Random music news for Wednesday, March 18, 2020

With so many people being forced to stay home because of the coronavirus, you gotta wonder what’s gonna happen with divorce rates. Just a thought. Moving to music news for March 18, 2020…

1. Coronavirus update 1: There’s panic buying of pot in The Netherlands. There have also been sales spikes in Ontario and Quebec. (On a related note, here’s the psychology behind hoarding toilet paper. If you need more, here’s a video on the subject.)
2. Coronavirus update 2: Australia’s Splendour in the Grass festival has been postponed until October.
3. Coronavirus update 3: The iHeartRadio Music Awards have been canceled.
4. Coronavirus update 4: Live Nation stock just keeps getting hit and hit and hit.
5. Coronavirus update 5: Gigs.Guide has added virtual performances to its calendar. “Just because we can’t travel or go to gigs right now doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy great music together.”
6. Coronavirus update 6: Speaking of which, Coldplay’s Chris Martin got on the virtual gig bandwagon with Instagram.
7. Coronavirus update 7: “How the coronavirus is affecting concerts, tours…“
8. Coronavirus update 8: “Concerts are on hold. Workers behind the stars are hurting.”
9. Coronavirus update 9: Alex Lifeson of Rush took the kids on spring break. Now everyone is in a self-quarantine.
10. Coronavirus update 10: A list of all the free stuff people are releasing.
11. Coronavirus update 11: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has opened its archives for education purposes. Might as well use that self-quarantine time…
12. Coronavirus update 12: The Rolling Stones have postponed the next leg of their world tour. Given their age, that’s wise.
13. Coronavirus update 13: The East Coast Music Awards have been canceled.
14. Coronavirus update 14: This chart explains why events need to be canceled. It saves lives.
15. Apple has posted for a job called “Product Manager, Apple Podcasts, Personalization.” Whatever could that mean?
16. The most recent ruling in the “Stairway to Heaven” plagiarism case (which went in Led Zep’s favour) could end up helping Katy Perry with her “Dark Horse” problem.
17. There’s an anniversary in the world of electric guitars: The 70th birthday of the Fender Broadcaster.
18. Spotify has altered the way its random shuffling feature works. Here’s why.
19. Stuck at home? Might be a good time to get better acquainted with what your smart speaker can do.
20. Well, this cover version is surprisingly good. Shocking, actually.
21. Tesla is offering a remote infotainment upgrade by software update that removes the AM/FM radio plus the SiriusXM satellite radio. They call that an “improvement.” What?