Season 11 American Idol winner, Phillip Phillips, is opening with Matchbox 20 to sold out crowds in states that start with the letter “I”. On the other side of the planet, X-Factor Live (I’m guessing the Australian franchise) held a concert in Sydney.
Meanwhile, Billboard has decided to reformulate the Hot 100 (and related charts like Hot Country songs) to include youtube views within the United States. On the one hand, I think it is about time. If you are going to include relatively rarer streaming, you should include youtube views since that is the way many people chose to listen to music these days (and one of the few ways you get to watch videos). As an added bonus, the artists actually get some money from youtube. On the other hand, it will lead to viral videos and the songs they sometimes randomly feature to dominate the charts. Case in point, “Harlem Shakes” tops the Hot 100 this week. To paraphrase Monica from Friends, that’s not even a SONG. Urgh!
Matchbox Twenty, Phillip Phillips
Feb. 6, 2013: Normal, Ill.; Braden Auditorium; 3,358 of 3,358 (SOLD-OUT): $206,959
Feb. 10, 2013: Des Moines, Iowa; Civic Center of Greater Des Moines; 2,544 of 2,544 (SOLD-OUT): $189,279
Feb. 12, 2013: Fort Wayne, Ind.; Embassy Theatre; 2,339 of 2,339 (SOLD-OUT): $159,915
The X Factor Live
Jan. 18, 2013: Sydney, Australia; Hordern Pavilion; 2,510 of 4,561 (55%): $172,992