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Today’s Music News: Chaotic Mac DeMarco concert ends in police detainment

by Staff

November 17, 2014

Mac DeMarco concert Friday night at the University of California—Santa Barbara ended with the "Salad Days" singer detained by police after he climbed into the ceiling beams of a campus venue called The Hub. Earlier, campus police had interrupted the show to arrest two concertgoers for "moshing and resisting police officers," reports the Santa Barbara Independent. Over the weekend, the community debated whether the police actions were necessary or excessive.

Lifetime's Aaliyah biopic has always been a controversial proposition, made despite the opposition of the late R&B singer's family. Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B debuted on the network Saturday night and immediately sparked a firestorm of criticism from fans as well as artists like Timbaland; one of the musicians portrayed in the film, Timbaland criticized the film extensively via social media. The film's producers said they tried to keep it "tasteful," but many viewers said they feel the film inappropriately romanticizes the relationship between Aaliyah and R. Kelly—who illegally married Aaliyah when he was 27 and she was 15. Aaliyah died in an airplane crash in 2001, at age 22. (Variety)

On Jan. 8, the date that would be Elvis Presley's 80th birthday, the singer's legendary first recording will go up for auction at Graceland. The acetate disc, featuring "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin," was recorded by Presley at Sun Studios on July 18, 1953—supposedly as a gift for his mother, though many music historians now believe Presley was actually hoping to catch the attention of studio owner Sam Phillips, who signed Presley to his label the following year. (New York Times)

The Rolling Stones have privately resolved an insurance claim over lost revenue caused by a tour postponement in the wake of the death by suicide of Mick Jagger's girlfriend L'Wren Scott. The band's insurers received permission to seek evidence from Scott's brother regarding her mental condition, but the settlement was apparently reached before Scott's brother was contacted. (Billboard)

With her new album It's the Girls debuting at number three, Bette Midler has now had an album in the top ten in each of five consecutive decades. Barbra Streisand has her beat, though, with not just a top ten album in each of the past six decades, but a number one album in each of those decades—from the 1960s through the 2010s. (Billboard)

After wowing the Fine Line on Friday night, FKA Twigs played at Paisley Park on Saturday night; following Twigs's set, Prince himself played multiple sets with 3RDEYEGIRL. Watch for Leah Garaas's review coming soon on our Local Current blog.

Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon) played Duluth not one but two nights last week, including a scheduled show Thursday night with Low at the Karpeles Museum and a surprise set Wednesday night at Fitger's Brewhouse. Though his shows were overwhelmingly praised by attendees, Kozelek didn't play Minnesota Nice when it came to his ongoing, largely one-sided beef with the War on Drugs. On Thursday, Kozelek played his dis song "War on Drugs: Suck My Cock," joined by a seemingly reluctant Alan Sparhawk (Low) on guitar and vocals. (Local Current)

Two brands that have experienced dramatic success despite frequent criticism are reportedly planning to team up: a deal between Spotify and Uber will reportedly allow customers to open the door of an Uber and hear their own playlist already rocking inside the car. (Billboard)

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