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Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE APRIL 20, 2020 Page 1 of 27

INSIDE Returns to No. 1 on

• The Weeknd Makes , Hits It a Month at No. 1 on Top 5, Ties Top 10

• UMG First Quarter BY GARY TRUST Revenues Up 13% as COVID-19 So Far Has The Weeknd’s “” rebounds from No. Music/MRC Data. It returns to No. 1, from No. 4, for a ‘Limited Impact’ on 2 to No. 1 the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart to log a third total week atop Digital Song Sales, despite a 1% Vivendi Earnings third total week in the top spot. drop to 21,000 sold in the week ending April 16, and • The track dethrones ’s “,” which holds at No. 3 on , down 6% to 25.4 Subscriptions, Care dips to No. 2 following its debut at No. 1 a week ago. million U.S. streams in the same span. Packages & More: Plus, Doja Cat notches her first top five Hot 100 hit, The track concurrently rises 2-1 for a third week atop How Indie Promoters as “Say So” jumps 8-5, and Post Malone’s “Circles,” the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and rules Hot Are Weathering the at No. 7, ties the record for the most weeks (33) ever for an eighth frame. (Both rankings employ Crisis R&B Songs spent in the chart’s top 10. the same multi-metric formula as the Hot 100.) • MSG Entertainment Let’s run down the top 10 of the newest Hot 100, As previously reported, “Lights” parent After Begins Life as Public which blends all-genre U.S. streaming, radio Hours spends a fourth week at No. 1 on the Bill- Company, Names and sales data. All charts (dated April 25) will update board 200 chart. CFO on Billboard.com tomorrow (April 21). Drake’s “Toosie Slide” slips from No. 1 to No. • Will Grammys, With a third week at No. 1 on the Hot 100, “Blind- the Hot 100, while leading Streaming Songs for a sec- Oscars & More Go ing Lights,” released on XO/, ties ond week, with 37.2 million streams, down 33% from On in the Next Year “Can’t Feel My Face” (in August-September 2015) for its opening week. It ascends 3-2 on Digital Song Sales, Amid Coronavirus? The Weeknd’s second-longest reign of his five leaders. although with a 37% decline to 16,000 sold, and surges Awards Show Organizers Want to He’s led longer only with “The Hills,” for six weeks (in 22-14 on (47.8 million, up 38%), winning Know Too October-November 2015). the Hot 100’s top Airplay Gainer award. It leads the “Lights” leads the Radio Songs chart for a second multi-metric chart for a second week. week, with 108.6 million audience impressions, up ’s “The Box” holds at No. 3 on the Hot 4%, in the week ending April 19, according to Nielsen (continued)

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100, which it dominated for 11 weeks, and 32, “Closer,” feat. billboardcharts on both and Insta- Dua Lipa’s “Don’t Start Now” is steady at Halsey, 2016-17 gram. And again, be sure to visit Billboard. No. 4, after reaching No. 2. 32, “How Do Live,” LeAnn Rimes, 1997- com tomorrow (April 21), when all charts, Doja Cat pounces to her first top five Hot 98 including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will 100 hit, as “Say So” bounds 8-5. It likewise 31, “Uptown !,” feat. refresh. lifts 8-5 on Radio Songs (78.6 million, up , 2014-15 14%) and rises 10-8 on Streaming Songs (15.2 30, “Bad Guy,” Billie Eilish, 2019 million, up 4%) and 25-21 Digital Song Sales 30, “Smooth,” Santana feat. Rob Thomas, The Weeknd (6,000, up 1%). 1999-2000 With “Say So” released on RCA Records, Plus, as “Circles” has logged all 33 of its Makes It a Doja Cat is the first woman on the label to weeks on the Hot 100 in the top 10, dating to earn a first career top five Hot 100 hit in a its arrival at No. 7 on the Sept. 14, 2019-dat- Month at No. 1 lead role since Sia, whose “Cheap Thrills” ed chart, it matches ’s “Shape of (featuring ) led for four weeks in You” for the most weeks tallied in the region on Billboard 200 August 2016. Prior to Sia, reigned for from a song’s debut. nine weeks with her debut hit “TiK ToK” in Rounding out the Hot 100’s top 10, Fu- Albums Chart January-February 2010. ture’s “Life Is Good,” featuring Drake, falls Harry Styles’ “Adore You” revisits its No. 6 5-8, after peaking at No. 2 for eight weeks; BY KEITH CAULFIELD Hot 100 high, climbing from No. 7. ’s “Intentions,” featuring Post Malone’s “Circles” descends 6-7 on , keeps at No. 9, after reaching No. 8; he Weeknd makes it a full month the Hot 100, after notching three weeks at and Billie Eilish’s “” is at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, as No. 1, and ties the record for the most weeks stationary at No. 10, also after hitting No. 8. his After Hours album holds atop spent in the top 10 in the chart’s 61-year his- Just outside the Hot 100’s top 10, Camila the tally for a fourth straight week. tory, a mark that -singer already Cabello’s “My Oh My,” featuring DaBaby, TIt has refused to budge from the top spot shared: reaches a new best rank (13-12), as does Lil since its debut at No. 1 a month ago. It’s the Most Weeks in Billboard Hot 100’s Top 10 Mosey’s “Blueberry Faygo” (18-16), along first album to notch fourconsecutive weeks 33, “Circles,” Post Malone, 2019-20 with two country hits: ’s “I at No. 1 since Drake’s Scorpion spent its first 33, “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Hope” (20-17) and Blake Shelton and Gwen five weeks at No. 1 in 2018 (July 13-Aug. 11). Spider-Verse),” Post Malone & , Stefani’s “Nobody but You” (24-18). After Hours is now one of five albums to 2018-19 Find out more Hot 100 news on Billboard. spend at least four total weeks at No. 1 since 33, “,” feat. Cardi com this week, and, for all chart news, you 2018. The last album to land four weeks in B, 2018-19 can listen (and subscribe) to Billboard’s Pop total Roddy Ricch’s Please Excuse Me 33, “,” Ed Sheeran, 2017 Shop Podcast and This Week in Billboard for Being Antisocial, which accumulated 32, “,” , 2018-19 News podcast and follow @billboard and @ four non-consecutive weeks atop the list

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(Dec. 21, 2019, and then three weeks in chart-topper My Turn is also a non-mover at ’s Hard Candy, which bowed at No. 2020: Jan. 18, Feb. 8 and Feb. 22). No. 4 with 44,000 units (down 7%). 1 on the May 17, 2008 list, and moved 3-8-9 After Hours earned 75,000 equivalent Bad Bunny’s YHLQMDLG rises one spot before departing the top 10. album units in the U.S. in the week ending to No. 5 with 39,000 equivalent album units The last album to April 16 (down 18%), according to Nielsen (down 10%), Post Malone’s former No. 1 notch its first four weeks in the top 10 was Music/MRC Media. ’s Bleeding climbs 9-6 with 36,000 Michael Bublé’s To Be Loved in 2013. It The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most units (down 2%) and Roddy Ricch’s Please debuted at No. 1 on the May 11, 2013 list, popular albums of the week in the U.S. based Excuse Me for Being Antisocial is stationary and then moved 2-4-8 in its second, third on multi-metric consumption as measured at No. 7 with just under 36,000 units (down and fourth weeks, before leaving the top 10. in equivalent album units. Units comprise 6%). The last Warner Records set by a woman to album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) land their fifth top 10 album, spend its first four weeks in the top 10 was and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). The as opens at No. 8 with Madonna’s Hard Candy, which bowed at No. new April 25-dated chart (where After Hours 35,000 equivalent album units earned. Of 1 on the May 17, 2008 list, and moved 3-8-9 is No. 1 for a fourth week) will be posted in that sum, 23,000 are in album sales, 11,000 before departing the top 10. full on Billboard’s website on April 21. are in SEA units and less than 1,000 are in Of After Hours’ 75,000 equivalent album TEA units. units in the most recent tracking week, The Strokes previously hit the top 10 with UMG First Quarter 52,000 are in SEA units (down 19%, equaling (No. 10, 2013), Angles 73.7 million on-demand streams of the set’s (No. 4, 2011), First Impressions of Earth (No. Revenues Up 13% songs), 20,000 are in album sales (down 4, 2006), (No. 4, 2003). The 16%) and 3,000 are in TEA units (down 7%). group’s only charting album to miss the top as COVID-19 So The album continues to benefit from 10 was its debut full-length set, ? strong streaming numbers, as well as sales (No. 33, 2002). Far Has ‘Limited of popular merchandise/album bundles Rounding out the top 10 on the new sold via The Weeknd’s website. The art- Billboard 200 are ’s Pray 4 Love, Impact’ on Vivendi ist has dropped more than 100 different which falls from No. 2 to No. 9 in its second bundles on a mostly consistent basis since week (34,000 equivalent album units; down Earnings the album’s release. (Bundles pair an artist- 53%) and Dua Lipa’s Nostalgia, or album-branded piece of merchandise, dipping 8-10 in its third week (30,000 units; BY RICHARD SMIRKE usually clothing, with a copy of the album. down 20%). Merchandise in each bundle is also available Future Nostalgia, which opened at No. 4, ONDON – Universal Music separately, for a lower price, without the is the first Warner Records album to spend Group’s revenues grew to €1.77 album.) its first three weeks inside the top 10 in billion ($1.9 billion) in the first captures his fifth consecutive nearly five years. The last Warner set to do quarter of 2020, up 13% at constant top five-charting album, asThe New so was Josh Groban’s Stages, which opened Lcurrency and perimeter thanks to big-selling 3 jumps in at No. 2. The set earned 64,000 at No. 2 on the May 16, 2015 chart, and new releases from Justin Bieber, , equivalent album units, with 58,000 of that then held at No. 2 for its second week, and The Weeknd and Japanese pop group King sum in SEA units (equaling 76.1 million on- then fell to No. 8 in its third frame before & . demand streams of the album’s songs), 5,000 departing the top 10. The last album by a UMG owner, French media and telecom in album sales and 1,000 in TEA units. woman on Warner Records to spend its first conglomerate Vivendi, reports that the 3 matches Lanez’s previ- three weeks in the top 10 was Jill Scott’s The COVID-19 pandemic had only a “limited ous high-water mark on the list, as his last Light of the Sun in 2011 (it opened at No. 1 impact” on its earnings during the first three album, Chixtape 5, debuted and peaked at on the July 9, 2011 chart, and then went then months of the year when group revenues No. 2 on the Nov. 30, 2019-dated chart. All moved to No. 5 and to No. 7, before falling totaled €3.87 billion ($4.2 billion), a rise of of Lanez’s charting albums have reached the out of the top 10). 4.4% (at constant currency) on the same top five, asThe New Toronto 3 and Chixtape The last Warner Records album to period the previous year. 5 are joined by Love Me Now? (No. 4 in notch its first four weeks in the top 10 was In actual terms, Vivendi’s Q1 earnings 2018), Memories Don’t Die (No. 3, 2018) and Michael Bublé’s To Be Loved in 2013. It rose by just under 12%, primarily driven by (No. 4, 2016). debuted at No. 1 on the May 11, 2013 list, the growth of and, ’s former No. 1 Eternal Atake and then moved 2-4-8 in its second, third to a lesser extent, the group’s second-biggest holds steady at No. 3 on the new Billboard and fourth weeks, before leaving the top 10. division Canal Plus. 200, with 61,000 equivalent album units The last Warner Records set by a woman to Vivendi says its main businesses affected (down 12%), while ’s previous spend its first four weeks in the top 10 was by the pandemic were advertising agency PROMOTION

