• Apple Reportedly Has Stopped Free iTunes 'Single of the Week' Promotion

    In appears that Apple has started out the year by quietly making a pretty big change to the iTunes music store. As has been reported by fans in other jurisdictions, like the U.K. and Italy, it seems as though Apple as phased out the free "Single of the Week" feature that was prevalent on the iTunes homepage over the past 10 years. The feature has been a blessing and a curse, allowing artists to promote their music in one of the most trafficked music services on the Web with a free download, but also loads up music libraries with random songs that may never pan out.The free download has been a feature since 2004, but Apple kicked off 2015 without the free downloads, and it appears to be gone for good. As pointed out by "Business Insider," an Apple forum post discusses the issue and several commenters chime in on the subject. One "Bob Foss" claims to have had a discussion with an Apple employee who confirmed that the feature was indeed gone."I contacted iTunes Support and they told me the decision was made to drop the free Single of the Week. Seems they don't want people browsing the Store anymore. I told them that the free single each week got me to the Store and I usually bought a few songs. Now, there's less reason to go. They've stopped the free single in other countries too," says Bob Foss.The end of the free single makes sense for Apple, as it looks to capitalize on its move in acquiring Beats Audio and Beats Music in May 2014. The move for Beats Music signals a shift toward streaming, ahead of downloads, and recognizes the new climate in the industry — remarkable for a service based on downloads. The square that was used for free downloads appears to have been filled with iTunes radio premieres, which are streams in their own right and serve audio ads.

  • The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, A Skylit Drive Announce Co-Headlining Tour [FULL SCHEDULE]

    Post-hardcore bands A Skylit Drive and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus have announced a co-headling spring tour across the U.S. According to Alternative Press, the tour kicks off on March 12 in Anaheim, California (A Skylit Drive's home state), and finishes up on April 19 in Orlando, Florida (RJSA's home state). Opening acts for the tour include Wolves at the Gate, ForTheWin, and Breaking Through.

  • 'American Idol' Season 14 Recap & Review: Series Looks to Bounce Back from Last Week's Low Ratings

    Last week's American Idol premiere was an all-time low for the series. The first audition episode, held in Nashville, scored 11.2 million viewers with a 3.2 rating percent ratings in 18-49 demographic. In comparison, 15.2 million people watched Season 13's premiere last year, earning the show a 4.7 percent rating. It looks like the safe, family friendly format is slowing killing off the once powerful hit.

  • Mountain Jam 2015 Lineup: Black Keys, Robert Plant, Alabama Shakes Included

    Just when you thought you hadn't seen enough festival lineups for the past 10 days, another gets announced. New York State festival, Mountain Jam, has gotten in on the action with its lineup that features The Black Keys, Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters, Alabama Shakes, Big Gigantic, Rebelution and many more. Further additions to the lineup include, Dopapod, Rusted Root, Nikki Lane, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and more.

  • Kendrick Lamar Drops Guest Verse on Jonathan Emile's 'Heaven Help Dem' [LISTEN]

    Canadian rapper Jonathan Emile has shared a politically charged new track titled "Heaven Help Dem," featuring a guest appearance by Kendrick Lamar, which you can check out below. The track finds Emile and Lamar rapping about the overwhelming violence against black men in the United States, with Lamar opening his verse with recollections of his own horrifying experiences: "The average black man only live to 25/Pac died at 25/How many kids you know dead at 20? 5?/ Nah, that's light/I know 10 that's crumblin' in coffins." It's powerful stuff, accompanied by a video featuring images of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Eric Garner, and many others.

  • Deadmau5 Releases 'Spirit of Gumball' Recap Video Set to 'While (1<2)' [WATCH]

    Over the summer, the rich and famous gathered for the Gumball 3000, a 7-day, 3,000 mile car rally featuring some of the nicest and gaudiest cars money can buy. Noted producer, DJ and car enthusiast, Joel Zimmerman, better known as deadmau5 joined the fun with his "purrari," the now stripped and sold bright blue Ferrari that had the pattern of the infamous internet meme, "Nyan Cat" painted on the side. The whole video is soundtracked by the sounds of his 25-track artist album released over the summer of 2014, While (1<2).

  • Mac DeMarco Embarking On World Tour In Support Of Latest Album 'Salad Days' [FULL SCHEDULE]

    Canadian slack-rock hero Mac DeMarco will be setting out on a world tour in support of his latest album Salad Days. According to Pitchfork, the tour kicks off tomorrow, Jan. 15, in Tokyo, and takes DeMarco to South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico before he hits the US in April for Coachella. The tour ends in June with DeMarco's appearance at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee.

  • Burning Man 2015 Will Have Boeing 747 Installation, Courtesy of Big Imagination

    Burning Man is known for doing things differently. It has a culture entirely its own and is a festival that others have tried to replicate, but the culture and spirituality that exists at Burning Man cannot be found anywhere else. This year, one of the massive installations that will be coming to Burning is none other then a Boeing 747. The Big Imagination foundation is a nonprofit that is trying to make this happen with a fleet of volunteers and a lot of willpower.The 747 Project will bring the largest art installation to Burning Man that the event has ever seen. It is a real 747, not a replica or something manufactured. According to the website, it will be a moveable, interactive experience for Burning Man 2015 and years to come."The project invokes all of the elements of a journey. It's a destination, transportation and an adventure. Our goal is to move participants in many ways, to take them on a trip not only from Point A to Point B, but also from the outer self to the inner self."Some burners complain that the festival is being co-opted by celebrities and is becoming too commercial, but the essence still remains. It has become an increasingly popular destination for artists and festivalgoers alike who want to experience the spiritual trip of Burning Man.
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