I could go on about how music is like a mixed bag. I could lecture you about how within a given week lots of positive things can happen. Bands can reunite. They can announce tour dates. They can release new albums. Of course, with these come unfortunate happenings. Bands can break up. They can postpone tour dates or album releases. They might even cancel them all together.
But what would be the point of that? Let’s face it: these are given facts.
So before you head out for the holidays, feel free to catch up on this “mixed bag” of a week. Below you’ll find a listing of the most pivotal as well inane news items in music. Think of it as a source of ice breakers for all of those barbecues and beach parties that you’ll be attending within the next few days.
— U2 canceled its North American tour due to Bono’s recent back surgery, but dates will be rescheduled for 2011. The group also cancelled its appearance at the Glastonbury Music Festival next month. Organizers enlisted Gorillaz as a replacement.
— The Sasquatch! Music Festival in George, WA begins this weekend. Never been anywhere near the festival grounds? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
— In other festival news, Rock the Bells dropped its initial 2010 lineup this week. And four headliners for Bumbershoot leaked. Look for an official announcement in early June.
— David Byrne filed a $1 million dollar suit against Florida governor and senate hopeful Charlie Crist after he used the Talking Heads single “Road to Nowhere” in a campaign advertisement.
— Paul McCartney is to receive the Library Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The televised awards ceremony will feature performances by many special guests, including Jack White and Dave Grohl.
— New York state legislators are reinstating an anti-scalping law in the wake of the Live Nation Entertainment-Ticketmaster merger.
— Apple’s selling practices became the subject of an antitrust inquiry.
— Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha unveiled The Sound Strike, a boycott against Arizona’s controversial immigration bill.
— Ra Ra Riot, Röyksopp, and Grinderman promised new albums in the coming months.
— As if Arcade Fire hasn’t been getting enough press lately, two new songs are available for listening. The group also said something about an album release this summer.
— Did I mention the Arcade Fire-inspired high school musical?
— A new Kanye West song leaked.
— Slipknot bassist Paul Dedrick Gray passed away at age 38.
— Nick Freed reviewed The ArchAndroid, Janelle Monáe’s audacious, genre-bending effort. He also shared his thoughts about Jamie Lidell’s Compass.
— The Dead Weather released its followup to last year’s Horehound. See what Chris Coplan had to say about it.
— Luke Steele, frontman for Australian dance outfit Empire of the Sun, confessed his love for hi-fi in an interview with Cap Blackard.
— What better way to end than with a shameless plug: CoS seeks online sales associates.
