In today's music industry news, three FM stations in Ontario, Canada, will be shutting down this month due to financial troubles. The impacted stations were announced by Evanov Radio Group and are set to cease operations on September 20, 2024. This closure reflects ongoing challenges faced by traditional radio in a digital age and the shifting landscape of music distribution.
In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority will investigate Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing strategy following concerns raised after the recent Oasis ticket sales. The potential investigation aims to determine whether the pricing practices are fair and in accordance with competition laws, which could lead to significant changes in the ticketing landscape.
Scalper ticket sales have also drawn scrutiny, with various artists choosing to cancel tickets sold via scalpers at their concerts. This trend highlights ongoing frustrations within the music community regarding ticket reselling practices and their impact on fans.
For UK artists, Brexit continues to pose substantial challenges for touring across Europe. Recent statements from EU officials indicate a lack of progress in easing these difficulties.
On a lighter note, David Gilmour has unveiled a creative method of revealing lyrics for an upcoming album, raising curiosity among fans. Meanwhile, questions surrounding the ethics of AI music generators have sparked discussion among artists who are concerned that their work may have been used to train these algorithms without consent.
In other music news, podcasting has reached a significant milestone, with over 50% of the US population now engaging with the format, indicating a prosperous future for the medium. Pop-up radio, a novel concept, is also gaining traction, showcasing the revival of unique listening experiences.
For fans of ABBA, the launch of a new greatest hits collection has received criticism over its pricing, pointing to ongoing debates about value in music releases.
To round up the news, Johnny Lydon has announced a spoken word tour, which is sure to attract interest given his storied career. Additionally, various artists continue to speak out against the use of their music by the Trump campaign, reinforcing the ongoing intersection of music and politics.
For a more detailed look at these stories and additional updates from the music scene, visit A Journal of Musical Things.