Sam Smith is making some changes in light of the pandemic. Smith said that the upcoming album will no longer be called “To Die For” and will be delayed in release. It makes sense, “To Die For” does seem a bit out-of-touch with the current situation.

“I have done a lot of thinking the last few weeks and I feel that the title of my album and imminent release doesn’t feel right,” the announcement read. “So I have come to the decision to continue working on the album and make some important changes and additions.”

‘iHeart Living Room Concert for America’ to help COVID-19 relief racked up more than $8 million in proceeds. The show featured Elton John, Alicia Keys, Camila Cabello, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, Billie Eilish, the Backstreet Boys, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, and Tim McGraw.

More artists will perform live-streaming bedroom shows. Besides of not having a choice, total internet hits have skyrocketed by between 50% and 70% and streaming by more than 12%. Right now, artists have a once in a lifetime captive audience.

The promising up and coming producer Mokita drops the Take It Back.  The track also has Ella Vos on vocals. The Nashville based singer-producer whose real name is John-Luke Carter has quietly clocked over 100 Million streams on Spotify while his remixes of Demi Lovato and Maggie Rogers have done quite well. In a recent interview Mokita notes, “I just want to be known as someone who was an honest person, and a nice person that loves people well” – “Once you get down to legacy, I don’t really even care about the music.”  Today, more than ever we want relatability. Give the song a stream.

I Love You I’m Sorry by Mel Bryant & the Mercy Makers got stuck in my head. The track would be a favorite on your local alternative station in the 90’s. Maybe it would reach the top 5, sandwiched between Ben Folds Five ‘Brick’ and Cracker’s ‘Low’.  I have to give props to those acts who are steadfast in resurrecting the nineties. Who doesn’t have a soft spot for the alternative rock of that era? The 4 piece indie act resides in Nashville. The band moved from Philly and New York to settle in East Nashville where they run their own recording studio. They are working on their debut album.

You have to give Coldplay props after the band put their plans on hold to tour over the environmental impact of their concerts. They’re one of the few acts that walk the walk, not talks the talk. We need more of them.

After talking to several managers and artists we have a new global issue that’s on the level or even more problematic than climate change. It’s the cov19 pandemics and the next pandemic. What does this mean for the future touring industry? It means a lot. It means stadium tours could be a thing of past.

Many managers and artists agree that we have a ‘moral responsibility’ and a role to play in preventing the next pandemic while flattening the curve of the present COV19 pandemic. That could mean no more huge stadium tours. No more artist meet and greets. Artists performing in smaller and intimate outside sheds could be the answer. In the event of the public health crisis, more artists are focusing on live streaming their shows.

There are few big stadium tours that are set to kick off in summer that most likely won’t happen.  In fact, no way it’s going to happen. The Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe Stadium tour is set to kick off June while The Hella Mega Tour that features Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer begins in May.

We are all in this together and we’ll all figure this out.