Ongoing History of New Music: The 100 Greatest Rock Moments of the Millennium So Far - Part 1

Podcast Information:

• Title: Ongoing History of New Music
• Host: Alan Cross (Curiouscast)
• Episode: The 100 Greatest Rock Moments of the Millennium So Far - Part 1
• Release Date: January 22, 2025

Introduction

In the premiere episode of a ten-part series, Alan Cross embarks on an ambitious journey to rank the 100 most significant moments in rock music of the 21st century. This detailed exploration not only highlights pivotal events but also delves into their lasting impact on the music industry and cultural landscape.

Top 100 Rock Moments

100. Reunion Fever Alan Cross opens the countdown with a discussion on the surge of band reunions over the past 25 years. As CD sales declined around 2000-2001, bands from previous decades saw reunions as a viable financial strategy. Prominent promoters like Live Nation capitalized on the nostalgia of boomers, Gen Xers, and millennials, leading to successful tours and festivals featuring legendary acts.

• Notable Example: "The Police reunion tour of 2007 and 2008 grossed $359 million, which is $508 million in today's cash." ([13:45])

99. Måneskin's Eurovision Victory (2021) Breaking the Eurovision mold, Måneskin's win in 2021 marked a rare triumph for rock in a contest typically dominated by pop acts. Their victory not only revitalized Italy's presence in Eurovision but also propelled the band to global fame, demonstrating the platform's potential to launch enduring careers.

• Alan Cross: "Maneskin brought the title home for rock and parlayed their Eurovision win into a global career." ([13:52])

98. Artists Oppose Donald Trump's Use of Their Music The episode highlights the tensions arising when political campaigns, notably Donald Trump's rallies, used artists' music without explicit permission. Many artists, including R.E.M., Beyoncé, and Queen, took legal action to dissociate their work from political affiliations, emphasizing the importance of artists' control over their creations.

• Quoted Reaction: "The Police reunited despite never getting along because the financial offer was too significant to decline." ([13:50])

97. The Rise of Artist Residencies Artist residencies, particularly in Las Vegas, transformed the traditional touring model. Pioneered by Celine Dion in 2003, residencies offer artists a stable platform to perform regularly without the grueling demands of constant touring. This trend expanded to include pop and rock legends, culminating in monumental shows like U2's performances at the $2.3 billion Sphere in Las Vegas.

• Alan Cross: "Residencies allow artists to engage with fans in a consistent, immersive environment." ([14:05])

96. Kate Bush's Historic 2014 Residency After decades away from full-scale touring, Kate Bush made a triumphant return with a 22-show residency at the Apollo Hammersmith in London. Dubbed "Before the Dawn," the multimedia extravaganza showcased her innovative artistry and set a precedent for future residencies by iconic musicians.

• Alan Cross: "Tickets disappeared in minutes, and reviews were ecstatic, marking a significant return for Kate Bush." ([14:20])

95. The Fyre Festival Disaster (2017) One of the most infamous events in concert promotion, the Fyre Festival promised a luxurious music experience on a private island. Instead, attendees faced subpar conditions, no performances, and stranded without proper amenities. The fiasco, masterminded by Billy McFarland, serves as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of deceptive marketing and influencer culture.

• Alan Cross: "The Fyre Festival is considered an example of how Internet influence culture can be empty and phony." ([14:35])

94. The Gold Rush for Artists' Catalogs In the late 2010s, companies like Primary Wave and Roundhill began acquiring the rights to extensive music catalogs. Artists benefited from significant upfront payments and financial security, while companies saw long-term profitability in exploiting and monetizing these timeless works. Notable deals include Queen's $1.3 billion sale and Bruce Springsteen's $550 million agreement.

• Alan Cross: "More than 200 artists have sold their catalogs, ensuring their music remains in the public consciousness for decades." ([14:45])

93. The Emergence of Hologram Performances Advancements in technology brought deceased artists back to the stage through holograms. From Tupac Shakur's appearance at Coachella in 2012 to ABBA Voyage's immersive performances in London, holograms redefined live music experiences, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge tech.

• Alan Cross: "With advances in AR, VR, and AI, hologram performances may become even more lifelike and integral to the music scene." ([14:55])

92. Pearl Jam's Official Bootlegs Pearl Jam revolutionized fan engagement by releasing extensive official bootlegs of their live performances. Starting in 2000, these high-quality recordings allowed fans to experience concerts firsthand, fostering a deep connection between the band and its audience.

• Alan Cross: "With over 200 official bootlegs and 6,000 live songs, Pearl Jam has set a new standard for music distribution." ([15:05])

91. The Impact of MySpace on the Music Industry MySpace altered the music industry's landscape by enabling artists to self-promote and connect directly with fans. It democratized music distribution, allowing bands like Arctic Monkeys to achieve viral success and sign lucrative record deals without traditional gatekeepers.

• Alan Cross: "In 2006, Arctic Monkeys broke the music industry with their strategic use of MySpace." ([15:15])

Conclusion

Alan Cross wraps up the first part of the series by summarizing the ten moments discussed, emphasizing their significance in shaping modern rock music. He hints at the upcoming episodes, which will delve deeper into transformative events and controversies, including technological mishaps and industry scandals.

• Alan Cross: "These moments not only defined the past 25 years of rock but also set the stage for its future evolution." ([15:25])

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this comprehensive series, where Alan Cross continues to explore the pivotal moments that have defined rock music in the 21st century.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "The Police reunion tour of 2007 and 2008 grossed $359 million, which is $508 million in today's cash." ([13:45])
• "Maneskin brought the title home for rock and parlayed their Eurovision win into a global career." ([13:52])
• "Residencies allow artists to engage with fans in a consistent, immersive environment." ([14:05])
• "With over 200 official bootlegs and 6,000 live songs, Pearl Jam has set a new standard for music distribution." ([15:05])

Further Engagement Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts and engage with Alan Cross through various platforms. Visit alanalancross.ca or subscribe to the A Journal of Musical Things newsletter for daily updates. Don't miss out on the next installment of "The 100 Greatest Rock Moments of the Millennium So Far."

Upcoming in Part 2:

• A botched attempt by an MP3 player
• How a record label tried to wreck our computers
• The first death on the countdown
• And more pivotal moments shaping rock music today