As September begins to wrap up and fall sets upon us, we are being treated to a blast from the past and a few settled disputes. See what you missed in the latest Weekly Roundup.
With plans of new music from Consequence cover star Ozzy Osbourne and The Rolling Stones dropping a star-studded new track, the old guard shows they’ve still got what it takes. The 2023 WGA Strike comes to a close with a new deal, and Live Nation tries to make amends for their merch split controversy. To cap off the week, there are fresh rumors of a new The Office reboot.
Catch up on all the hottest music, entertainment, and pop culture news via the video above, and find more info on each story at the links below.
Ozzy Osbourne Planning to Record “One More Album” in 2024 — Although a slew of health issues have kept Ozzy Osbourne from performing in recent years, he has announced plans to record “one more album” in 2024. Not only is he planning for his 14th album (following 2022’s Patient Number 9), but the Prince of Darkness hopes to get back on the road for the first time since his “No More Tours II” tour in 2018.
WGA Strike Comes to an End Following New Deal — Following over four months of protests and back-and-forth between writers and studios, the WGA are ending their strike after agreeing to a new deal. Announced on Tuesday, September 26th, the deal includes security for writers against the potential use of AI in writers’ rooms, along with increased residuals for streaming content. Despite the end of the WGA strike, SAG-AFTRA are still on the picket line after joining the protests in mid-July.
The Rolling Stones Release Star-Studded New Single — The second single for The Rolling Stones’ upcoming album Hackney Diamonds was released this week, and it’s a stunner. “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” features an iconic guest double billing with Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, and came out Thursday, September 28th via Polydor. The track’s parent album is slated for release October 20th, 2023.
The Office Reboot Rumored in the Works — Rejoice, The Office fans! News has recently come out that series creator Greg Daniels is working on a reboot to the beloved sitcom after the ending of the WGA strike. The idea of a revival for the show has been rumored for years, but this news seems like the largest step towards new material since the show came to a close in 2013.
Live Nation to Drops Merch Fees — For Now — Since coming under fire for the merch cuts that they take from artists, Live Nation is attempting to make amends through a new artist development program. The economics of merch cuts recently made headlines after punk rocker Jeff Rosenstock released a breakdown of the amount taken by every venue he performed at during his 2023 tour. Part of Live Nation’s new development program, dubbed “On the Road Again” and created in partnership with Willie Nelson, involves getting rid of these cuts, along with offering out a $1,500 stipend to all headlining and supporting acts playing select “club-sized” venues. However, there’s no word on how long this program will actually be in effect, and the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) has taken issue with the approach.
