Much like the previous year, 2017 seemed to be a net negative for music news. From Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington committing suicide within the span of just a few months, to a pair of shocking, deadly terrorist attacks against music fans and the daily onslaught of sexual misconduct accusations rocking the industry, it seemed like less news had to do with the actual music. Despite this trend, there was plenty of new music to get excited about, like long awaited new music from Gorillaz, Nine Inch Nails and LCD Soundsytem. And while we may lose one of metal’s most exhilarating acts in The Dillinger Escape Plan, the good news is that Andrew W.K. will be releasing a full length album of new music for the first time since 2003. Here are 2017’s biggest music news stories.
File Photo: Raymond Flotat
14. Andrew W.K. Makes His Triumphant Return
Following a dispute over the rights to the name “Andrew W.K.,” fans of the hard-rocking party lover had to wait 15 years to get a proper follow-up to 2003’s The Wolf. The first big announcement was that he would play with his full band on tour, for the first time in five years. Then, he revealed a new album would be released in 2018, which indicates that Andrew Wilkes-Krier has retained the right to perform and release music under that stage name. The title was later revealed to be You’re Not Alone and is set for a March 2018 release date.
– Matt Matasci
File Photo: Boston Lynn Schulz
13. Tom Petty Dies Days After Completing Tour
Few deaths hurt the music industry like that of Tom Petty in September. At 66 years old, Petty had a career jam packed of music and tours as he just never seemed to stop. Petty was an icon to generations of music lovers and will be missed forever by many.
– Sophia Gragg
File Photo: Raymond Flotat
12. Nine Inch Nails Announce Three-EP Cycle
In June, Nine Inch Nails announced three-part EP series, starting with their 2016 EP release Not the Actual Events. In July, they released Add Violence, making it the second mini-album of the series. The third and final part was expected to be released by the end of the year but there’s no news of this the time of publication
– Caitlin Herrera
11. Beyoncé Announced As Coachella Headliner But Cancels Due to Pregnancy with Twins
The announcement of Beyoncé as headliner at Coachella was big news for a festival that is increasingly abandoning rock music. After announcing she was pregnant with not one, but two children and the festival fell right around the time she was expected to give birth, some questioned how she would be able to pull off the performance. The answer came soon after, as the superstar singer had to drop out of her Saturday headlining slot at Coachella 2017 . For fans of Coachella and Queen Bey, not all hope is lost – she has agreed to headline the 2018 iteration of the festival.
– Ilana Tel-Oren
File Photo: Sharon Alagna
10. LCD Soundsystem Return With Another Great LP
Legendary electronic band LCD Soundsystem called it quits in in 2011 to much hubbub, with several huge sold-out “final shows.” While some grumbled about James Murphy restarting LCD Soundsystem in 2016 as cash grab, the release of the band’s subsequent comeback album American Dream proved those fears to be unfounded. The new album slots well with the rest of the bands powerful discography, showing Murphy having gained perspective as an elder statesman of indie music.
– Matt Matasci
File Photo: Raymond Flotat
9. The Dillinger Escape Plan Break Up
Metal band The Dillinger Escape Plan announced in August that they would be breaking up after their final tour following the release of their final album Dissociative. The band spent the fall touring abroad and will be playing their final show tonight, December 29th, in New York City.
– Caitlin Herrera
8. The Future of FYF Fest Is Uncertain After Multiple Allegations of Sexual Misconduct Brought Against Founder Sean Carlson
First Goldenvoice suddenly severed ties with Sean Carlson. Then, Spin broke story detailing allegations of sexual assault against FYF Fest founder Sean Carlson by four separate women, bringing the first story into focus. Now, with Carlson out there is uncertainty as to who holds owns a stake in FYF, as well as for the future of the festival itself.
– Ilana Tel-Oren
7. Gorillaz Release a New Album After Seven Years
After a hiatus that seemed like torture to fans, this year saw the return of legendary alternative group Gorillaz. For several months, the band had teased fans with rumors of a new album, and it caused an online frenzy. People looking for hints left and right, trying to get some sort of clue as to what the band was working on. April saw the release of Humanz, a 14-track album that fans got to hear live, in full, during a secret show in London. With tons of featured artists on the album, and classic Gorillaz-style animated music videos, the band had returned with a force. Since the album release, the band has been scheduling shows and festival appearances to help support the album and show fans they are not going anywhere anytime soon.