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Hit Songs Are Staying These Three Double-Digit Growth On The Radio Airplay Singles Broke On Projected For Digital Charts Longer Despite Radio Instead Of Radio Ad Revenue Peaking Faster On Streaming: Here’s Through 2023, But Streaming Platforms How It Happened It’s No Panacea

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Havas Group, publishing group Editis and have taken advantage of regulations al- its digital, ticketing and live entertainment Concert lowing continued food and alcohol sales arm Vivendi Village. to generate revenue while their rooms are “Each of Vivendi’s businesses is closely Subscriptions, shuttered. San Francisco’s DNA Lounge is monitoring the current and potential effects continuing to run its pizza restaurant during of this outbreak,” says the Paris-based com- Care Packages & the shutdown and is now offering pre- pany in its first quarter earnings statement. made cocktails along with expanded pizza “At this point, it is impossible to de- More: How Indie delivery through GrubHub,PostMates and termine with certainty how long it [the other services. Heard Presents, which runs pandemic] will last and how it will impact Promoters Are Empire Control Room and The Parish in Vivendi’s revenues and annual results.” Austin, created $10 care packages available At UMG, recorded music revenues Weathering the for pickup, including a six-pack of beer, a jumped 13% to €1.432 billion ($1.55 billion) bag of chips, a sticker supporting the local thanks to sustained growth in subscription Crisis culture district, a beer koozie and a mock and streaming revenues — which increased ticket for shows that don’t exist. 16.5% to €908 million ($985 million) — and BY TAYLOR MIMS “We had a bunch of beer inventory that receipt of an unspecified digital royalty we couldn’t sell back and if it sits there it claim. A spokesperson for Vivendi said n the midst of the coronavirus pan- is just going to go bad. They passed this the digital royalty claim accounted for just demic, independent music promoters emergency ordinance to let people do under 3% of recorded music growth. have had to find creative ways to re- curbside pickup and we are kind of hacking Download sales tumbled by more than main afloat financially until live events the system a little bit,” says Heard Presents 26%, while physical sales reached €196 mil- Ican proceed. While fans were immediately managing partner Steve Sternschein, who lion ($212 million), down 1.4% compared to eager to support their favorite musicians or adds that all proceeds are going to keeping the first quarter of 2019, reports Vivendi. local venues, promoters have had to make his staff fed and employed. Music publishing revenues grew by 18% their case for why they are also essential to Sternschein admits that these new efforts, to €271 million ($294 million), also driven the live music ecosystem and develop new which also include merch and content ideas, by increased subscription and streaming strategies for enticing continued support would have never been worth his time if the revenues. from fans. venue was up and running. But he’s inspired There was, however, a fall in merchandis- “Some people know what a by the outpouring of local support. ing and other revenues, which were down is or not know how to support a “I thought nobody was going to buy our by around 5% year-on-year, to €70 million promoter, where they understand a venue care packages. I thought, no one is driving to ($76 million), due to a lower number of that they go to or a band they go to see,” Empire for a six-pack of beer,” Sternschien Universal artists touring compared to the Graham Williams, owner of Texas promoter says. “The reality is, nobody drove to Empire start of 2019, even before the coronavirus Margin Walker, says. “It is a little bit of an for a six-pack of beer. They drove there be- pandemic brought the live industry to a uphill battle, but if you are a promoter, in cause they care about what we are doing and standstill. theory, you have reach and you know how to wanted to support us. I was blown away.” Following the March 31 sale of a 10% market and get info in front of people’s eyes. Longtime Bay Area promoter Noise Pop stake in UMG to a consortium led by Chi- That’s what you do for a living every day.” has a running GoFundMe campaign to nese online giant Tencent, Vivendi’s gross Indie promoters across the country began support its staff, launched gift cards for cash holding stood at €4.8 billion ($5.2 seeking financial assistance in mid-March upcoming shows and has tapped into its 30- billion). Vivendi said it also has €3.9 billion through GoFundMe campaigns, concert gift year history to supplement efforts. “We’ve ($4.2 billion) in confirmed credit facilities, cards, custom T-shirts and merchandise, got merchandise and show posters that have including €2.3 billion ($2.5 billion) immedi- and various livestreams. For instance, New been sitting around in archives for decades. ately available. York based promoter PopGun Presents We have worked with an incredible set of As of March 31, Vivendi group’s net debt recreated its venue Elsewhere in visual artists over the years from Shepard stood at €2.4 billion ($2.6 billion) with a video game Minecraft for a virtual con- Fairey to Thomas Campbell to Lil Tuffy and debt-to-equity ratio of around 15%. cert. On April 11, the virtual festival called many many others,” says Noise Pop Indus- Nether Meant raised more than $8,000 for tries founder Kevin Arnold. “We are looking coronavirus relief fund Good360 through at organizing that and releasing that to the donations, merch for Minecraft avatars, and world and revamping our merchandise, The digital VIP areas and meet and greets with Noise Pop Shop.” the artists. Similar to gift cards being offered by Some promoters who operate venues Noise Pop, PopGun Presents and more, Mar- PROMOTION COVID COVERED From festival cancellations to virtual performances, Billboard is the source for up-to-the-minute reports on how the pandemic is affecting music.

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gin Walker is currently offering non-expir- is a great way to get people out to shows and of events. ing “show bonds” for fans who continue to venues at least once a month. Shares of MSGE opened at $68 on Wall have disposable income and want to show But because the cost of putting on each Street. Each MSG common stockholder their support during the crisis. individual live show varies greatly for most received one share of MSGE Class A or B “We had the idea of war bonds like in promoters with different artist guarantees common stock for every common stock of World War II, where you buy these bonds and ticket prices, these subscription models MSG they held before the spinoff. and it is a good investment for the future look more like ones offered at movie chains The company also announced the ap- and you help out. Our show bonds are basi- like AMC or Alamo Draft House rather than pointment of Mark FitzPatrick as its cally, buy a certain amount and it is or . Unlike movie or vp and chief financial officer, good for tickets for future shows with 20% streamers, subscriptions for movie theaters reporting to CEO James Dolan. FitzPatrick off,” says Williams. have limits on the amount of films you can arrives after a four-year tenure as deputy He explains that the bonds are selling attend per month and are only a portion of CFO at WeWork, preceded by 10 years at well, but their more subtle purpose is to the business model. Fans who are not mem- Time Warner Cable. incentivize people to return to shows once bers of the movie theater services can still “While the current environment presents doors reopen. “It doesn’t generate a ton of attend, but at a higher price and without significant challenges to our industry, we profit or anything it’s just a way to commit select discounts throughout the movie going are confident in the future, and look forward people to coming to see music down the experience including reduced rates on food to MSG Entertainment building on its road and beef up sales for shows,” Williams and beverage. reputation as a leader in live experiences,” says. “They aren’t committing to anything “I don’t [subscriptions] are some- said Dolan, who tested positive for the other than going at some point. I think most thing you’re going to be able to base a busi- coronavirus in March though continued to people will use it when they feel comfort- ness on entirely, but it is a nice piece of the oversee the business. able and we are past the worst of it.” overall puzzle and we have to be diversify- He added, “We are also very pleased to Independent promoters have also turned ing and thinking about this. It can’t just be welcome Mark, a talented corporate finance to launching various subscription services. ticket sales,” Arnold says. executive who brings extensive experience Noise Pop launched a tiered subscrip- Williams agrees. “We stream more mov- working with well-known companies. We tion through Patreon called . ies via Netflix than we pay to rent, buy or believe he is the executive to help Monthly membership fees range from $7 for go to see movies any more,” he says. “But guide MSG Entertainment as we continue to exclusive digital content including exclusive those are things you can all watch at the pursue excellence across our operations.” ‘At-Home’ sessions from artists and episodes same time over and over again. And they get In its most recent financial disclosure, of the Noise Pop Podcast up to $449 for licensed all at once, where the live music covering the three months ended Dec. 31, unlimited access to all Noise Pop shows scene is built so differently. It would take a MSG reported $628.8 million total revenue throughout the year, passes to the next major shift to do it across the board, but I — with nearly half ($312.7 million) courtesy Noise Pop Festival with VIP upgrades for all do think there’s interest there and there are of MSG Entertainment. Noise Pop events and more. conversations being had.” MSGE’s portfolio includes the crown “It is, of course, odd that we are launching jewel and the at- a live music subscription service when there tached Hulu Theater at MSG in New York is no live music,” Arnold says. He explains MSG City. MSG Entertainment also leases Radio that the Patreon idea has been on the back City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre, also burner for a while and that the government Entertainment in NYC, and it owns outright the Chicago mandated shutdown gave Noise Pop the Theatre. MSGE is also building the massive opportunity to pursue service. “It is moving Begins Life as MSG Sphere at The Venetian in Las Vegas, from a donation to having a valid offering and has announced plans to build a second and a business model. It is a way for fans to Public Company, MSG Sphere in London, pending approvals. show support in a consistent and ongoing While still part of the family, the company way.” Names CFO recently reached an agreement to sell The According to Noise Pop and Margin Forum in Inglewood, Calif. to L.A. Clippers Walker live events have been slowly headed BY BILLBOARD STAFF owner for $400 million in in the direction of subscriptions for years cash. similar to the recorded side of the busi- he newly spun-offMSG Enter- As part of the split with the sports divi- ness. Margin Walker, for example, has had a tainment began trading as a pub- sion, MSGE retains majority interests in subscription fan club on sale for two years lic company on Monday as the live hospitality company TAO Group and festival in a row that provides two-for-one ticket business continues to wait in the producer Boston Calling Events. options for monthly shows. Williams says it Twings due to pandemic-related shutdowns PROMOTION

