Music Week’s round-up of essential music biz stories you might have missed…
Swift Countdown
Taylor Swift has fuelled speculation that she is about to announce a new album by launching a countdown on www.taylorswift.com.
The timer, which will conclude at midnight on April 25, has featured in New York's Time Square according to reports, while the artist has posted several images on her Instagram account accompanied by the number 4.26 prompting speculation that whatever is announced will be released the day after the countdown concludes, April 26.
Grammy's RED-letter appointment
According to reports, Deborah Dugan, CEO of the non-profit AIDS organisation (RED), will be the American Recording Academy’s new president and CEO.
The executive, who previously worked in the biz at SBK Records and EMI/Capitol Records, before moving to Disney and then eventually RED, describes herself as an “EDM fan” on twitter.
Dugan is expected to succeed Neil Portnow, who earlier this year indicated that the 2019 Grammy Awards would be his last in charge of the Recording Academy, later this year although an official announcement is currently not expected until May.
Ariana Grande 'Synchs up at Coachella
Ariana Grande nearly reunited NSYNC during her headline set at the Coachella Festival at weekend (April 14).
The singer was joined onstage by JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass and Chris Kirkpatrick during the festival, although Justin Timberlake was not presence for the performance of Tearin’ Up My Heart.
However, with Grande set to headline again when the festival line-up returns for its second leg this weekend (April 19-21) she has another chance to serve up an NSYNC full house – or recruit entirely new guests.
Californian festival also witnessed performances from Tame Impala, Childish Gambino, The 1975 and Billie Eilish among others this weekend. Performances from a host of the artist who played can be watched via the event's YouTube channel.
