This Week In Music: Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa Doing Good Things

A wise musician once told me that there would always be a need for clubs and concerts. “The young men and women of the tribe will always gather to drink the wacky juice while someone beats on a log.”

That was true until March, when suddenly, the world was turned upside down by the pandemic. Nightclubs and concerts are shuttered, and the odds of a return at full strength much before 2021 are long. Given that most musicians make a good bit of their money performing and selling at live events, that’s terrible news.

But as one industry faltered, a new business model has arisen – streamed concerts. Amazon-owned Twitch already offers the ability to monetize through its Partner Program, and Facebook, which has long offered the ability to stream through its Facebook Live and Instagram Live, is ready to allow monetization of those tools.

Suddenly, page owners will be able to charge for access to live videos. Musicians are big beneficiaries, but classes and conferences are also going to reap rewards. Facebook also will allow its ‘Stars’ tool, which allows users to buy and send ‘Stars’ to creators while they’re streaming. “They’ll earn 1 cent for every Star,” according to Facebook.

Facebook is also bringing back its ‘‘Live With’ feature, which allows “a guest speaker, interview an expert or perform with a friend”.

It’s a welcome bit of good news for musicians stuck at home, and likely will be a staple of future revenue streams even when the concert and club industry returns.

This week in music:AMOEBA OLD LOCATION GONE: Fans hoping for one last walk through the aisles at the old Amoeba Music building on Sunset are out of luck. The record store said this week that it will not reopen at that location. Instead, it will focus on getting it new Hollywood and Argyle shop at 6200 Hollywood Blvd open. That debut is expected after Labor Day.

DUA LIPA WORKS OUT: Speaking of new alternative revenue streams: Dua Lipa’s Physical has appeared in almost 100 “workout from home” playlists, earning her more than $800,000 in Spotify royalties. Combined with her Don’t Stop Me Now, she’s earned over $3.1 million in Spotify royalties for workout playlists. In third place was Power by Kanye West, earning him $2 million in royalties.

JUSTIN AND ARIANA FOR FIRST RESPONDERS: Superstars Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande will collaborate on Stuck with U to benefit the First Responders Children’s Foundation.

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