Justice Releases Live DVD Full of Tour Secrets and Puns
By Melissa Muenz on 10-28-2008
French electronic artists Justice are simultaneously breaking into the world of puns and live DVD releases. In an effort to capture the essence of the band's live experience, director friends Romain Gavras and So-Me taped the band nearly non-stop during its three-week tour of the U.S. in March 2008. A documentary of the edited footage is set to be released December 9 under the name A Cross the Universe (har).
Justice are best known for their bass-slapping, sample-happy tunes, as well as for their eccentric live shows. And A Cross the Universe film makers Gavras and So-Me are no strangers to the duo -- each have directed a video or two for the band. So while the live CD can give folks a taste of the well-known Justice live show, a set of friends' eyes behind the camera will tell a more intimate tale of the duo taking on America with their giant, light-up cross.
The DVD/CD combo will be released on Atlantic Records with screenings set around the band's fall tour. Here's a treat for you:
Confirmed DJ dates:
EMI Reports Over $1 Billion in Losses… Wait, I Think Another Now That’s What I Call Music Just Dropped Yesterday… Make That $0.72 Billion
By Nobodaddy on 10-28-2008
The results are in, sports fans! Last year, the world watched (and music writers eagerly lampooned) as the illimitable Terra Firma president Guy Hands (your friend and mine) "seized" control of the tanking EMI Music with the goal of whipping the corporation into some kind of financial solvency. Now, the results are in as to just how well EMI fared during its first fiscal year under Hands' thumb. And, well, let’s just say that "terra firma" seems to be a pretty apt description of its ultimate trajectory.
All in all, EMI has reported a loss of £757 million, that's $1.2 billion U.S., for the year ending March 31 of this year; not exactly the band aid that the music giant was looking for, I'm sure. In fact, the loss is more than double that of the previous fiscal year, where EMI lost a piddly £287 million (or $454.4 million). Revenue also dropped from £1.8 billion ($2.85 billion) last year to £1.45 billion ($2.3 billion) this year.
But Hands probably isn't biting his nails over this just yet, as the report also included an introduction from former BBC executive and current "right Hands man" Lord Birt (seriously!), who was eager to note that despite "continuing underperformance from EMI Music" and "the absence of rosy assurances about the future," all hope is not lost. Well, Halleluiah. Birt goes on to assert that the report "does not signal any lack of confidence in EMI, but sets out the problems that were faced in the year," adding that EMI's costs were too high and that its system was unable to tell how profitable its individual acts were. You know, no big deal. It'll probably work itself out.
But also, since these figures only run up to March 31 of this year, they do not include any results from many of this year's hit albums, including Coldplay's smash Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends (TMT Review) or Katy Perry's either obnoxious or just plain innocuous single "I Kissed A Girl," both of which could somewhat substantially bolster next year's bottom line (if all recorded music isn't free by then). In point of fact, only three EMI albums surpassed one million in sales during the time frame accounted for by the report, plus two of those always-great NOW compilations. Then there's those pesky one-off restructuring costs of £123 million ($195.8 million) relating to those faceless 1,500 staffers who were laid off worldwide, which shouldn't really burden future profit margins -- just the families of all those unemployed people.
If you're up to it, the entire 101-page report can be read online as a PDF file here. Meanwhile, EMI states that another report coming later this year will lay out its future strategy and plans, which I'm pretty sure just means that there'll be no Christmas Bonuses this year. Bummer.
Small Tour, Big/Family; Akron/Family on Tour
By Kenny Bloggins on 10-28-2008
Akron/Family, as a holiday gift to you, have just curated a small (albeit effective) tour, braving some of the coldest parts of the country in winter, in an effort to warm your heart (dawww). The tour is split across the month, presumably so the/Family can spend time with their real/ones, starting out in Chicago and finishing up with a grand New Year's Eve performance at New York's Knitting Factory. No support announced as of yet, so go see about/them here for the updates.
The/collective has also been in the studio this fall working on a follow-up to last year's excellent Love is Simple (TMT Review), so hopefully, they're gonna bring us a first/glimpse at what they've been doing on their Christmas Vacation.
Ticketmaster Stays True to Its Promise: Subsidiary Begins Cuts
By Jenn on 10-28-2008
While our wallets are being impacted by the economy right now, personal luxuries are being put on the shelf, like concert tickets. Now the people selling those tickets are getting screwed over too. Last Friday, TicketsNow, which is owned by Ticketmaster, announced that it's laying off 62 customer service reps in its Crystal Lake office, roughly 70% of the call center work force.
Ticketmaster announced earlier this year its plans to layoff around 600 people, roughly 5% of its workforce, aiming to reduce its operating expenses to $35 million. So, look for plenty more layoff announcements.
So, what does this mean to all of us? Basically it is just going to take even longer to get through the phone lines when tickets for JT's next tour go on sale. But don't worry, we'll still get ripped off on service charges.
Upcoming Killers Tour Sucks Hapless TMT Writer Into Large Tub of Nostalgic Schmaltz
By Elzee on 10-28-2008
Yes, we are really writing about The Killers. I mean, I was confused too – TMT doesn’t cover Fall Out Boy tours or tell our readership much about Coldplay’s activities. But when the story popped up, I couldn’t resist. Why? I must confide in you that I harbor a secret -- a dark secret, one that I have shared with only my most trusted friends. It is a delicate situation; treat this with care.
THE KILLERS HEADLINED THE FIRST SHOW I EVER ATTENDED.
Brandon Flowers, he who is sort of Mormon and definitely attractive to 14-year-old me, seemed to defy the logic of my “no-eyeliner-on-guys” rule. When I saw them live, it was everything I wanted and more. I screamed along to every song and thought Brandon Flowers’ stage antics (rolling around on the floor, balancing precariously on the stage’s edge) were a manifestation of his intense connection with and commitment to his music (I figured out halfway through high school that everyone occupying the stage had simply been very drunk). All in all, it was actually a pretty good show. Manufactured pop music often translates well to a large live setting.
And so I say unto you, esteemed TMT reader: if you like The Killers and have (or, if you are brave, have not) been hiding it all this time, let the world know who you are! Go to one of these shows and suspend your disbelief! Carry on the torch of pride through the masses of hipsters shunning you for liking something on the radio! Go out there and make me proud, dammit!
They’re taking control!
