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Music News: Velvet Underground exhibit to hit NYC

The Velvet Underground
The Velvet UndergroundCourtesy of the artist
  Play Now [8:54]

by Jay Gabler

August 14, 2018

Above, hear today's episode of The Current's new Music News podcast, which is now available wherever you get your podcasts.


A major exhibit dedicated to the Velvet Underground is set to open in New York City after a run in Paris. The Velvet Underground Experience will have "photographs, portraits, films, videos, live concerts and musical workshops," reports the New York Times. It will be located at 718 Broadway, and tickets go on sale Friday.

Aretha Franklin update

Aretha Franklin is still very sick, but at home "alert, laughing, teasing" with her family, the music legend's nephew tells People. The nephew, Tim Franklin, says the family are trying to keep Aretha's spirits up, and are optimistic regarding her future condition. "We believe she'll pull through it, she believes she'll pull through it, and that's the important thing."

On Monday, Beyoncé and Jay-Z played a show in Franklin's hometown of Detroit, and used the opportunity to send their well wishes. "We love you and thank you for all the beautiful music," said Beyoncé, dedicating the show to Franklin. The couple's opener, DJ Khaled, asked the crowd to "send some love" as he spun Franklin's classic "Respect." (Billboard)

Lindsey Buckingham announces solo tour

Just four days after his former bandmates in Fleetwood Mac launch their North American tour without him, Lindsey Buckingham will open his own solo tour. Buckingham's North American jaunt, which kicks off Oct. 7 in Portland, supports the Oct. 5 release of a new three-disc anthology spanning his solo career. (Consequence of Sound)

House of Blues bans straws

Music venues across the country are jumping on the ban-straw bandwagon. Drinks at the 50 House of Blues locations and 52 amphitheaters managed by Live Nation are now served by default without plastic straws — straws and "accessible alternatives" are available per request, reports Amplify. Live Nation says this will eliminate the use of six million straws this year, which is a lot of drinks.

Other venues, like First Avenue in Minneapolis, have announced similar policies — so if Morris Day and Apollonia want straws to drink their martini-glass champagne out of straws, they'll have to ask.

Report details harassment of accusers

Spin has just published a major report detailing the harassment experienced by women who accuse popular musicians of misconduct. Fans of accused musicians like R. Kelly, Marilyn Manson bassist Twiggy Ramirez, and Ethan Kath of Crystal Castles use social media to threaten victims with murder and rape, and generally denigrate them.

Nicole Garey, a woman who's accused Brand New's Jesse Lacey of harassment, says she now fears for her family's safety, and is paranoid when her workplace is hiring new employees. "Like, if somebody starts here — you know, a new salesperson or something — and they happen to be a fan, and they know who I am," she says, "oh my God, that's going to be awful."

In more extreme cases, such as that of a woman who accused the late rapper XXXTentacion of beating her, the harassment has extended into the real world, with fans showing up at workplaces to intimidate accusers.

Ariana Grande and James Corden turn Titanic into a jukebox musical

As Ariana Grande continues to promote her album Sweetener — which comes out on Friday — she joined James Corden for a six-minute reenactment of the movie Titanic, with the two singing snippets of 13 different songs in nine different sets, all in just one take. (Rolling Stone)


Songs sampled in podcast
Jahzzar: "Comedie" (CC BY SA 4.0)
Aretha Franklin: "Respect"
Kesha: "Praying"
Ariana Grande and James Corden: "My Heart Will Go On"
BoxCat Games: "Against the Wall" (CC BY 3.0)