– Joel Longini
6. SXSW Becomes Embroiled in Deportation Controversy
In light of the Trump administration’s numerous travel bans this year, many music fans were shocked to see the effects of this legislation hit one of the nation’s biggest music and arts festivals, South By Southwest (SXSW). The story, which involved specific language found in artist contracts, came to light as many international acts arrived at US borders ahead of the festival, and in some cases, were detained and deported. Many of the contracts contained language insinuating that performers that behaved in way that would “adversely affect the viability of their official SXSW showcase,” may be subject to removal from the lineup and that “appropriate U.S. immigration authorities” would be notified. This language caused outrage, and several acts including Soviet Soviet, Massive Era Scar, and ELOQ, were turned away by Border Protection agents “at the 11th hour” due to improper visas. SXSW later issued an apology, saying they had no intention to “collude” with immigration authorities or deport any artists. The festival also released statement in support of Austin’s lawsuit against a Texas anti-immigration law.
– Ben Jardine
5. Fyre Festival Fiasco
The ultra-luxury music festival Fyre Festival was going to take place over two weekends in April and May and allow the ultimate experience to those who had an extra $2,500 to $4,000 to spend on the tickets. Created by rapper Ja Rule and trust funder Billy McFarland, they decided the Bahamian island of Great Exuma would provide the breath-taking backdrop needed for the millennial driven festival. As photos surfaced, the island looked more like natural disaster sight with its first-aid tents and “gourmet” bread and cheese food plates. Needless to say, thousands of lawsuits surfaced and the chance of a 2018 Frye Festival is unlikely. Since then the organizers have seen countless lawsuits and even criminal charges against McFarland.
– Ally Tatosian
4. #MeToo Spearheads The Year of Sexual Misconduct
2017 saw a wave of women come forward to share their stories of abuse and harassment. The results made a major impact on nearly every industry — and certainly the music industry. Towards the latter half of the year, the accusations seemed to come every day. First came the swift fallout for PWR BTTM after Ben Hopkins was accused of sexual abuse (with canceled debut album and being dropped by their label). Other musicians like Matt Mondanile (formerly of Real Estate), Jesse Lacey of Brand New and Ethan Kath of Crystal Castles were among those accused of sexual misconduct. Some of the accused didn’t come as total shock, such as Gene Simmons, who is being sued for sexual battery. Others, like Garrison Keillor of the former A Prairie Home Companion, came as a surprise. The most recent accusations to make major waves are those against Russell Simmons of Def Jam, who has been accused by several women of various degrees of sexual misconduct. Expect this story to continue on into 2018 and have major ramifications for decades.
– Matt Matasci
3. 23 People Are Killed in Manchester Arena Bombing at Ariana Grande Concert
In a tragic series of events, terrorist attack on May 22 in Manchester killed twenty three people, including the terrorist, and an estimate of over five hundred people were injured. Apparently, a shrapnel-laden homemade bomb was placed outside the arena venue of an Ariana Grande concert, in a public space, and set off during the conclusion of the pop singer’s concert, after the encore. Many of the victims were harmed as they were leaving the arena. Police later found out that the bomber, Salman Ramadan Abedi, had largely acted alone but that others had been aware of his plans, leading to the arrest of 22 suspects. It was the deadliest attack in the UK since the 2005 London bombings.
– Chris Lee
File Photo: Alyssa Fried
File Photo: Shareef Ellis
2. Rock Icons Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington Commit Suicide Within Months of Each Other
One of the most tragic and shocking pieces of news in the music industry this year was the sudden suicide of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, who took his own life after a Soundgarden concert in May. A few months later, Chester Bennington, the lead singer of Linkin Park and a close friend of Cornell’s also took his own life. Both musicians had struggled with depression in the past. Cornell helped define the Seattle grunge scene of the 1990’s with Soundgarden, with his soulful vocals and sludgy guitar playing earning him much critical and commercial acclaim. Bennington’s emotional lyrics and powerful vocal delivery made him into an icon as Linkin Park blew up in the early 2000’s, becoming the soundtrack to the life of angry, angst-ridden teenager in the country.
– Andy Lindquist
1. Mass Shooting at Las Vegas Country Music Festival Kills 58 People
In yet another American mass shooting, 58 people were gunned down at Las Vegas’s Route 91 Harvest country festival on the night of October 1st, 2017. From his 32nd floor room at the Mandalay Bay hotel, 64-year old Stephen Paddock opened fire on festival goers as they gathered for Jason Aldean’s 10pm set. In fifteen minutes, he was able to fire 11 rounds of rifle ammunition, killing 58 people and injuring 546 more. Of the casualties, 36 were women and 22 were men, most of which had traveled from out of state. Paddock took his own life before police arrived at the hotel room, where they found suitcases full of weapons and extensive evidence that the shooting was premeditated, though no motive was determined.
– Kellie MacDougall
Featured Image Photo Credit: Alyssa Fried
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