Random music news for Friday, January 16, 2026
This viral Chinese app is a hit with people living alone. It basically asks, “Are you dead?” Music news for January 16, 2026 is very much alive.
- How much will BTS make on their upcoming world comeback tour? Estimates are at least $US1 billion over 79 shows in 34 countries.
- Do artists peak with their first album? Let’s ask statistics!
- Metallica is “90% there” when it comes to booking an appearance at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
- The gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry is a hit. It’s also boosting streams of songs heard in the show.
- Interesting stat: About 33% of all European festivals were hit with some kind of boycott in 2025.
- An actor has been chosen to play Ozzy in the biopic.
- Two festivals have been cancelled after Muse pulled out.
- Cher wants US$1 million after winning a copyright fight with ex Sonny Bono’s estate.
- Taylor Swift has “always embraced cringe. Are fans still buying it?”
- Bandcamp has banned all AI music. Good.
- I like what Matthew McConaughey is doing to battle AI.
- Still with AI, biologists are now treating AI’s LLMs “like aliens.”
- Want to feel old? Here are 20 50th anniversary musical milestones coming up this year.
- Young people are unplugging–and they report feeling happier.
BONUS: Here’s something you don’t see at a gig every day.
