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Pussy Riot Members Receive Two-Year Prison Sentence

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THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 3:22 pm

Pussy Riot Members Receive Two-Year Prison Sentence
Following last month's news regarding charges made against Pussy Riot for their unsanctioned performance in February at Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral, the Russian punk rock trio has been sentenced to two years in prison. The band members were found guilty of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" for staging a brief public protest against Vladimir Putin's administration and faced a maximum seven years sentence. Artists such as Madonna and Paul McCartney had expressed support for the group in recent weeks. (8/17)

Trans World Loss Narrowed In 2Q
U.S. specialty entertainment retailer Trans World Entertainment reported a second-quarter net loss of $1.9 million compared to a $7.8 million loss during the same period last year, marking the company's "best operating performance since fiscal 2000," according to Trans World Chief Executive Officer Robert Higgins, as reported by Billboard.biz. Comparable music sales decreased 13 percent, with music sales comprising 34 percent of the company's sales, down from 37 percent in the previous year. (8/17)

Report: Radio Still Most Popular For Music Discovery
A recent Nielsen report says 48 percent of all U.S. consumers discover new music through traditional broadcast radio, while 10 percent rely on friends and relatives and 7 percent report YouTube as a primary source, according to Digital Music News. Meanwhile, when drilled down to teens, the study also found the next generation relying more heavily on outlets such as YouTube. (8/17)

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

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Vinyl's Record-Making 2018 Sales Grew 15 Percent In U.S.

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Vinyl had its best year in 2018 since Nielsen began tracking it in 1991, especially thanks to the rock genre and indie record stores
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 14, 2019 - 4:14 pm

Crunching the numbers on Nielsen Music's 2018 sales report showed continued strong momentum for vinyl records with 16.8 million albums sold in the U.S., led by 2014's Guardians Of The Galaxy Soundtrack and Michael Jackson's Thriller. That is the 13th consecutive year of growth for vinyl, coming in at 14.6 percent and the biggest since Nielsen began tracking in 1991. The top-selling vinyl singles in the U.S. were led by the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" and Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U."

Billboard has the deep dive into Nielsen's numbers, which show that vinyl's growth continues to be driven by a growing appetite for exclusives — especially for Record Store Day — and an emphasis on acquiring classic rock titles. Rock's share of vinyl album sales has shrunk slightly from more than two-thirds down to 63 percent, and deep catalog titles amounted to 65 percent. The only 2018 new album to break into the vinyl top 10 last year was Panic! At The Disco's Pray For The Wicked.

Comparison with the Official Charts Company's recent statistics for the UK show four releases in the top 10 in common on both sides of the Atlantic, namely Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon, Queen's Greatest Hits, and Amy Winehouse's Back To Black. Britain only had one 2018-release outlier in the top 10 as well: George Ezra's Staying At Tamara's.

Prince's Masterpiece 'Purple Rain': For The Record

Total sales per title might seem small compared to streaming numbers, but they have a strong story to tell. Guardians... and Thriller both came in at about 84k album sales, in fifth place Prince's Purple Rain sold 71k, and at tenth position Pray For The Wicked sold 59k vinyl albums. Total titles breaking 20k in sales were 79, up from 77 in 2017 and 58 in 2016. Total titles breaking 50k in sales were 14, up from just 8 in 2017.

Album-format sales are in decline overall, especially due to streaming, down more than 17 percent to 141 million, making vinyl's 16.8 million sold account for 11.9 percent of the total — not insignificant. Compact disc still dominates physical-only sales with 70.7 million sold last year, but that reflects an annual decline of 20.9 percent. Vinyl's share of total physical sales, including compact disc and cassette, is up more than 19 percent compared to a rise of 14 percent in 2017 and setting a new Nielsen Music record.

In 2017, the week ending Dec. 21 set a vinyl albums sales record at 811k, but that was beaten by two of 2018's Christmas weeks — 880k for the week ending Dec. 20 and 905k for the week ending Dec. 27.

It's no surprise that vinyl album sales are dominated by independent stores, with their great access to exclusives. Internet (e.g., Amazon), mail order and venue sales came in a tiny notch lower than indies' 6.9 million sold, with the two combined accounting for more than 80 percent of the market. Chain stores and mass merchants have taken notice of vinyl's spectacular and steady growth. Target (considered a mass merchant) in particular increased its vinyl display areas and began offering vinyl exclusives of its own. The mass-merchant category jumped from 93k in 2017 by 611 percent to 661k in vinyl album sales.