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The Grammys were already forced to president/CEO, gives Billboard her rationale Will Grammys, delay the taping of their annual Grammy for pushing the show back a full year: “I Salute to Music Legends special, which was was under a lot of pressure to postpone the Oscars & More set to be taped Saturday (April 18) at the gala to the end of November or beginning Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Ca- of December. It kept getting stressed to me Go On in the lif. No new date has been set for this event, that New Yorkers are unlike other people at which dispenses and the minute the lock-down is lifted, they Next Year Amid its lifetime achievement awards, trustees will not hesitate to go back to restaurants, awards and technical . plays, events, etc. My contention was they Coronavirus? A spokesperson for the Academy of Mo- are also not stupid. tion Picture Arts and Sciences tells Bill- “From the very beginning, I felt if it is Awards Show board: “We are in the process of evaluating cleared up even by the beginning of sum- all aspects of this uncertain landscape and mer, no one is going to want to travel and/ Organizers Want what changes may need to be made. We are or attend a large gathering and risk getting committed to being nimble and forward- sick before Thanksgiving or the Christmas/ to Know Too thinking as we discuss what is best for the Hanukkah/New Year’s holidays which may future of the industry and will make further be the first time they will be seeing their BY PAUL GREIN announcements in the coming weeks.” families in a long time. The thought of a An Emmy spokesperson tells Billboard, second postponement was daunting, so he global coronavirus pandemic is “Regarding Mayor Garcetti’s statement ... no, rather than risking a second cancellation, continuing to wreak havoc on the The Academy has no immediate reaction. Of it made much more sense to just move the awards show calendar. It is threat- course, internal discussions are underway entire 2020 Class to next year’s date when ening three of the crown jewels regarding September.” the inductees and honorees can truly be Tof the awards show season: the Emmys, the On March 27, the Emmys announced celebrated properly.” Grammys and the Oscars. changes to their awards calendar in reaction Garcetti’s comments followed similar “It’s difficult to imagine us getting to the pandemic. Key dates in the competi- ones made to CNN by Mayor together in the thousands anytime soon, so tion were pushed back and voting windows Bill De Blasio, who called large public gath- I think we should be prepared for that this shortened. The Television Academy also erings “one of the last things that we bring year,” Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told suspended all “For Your Consideration” back online.” CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer on Wednesday. events for this Emmy season — whether The Tonys, the fourth of the EGOT-level In a conference call with top city officials with a live audience, streaming or recorded awards, were already forced to postpone two days earlier, Garcetti indicated that for posting on a viewing platform. their show, which had been set for June 7 large gatherings such as and sport- Several awards shows postponed their at their usual home, ing events may not be approved in the city events for three to five months, thinking in New York. On March 25, Tony Award for at least one year. that would put them in the clear. Now, those Productions said the show “will be post- If the mayor meant that literally, that awards show organizers can only watch poned and rescheduled at a later date, in could affect the Emmys, set for Sept. 20 at news reports and public health advisories coordination with our broadcast partner Theater; the Grammys, set for and hope that they will be able to keep [CBS]…We will announce new dates and ad- Jan. 31, 2021, at ; and the the revised dates. These include the Ivor ditional information once opens Oscars, set for Feb. 28, 2021, at the Dolby Novello Awards in London, which were again. We are looking forward to celebrating Theater. All three venues are in the city of bumped from May 21 to Sept. 2; the Acad- Broadway and our industry when it is safe . emy of Awards, which were to do so.” Harvey Mason Jr., interim president/ bumped from April 5 to Sept. 16; the CMT Each time awards show organizers cancel CEO at the Recording Academy, says in a Music Awards, which were bumped from or postpone their signature event, their pain statement to Billboard, “We are of course June 3 to Oct. 14; and the Hall is palpable. Here is the statement the Juno monitoring this ever-changing situation of induction gala in Cleveland, which Awards in Canada issued when they were and considering all possible contingency was bumped from May 2 to Nov. 7. forced to cancel their show this year, which plans. Our hope is that we will once again be The Hall of Fame took a dif- had been set for March 15 in Saskatoon. “It able to hold our show in Los Angeles. Next ferent approach. Rather than just postpone is with an incredibly heavy heart that we year’s Grammy Awards will be especially their annual event, which had been set for collectively confirm the cancellation of the important in light of what’s happening in June 11 in New York, they pushed it back an 49th annual Juno Awards and Juno Week the world around us including the suffering entire year, to June 12, 2021. activities in Saskatoon due to concerns in our community.” Linda Moran, Songwriters Hall of Fame surrounding COVID-19. We are devastated Page 12 of 27

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to cancel this national celebration of music, equity investors to propose selling a major- gathering bans to combat the spreading but at this time of global uncertainty, the ity 64 percent stake to the Davis-led investor coronavirus back. healthy, safety and well-being of all Canadi- group for an undisclosed sum. In an email sent to ticketholders, accord- ans must stand at the forefront of any deci- Vince Sadusky has been running Univi- ing to the lawsuit filed on behalf ofYesenia sions that impact our communities.” sion as CEO since Randy Falco retired at the Jimenez, Do Lab said, “Sadly, we cannot The BET Awards are still scheduled for end of 2018. For the first quarter to March offer refunds for the cancelled event. We June 28 at Microsoft Theater, but it seems 31, Univision forecast overall revenues at are however working on a plan to make you very unlikely that will happen. around $660 million, up 8 percent from a whole over the few LIB’s. This will include a While it seems like we’ve been living this year earlier. system for crediting you for future years.” nightmare forever, the awards calendar The rise was put down to subscriber fee “The reason we are not able to offer tells us otherwise. The Grammys were held growth offset by declines in advertising refunds is that we are an independent without incident on Jan. 26, the Oscars on revenues. “Due to the economic impact of company, we have no parent company with Feb. 9, the Brits on Feb. 18. All were festive COVID-19 in certain markets, the company deep pockets or outside investors,” the email occasions, with happy winners, disap- currently anticipates recording a non-cash added. “At this time all of the money that pointed losers, inspired performances, dull impairment in the range of approximately was brought in through ticket sales was stretches, fashion hits-and-misses — the $65 to $85 million related to certain radio already paid out on non-refundable depos- kind of awards shows we’ve watched all our broadcast licenses and intangibles,” Univi- its, building materials and staff to bring the lives. And then the world changed. sion added. festival to life.” This article was originally published by Organizers went on to explain that they . understood the “news will not be received Univision well” and that they also had to lay off their entire staff, since theirinsurance did not Discloses Lightning in a cover a global pandemic. “Nobody was more upset about LiB Refinanced Debt, Bottle Festival cancelling than us,” Dede Flemming, co-founder of Lightning in a Bottle in a Has $650 Million Alters Refund statement to Billboard. “The coronavirus has been a crippling moment for the live event in Available Cash Policy Following industry, especially independent festivals like ours. There is no rule book for a situa- BY ETAN VLESSING Class Action tion like this, and for the last three weeks we have been doing everything we possibly can s former CFO Wade Lawsuits to find ways to get refunds back to our ticket Davis gets set to become CEO of buyers or allowing them to exchange their Univision Communications later BY TAYLOR MIMS tickets for future events.” this year, the Spanish-language In the lawsuit filed on behalf of plaintiff mediaA giant on Monday said it was eyeing ightning in a Bottle has amended Tessa Nesis also lists company’s co-owners “potential refinancing transactions.” its refund policy after the festival’s Jason “Dede” Flemming, Jesse Flemming The possible moves to reduce its debt organizer Do Lab was hit with two and Josh Flemming as defendants, and burden come as Univision unveiled prelimi- class action lawsuits earlier this calls the terms and conditions of the refund nary financial data for its first quarter ended Lweek. Both filed on Tuesday, the lawsuits policy “unconscionable and illusory.” The March 31. As Univision discussed liquidity sought unspecified damages from the festi- complaint adds that the contract is unen- issues during the coronavirus pandemic, val that announced its cancellation in March forceable “when one of the parties has the the company revealed it had “cash and cash and originally stated in an email to ticketh- unfettered or arbitrary right to modify or equivalents of approximately $650 mil- olders that refunds would not be granted for terminate the agreement or assumes no lion, with additional availability under its any reason. obligations.” senior secured revolving credit facilities of The Central festival was set Weekend-long passes for the festival approximately $638 million,” for total avail- to take place at Buena Vista Lake in Kern began at $319 and went all the way to $999. able liquidity of $1.28 billion as of the end of County over Memorial Day weekend (May For those looking to lodge at the event, car March. 20-25) with performances from Kaytrana- camping passes could be purchased for Univision added it had a debt load with a da, Sylvan Esso, Griz and a DJ set from $130, while RV camping passes ranged from carrying value of $7.8 billion. The company’s James Blake. The festival announced its $355 to $1,200. VIP camping set-ups or highly leveraged balance sheet earlier led its cancellation on March 13 due to the large packages ranged from $1,500 to $3,300. In Page 13 of 27

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2019, the Lightning in a Bottle capacity was sor, Yeremey Krivoshey and Brittany S. us,” she says. “It would not have been okay set at a maximum of 20,000 attendees. Scott of Bursor & Fisher PA. Nesis is rep- to pat the singers on the back for making it Following the lawsuits filed separately on resented by Matthew J. Geragos and Mi- through Hollywood Week, the showcase and behalf of Jimenez and Nesis, by law firms chael Geragos of the Geragos Law Group auditions and then just call it all off... We felt Bursor & Fisher, P.A. and Geragos Law and Reza Sina of the Sina Law Group. we needed to bring it to a conclusion.” To be Group respectively, Do Lab has altered their sure, it will not be a cheap prospect to set up plan to refund ticketholders. On Thursday, what amounts to mini studios in 20 con- the independent event producer sent an How Is ‘American testant’s homes, as well as four judges, host email to ticketholders stating, “Several Ryan Seacrest and connections for dozens of weeks ago, under immense pressure, we Idol’ Going to Go producers and show executives. presented you with a plan to move for- The logistics are insane and the vibe will ward, a plan that fell short of our standards Live During the definitely be different, but Kinane promises and your expectations. Please accept our that the results will be “ as you apologies; we aim to create joy and human Pandemic? The know it.” Except, you know, totally differ- connection, and never want to disappoint ent. Billboard spoke to Kinane and two other anyone.” Producers Say Idol producers to find out what viewers can Thursday’s email went on to note how the expect. festival operates on tight margins and relies They Have a Plan Run me through the process of shutting on sales at the festival to make any profit. down production last month. When did you The festival stands by its original statement For That decide and what needed to happen? that it does not have the money on hand to refund ticketholders, but has found alterna- BY GIL KAUFMAN Kinane: It changed by the minute. We tive means to create a “refund pool” to give were in the process of finishing the editing back as much money as possible to fans who magine filming a action of our Hollywood week and showcase green need it. blockbuster in your basement. Or mile from Hawaii and then we would have “We have worked together with the trying to pull off a heavyweight boxing gone into our studio. The contestants were music agents and artists, and are thank- match with the fighters in two dif- all in L.A. rehearsing with vocal coaches and ful to announce that a vast majority of the Iferent states. That’s basically the challenge pretty much within a week of the contes- artists, despite having incurred their own facing the team behind American Idol as the tants arriving and the set not fully loaded non-refundable expenses in planning for show prepares to switch from pre-taped into the studio things started to change and their LIB performances, are returning their segments to live shows on April 26. Of get much more serious and stay-at-home deposits in an effort to help us in this time of course, they cant’t actually go live because orders started to be put in place, but they crisis,” stated Thursday’s email. “Our goal is of rules imposed due to the weren’t clear at that point… We were hang- to build the largest pool of money possible COVID-19 pandemic, so producers have had ing on until the last minute to see if, “can so that we can then use it to help refund to get very, very creative this time around we still get into the studio? Can we do it ticket purchasers. However, we need you to to keep season 18 afloat amid the most chal- without an audience?” understand the situation, and that is if the lenging conditions in show history. We’d gone quite a long way down the road majority of our community request refunds, “There was never a conversation about of some rather exciting ideas about virtual it may mean the end of Do LaB because the completely scrapping this season with ABC,” AR technology, to have a sort of augmented pool will be far too small to refund everyone, Trish Kinane, Idol’s showrunner/executive reality virtual audience. And for our Disney and that debt will be crushing.” producer and president of entertainment at Night show we were looking at having an Do Lab asks that fans who can make it Fremantle tells Billboard. Noting that ABC audience full of Disney characters. It would without a refund either transfer their ticket has been very pleased with the ratings for have been fun. First of all it was no audi- to the festival’s 2021 0r 2022 edition or “gift” the show so far this year — which she says ence, but we would have still been carrying their 2020 purchase to the festival in order are up from the first two cycles on the net- on. Then it got worse and worse… then it to ensure a “shared future.” work — Kinane says that everyone involved became apparent that we weren’t going to “We understand that this is a big request was determined to make the show go on. In be able to get into the studio or load the set of all of you, and far from a perfect resolu- fact, at one point they even considered do- in safely. We sent the kids home because tion,” the email continues. “But we also ing at least one episode with an augmented travel was going to be affected and they know that you care about LIB as much as we reality audience made up of digital Disney needed to be with their families. We were do, and that we likely cannot keep it afloat characters. still thinking maybe we can do some shows… without your cooperation.” “The care of our contestants, without get- either postpone it for a couple of weeks and Jimenez is represented by Scott A. Bur- ting too soppy about it, is ingrained in all of we’d started editing these two American Page 14 of 27

