WEEK IN THE MUSIC: NEW COLUMN
A new short-form column which covers the most crucial happenings in entertainment. This week's topics are Liam Payne's passing, Oasis, Meta & Universal Music Group, and John Lennon & Yoko Ono.
Happy Wednesday, everyone! I’m sorry that I disappeared again, but I got sick. Lots of sleepless nights paired with high fever. This fall has been quite hard on me. Anyhow, since I have missed a couple of entries, I thought that for this week I could write a Week in The Music newsletter.
Week in The Music is a short-form column where I condense big and small happenings in the music scene. If you like this type of format, please let me know in the comments, so I can keep it going.
Without further ado, let’s dive in this week’s Week in The Music.
ONE DIRECTION’S LIAM PAYNE PASSED AWAY
On Wednesday, October 16th, 2024, British pop band One Direction’s Liam Payne passed away after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. The authorities are still investigating on the circumstances around his passing.
The 31-year-old artist rose to fame when Simon Cowell placed him in a boyband with other four young men during the 2010 X Factor: Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan. The five membered group was named One Direction and soon became an international success. Many were their successes including “What Makes You Beautiful”, “Best Song Ever”, and “Live While We’re Young”.
In 2015 Zayn Malik left One Direction and soon after in 2016 the British boyband went on an indefinite hiatus. Ever since 2016 all the members started pursuing their own projects. Unfortunately, Payne did not have much success as a solo artist and throughout his career he struggled with substance abuse which led him to go to rehab.
May God grand him peace.
“Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.” -- Louis Tomlinson
OASIS: “The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.”
The rumors are true: the British ‘90’s band Oasis is back 15 years after their breakup. Apparently, Liam and Noel Gallagher decided not to look back in anger to the 2009’s backstage fist fight which brought about the breakup of Oasis.
Oasis is famous for two things: great Britpop-rock anthems (“Because maybeeee you’re gonna be the one that saves meeeeee and after allllll you’re my wonderwall”) and for the never-ending spats between Liam and Noel Gallagher – fraternal love, they say. However, apparently Oasis is back and it’s here to stay for 2025. In fact, there are plenty of scheduled events in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland next summer.
Fans and critics are speculating on the reason behind the reunion. Many think back to an almost-ten-year-old interview for The Wall Street Journal where Liam Gallagher called his brother an effing idiot and maintained that a reunion would only be financially motivated, as artistically it wouldn’t make much sense.
“Artistically, you wouldn’t do it. You’d do it for the money, but I’ve got enough money, thank you very much. I don’t need the headache of being in a band with a singer who is the angriest man in the world.” – Liam Gallagher on Noel Gallagher and Oasis
UNIVERSAL MUSIC & META: LICENSED MUSIC FOR WHATSAPP
The 2017 deal between Universal Music and Meta paved the way for the new licensing agreement between the two companies in 2024. The 2017 deal allowed Facebook’s platforms to legally use Universal Music’s copyrighted material on videos as background music and on other Facebook’s platforms, such as Oculus. With the new licensing deal, Universal Music monetizes on short-form video and licensed music for WhatsApp.
Meta has struck similar deals with other publishers such as Warner Music Group and independent music licensing agency Merlin.
“The new agreement reflects the two companies’ shared commitment to protecting human creators and artistry, including ensuring that artists and songwriters are compensated fairly.” – Universal Music and Meta’s jointed statement
JOHN LENNON AND YOKO ONO: “Mind Games”
For those of you who are fans of John Lennon, there are two book releases you should look out for: “We All Shine On” and “Mind Games”.
“Mind Games” is a 288-page book which illustrates both with words and pictures the life of the Lennons. The title is inspired by the 1973 album of the homonymous title by John Lennon. An additional special feature of the book is the 82-page preface written by Yoko Ono.
In “Mind Games” the main focus is the life of the Lennons. The tragic death of John Lennon is dealt in Elliot Mintz’s 304-page book “We All Shine On: John, Yoko and Me”. Mintz was a very close friend of the Lennons and he recounts the interesting – to say the least – relationship between him, John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
If you’re interested in diving more deeply in each book to understand which one is best to purchase for yourself or a loved one, I believe Wesley Stace’s article for The Wall Street Journal does a lovely job in detailing the two books.
Thank you for your time!
If I don’t get sick again, until next Wednesday! 😊
This is a useful music news roundup. May Liam Payne's memory be eternal! Also, I'd be curious to know a bit more about what the music licensing agreement between Meta and Universal means.
Ottimo lavoro!