNED-TV studios, 140 Lower Terrace, Buffalo, NY, and the finals at 7:30 pm June 9 at Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo, NY. For more information about the competition and to buy tickets to the events, click here.
Boyd plays a romantic and unique brand of classical, folk, and world music that she has performed for dozens of world leaders, including the British Royal Family and the US president. Since 1975, when she made her Carnegie Recital Hall debut, Boyd has been called “The First Lady of the Guitar.” Through her concerts, television specials, and 28 recordings, many of which attained Gold and Platinum status, Boyd introduced millions of people around the world to her beloved instrument and her total online views are over six million.
Boyd has recorded with Sir Andrew Davis and the English Chamber Orchestra, Yo Yo Ma and Georges Zamfir, and breaking with classical tradition, she has toured with Gordon Lightfoot and Tracy Chapman as well as recorded with Chet Atkins, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Steve Morse, Roger Whittaker and Olivia Newton-John.
Boyd has composed and arranged hundreds of pieces for the guitar and also written a best-selling autobiography, In My Own Key… My Life in Love and Music. Her new autobiography No Remedy for Love, was released in 2017 by Dundurn Press. For more information about Boyd, click here.
Liona Boyd Tour Dates
June 23 – 8:00PM
with Andrew Dolson
With special guests Jack Grunsky and the Voices Rock Canada choir
Presented by The Toronto Jazz Festival
Church of the Redeemer – Box Office: 1 888 655-9090
NOVEMBER 2018 ONTARIO TOUR
Liona Boyd in concert with Andrew Dolson
Tickets on sale June 22nd
Nov. 1 – Brockville Arts Centre – Box Office: 613 342-7122
Nov. 2 – Belleville Empire Theatre – Box Office: 613-969-0099
Nov. 3 – Cornwall Aultsville Theatre – Civic Complex Box Office: 613 938-9400
Nov. 4 – Ottawa Centrepointe Theatre – Box Office: 613 580-2700
Nov. 6 – Orillia Opera House – Box Office: 705 326-8011
Nov. 7 – Huntsville Algonquin Theatre – Box Office: 705 789-4975
Nov. 8 – Oshawa Regent Theatre – Box Office: 905 721-3399, Ext. 2
Nov. 9 – Guelph River Run Centre – Main Stage – Box Office: 519 763-3000
Nov. 10 – Kingston Grand Theatre – Box Office: 613 530-2050
Nov. 13 – London Aeolian Hall – Box Office: 519 672-7950
Nov. 15 – Sarnia Imperial Theatre – Box Office: 519 344-7469
Nov. 18 – St. Catharines Partridge Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre – Box Office: 905 688-0722
Nov. 19 – Peterborough Showplace Performance Centre – Box Office: 705 742-7469
Limited Edition Yellow Submarine 50th Anniversary 7” Picture Disc Pre-Sale Starts Now
This July marks the 50th anniversary of Yellow Submarine, one of the most iconic and groundbreaking animated films of all time with a limited run of screenings around the world. As part of the celebrations, The Beatles are releasing this picture disc of the title song, Yellow Submarine b/w Eleanor Rigby, which together was originally released as the band’s 13th single in August 1967.
Featuring images taken from the high resolution 4k restoration of the film, this limited edition single is a fun way for us all to join the party!
– 50th Anniversary Edition 7” vinyl single picture disc
– Housed in a 7”x7” card sleeve with die-cut hole on the front to show the disc
– Limited Edition
SIDE 1
A. Yellow Submarine
SIDE 2
B. Eleanor Rigby
Reserve yours today in The Beatles Official Store here.
The Byrds’ Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman reuniting for “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” 50th anniversary tour
Founding Byrds members Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman will reunite for a U.S. tour in celebration of the 50th anniversary of their old band’s influential country-rock album, Sweetheart of the Rodeo, which was released in August of 1968. McGuinn and Hillman will be backed on the trek by veteran country singer/guitarist Marty Stuart and his group the Fabulous Superlatives.
So far, five dates for the tour have been confirmed, spanning from a July 27 show in Los Angeles through an October 3 concert in Akron, Ohio. Additional performances will be announced soon.
In advance of the trek, McGuinn and Hillman will perform a few songs from the album on June 6 at Stuart’s 17th annual Late Night Jam event at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium. Stuart cites Sweetheart of the Rodeo as a huge influence on his own music, and he plays a 1954 Fender Telecaster originally owned by late country-rock guitar great Clarence White, who was a member of The Byrds from 1968 to 1973.
Sweetheart of the Rodeo was The Byrds’ sixth album overall and the only one to feature singer/guitarist/songwriter Gram Parsons, who joined the group after the departure of founding member David Crosby. The country-flavored album featured mostly covers, including songs by Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Merle Haggard and The Louvin Brothers. A number of respected Nashville session musicians contributed to the record, including White.
“I can’t wait to be on stage with Chris Hillman, Marty Stuart and those Fabulous Superlatives!” says McGuinn in a statement. “We’re all looking forward to taking the fans through the back pages of the recording. The concert will include songs that led up to that groundbreaking trip to Nashville and all the songs from the album.”
Here are all of the confirmed tour dates:
7/24 — Los Angeles, CA, Ace Hotel
7/29 — Saratoga, CA, Mountain Winery
9/18 — Albany, NY, Hart Theater @ The Egg
9/20 — Hopewell, VA, Beacon Theatre
10/3 — Akron, OH, Akron Civic