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Idol: This is Me shows to get to know your watching it at home. Now we’re doing vir- broadcasting during the COVID-19 era is top 20 contestants better. tual mixes. It’s been fascinating how things the struggles late night shows have had But also we wanted to add new material have pivoted so quickly, but everyone has with producing good audio for interviews so they weren’t just clip shows. So we were rebounded and found solutions immediately, and performances over Zoom or other apps. doing virtual interviews and looking for which is a testament to the era we’re in and How will you address that technical issue unseen performances from auditions to buy everyone wants to make it work. and how do you make sure their perfor- ourselves a couple weeks more time. Then What were the logistics of sending every- mances aren’t graded on a curve because the we were thinking maybe do some one home and were the unforeseen costs connection is not good? remotely and and get into the studio for manageable? Kinane: Obviously fairness is hugely some. I think even as recently as 10 days ago important on this show because it’s a com- we were thinking that might happen, then Kinane: In circumstances like this you petition. So all the contestants have to be it became apparent that that was just not don’t think about the costs, you just do what treated absolutely equally. Dan and all the going to happen. The decision then was, “do you need to do. Our travel guys were just production team are working really hard you postpone the show the showcase Green scrambling to book flights and make sure with Verizon and all the providers around Mile episodes, which is a natural break?” these guys got home, because some of them the country to make sure that everyone has And then pick it up for the live later in the are 15 and we’re their virtual family the the same internet speed and upload and year… but with conversations with ABC we minute they come to L.A. And it’s not just download speeds are the same. decided that we owed it to these kids to practically, but psychologically as well. They carry one. Because who knows if we would were looking forward to the bigs studio Martin: We’ve had to help some people be able to pick it up later in the year, and if and the experience and that’s partly why, get routers just to make sure all the contes- we did when would it be and would people again, we didn’t want all fo that to go away. tants are on the same level and it’s fair for care if it was in November or something? It We didn’t want to deny them the chance of everyone. would be so far away from the momentum having that experience. Goodness knows Wolflick: Let’s say someone lives in an and the ratings are good… we’ve built up a the budget is still in a huge state of , but apartment building and everyone in that good momentum for this season. With all we’re doing what we need to do. building is streaming — I read on Drudge that thinking going on, we thought, “no, give What’s the hardest part for your team in Report that said people are averaging 12 this a go, let’s finish this season, let’s crown terms of the connection to the singers and hours a day streaming — so it’s been an the next American Idol.” telling their stories? Storytelling is such a uphill battle knowing everyone in their Did Idol have a break glass option huge part of the show and when you don’t surrounding areas is streaming. We’ve had ready in case of something like this have the singers physically in front of you to make some creative solutions to make (earthquake, fire, etc.)? crying tears of joy or sadness it must be it happen because we have people in the exponentially harder. middle of nowhere and we have people in Kinane: I think the answer is no. New York City. Kinane: The storytelling were the earlier Kinane: We’ve very conscious that this is Megan Michaels Wolflick (Idol executive part [of the season]. The studio part is a music show and it’s gotta be good. We’re producer) — Going back to something that performance-led, it’s about the quality of still having a band, we’re still having backing happened years ago when a piece of the set singing, it’s about the talent and it’s about singers… the vocal coaching has continued, had fallen between dress rehearsal and the America expressing how they feel about albeit in a very different way. So you’ve got show, “what’s going to happen? Is half the these people from the months when they’ve the contestant in their home on Zoom, the power going to be out?” It was scramble, watched them before. The story packages on pianist in their home and the in scramble, but then by five o’clock live it was the live shows are not that huge. We’re still their home on a Zoom, all doing virtual vo- back and we were good. So we’ve had a cou- doing them, of course. And Dan, you have cal coaching sessions. And then Megan and I ple little scares, but nothing that we haven’t crews and producers working at the mo- will come in for an executive run through on been able to continue on from. But like Trish ment re-crafting how they’re going got tell a different Zoom when they’ve got some- said, the answer is no. The whole process their stories in quarantine? thing to show us. And Chris and the band has been fascinating, because back when we are recording tracks and mixing them and were delivering our Hollywood week shows Dan Martin (Idol co-executive producer): sending them to the contestants. We’ve been we’d have our reviews when we would It’s a fascinating process, whereas before the careful to try and make this as high-quality go in and see the final show and we usually producers could use a crew to help capture as possible, especially the sound. So I hope go to a place in Hollywood to do that and the stories, now they’re working directly the sound on this is gonna be really great, quickly it became apparent that we can go with the kids to tell their own stories with even though it’s remotely. It’s not just sitting there, but now we have to sit six feet apart. their iPhones at home. at home with your iPhone singing. Now we can’t go in the building, but we’re One thing that’s become a hallmark of Describe to me what people are going Page 15 of 27

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to see when the show comes back on live. It’s not live-live, but we will have taped to the Idol process? Certainly there will be April 26. What will it look like? Will we it the day before. But with the judges we’ll some bumps along the way, no? recognize it as Idol? be watching them live… when I say “live,” Kinane: I think we’re going to be able to they’ll be watching the thing they taped the pull off a really good show with all of the Kinane: The elements are all going to be day before and they will be seeing it there limitations we have. It not going be the same the American Idol you know. There’s going and then and commenting there and then. as Idol [in the studio], with an audience of to be Ryan linking from his home… we’re in The putting together of it is as-live, so not 800 people screaming and flashing lights. 25 different locations with the contestants like we’re recording everybody separately. But all those key elements of Idol: quality and Ryan and the judges and God knows The three judges and the contestant and performances, being able to see the tal- how many producers. I think there are like Ryan will all be able to see each other, talk ent, great judges, American voting… Ryan 45 different remote locations at play. It will to each other and comment on the perfor- Seacrest is rather enjoying all this I think. I be Ryan introducing the judges, the judges mances. was talking to Ryan on the phone and saying messing around as they do, stand by for How are the contestants adapting? You we sort of need a home base because it’s some amazing outfit from . She’s talked about some being as young as 15. How going to be people all over the country and not just going to sit there in her pajamas. are they handling not being on the show different shots, because the contestants have [Bones] from Nashville and then the they always dreamed of being on? all got different backgrounds. Ryan is home 20 contestants remotely from their homes… for this show and he’s the center for bring- then the 20 will become 10, so it breathes Kinane: I think they’ve all embraced it… ing it all back and talking to the judges. And a little bit where we will have the story I think there’s a little bit of sadness that in the conversation I suddenly remembered packages. But the story packages will be a they’re not all going to get the professional that after season 15 we sent Ryan, because little different: where they are, how they’re makeup and hairdressing and the glam he wanted it, an American Idol desk and coping… we have no option but to embrace bits that they all love, but I think they’ve logo and he’d had it in his garage for four where we are and that’s the story of Ameri- all adapted pretty well and they’re finding years, so it’s coming out of his garage. can Idol this season. it quite exciting. They’d certainly rather it With the judges not in the room to face It’s all the familiar elements, voting… carry on than it didn’t. the contestants in person, how do you get viewers will still vote, there will still be that same dramatic feel — the music cues, results of the vote next week and we still Wolflick: 100 percent. “Okay send us the lights — during eliminations? have celebrity guests along the way. The big pictures, what do you have in your closet, challenge is to do the finale with the same send us options, order some makeup from Wolflick: I think with the music and the elements that we usually have. Most of this .” It’s really fun and they have ideas drama and obviously Ryan is amazing at is being taped as-live… “hey Katy, what are about how they want to dress their area, reliving the results and milking that mo- you wearing? Now let’s have Gil, Gil what maybe a little art project behind them. It’s ment. So that will all still be there. We won’t are you singing?” So we’re pre-recording kind of fascinating too because they grew up have stage lighting, but the drama and the all of that in case the internet goes down or documenting their life via phone or social emotions and the harsh eliminations will in case something technological happens, media, so they get it, so that that helps a lot. all be there. It will be a bit different, but the so it’s recorded as live. For the finale we’re We have a great group of artists this year impact will be the same. going to record most of the show as-live and they each have a vision. They’ve been the day before, but we have to go live-live- working really hard they all want to a Kinane: We’ll still see the contestants — a the result because this is your next great show. bit like the Oscars, where they have those American Idol and viewers will hav been Kinane: That’s true, everyone uses split-screen shots — because we’re able to voting throughout the show. So that part their iPhone, in fact many of our audition have them all there live in the moment you’ll will be very exciting and challenging and submission were on iPhone, so it’s a form still be able to get that. It’s not faking shots pray for the internet. that everyone’s familiar with, so that I think at different times with different people. All has made has made it slightly easier. It’s of that is live in the moment even though Will it be a shorter season than intended not about completely teaching them how not live on air. or the same amount of episodes? to frame a shot. Also, because Fremantle is You’ve started auditions already, but what Kinane: It’s actually the same. such a company of scale, we’ve been looking is the plan if social distancing continues at who people are solving these problems through next year? We will not actually be watching them in Italy and Denmark… because we do all Kinane: We would like to get past May sing live, then, for the most part it will be these big entertainment shows we’re able to the 17 before we start thinking about that in pre-taped? share information, and adapt pretty quickly any great depth. We always start auditions to this. again in April, so this is no different. We will Kinane: Yes, for the most part it will be as- How disruptive do you think have to adapt. One element of our audition Page 16 of 27

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process is online auditions, so obviously if payment flow and we succeeded by pay- replace the unscheduled interactions that this carries on we won’t be able to have huge ing $114 million to almost 30,000 payees. don’t happen online. one-off phone gatherings. But what is a huge gathering? Working remotely, you’ve got to think about calls or video calls with people throughout It depends on what the guidance and social money going out, how and where the checks the company just to check in with people distances are and what the rules are. are cut. You’ve got to think about incoming on the executive team and people I might payments. You have to make sure they trans- otherwise bump into in the hallway or see late to working remotely so you can keep up when we’re getting coffee. I encourage the How We your monthly payments. We didn’t house executive team and everyone down the line them in our offices. We needed to make sure to do that type of thing. Work Now: those banking relationships and the process I did a virtual town hall the other day and the interaction with our payment ven- with the whole staff. It’s technically the SoundExchange dors can still happen remotely. same thing — I was speaking to them and We’re all going to come back different they were submitting questions through the President/CEO people and come back different companies. app and I could answer and engage with After this emergency experiment, people them. Mike Huppe will use video more and travel less. Relation- And I’m in the process of scheduling a ships will always be critical in this industry. couple virtual happy hours with people on BY GLENN PEOPLES But I think when it’s a close call whether to the staff where everyone gets online and you make that trip or not, people are more have your beverage of choice. Rather than n a new series launching amid the coro- going to do it by video. I’ve already decided being an agenda-driven meeting, it’s just a navirus pandemic, Billboard is asking our June board meeting in New York will be chance to get together and connect on as individuals from all sectors of the music virtual instead in person. human a level as you can on video. business to share stories of how they This situation is forcing us to be much We had a spring all-staff team-building Iwork now, with much of the world quaran- more strategic about the meetings we do event we had to cancel. We have other de- tined at home and unable to take in-person and don’t have. Maybe the greater challenge partment events and team-building events meetings, attend conferences or even go into of having a video meeting puts into stark that had to be canceled. I would add that the office. Submissions for the series can be contrast the number of meetings we all have. to the list of what’s missing. Once we’re all sent to [email protected]. Slack used to be the place to do quick hits back together, I’d definitely like to do some- This installment is with Mike Huppe, presi- where you don’t need emails and you need thing to commemorate the reunion of real dent/CEO of SoundExchange, the nonprofit an immediate answer. But I will definitely people in a real office setting again. rights organization that collects and distrib- be doing Slack video more. On one hand, utes digital performance royalties around the video will probably replace what would world. otherwise have been in-person meetings. Twitch Hires Mike Huppe: I’m in Virginia where the But I think it’ll also replace what used to be governor announced a lockdown through just a phone call. Spotify’s Tracy June 10 — but it’s Virginia, so the golf From a business perspective, there’s very courses are still open. little that you can’t do that you did in the Chan to Head SoundExchange is digital native. We were office. The question is, how efficient is this? already pretty tech-savvy. We’re already in For example, we have collaborative events Product & the cloud. I suspect us going fully remote where being in the same room is crucial. was not the leap it is for some other com- There are tools to do that online, such as Engineering For panies. But even being digitally advanced white boarding technology, but those cre- and having a pretty young, astute and adept ative environments with a certain chemistry Music culture, to go fully remote has its challenges. in the room are a bit harder to translate We started working remotely a little ear- online. BY TATIANA CIRISANO lier than others, because I wanted to make We’re social creatures, right? There’s a sure if there were any challenges we worked million non-strictly business benefits that s musicians increasingly use them out before our royalty distribution come from being in an office space. It’s the livestreams to engage with fans, started to run. We were remote a full week ability to bump into somebody coming off livestreaming gaming platform before our distribution ran and I think that the elevator and strike up the informal con- Twitch is staffing up. The com- was last week we did it — God, it seems like versation. That’s what I miss the most. panyA has snagged Spotify’s Tracy Chan to a month ago. Recreating the real world is difficult, but serve as head of product and engineering for Our No. 1 goal was to not interrupt the I’ve tried to expand and think creatively to music. Page 17 of 27

