exploremusic

Here’s the Deal with Celebrity Headphones

Here’s what I’ve discovered today.

Ever since it’s become socially acceptable to walk around in public with headphones, sealing yourself off from humanity, there’s been a proliferation in headphones.  You can get over-ear, ear buds and in-ear.  Noise cancelling, self-sealing and custom-moulded.  Cheap crap for nine bucks or state-of-the art units from Bang, Olufson and Grado. 

We’re seeing the rise of the celebrity-branded headphones.  Dr. Dre was probably the first to put his name on some headphones—and that made sense, given that he’s a highly-successful record producer.  And with P. Diddy.  And Lady GaGa has her name on some.  But LeBron James?

Yep.  Apparently playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers is enough for you to have your own brand of headphones.  They’ll be out in time for Christmas.

Here’s the Deal with Summer Concerts

The word that’s being thrown around to describe ticket sales for the 2010 Lilth Fair tour is “brutal.”  No one is buying.  Gigs are being cut and performers are dropping out.

The Lilith people aren’t alone.  Hundreds of shows are being cancelled because people are staying away.  High prices, service charges and the sense that it’s impossible to get a good ticket without going through a scalper or re-seller have got people really discouraged.

But there are bright spots.  Lady GaGa—who keeps ticket prices reasonable for the size of the show she puts on—and Roger Waters can’t print tickets fast enough.  And a lot of non-superstar acts—those who keep ticket prices at a reasonable level—are playing to decent crowds every night.

Still, that’s not going to help the summer of 2010 from being one of the most dismal in decades.

Here’s the Deal with Lollapalooza

Meanwhile, organizers of Lollapalooza are being investigated in Illinois for breaking anti-trust laws.  The allegation is that the promoters insist on something called a “radius clause.”  This means that anyone who wants to play Lollapalooza in Chicago must agree not to play any other show within a 300-mile radius of Chicago six months before and three months after. 

That means if you want to play Lollapalooza, you can forget playing, say, Detroit or Indianapolis for a nine-month window.  This is not going down well with the authorities.

Here’s the Deal with Passion Pit

“Tell ‘em” by Sleigh Bells
“Tonight Tonight” by Passion Pit
“Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” by Pomplamoose
“What To Say” by Born Ruffians