It would be wrong to call these statistics "record-breaking" when the format dates back before modern measurements, but vinyl is, and has been, coming back in a big way. "Record-making" is the only fair way to describe it, and the end is not in sight.

Major Labels Are Working On Giving Vinyl An Upgrade

Go inside SXSW 2018 with the Recording Academy
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Keith Urban, K-Pop, Women In Music: Go Behind The Scenes At SXSW 2018

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Check out our daily SXSW Recording Academy updates from on the ground in Austin, Texas
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 19, 2018 - 4:38 pm

Monday, March 19

  • What's SXSW all about for the artists who perform at the festival? We're glad you asked because that's exactly the question we posed to 11 artists at this year's festival. From Dorothy to Brandy Clark and Grupo Fantasma, find out what they had to say.
     
  • Post-SXSW syndrome getting you down? From Keith Urban and T.I.'s standout sets to Rubén Blades' documentary and much more, we've rounded up seven of the festival's top moments.

Sunday, March 18

  • "I do it so women can know anything a man can do, we can do just as well, if not 10 times better," said GRAMMY-nominated rapper Rapsody during SXSW. From standout showcases to thought-provoking panels, and spanning artists from Rapsody to Pussy Riot, we rounded up five ways how the Austin, Texas, festival put women in music front and center.
     
  • There was a ton of amazing music filling Austin this weekend at SXSW. From innovative electronic pop sounds to soulful blues and one-of-a-kind voices, we rouned up 7 on-the-rise artists we heard at SXSW who you should keep on your radar. 
     
  • When you need a little vintage charm, take a stroll through Austin, Texas' South Congress neighborhood, "old downtown." Nestled just south of Lady Bird Lake, the area boasts boutiques, eateries, galleries, and music venues that will take you back in time. We captured South Congress in action during SXSW 2018, giving you just a taste of the best Austin has to offer.

    Austin's South Congress Boasts Vintage Charm

Saturday, March 17

  • It's "a lot different" according to some natives. Get a taste of what makes Rainey Street a consistent top attraction in Austin, Texas, not only at SXSW but year-round.

    Austin's Deep Cultural History On Rainey Street

  • There was a fresh breeze of kindness at SXSW this year, and four-piece female band the Mrs was a big reason why. We had a front-row seat for the group's Kindnesspalooza Music Fest and learned how drummer Andra Liemandt and her bandmates are all about playing music, being kind and giving back to the world.
     
  • Millions of viewers tune into singing competition shows such as "The Voice, "America's Got Talent" and "American Idol." But what is life really like after the cameras turn off and the show moves on to the next season, especially if a contestant doesn't win? We got a little insight thanks to the panel Now What? Life After Reality TV Singing Shows, featuring former singing compeition contestants Blake Lewis, Cas Haley and Nakia. 

    About to kick off our What Now? SXSW Panel. #lifeaftertv #sxsw #sxsw2018

    A post shared by BLAKE LEWIS (@blakelewis) on

Friday, March 16

  • Talk about an amazing conversation! Go inside Keith Urban's SXSW keynote discussion during which the GRAMMY winner touched upon his musical upbringing, sobriety to his new album, Graffiti U.

     

  • At SXSW 2018, 6th Street once again shines as the "classic" epicenter of the city's incomparable live music offerings, coming alive with street performances, makeshift stages, packed venues, bustling bars, and music of all genres. Get a closer look at what makes 6th Street a destination for musicians and music fans alike.

Austin's 6th Street Comes Alive At SXSW

Thursday, March 15

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Rapsody

Rapsody

Photo: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

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Rapsody To Pussy Riot: 5 Ways SXSW 2018 Celebrated Women In Music

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From standout showcases to thought-provoking panels, find out how the Austin, Texas, music festival celebrated women in music
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Mar 18, 2018 - 2:24 pm

We've been focusing a lot lately on women in music. This is due not only to the fact that March is Women's History Month, but also because female music professionals play a huge role in the industry and they often don't get the credit or recognition they deserve. However, at SXSW 2018 in Austin, Texas, have no doubt: Women played a front-and center-role in the action.

Austin's South Congress Boasts Vintage Charm

From all-women music showcases to panel programming highlighting women's experiences, to a diverse music lineup and more, take a look at five ways SXSW highlighted women in the music industry this year.