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Based in San Fransisco, Chan previ- Calif. He was 85. London in 1967 that we would eventually ously spent four years as Spotify’s product Born in on May 13, 1934, Ales at- collaborate to tell that story, I wouldn’t — director, where he was the product lead for tended the city’s Cooley High, where he met couldn’t — have believed it.” the platform’s Spotify for Artists service, his future wife, Eileen “Mitzi” Cauley. His Smokey Robinson, who was such a key publishing analytics, pages career in music began at just 21 years old, member of as an artist and song- and more. He joined Spotify in 2016 after when he joined the stockroom of Capitol writer that he even served as the label’s vice the streaming giant bought his startup, Records’ local branch, advancing over the president, told Billboard that “All news of CrowdAlbum, which aggregates photos and next four years to posts in sales and promo- the death of a loved one is bad. Sometimes videos taken at music events. Prior to that, tion before joining Warner Bros. Records it’s devastating. The news of Barney Ales’ he spent time at YouTube, where he created in 1959 as its Detroit branch manager. The passing is devastating to me. I loved him so the service that would become YouTube following year, Ales met Motown Records much. Condolences to all of us in his Mo- Creator Studio, and Google. founder Berry Gordy Jr., who offered town family and his immediate family.” At Twitch, Chan will focus on developing him the job of national sales manager and After departing Motown in 1979, Ales the platform’s live music experiences. promotion director at the then-fledgling headed several independent labels — in- “I have spent my career building creator company. cluding ’s Rocket Records, Bob tools and I believe there is a massive op- From there, Ales played a key role in Guccione’s Penthouse Records and Norman portunity to help artists connect with their growing Motown from a young upstart to Granz’s Pablo Records — before retiring at fans through virtual performances and live the frontline of the record industry, helping the end of the century. In his private life, he streaming, which is what led me to Twitch,” break nationwide hits by , enjoyed sports, cars and classic movies and said Chan in a statement. “Across the board, , , Mary once owned one of the largest private collec- and especially at this moment in time, we Wells, The Temptations, , tions of the works of Charles Dickens. Last are seeing disruption in the Tops and The Supremes — who year, Motown Records celebrated its 60th as artists are having to find new ways to scored five consecutiveBillboard Hot 100 anniversary with a special tribute following both make money and interact with fans.” No. 1 hits in 1964-65. In 1969, Ales was pro- the Grammy Awards. Twitch is still most known for gaming, but moted to executive VP and general manager, Ales is survived by his wife Eileen; amid the coronavirus pandemic, artists are and in 1970, Motown scored seven more No. children Steven, Barney, Shelley, Brett and playing livestream concerts on the platform 1 hits on the Hot 100, an annual record for Cristina; nine grandchildren; and six great- in place of touring. Last month, Twitch the independent company. grandchildren. No funeral is planned, and held a 12-hour Stream Aid benefit concert, When Motown moved its headquarters in lieu of flowers being sent to his home, the where artists like and Rita Ora to California in 1972, Ales stayed in Detroit family is requesting donations be made to performed to raise money for the World to launch his own label, Prodigal Records the Detroit Sound Conservancy. Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity — but by 1975, Gordy brought him back as “Thank you, Dad, for you helped many Response Fund. executive VP of Motown in Los Angeles, people throughout their life to aspire to where Ales later rose to its president. Under your favorite quote: ‘Live, Laugh, Love,’” the Ales’ leadership, Motown achieved another family said in a statement. “R.I.P., and we all Former Motown eight Hot 100 chart-topping singles, and a will be together soon.” 14-week reign atop the Billboard 200 for Records President Wonder’s blockbuster album. & Sales Chief Those who knew Ales said that his busi- ness savvy and personal charm were crucial Barney Ales Dies for helping Motown artists cross over to mainstream radio. at 85 “It was a privilege to know Barney,” says music journalist and former Billboard edi- BY TATIANA CIRISANO tor-in-chief Adam White, who collaborated with Ales to write the 2016 book Motown: aldassare “Barney” Ales, the The Sound of Young America. “He was truly charismatic sales chief who a charismatic man and a ‘people person,’ helped turn Motown Records which helped get the records played — and into a music industry power- to get Motown paid! And if you had told the Bhouse as Berry Gordy’s right-hand man, 19-year-old Motown fan who first met him died of natural causes Friday in Malibu, after a Gladys Knight & the Pips show in Page 18 of 27

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not impact their eagerness to attend public wild success of the Saint Vitus Kickstarter Fans Will gatherings again. – which will help the venue and its staff as NYC faces an extremely uncertain future for Continue to live music – is a testament not only to the How a Brooklyn loyal clientele but the sense of community Watch Live that this particular Kickstarter helps foster. Metal Venue’s Even as people remain indoors, receiving Streams After rewards such as photos, posters, t-shirts Kickstarter and virtual lessons from metal veterans Crisis, Says helps keeps the venue’s spirit alive even as Fosters its doors remain shuttered. Bandsintown The latest round of rewards for contribu- Community tors, which we can announce in full below Survey ahead of their availability Tuesday (April During Shutdown 21), includes a photo bundle from the famed BY TAYLOR MIMS Nirvana show, a guitar lesson from BY JOE LYNCH Revocation’s Dave Davidson, a Descendents new survey conducted by poster from the venue’s long-time art con- live event discovery platform estled unobtrusively within the tributor Jay Morris and more (see below). Bandsintown shows that fans Brooklyn’s Greenpoint area, Saint — Skype guitar lesson with Dave Davidson would be willing to continue Vitus has a reputation that far of Revocation + a t-shirt watchingA live-streamed events after large surpasses its modest size. After — Nirvana photo bundle (two photos gathering bans are lifted. According to the Nall, few 250-capacity metal bar/venues have from when Nirvana played Vitus, by Keith survey, 74% of fans say they will watch live attracted everything from a secret Marlowe) + a t-shirt streams on a regular basis after live shows show to Nirvana’s 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of — Original drawing by Caroline Harrison return. Fame induction after party (featuring every- done for the Kickstarter Vitus logo tee + The survey, completed by nearly 7,000 one from St. Vincent to playing shirt bundle Bandsintown users in early April, also alongside and ). — Until the Light Takes Us DVD (black concluded that more than 40% of users But in the competitive and unpredictable metal documentary) + a t-shirt of had never seen a live-streamed event, New York City real estate market, no venue — Show poster (by Jay Morris) & photo either before or after the COVID-19 crisis can coast by on the occasional star-studded (by Nathaniel Shannon) bundle from the closed down live concerts around the globe. event. No, Saint Vitus’ true success stems Descendents at Saint Vitus + a t-shirt Regardless, only 7% of fans said they would from its status as a no-frills neighborhood While the staff has gone out to some never watch a live stream, while more than watering hole that’s hosted just about every friends of the bar with no-pressure asks for 30% said they intend to watch as many live Tri-State area punk or metal band worth its reward item donations, plenty of people are streams as they can. satanic salt (plus, its karaoke night is one of volunteering to pitch in, too. To that end, An overwhelming amount of survey the best in all of Brooklyn). the ongoing effort of keeping this essential participants (75%) said their favorite service So perhaps it wasn’t all that surprising Brooklyn venue afloat during turbulent for live streams is YouTube Live. The runner that when the beloved venue launched a times speaks not only to the clientele’s up for favorite service was Live, Kickstarter in the wake of coronavirus- loyalty but the relationships the owners and followed by Instagram Live. forced NYC closures, more than 1,200 back- staff have fostered over the years with fans Fans strongly preferred for artists to do ers helped Saint Vitus blow past its $15,000 and artists. live performances for these live streams, goal to reach $75,000 in less than a week “The whole point of Vitus is not that it’s with a 96% favorability over fan Q&As, (the total is now around $87,000). a bar or venue,” Harrison says. “Any venue interviews or fan-selected sets. “It’s been pretty humbling honestly to see is only good as the people that it brings, the When asked if they would be willing to how people are helping out,” says Caroline musicians who play there and the people pay artists to access live streams in order to Harrison, the bar/venue’s marketing coordi- who come to shows.” help artists make revenue, more than 70% nator. (A regular at Vitus prior to getting the of fans said yes. Additional good news for gig, she says the owners offered it by telling artists includes survey participants’ eager- her “you seem like you understand comput- ness to see live music once it is deemed ers better than we do.”) safe. More than 65% said that everything At a time when so many venues and that has happened since the pandemic will musicians are economic tight spots, the Page 19 of 27

