Random music news for Thursday, December 23, 2021

Is anyone still working? Or have we all bailed for the holidays? Is there still music news to be reported for December 23? Yes. Yes, there is.

Spotify has a new downtown campus in LA that’s being referred to internally as “Pod City.” It features 18 podcast studios, a theatre, an indoor stage, and places for musicians to goof around with vintage instruments.
Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Touring bands are apparently struggling to make money selling merch on tour.
Kate Bush released a Christmas letter to fans.
This rapper was shooting a music video when she was bitten by a snake.
Alice Cooper paid a visit to a food bank to serve food to young children. Nice.
A $5.1 billon defamation lawsuit filed against Drake by someone who broke into his home in LA has been dismissed.
Ringo Starr has a Beatles book coming February 14.
Here are another ten predictions about where the music industry will go in 2022.
That’s an interesting doctored picture. Right, Iron Maiden? (Via Tom)
Stevie Wonder bought this Bel Air mansion from a Saudi Prince.
This was the year of junk internet trends. Let’s start with the short-lived sea shanty craze.
The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan–a frail dude at the best of times–made a public appearance after breaking his knee.
Steve-O of Jackass fame is launching his own XXX-rated site.
The world’s first text message just sold for £90,000. It read “Merry Chrsitmas.”