Random music news for Monday, March 16, 2020

Has civilization collapsed yet? No? Maybe I shouldn’t have run up the Visa so much then. Then return here for music news for March 16, 2020, to distract us. Just a warning: There be much COVID-19 ahead.

1. Coronavirus update 1: More people (especially concert promoters) are learning about the phrase force majeure.
2. Coronavirus update 2: Matt Good has postponed his tour over coronavirus concerns.
3. Coronavirus update 3: Let Insane Clown Posse show you how to prevent COVID-19. (WARNING: Do NOT do this. Shaggy is now in the hospital. But it’s for neck surgery. No Faygo for a while, either.)
4. Coronavirus update 4: Liam Gallagher still intends to get married in Italy this summer. Oh, and he’s got an MTV Unplugged album coming, too.
5. Coronavirus update 5: It’s bad for musicians. If David Crosby can’t tour this year, he says he’ll lose his house. There’s a lot of concern in the UK, too. There are fights over insurance. And a site in Australia called ILostMyGig has registered AUS$50 million in losses so far.
6. Coronavirus update 6: All Apple stores outside of China will be closed until March 27. (The China stores were closed but are now reopening.)
7. Coronavirus update 7: Here’s what Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are listening to while in isolation.
8. Coronavirus update 8: Some Italians have things figured out when it comes to music. It’s a wonderfully Italian solution, too. And then the Italian Air Force did this.
9. Coronavirus update 9: This band went ahead and played a show to an empty room. (But they live streamed it.)
10. If you’re staying home and bored out of your skull, why not try this free Minimoog Model D Synth download?
11. Coronavirus update 11: It’s St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow. It’s unwise (or illegal) to gather in a crowd, so the Dropkick Murphys are going to livestream their St. Paddy’s Day gig.
12. Coronavirus update 12: Mexico went ahead with this big concert over the weekend. The Reverend Horton Heat and The Exploited continue to tour, too.
13. Coronavirus update 13: A big event in Australia called Bluesfest has been canceled. Same thing with an event called Red Hot Summer. This comes as the government banned large gatherings.
14. Coronavirus update 14: They’re starting to close casinos in Vegas. On a related note, the Academy of Country Music Awards which was scheduled for Vegas has been postponed.
15. Coronavirus update 15: New York has closed clubs, bars and restaurants.
16. Coronavirus update 15: Here’s a list of every music-related event in Canada that’s been either postponed or canceled.
17. Remove radios from cars? You can’t be serious.
18. R Kelly now has more legal hits than musical ones.
19. Retro fun: That time the Ramones appeared on Space Ghost.
20. Retro fun: That time the CBC wanted to feature a performance by Iggy Pop and Bowie but were thwarted by the musicians union. (I remember watching this exact show as a kid!) (Via Kevin)