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Mami; and his children, Daisy and Lily. Matthew See more tributes to Seligman below. Gene Shay, Seligman, Former Folk DJ, Dies of Steve Sternschein Soft Boys Bassist, Coronavirus at 85 Leaves Prism.FM, Dies at 64 Due to Joins Indie Venues BY Coronavirus ene Shay, a folk DJ who spent a Association Board half-century on the BY MITCHELL PETERS airwaves and helped promote BY DAVE BROOKS the careers of , Joni usician Matthew Seligman, GMitchell and countless others, has died of best known as the bass player rism.FM’s Steve Sternschein complications of the coronavirus. for , has died due is exiting the venue software Shay, 85, who had been hospitalized in to complications of the corona- company he co-founded in 2016 recent weeks, died Friday, according to Mvirus. He was 64. and served as president starting WXPN-FM station manager Roger LaMay. Former Soft Boys frontman Pin 2019. His weekly “Folk Show” ran on various sta- Hitchcock confirmed the news of Selig- “I have left Prism.FM in an operational tions in the city from 1968 to 2015, the last man’s death in a heartfelt Facebook post on capacity although I remain a shareholder in 20 of them at WXPN. Friday. “I’m writing this as Matthew Selig- the company,” he told Billboard in a state- “He was a giant in terms of his impact on man slips out of this life and into wherever ment. artists and the music. And to do it for close souls go next,” wrote Hitchcock, who met Sternschein will continue to serve as to 60 years is extraordinary,” LaMay said. Seligman in 1976. “Everybody goes, but none managing partner for Austin-based promo- Shay, being introduced into the Philadel- of us were expecting Matthew to leave us so tion company Heard Presents, including phia Music Alliance Walk of Fame by David abruptly, forever.” Empire and the Parish. During his time at Bromberg in 2013, said he put unknown Seligman’s friend and former bandmate Prism.FM the company raised more $7 mil- talent on the air in the hope they could find shared on Facebook that lion in seed financing including a $3 million an audience and perhaps a record deal. Seligman “suffered a catastrophic haemor- bridge financing round of “I play people who have a glint of some- rhagic stroke” after recently being admitted 2020. Prism currently services more than thing, some spark, … (and) just let them play to St George’s in London for COVID-19. 120 clients representing over 1,000 venues good music where other people can hear “I am so sad to have to bear this terrible and performance spaces and Sternschein them,” Shay said. “That is one of the great news,” Dolby wrote. “I have loved him as a added, “I am proud of what we have ac- joys of my life.” friend and a fellow musician for 40 years.” complished at Prism over the past three Shay also helped start the popular Phila- Seligman joined The Soft Boys in the late years, enabling independent promoters to delphia Folk Festival, where he long served 1970s and performed on the psychedelic more effectively run their businesses with as emcee, and the organization that runs it, band’s A Can of Bees (1979) and Underwater purpose-built software.” the Philadelphia Folksong Society. Moonlight (1980) albums. He later played Sternschein said his passion is working Shay’s daughter, Rachel Vaughn, told The on solo albums by Hitchcock and Dolby. with independent promoters and serves a Philadelphia Inquirer on Saturday that Shay Seligman’s impressive résumé also included board member for the National Indepen- died at Lankenau Medical Center in Wyn- playing alongside , Thompson dent Venue Association where he will work newood. Twins, , Chrissie Hynde, Sinead with lobbying firm Akin Gump to lobby for Shay, born Ivan Shaner, joined WRTI at O’Connor and . federal funding to help struggling venues, Temple University in 1962 and later worked “I’m profoundly grateful to have played which were the first to close as a result of at many of the city’s top stations. He also music with him — you could really see his the coronavirus pandemic and will among worked a day job much of his life as an ad face light up like a full moon when he lis- the last to open when the crisis ends. man, and according to the Music Alliance tened back to a take he enjoyed,” Hitchcock “The independent community is facing wrote the original radio commercials for remembered. “Onstage he would lope and an unprecedented liquidity crisis as a result Woodstock. lurch and pace when the music moved him. of the pandemic,” he said. “Now more than He famously brought Dylan to town for Matthew is, was, and always will be one of ever it is time for us to band together, tell a show at the Philadelphia Ethical Society the greats.” our story with a united voice and work to in May 1963, before the release of Dylan’s Seligman is survived by his partner, reshape our businesses and the industry.” second album. About 45 people turned out Page 20 of 27

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and Dylan made $150, Shay often recalled. ending April 11, 2019), country’s share stood (of its total 36.8 million). So, if we removed Shay’s wife, Gloria Shaner, died in 2018. at 6.92% (13.23 billion of 191.08 billion). the 34.5 million from country’s on-demand He lived in Lower Merion, and is also sur- To compare, the genre with the biggest audio sum for the week (1.243 billion), it vived by another daughter. His WXPN col- share of the streaming market remains would only bring it down to 1.209 billion – leagues did not know if he had ever legally R&B/hip-hop. The genre accounts for still the biggest week ever for on-demand changed his name. 31.09% of year-to-date on-demand audio audio country streams. “He was so generous in spirit,” LaMay streams (68.96 billion of 221.81 billion). ACM & CMT Assist: Aside from the ar- said. “I loved the guy.” A year ago at this point, the genre’s share rival of Southside on April 3, country music stood at 31.89% (60.95 billion of 191.08 bil- also got an assist last week from two TV lion). specials that helped stir interest in country Country Music And for good measure, year-to-date in tunes. First, CBS aired ACM Presents: Our 2018 (through April 5, 2018): country’s on- Country on April 5, and then CMT broad- Streams Hit demand share was 6.47%, while R&B/hip- cast CMT GIANTS Kenny Rogers: A Benefit hop was 29.85%. for MusiCares on April 8. The former aired Record High Considering the genre’s huge chunk of the same night as the postponed Academy the streaming market, R&B/hip-hop fans of Country Music Awards, while the latter in U.S. were early adopters of streaming services. saluted the late superstar Rogers, who died Meanwhile, country has been playing catch- on March 20. BY KEITH CAULFIELD up. Notably, in the last year, a number of ACM Presents: Our Country boasted per- major country albums have debuted with formances from the likes of Kelsea Ballerini, ountry music streaming hit a eye-popping on-demand audio streaming Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, historic new high in the U.S., with debuts – including Maren Morris’ Girl (24 , Florida Georgia Line, Miranda a record 1.244 billion on-demand million), Thomas Rhett’s Center Point Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Shania Twain and audio streams of songs in the Road (33.6 million), Luke Combs’ What . Cgenre in the week ending April 9, according You See Is What You Get (country’s single- CMT GIANTS featured such acts as Vince to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. That blows week streaming record of 74 million) and, Gill, Randy Houser, Antebellum, Jen- past the previous single-week high-water as reflected in this week’s record haul,Sam nifer Nettles, and Rascal Flatts. mark, set just earlier this year, when 1.201 Hunt’s Southside (34.5 million). dick clark productions, producer of ACM billion audio clicks occurred in the week While those numbers are great for the Presents: Our Country, is owned by Valence ending March 5. country genre, when you stack those figures Media, the parent company of Billboard. Further, overall country song streams next to those of major R&B/hip-hop re- (combining on-demand audio and video leases, they are tiny. In 2020 alone, 10 R&B/ streams) jumped to 1.389 billion in the week hip-hop albums have launched with over David Guetta ending April 9. That’s the biggest week on-demand audio streams each overall for the genre in eight months – since in their first weeks. Raises Huge the week ending Aug. 8, 2019, when country Hunt Helps Out: Streams of country tunes collected 1.397 billion clicks. music got a big assist in the latest tracking Money for Streams are measured from all leading week thanks to the arrival of Sam Hunt’s services, including Spotify, , new album Southside on April 3. The set COVID-19 Relief YouTube, Amazon, Soundcloud and . arrived at No. 1 on the Third Straight Week of Country Gains: chart and No. 5 on the all-genre Billboard With Miami For the third week in a row, both overall 200, and scored the third-largest stream- on-demand streams and on-demand audio ing week ever for a country album (36.8 Rooftop Show streams of country songs posted gains. In million streams of its songs, audio and video the frame ending April 9, total country on- combined). BY ASSOCIATED PRESS demand streams grew 4%, while on-demand Without Southside’s streams, total country audio streams gained 5%. on-demand streaming volume would have olice said they dispersed crowds Country’s Share of On-Demand Audio stood at 1.353 billion in the week ending violating social distancing guide- Grows: Year-to-date, through the week April 9. Still, that robust sum would have lines during David Guetta’s coro- ending April 9, on-demand audio streams been the largest for country music since the navirus relief concert in Miami. of country songs represent 7.19% of all week ending Nov. 28, 2019 (1.355 billion). PThere were no arrests made when police on-demand audio streams (15.94 billion of Parsing Southside’s streams further, its on- broke up groups on the sidewalks far below 221.81 billion). A year ago (through the week demand audio streams totaled 34.5 million the two-hour rooftop concert played by Page 21 of 27

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the DJ from the balcony of the Icon Brickell 23 through April 25. risk and a to the community. In his building on Saturday (April 18), The Miami For fans to best enjoy “Astronomical,” memo to the court, Donoghue reminds Herald reported. Florida has prohibited Epic Games will be setting up multiple the court that the charges against Kelly in gatherings of more than 10 people during tour dates with showtimes for gamers all Chicago include that he participated in a the pandemic. around the world. Encore showings will long-running conspiracy to obstruct justice While some residents in downtown Mi- also be available to accommodate players in and a conspiracy to receive child pornogra- ami were able to see the concert from their different time zones. Along with his in-game phy, including during the years he was on balconies, the relief benefit also drew in performance, Scott will be premiering a new bail awaiting trial. Donoghue argues that over 9 million views on Facebook and nearly record. there is probable cause to believe that Kelly 2 million views on YouTube. The concert Over the weekend, GameRant reported committed at least five serious crimes while raised $700,000, Guetta said in a Facebook that several data-mine files hinted at a pos- out on bail. post Sunday. The money will go towards sible in-game concert headlined by Scott. Prosecutors also argue that it is “disingen- four organizations, including Feeding Now, fans will get their wish and see the uous” for Kelly to say he has “no means to South Florida and the World Health Orga- Astroworld superstar take over the video go anywhere” considering that “in the first nization’s Solidarity Response Fund. game universe. quarter of 2020 alone Kelly received over “I’m still buzzing from what was an Take a look at some of the dates below. $200k in royalty proceeds.” In addition, they incredible night shared with many,” Guetta Virtual doors open 30 minutes before the say Kelly still continues to have a “signifi- said in a statement. “Thank you to everyone scheduled shows. cant network of individuals to assist him” on who joined and to those who were able 4/23 - The Americas - 7:00 p.m. EST the outside and to do his bidding, including to donate. Although this is a very unusual 4/24 - EU & ME - 10:00 a.m. EST posting on social media in support of him time, it was magical to connect with you all 4/25 - Asia & Oceania - 12:00 a.m. EST and overtly trying to intimidate his accusers. through music last night. Most importantly, 4/25 - EU & ME - 11:00 a.m. EST While Donoghue concedes that the we’ve raised money that will help those who 4/25 - The Americas - 6:00 p.m. EST Chicago prison where Kelly is being held need it most.” has inmates who have tested positive for Florida’s coronavirus caseload reached COVID-19, he points out that Kelly does not 26,314 with 774 deaths as of Sunday evening, R. Kelly Is a Flight have any medical conditions that place him the state’s Health department said. in a high-risk category should he contract Watch Guetta’s full set below. Risk, Prosecutors the virus. The Bureau of Prisons has put into effect a COVID-19 action plan that Argue After Prison includes temperature checks and quarantine Travis Scott procedures, and as of April 10, all staff and Release Request inmates at the Chicago prison have been Partners With wearing face masks for further protection, BY CLAUDIA ROSENBAUM according to the DOJ motion filed in court. ‘Fortnite’ For New “While the government recognizes the . Kelly is a flight risk and a seriousness of COVID-19 and the increased In-Game Concert danger to the community, U.S. risk to certain federal prisoners, a general- Department of Justice Attorneys ized risk alone does not justify releasing ‘Astronomical’ argue in a court motion filed Fri- the entire BOP populations, much less a Rday (April 17) asking a federal judge to keep prisoner being held for racketeering charges BY CARL LAMARRE the singer in prison pending trial. involving crimes against specified victims Prosecutors fired back afterKelly made and with a history of obstructing justice and ortnite and Travis Scott are giving a second emergency plea to the New York violating his bail conditions by committing gamers and music lovers the best court on Thursday to release him from serious crimes,” reads the motion submitted of both worlds. On Monday (April prison amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 to the court by Donoghue. 20), Epic Games announces that pandemic. The singer’s latest bid came 10 Kelly’s attorneys had argued that the FScott will be the newest addition to the Icon days after the NY Federal Court shot down singer was experiencing tremendous stress Series for Fortnite. his previous request to be released pending and anxiety due to the outbreak of CO- Beginning April 21, fans will be able to trial. VID-19 cases in the prisons. access his outfits, emotes, and more. Scott In opposing Kelly’s release, U.S. Attorney “Inmates are reportedly banging on will also be embarking on a musical concert Richard P. Donoghue says that not only does doors, , and windows begging for help,” series titled “Astronomical,” where he will the singer not have any underlying medi- Kelly’s attorney, Michael Leonard, said in headline an in-game concert starting April cal conditions, but also that he is a flight a memo submitted to the court Thursday. Page 22 of 27

