Live Nation to Introduce Reusable Cups at Venues and Festivals, a Major Step Toward ‘Zero-Waste Concerts’

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor There’s been no shortage of neo-R&B albums over the past few years, but so many of them are led by breathy female singers who feel like they’re singing in your ear — very few have had full-voiced singers at the forefront. And although Muni Long isn’t a belter and does put on the bedroom voice on a couple of tracks, her first full-length album is a blast of vintage ‘90s R&B that isn’t trying to be cute: It’s filled with frank lyrics about of love and sex from an artist who’s been around for more than a minute. Working under the name of Priscilla Renea, Muni has long been a songwriter whose soul and pop smarts helped forge hits such as Ariana Grande’s “Imagine,” Fifth Harmony’s “Worth It,” Rihanna’s “California King Bed,” along with tracks for Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Miranda Lambert, Selena Gomez and more.She released strong albums under that name too — 2009’s “Jukebox” and 2018’s “Coloured” — but neither of those records had the sparkle, innovation and warmth that her songwriting catalog contained. A change of name, an independently-released EP featuring the haunting, quirky hit “Hrs and Hrs,” and suddenly, Muni Long is a new artist with a remarkably seasoned and strong debut album.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor Since the dawn of radio, the United States has been and remains the only major country in the world where terrestrial radio pays no royalties to performers or recorded-music copyright owners of the songs it plays — a situation that is largely due to the powerful radio lobby’s influence in Congress. While the more than 8,300 AM and FM stations across the country pay royalties to songwriters and publishers, they have never paid performers or copyright holders, although streaming services and satellite radio do. On Thursday morning, Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the bipartisan American Music Fairness Act, which aims to rectify that situation by “ensur[ing] artists and music creators receive fair compensation for the use of their songs on AM/FM radio. This legislation will bring corporate radio broadcasters up-to-speed with all other music streaming platforms, which already pay artists for their music.”

It may be one month since Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti were crowned winners of Love Island, but we still can’t get enough of the hit ITV2 dating show. From seeing what brand deals contestants have secured to tracking the many successful relationships that were born on the show, life after Love Island is just as interesting as being in the Mallorca villa. And while sitting down at 9pm to watch the couples navigate life in the villa may be a thing of the past, that hasn’t stopped contestants from reliving their days on the show.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor When YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl announced late last month that he’ll be leaving the company after 12 years in the job, many observers quickly moved him to the front of the line to replace outgoing Warner Music CEO Steve Cooper, who’d announced just two months earlier that he’ll be stepping down after 11 years in the job. After all, Kyncl knows the music industry  — YouTube is both the world’s largest video-streaming platform and the largest music-streaming platform, and he played a huge role in its negotiations with labels and publishers and generally received high marks (remarkably, considering the often-contentious relations between the two sides). He’s also pioneering force in the streaming business: Before he was chief business officer of YouTube, he led Netflix from DVDs to digital, a transition that was much more complex and fraught with potential failure than he and the company made it seem.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor Michelle Branch appeared on the “Tamron Hall Show” Thursday to address her recent martial problems with her husband, the Black Keyes’ Patrick Carney, which saw her arrested for domestic disturbance. “They are not allegations,” she told Hall, according to Rolling Stone. “Violence — I don’t condone violence. I slapped my husband. Not the finest moment of my life.” The singer said several factors contributed to the incident, including postpartum depression and having had “a few drinks” at a friend’s birthday party. Branch, 39, and Carney, 42, married in 2019; their son was born the previous year and their daughter this past February. Branch filed for divorce on Aug. 12, citing irreconcilable differences.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor While the title of the “world’s greenest music festival” may be impossible to determine with total accuracy, Norway’s long-running Øya is as close as it gets. The festival — which has featured Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Robyn, Lana Del Rey, the Cure and hundreds of Norwegian acts since it launched in 1999 — has been named an “Outstanding” honoree by the international non-profit A Greener Festival nine out of the last 10 years the awards were held, and is certified as an “Environmental Lighthouse” by the Norwegian foundation of the same name. In 2010, it even received an honorary award from Norway’s minister of agriculture for its work in promoting organic food. 