1. All-Female Rappers Showcase

At Austin's The Belmont on March 15, ICM hosted its seventh annual showcase and this year they brought out an all-female hip-hop lineup, including Willow Smith, Rapsody, Kamaiyah, Kodie Shane, and others. While each of the powerhouse women on the bill delivered, GRAMMY-nominated rapper Rapsody capped her fiery set with the following mic drop statement:

"I do it for her, and for her, and for her, and for you, and the daughter you may someday have if you don’t have one already, and your wife, and your sister," Rapsody said during the showcase. "I do it so women can know anything a man can do, we can do just as well, if not 10 times better. So when they ask about Rapsody, don’t tell them I’m a female rapper. Don’t tell them I’m a female rapper, don’t tell them I’m a female emcee. When they ask you about Rapsody, you tell them I’m a motherf***ing beast."

2. Pussy Riot Came To Town

Pussy Riot, the feminist punk protest collective from Russia, lit up the town with their two SXSW showcases: the SXSW opening party at The Main on March 13 and at The Belmont on March 14. During their packed set at The Main, true to their art, Pussy Riot didn't hold back, hanging their "Pussy is the new dick" sign in front of the sponsor's sign. During their set they brought out former U.S. military member and outspoken critic of the prison system Chelsea Manning and concluded their energetic set with "Straight Outta Vagina," perhaps one of the most feminist tunes out there.

Janelle Monáe, MILCK, Amara La Negra: 9 Women Change Agents In Music

3. Women In Music Panels

Women face many barriers to entry and advancement in their careers. To facilitate conversations on these challenges and more, SXSW hosted several panels about being a women in the industry. This included Women in Music: Break the Ceiling + Bridge The Gap, which highlighted negotiating tactics to help women advance their careers. Moms In The Music Industry: Strategies for Success covered how to balance a career in music with parenting and how to address the unique compromises women often have to make. Also, the Women In Music Meet Up provided a special networking opportunity specifically for women in the industry.

4. Showcasing Female Artists

This year's expansive music festival lineup included a diverse array of artists, including plenty of focus on female musicians, whether it's the blues/soul of Deva Mahal, the pop sounds of newcomers Pronoun, Common Holly and Mallrat, stellar guitarist Kaki King, folk/Americana singer/songwriter Lucy Dacus, electronic R&B innovator DVWEZ, and so many more. With every genre represented, it's clear that women not only have a major presence in the music world, in many cases, they're steering the ship. In addition, SXSW's focus on emerging artists gives us a peek into the future of music, and it looks certain that the future looks bright for women.

5. Addressing The #MeToo Movement In Music

Finally, a panel titled Sexual Misconduct in the Music Industry provided an open forum for women to discuss their experiences of harassment and the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements while brainstorming ways to move forward. The panelists, including Vice's Andrea Domanick, Art Not Love Records' Peggy Hogan, Danger Village's Beth Martinez, and Uproxx's Caitlin White, frankly discussed high-profile sexual misconduct cases in music, the complicated causes for continued abuses, and the impact of social media and call out culture. While the discussion yielded no single solution, and the burden of solving sexual misconduct isn't solely women's to bear, panelist expressed hope that the #MeToo movement will provide a break in the status quo.

"What had long been enshrined as rock star behavior is now clearly sexual misconduct," Domanick said. "People don't want to reckon with that because everyone will have some story. It's about accepting that we can change and evolve."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Nielsen

Courtesy of Nielsen

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Nielsen Streaming Music Stats Chart Continued Growth

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Nielsen Music 360 survey finds paid subscribers comprise 29 percent of consumers
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Nov 15, 2017 - 12:49 pm

Selections from the Nielsen Music 360 2017 U.S. Report have been announced and reported, but Billboard has provided a deeper overview. As streaming expands, music listening and concert attendance are growing too. On the premium side of paid music, the figure 29 percent of consumers gives moderate cause for celebration.

All leading music services benefit when kicking a few bucks to your music service every month becomes normal, and for a big slice of America, it already has. The 45 percent who prefer free streaming includes many tempted by free introductory offers and exclusive releases. Free streaming seems to exist on its own steady tier, as does radio.

Streaming overall increased from 32 percent to 41 percent of overall listening time while radio sustained a 1 percent ding, going down to 25 percent.

Nielsen Music

The topline numbers are that the 90 percent of people who listen to music rose from 86 percent last year and average weekly listening hours have increased from more than 26 to 32 hours. That's good news. The sustained interest in music and social interactions surrounding it appear to be adding to music's presence in daily life.

Nielsen: Radio Reaches 98 Percent Hispanic Listeners Weekly