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“The only thing the MCC has done is lock things down, making conditions feel more Dua Lipa, Chris Young Chop like solitary confinement: and possibly, because of the nature of this virus, locking Martin & More Set Arrested for in healthy inmates with those who already have the virus but who may not yet be for Star-Studded Violating symptomatic.” If released on bond as requested, the Charity Cover Probation in singer would live with his Joyce- lyn at a Chicago apartment complex. of ’ Georgia “He would submit to any conditions that this court saw fit, including home incarcera- ‘Times Like These’ BY MITCHELL PETERS tion,” the motion reads. Steve Greenberg, also an attorney for BY GLENN ROWLEY oung Chop has run into some Kelly, said in previous court papers that re- trouble with the law. quiring his client to stay in the facility under ozens of artists — from Dua The music producer, real name the current conditions is “tantamount to Lipa and to Ellie Tyree Pittman, was arrested making them drink poison.” The court has Goulding and 5 Seconds of ThursdayY by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s not yet ruled on Kelly’s latest request. Summer — are coming together office in Georgia on a charge of probation Kelly faces several dozen counts of state Dfor a star-studded charity cover of Foo violation, the Gwinnett Daily Post reports. and federal sexual misconduct charges in Fighters’ 2003 single “Times Like These” The arrest appears to be related to an al- Illinois, Minnesota and New York, from to aid coronavirus relief efforts around the leged misdemeanor animal neglect charge. sexual assault to heading a racketeering world. This isn’t the first time the 26-year-old scheme aimed at supplying Kelly with girls. Recorded as the 23 artists sheltered in producer has faced legal issues in recent He was jailed in July and has been awaiting place amid the ongoing global pandemic, months. The Chicago native, who currently trial in a jail one block from the Chicago the cover is set to be released as part of BBC lives in Atlanta, was arrested in late Febru- courthouse, where he attends pre-trial hear- One’s “The Big Night” on Thursday (April ary for allegedly starving a dog to death. He ings. He has participated in hearings in his 23). “Our vision was to create a stay-at-home was also arrested in early April on charges New York case by video. version using phones, pots, pans and acous- of reckless conduct, driving without a valid Kelly’s New York trial has been de- tic guitars that would honor the brilliance license and expired tags/registration, ac- layed until Sept. 29, Leonard confirmed and honesty of the artists and song, rather cording to the Gwinnett Daily Post. to Billboard, adding, “He — like all of the than the trickery of an expensive record- The April charge came after Chop other detainees at the MCC Chicago — is ing studio,” producer Fraser T. Smith told recorded himself on Instagram searching really struggling. There are now at least about creating the track. “We for in the rapper’s old neighbor- six detainees and seven workers who have tried to make this single in a totally different hood in Atlanta. Chop was also accused of tested positive. One detainee is reported way artistically relevant to today. The lyrics shooting a gun into the street near his home, life and death. They are naturally fearful particularly resonate with us all at this chal- which was documented in an Instagram clip of their safety. And with very good reason. lenging time.” as well. The only sensible solution is to release him Other artists taking part in the Foo Fight- Young Chop recently dropped the diss to home confinement/electronic monitor- ers cover include U.K. luminaries such as track “You Know What We Do,” which takes ing — particularly in light of the fact that he Yungblud, Anne-Marie, Mabel and Jess aim at Drake, 21 Savage, and is a non-violent alleged offender, who poses Glynne, as well as , Sean , among others. The track absolutely no risk of flight.” Paul, Sigrid and more. Profits from the sin- coincides with his new music projects Chop gle will go to Children in Need and Comic Is King and The Intro X Young Godfather. Relief in the U.K., and the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund in the U.S. and elsewhere. Check out BBC Radio 1’s official -an nouncement below. Page 23 of 27

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the pre-show’s marathon broadcast gener- Stars” collaboration alongside Madison ‘One World: ated 6,000 in sales (up 75% versus 4,000 on Beer and Jaira Burns. To date, (G)I-DLE Friday). are just one of seven K-pop girl groups who Together at Home’ News on any further sales gains, as well as have hit the chart summit. streaming gains, for the performances will Elsewhere on the charts, (G)I-DLE also Concert Yields be reported in the coming days. hits a new peak on the Social 50 chart, jumping up to No. 17 this week, up from Sales Gains for their previous career high of No. 24 ob- (G)I-DLE Hit New tained just last week. The group has spent , 10 nonconsecutive weeks on the Social 50 Peak on World so far. Kacey Musgraves Check out the to “Oh My Albums, Earn Best God,” which boasts more than 66 million & More views to date, below: U.S. Sales Week BY KEITH CAULFIELD With ‘I Trust’ EP ’ ne World: Together at Home spurred sales gains for the songs BY JEFF BENJAMIN ‘Level of Concern’ performed on the multi-network TV special, according to initial ans can Trust that (G)I-DLE will Dethrones This Osales reports to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. always make a splash on the charts. On Saturday (April 18), the day of the The K-pop ’s new EP Band From Hot two-hour broadcast, the songs performed titled I Trust debuts at No. 4 on on the show sold a little more than 12,000 FBillboard’s World Albums chart, a new Rock Songs No. downloads — a gain of 735% versus April 17 peak for the act after two past entries hit as (a little more than 1,000). high as No. 5 on the chart. Their first re- 1 for First Time Data reflects sales of the original versions lease alongside Republic Records, I Trust of the songs performed on the show (for earned 2,000 equivalent album units in the Since 2018 example, the studio version of ’s week ending April 9, according to Nielsen “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” Music/MRC Data. Of that total, 1,000 units BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD which was performed in-show by the band’s came from album sales to mark the best Billie Joe Armstrong) or popular earlier ver- one-week sales for any (G)I-DLE album. I or the first time since November sions of songs covered on the show (like Ben Trust is also the highest new entry on World 2018, an act not named Panic! at E. King’s “Stand by Me,” covered as a duet Albums this week. the is No. 1 on Billboard’s by John Legend and Sam Smith). (G)I-DLE made their first appearance on Hot Rock Songs chart. The most notable sellers from the show World Albums in 2018 when their debut EP FTwenty One Pilots’ new single “Level of were drawn by Kacey Musgraves’ “Rain- I Am landed at No. 5, and was followed by Concern” dethrones Panic!’s “High Hopes,” bow,” Taylor Swift’s “Soon You’ll Get 2019’s that also bowed at No. 5. So rising 2-1 to rule the Hot Rock Songs list Better” and Maluma’s “Carnaval.” Together, far, (G)I-DLE’s biggest album in America is dated April 25. they accounted for 42% of the total song I Am with 34,000 equivalent album units to “Level of Concern” is the first non-Panic! sales generated by the show. date. track to top Hot Rock Songs since Imagine “Rainbow” sold nearly 3,000 downloads Over on the Dragons’ “Natural” concluded its 11-week on Saturday, while “Carnaval” sold a little chart, (G)I-DLE sees I Trust’s lead single reign on the Nov. 3, 2018, tally. After that, more than 1,000 downloads. Both sold negli- “Oh My God” debut at No. 3. The genre- Panic!’s “High Hopes” ruled for a record 65 gible sums on Friday. hopping track that was released in both weeks, non-consecutively, while the act’s Swift’s “Soon You’ll Get Better,” which Korean and English sold 1,000 copies sold “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” paced the list got its live debut on the show, sold 1,000 in the week ending April 9, according to for 11 weeks amid the command of “High downloads — up from essentially nothing on Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Hopes.” Friday. “Oh My God” marks the sextet’s fifth Twenty One Pilots notch their fourth Hot The two-hour TV broadcast was preceded Top 5 hit on World Digital Song Sales and Rock Songs No. 1 and first since “Heathens,” by a six-hour pre-show that was streamed seventh overall entry on the chart. So far, which led for 30 weeks beginning in August on YouTube. The songs performed during the group boasts one No. 1 with their “Pop/ 2016. The duo’s other No. 1s, also in 2016: Page 24 of 27

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“” (23 weeks, beginning that Porch, who works on the frontline in the January) and “Ride” (nine, beginning that British WWII fight against COVID-19 and is recovering June). after contracting the novel coronavirus. In its first full tracking week following Captain Tom Proceeds from the release will be split its April 9 release via / equally between NHS Charities Together EMG, “Level of Concern” drew 10.6 million Moore Is Strolling and Great Ormond Street Hospital Chil- U.S. streams and sold 12,000 downloads in dren’s Charity. the week ending April 16 and garnered 18.2 to No. 1 on U.K. And finally,Sam Smith and Demi Lo- million audience impressions on radio in the vato’s “I’m Ready” starts at No. 11 on the week ending April 19, according to Nielsen Singles Chart Official Chart First Look. The track will Music/MRC Data. appear on Smith’s forthcoming third studio “Level of Concern” leads the Rock BY LARS BRANDLE album, which will be renamed and resched- Digital Song Sales list for a second week uled for release later this year due to the and bounds 19-4 on the all-format Digital aptain Tom Moore, the 99-year- health crisis. Song Sales survey, where it’s the band’s best old war veteran who made placement since “Heathens,” which peaked global headlines by completing an at No. 2 in July 2016. inspiring fundraising walk for the The track also enters at No. 1 on Rock CNational Health Service (NHS), is strolling Streaming Songs, becoming just the third to No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart. & Cold’s Scooter hit to debut on top in the list’s nearly seven- Moore teamed up with Michael Ball and year history, following Soko’s “We Might the NHS Voices Of Care Choir on a cover Ward Top Be Dead Tomorrow” (March 2014) and of Gerry & The Pacemakers’ “Never Walk Tame Impala’s “Breathe Deeper” (February Alone” (Decca), a song which has taken an 2020). On the all-format Streaming Songs early lead in the race to the Official U.K. chart, “Level of Concern” bows at No. 22, Singles Chart. Songs Chart With marking Twenty One Pilots’ best start since After 48 hours of sales and streaming “Heathens” (No. 17, July 2016). activity, the fundraising track shifted almost ‘Far Away’ “Level of Concern” vaults 19-6 on the 36,000 units, mostly on downloads, accord- Alternative Songs airplay chart, becoming ing to the . That’s a BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD the act’s 12th top 10. On the all-rock-format lead of 22,000 chart sales ahead of the reign- Rock Airplay list, the song surges 8-4 with ing No. 1, The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” reaking Benjamin’s latest album, 6.4 million audience impressions. Also ris- Moore last Thursday completed 100 laps Aurora, marks a slight shift in ing at pop formats, “Level of Concern” lifts of his 25 meter garden path in Bedfordshire, sound for the veteran rockers, but 30-21 on Adult Pop Songs and 35-26 on telling the BBC, “I’m feeling fine.” that doesn’t mean that their hold Pop Songs, becoming Twenty One Pilots’ His physical challenge warmed the hearts Bon the top spot of Billboard’s Mainstream highest-charting single on the rankings of a nation, and raised more than £26 mil- Rock Songs airplay chart has slackened. since “Heathens” hit No. 2 on both in 2016. lion ($32 million) for the NHS. “Far Away,” the set’s lead single, rises 2-1 The song launches at No. 23 on the Moore, who served in Myanmar during on the list dated April 18 to become Break- all-genre, multi-metric Billboard Hot the Second World War, has been lauded by ing Benjamin’s seventh No. 1. Featuring 100, where it’s the act’s second-best debut the Duke of Cambridge as a “one-man fund- Cold’s Scooter Ward on additional vocals, and highest rank since “Heathens,” which raising machine” and described as a beacon “Far Away” was recorded as a new cut for opened at No. 14 and reached No. 2 in 2016. of hope during the coronavirus emergency. Aurora, which mostly includes rerecorded The new track is currently a standalone If Moore does maintain his fast pace versions of some of Breaking Benjamin’s single and the first new music from Twenty through to Friday’s chart reveal, he could most popular songs, largely re-imagined One Pilots since their 2018 album Trench. bag a No. 1 single just in time for his 100th acoustic and with added orchestral elements birthday, on April 30. and guest backing vocalists. All proceeds from the record will be The track is Breaking Benjamin’s first donated to NHS Charities Together to sup- Mainstream Rock Songs ruler since “Torn in port the NHS staff and volunteers caring for Two,” which reigned for a week in Septem- COVID-19 patients. ber 2018. The Ben Burnley-led band first hit Also starting fast out the gate is “You led with “Breath,” for seven weeks begin- Taught Me What Love Is” by Britain’s Got ning in March 2007. Talent contestant and pediatrics nurse Beth “Far Away” marks the first Mainstream Page 25 of 27