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor If the past few years and months have proven one thing, it’s the importance of voting in the United States. While Census Bureau’s estimates confirmed that 2020 voter turnout was the highest in nearly 30 years — 66.8%, 5 points higher than 2016 — the forthcoming midterm elections, which traditionally have much lower turnout than presidential ones, are vitally important as well. In that spirit, Lizzo, who released her stellar second major label album “Special” over the summer, has joined forces with the nonprofit, non-partisan voter-engagement organization HeadCount to encourage her fans to get out to the polls and make their voices heard this election season.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor Shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II was announced on Thursday, Elton John, who has had a close relationship with the Royal Family for the past several decades, posted a heartfelt remembrance on his social media accounts. “Along with the rest of the nation, I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s passing. She was an inspiring presence to be around and led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a genuine caring warmth. “Queen Elizabeth has been a huge part of my life from childhood to this day, and I will miss her dearly,” he concluded. Indeed, John was 4 years old when Elizabeth ascended to the crown in 1952.

EXCLUSIVE: One of the hottest acquisition titles at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival which starts in earnest tonight happens to star a couple of certifiable show business legends, both now in their 80’s, both working all the time – much of it together lately – and both proving age is just a number.

Married At First Sight UK is set to be a real treat for viewers this season with a new group of singletons and 30 episodes bringing all the drama and surprises. Among this year’s contestants is Jenna Robison who, in an E4 first, is part of a lesbian couple getting hitched on the programme this year. Jenna, 32, has been given help by the relationship experts Melanie Schilling, Paul C.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent MK2 Films has scored key territory deals on Japanese director Koji Fukada’s “Love Life,” which makes its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival. Set in contemporary Japan, “Love Life” is a character-driven film revolving around Taeko and her husband, Jiro, who are living a peaceful existence with her young son, Keita. When a tragic accident brings the boy’s long-lost father, Park, back into her life, Taeko throws herself into helping this deaf and homeless man to cope with the pain and guilt. Popular Japanese actress Fumino Kimura (“The Fable: The Killer Who Doesn’t Kill”) headlines the film. MK2 Films has now sold the movie to Teodora (Italy), Imagine (Benelux), Leopardo (Portugal), Demiurg (Ex Yugoslavia), New Cinema (Israel), Swallow Wings (Taiwan), Edko (Hong Kong), Impact Films (India) and Encore Inflight (Airlines).

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief The titles of Fukada Koji’s films almost drip with bitter irony. “Sayonara” seemed to be a farewell to human actors. Instead of being harmonious, Cannes Un Certain Regard jury prize-winner “Harmonium” was pitch black and steeped in quiet violence. Fukada’s latest, Venice Film Festival competition title carries the moniker “Love Life.” But its subject matter is loneliness. The story starts out on familiar lines, involving a married couple where suddenly the ex-husband of the wife appears, potentially setting up the melodrama of a triangular relationship. But in Fukada’s hands things are colder and more painful. The newcomer is burdensome, deaf and homeless. His arrival triggers, not love, but fragmentation, individualism and loneliness.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor To celebrate the release of his self-titled new album, British rapper-singer Yungblud has announced “Occupy the Strip,” which will see him performing at three legendary venues  on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip on September 8, with the concerts being livestreamed globally via the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. Yungblud says, “Some of the most iconic artists have played shows at these venues on the Strip.

Thania Garcia Live Nation Women is joining forces with the When All Women Vote campaign to put together a week of events called Beautiful Noise Live, taking place in Atlanta from Sept. 19-23. Fans can register ahead of time for a chance to win a variety of prizes including VIP experiences for the Brandi Carlile concert on Sept. 22 at the Fox Theater and the Alicia Keys concert Sept. 23 at Cadence Bank Amphitheater. The VIP experiences are a part of the grand prize package which also includes a trip for one winner and a friend to attend Beautiful Noise Live in Atlanta. This package covers the price of airfare, hotel stay and tickets. There is also a silver prize package comprised of a gift bag with special edition merch, along with a pair of tickets to either Carlile’s or Keys’ concerts. The last day to enter to win is Sept. 13.