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Rock Songs No. 1 for Ward, whose band list after its appearance in the fifth episode successive weeks behind a pair of home- Cold reached the top 10 once, hitting No. 4 of On My Block’s third season (March 11), grown rock albums, 5 Seconds of Sum- with “Stupid Girl” in July 2003. accruing 3,000 downloads and 17.5 million mer’s CALM (up 6-4 via Interscope/EMI) The song also jumps 20-16 on the all-rock- streams that month. and Violent Soho’s Everything Is A-OK format Rock Airplay chart with 2.9 million Rounding out the top three: REO Speed- (down 1-15 via I Oh You/Universal). audience impressions, up 2%, according to wagon’s “Time for Me to Fly” after being Lipa’s latest also rises 2-1 in the U.K., her Nielsen Music/MRC Data. heard in Ozark’s third season (March 27). first title in her homeland. Aurora debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock Its 6,000 downloads, alongside 1.6 million The top five is rounded out by former Albums chart dated Feb. 8 with 19,000 streams, allowed it to reach No. 2 on Bill- chart-leaders Artists Unite For Fire Fight equivalent album units earned in its first board’s Rock Digital Song Sales chart dated (Sony), The Weeknd’s After Hours, 5SOS’ week. April 11, with 5,000 of its downloads coming CALM and Harry Styles’ Fine Line (Colum- within the March 27-April 2 tracking week. /Sony). See the full top 10 below. Finnish metal band Nightwish snag the SHAED’s Rank, Artist, Title, TV Show (Network) week’s highest new entry in with 1. SHAED, “Trampoline,” ’s Anatomy the double set Human. :II: Nature. (Nuclear ‘Trampoline’ (ABC) Blast/Universal), new at No. 7. It’s their peak 2. Kina, “Get You to the Moon (feat. position and first top 10 album, outpacing Sends ‘Grey’s ),” On My Block (Netflix) Endless Forms Most Beautiful which hit No. 3. REO Speedwagon, “Time for Me to Fly,” 16 in April 2015. Anatomy’ Back to Ozark (Netflix) Also new to the ARIA Albums Chart this 4. Run the Jewels, “Ooh La La (feat. Greg week is Tory Lanez’ The New Toronto 3 Top of TV Songs Nice & DJ Premier),” Ozark (Netflix) (Interscope/Universal), which bows at No. 5. Moses Sumney, “Doomed,” Westworld 10 for the Canadian rapper’s career chart Chart (HBO) best. The New Toronto 3 is the follow-up to 6. CHVRCHES, “Forever,” Elite (Netflix) Chixtape 5 (No. 18 in November 19) and is BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD 7. Laundry Day, “Friends,” On My Block his third title to impact the ARIA Top 50. (Netflix) New York City rockers The Strokes fter popping up in the 18th 8. Low, “Congregation,” Devs (Hulu) return to the Australian albums chart with episode of Grey’s Anatomy’s 16th 9. , “The Daily Mail,” Ozark The New Abnormal (RCA/Sony), their sixth season last month (March 19), (Netflix) studio album and first sinceComedown SHAED’s “Trampoline” paces 10. Jihae, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” Machine, which went to No. 7 in April 2013. TheA Hollywood Reporter’s Top TV Songs Altered Carbon (Netflix) The New Abnormal starts its chart journey chart, powered by Tunefind, for March at No. 21. 2020. As it enters an eleventh non-consecutive Rankings for the Top TV Songs chart Dua Lipa Snares week atop the ARIA Singles Chart, The are based on song and show data provided Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” joins some elite by Tunefind and ranked using a formula First Australian company. It draws level with compatriots blending that data with sales and streaming Drake’s “God’s Plan” (from February 2018) information tracked by MRC Data/Nielsen No. 1 With ‘Future and ’ “Everything I Do (I Do Music during the corresponding period. It For You)” (July 1991), and British pop “Trampoline” reigns with 7,000 digital Nostalgia’ outfitSpice Girls’ “” (November downloads and 21.7 million on-demand U.S. 1996), all of which spent eleven weeks at No. streams accrued during March 2020, ac- BY LARS BRANDLE 1 on the ARIA Singles Chart. cording to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Its Top TV Songs rule comes after it ua Lipa bags her first No. 1 peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 album in Australia as Future dated Nov. 30, 2019. Nostalgia (Warner) rises 2-1 on It’s no stranger to syncs, either: “Tram- the national chart, while The poline” originally gained prominence after DWeeknd’s “Blinding Lights” (Universal) being featured in an Apple commercial in enters an eleventh week at the summit of late 2018. the singles survey. Kina’s “Get You to the Moon,” featuring Future Nostalgia makes its move in its Snow, ranks at No. 2 on the March 2020 third week, after holding second place for Page 26 of 27

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no one even knows the name of your village Celebrate 4/20 Idris Elba and or your population, and that you live in a slum where there is one room and six of By Listening to Wife, Recovering you live in it,” he said. “Social distancing is almost laughable.” Dr. Dre’s ‘The From Coronavirus, “What we are really worried about at the moment, and why we are launching this Chronic’ on Launch $40M fund is that those people are being forgot- ten,” Dhowre Elba said. “While health, you Major Streaming Fund to Help know, is so important at the moment ... we don’t want people to forget about what Services Others comes after that.” Both Elba and his wife have roots in BY GIL KAUFMAN BY ASSOCIATED PRESS Africa; Elba’s parents are from Sierra Leone and Ghana, while Dhowre Elba is of Somali s promised, Dr. Dre is mak- ven though they only had mild descent. The pair went to Sierra Leone in ing everyone’s 4/20 holiday symptoms, Idris Elba says he and December with the United Nations to see something to smoke about. The his wife had their lives “turned how IFAD has assisted people there. rapper/producer’s 1992 Death around” after contracting the coro- Elba said he was particularly concerned RowA Records classic, , became Enavirus, calling the experience “definitely as to what the coronavirus pandemic could available across all major DSPs on Monday scary and unsettling and nervous.” do on the continent in countries already suf- morning (April 20), just in time for the “You know, everyone’s sort of feeling the fering economically. stoner holiday. way we have been feeling, but it has defi- “We have to think about the forward plan- The beloved West Coast rap classic, fea- nitely been sort of just a complete upheaval,” ning. What’s what’s the fallout going to be?” turing such iconic tracks as “,” he told The Associated Press late last week. he said. “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang,” “Lil’ Ghetto Boy” But the British actor feels that there are The couple have been recovering in New and “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat,” helped to introduce life lessons to be learned, and the pandemic , where the actor was filming when the world to the likes of , Daz serves as a reminder that “the world doesn’t he became sick, but plan to return to Lon- Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, , tick on your time.” don as soon as they can get a flight. Elba said Lady of Rage, D.O.C, RBX, and others. “I think that the world should take a week he had to miss his 6-year-old son’s birthday “Fans now have another reason to cel- of quarantine every year just to remember because of the lockdown but he’s “hoping to ebrate on what has become a national holi- this time. Remember each other. I really do,” see him as soon as I can.” day, celebrating all things cannabis-related – he said. “We’ve been fortunate,” he added. “We where legally allowed and in moderation of The British actor and his model wife, Sa- have been staying in a lovely place that’s course,” said eOne’s global president music brina Dhowre Elba, spoke to the AP as they been very comfortable for the time. But & live Chris Taylor earlier this month in began a push with the United Nations to we’re looking forward to going home.” announcing the long-awaited digital arrival lessen the impact of COVID-19 on farmers of the album. “Working with the Death Row and food producers in rural areas. catalogue is like working with the legend- “People forget that 80 percent of the ary recordings of Elvis, Chuck Berry, and poor population live in these rural areas.” . These historic artifacts should Dhowre Elba said. “What we are really wor- be heard by all music lovers and we are ried about at the moment, and why we are Dr. Dre has opened this door so launching this fund is that those people are everyone can experience the brilliance of being forgotten.” this seminal work.” For the past five years, In their new roles as U.N. Goodwill The Chronic was available for streaming only Ambassadors, Elba and his wife have joined on Apple Music. forces with the United Nations Interna- Listen to The Chronic below. tional Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to launch the new $40 million fund. The actor believes people in rural and poor areas are likely to suffer more in the pandemic. “If you imagine being in a village where Page 27 of 27

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inspired her work on Kierra, why the sisters’ ‘We’re Going story is so compelling for younger and older viewers alike—and how she ended up being to Get Past able to sing in a higher octave. Why was ’ story so This’: Kierra compelling for both younger and older audiences? Sheard Provides The fact that it’s so relatable! All genera- tions can likely identify with something Sanctuary in within their story. We all have family drama; we’ve all dealt with opposition in one form Uncertain Times or another. So being able to see yourself in their story is what makes it so compelling — on ‘Kierra’ and pretty entertaining as well. What was your mother’s reaction to BY GAIL MITCHELL your playing her? My mommy was proud. She might have ast week, was busy been more excited than me, actually. She promoting Lifetime’s April 11 saw footage beforehand and was really premiere of The Clark Sisters: First shocked at how well I portrayed her. That Ladies of Gospel in which she por- made me feel good. This was an opportunity Ltrayed her mother Karen Clark. This week, of a lifetime and I’m forever grateful for it. Sheard is not only celebrating the biopic’s If you had a do-over in playing this success (a reported 2.7 million viewers) but role, what might you have done differ- also the release of her sixth studio album ently? Kierra. It’s interesting that you ask because some As the world remains in flux behind the have said they wish that I would’ve had ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Kierra of- more speaking time in the movie. But had I fers refuge from the stress and uncertainty. spoken more, I wouldn’t have been depict- “Faith and inspiration have been the driving ing my mother as her true self. She didn’t force of my career,” says Kierra. “We’re speak much. She was the youngest and going to get past this. We have to. The Lord mainly used her voice for singing. has so many things for so many of us to do.” What did about yourself Released through Karew Entertainment/ after completing the film? RCA Inspiration, Kierra features a 15-track I didn’t know that in my 30s I could still combination of original songs and live perfor- stretch my vocal range. Studying and trying mances. In addition to Sheard’s latest single, to sing like has chal- “It Keeps Happening,” the album’s other lenged me as a singer but I’ve benefited highlights include the anthem “Don’t Judge from it in a great way. I can sing in an even Me” featuring , the moving higher octave now and I also think more ballad “Grateful” and the piercing “Some- creatively as a singer. I didn’t expect that to thing Has to Break (Live)” with Tasha Cobbs happen. Leonard — the video for which was released How did the film inspire you creatively concurrently with the album today (April 17). as you wrote and recorded Kierra? Rounding out the album’s guest list are It inspired me to go harder, be more gospel artists Todd Dulaney, Le’Andria creative, to not stop at good enough and to Johnson and Sheard’s nephew Jacob Sheard. stretch and challenge myself to capacity. I Sheard either wrote or co-wrote all of the owe it to my mother, aunts and grandmother tracks with her frequent collaborators Har- to not settle for good or even great. I want mony “H-Money” Samuels and her brother to impact the world with my music just as J. Drew Sheard handling production. wholeheartedly as they did. They are my Below, Sheard talks to Billboard about biggest inspirations hands down. I hope I how her role in the Clark Sisters biopic make them proud with this new record.