iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Live music continues to trend, tragically, towards being the privilege of the wealthy. A weekend pass to Woodstock in 1969 cost $18. That was expensive for the time. With inflation that = $163 today. You’d have to quadruple that to get to the $649 general admission 1st weekend cost of Coachella.

001

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Questionable song licenses in commercials are nothing new; famously Sony licensed the Beatles anti-war anthem All You Need is Love to help sell Luvs diapers in 2007. But I do think this Super Bowl is a referendum on all the catalog sales the last few years. And tastelessness is winning.

160

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

I didn’t go into the Grammys a particular fan of Lola Young. But she bodied that vocal performance during the Best New Artist segment. I thought Leon and Alex also really elevated themselves.

140

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Public service announcement: www.saylaufey.com

020

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

I see a lot of “why did SNL even book him?” in response to Morgan Wallen abruptly walking off stage after last night’s show. The answer is simple: he’s one of the most popular artists in America and has been for at least 4 years. This is a ratings no-brainer, and it ends up a win for all involved.

320

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Honestly struggling with social media in these times. How do I post about the music business, while still urgently communicating that like, trans rights are human rights, climate change is real, DEI doesn’t cause plane crashes, Nazis should be punched in the face, etc. Anyone else feeling this?

160

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

People want to know who Kendrick is bringing out at halftime. I want to know what he’s going to say to Donald Trump.

120

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Madonna’s become a bit of a caricature the past decade or so. Loved going back to listen & be reminded how much incredible music she released, and how important it was to so many people. Not in order: Crazy for You What it Feels like for a Girl The Power of Good-bye Live to Tell Ray of Light

250

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

I’m at 799 followers. Would love to get that to a round number. Any 99,201 of you want to jump on?

030

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Final Grammy thoughts: they did a phenomenal job under a very difficult set of circumstances. Making an awards show deferential to fire victims but also fun TV while getting the big awards right is no small feat. I’ve been a critic of the Recording Academy at times but they stuck the landing here.

170

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Grammys basically had one job to do re Album of the Year and they did it. A subplot tonight was the Academy settling all family business so to speak. That’s what Weeknd performance was and it’s definitely a big dynamic of Beyonce’s AOTY. youtu.be/NjY4tx4ZTJc

youtu.be

settled all family business

YouTube video by sonny coleone

140

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Also not telecast: 7500 industry people waiting for an Uber.

051

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The artists’/VIP section was here for Charli

010

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

For those keeping score at home, Record of the Year just went to the song that Drake is suing UMG for as defamation.

002

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

So good they liked it twice? That is weird. Just went to the live video and it’s at 4K views but 10k likes. #grammys

100

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Gaga spoke up for trans people and Shakira for immigrants. Both powerful. But I understand folks wishing more artists were more fired up to speak about what’s happening in this country. These are the early scary days of something must never be normalized.

141

Reposted by Bill Werde

Alex Mallett @almalbass.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Agreed. Grammys can signal their values (and I think they are through performances like Chappell Roans and proudly talking about diversity, gender equity, and LGBTQIA initiatives), but major artists can/should be more direct about what’s happened to this country in the last 2 weeks.

121

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

I guess? If Chappell spoke about Trump I don’t think she would have accomplished anything other than PR. She has a real shot at making a difference for artists’ health care.

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

It’s amazing how much better “we are the world” aged compared to “do they know it’s Christmas.”

120

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Not a criticism of this Grammys as much as a request; I understand the focus is & should be LA. But can we also get a little heartfelt acknowledgment that American Democracy is circling the drain? I’m not looking for long speeches. But a little counter-normalization of Trump would go a long way.

151

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

This Grammys seems to be hitting all right notes so far. Weeknd performance was a big healing moment, and in fairness, a testament to the work the Academy has done to be more inclusive and transparent. Weeknd said he would t be back in 2021. No accident Harvey was the one to bring him to stage.

040

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

That Chappell Roan acceptance speech was the real deal. One of the greatest bits of activism I’ve seen at the dozen+ Grammys I’ve attended. That’s how you use a platform. And that’s what speaking truth directly to power looks like. #grammys

4326

Reposted by Bill Werde

Alex Mallett @almalbass.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

It was a wonderful moment. what’s really touching at home is the commercials for Altadena businesses. classy move by the Grammys.

021

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Dunno how well it came through on TV but the Staples Center just went absolute ape shit with love for Doechii winning and every word she said. #grammys

271

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Unusual Grammy Week vibes. Between LA fires & rampant Trumpism, there’s an undeniable element of Nero fiddling while Rome burns. I guess I’ve landed on “the industry is people too, they work hard & should celebrate their artists & their work.” Also these events are raising millions for fire aid. 🤷🏻

120

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Interesting debate with one of the very top music biz journalists last night at MusiCares: whether the decline in reading anything long form was a cyclical trend that would rebound, or the foreseeable future of society and info consumption. Sadly, I lean toward the latter. What say you?

310

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

TikTok is back on. Thank god. I have spent the last 12 hours desperately and unsuccessfully searching for ways to purchase the $40 Dubai chocolate bar.

040

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Occam’s razor: if you were Russia or China a decade ago, unable to compete with America’s military, but feeling existentially threatened, what would you do? The answer would look a lot like how the last 8-9 years have played out.

161

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

"It was a great time in life, and our chemistry was at a certain place that was undeniable," [said] André “the audience sometimes believes that something has to last forever, and I don’t think that. Any kind of art form …It probably should not last forever." 🙌🏻 people.com/andre-3000-g...

people.com

André 3000 Says OutKast Is 'Further Away' from New Music 'Than We've Ever Been': 'It's a Chemistry Thing'

André 3000 — whose debut jazz album 'New Blue Sun' received three Grammy nominations, including album of the year — told 'Rolling Stone' fans shouldn't "be sitting around waiting" for the former rap d...

021

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

What was the single most important #musicbusiness news story, trend or development of 2024? We just debated & ranked the year in news in my Bandier music biz program at Syracuse University. Would love to see a few of your takes before I share ours. “Important” = the greatest impact on the business.

750

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

I think I may be shadowbanned from my last post for some reason. If you see this, will you interact? Just testing this as I learn Bluesky, will delete later. Thanks.

350

Reposted by Bill Werde

J Herskowitz @jherskowitz.com · 06/12/2024

I understand the anti-streaming sentiment from artists, but I don't understand the singling out of Spotify as the sole enemy. The model is the model - and it bends with the audience. Anti-capitalists begging for fans to use Apple, Amazon and Google confuses the hell out of me.

351

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Setting aside Willis’ abhorrent homophobia, the question is: who owns the perception of a song? Is it the artist or fans? Seems pretty clear it’s the fans. “YMCA” isn’t a gay anthem bc Willis or anyone connected to Village People demanded it to be. Art hit the universe and oxidized. #musicbusiness

030

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

People actually bought crypto from the Hawk Tuah girl, and are now shocked & outraged that it lost almost all its value? I mean sure, lock her up if she committed a crime. But I don’t know that society can honestly be expected to protect people who are this stupid. www.latintimes.com/infamous-haw...

latintimes.com

Infamous Hawk Tuah Girl Accused of Criminal Rug Pull After Meme Coin Plummets in Value Minutes After Launch: 'She's Gonna Have to Talk Tuah Judge Soon'

Hailey Welch is facing backlash for a meme coin she created after the cryptocurrency exploded in value and then dropped significantly.

0152

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Every music biz journalist in the world pissed as hell at Drake right now for not letting them have a slow holiday week 😅

030

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Burning Man may well be toast. It’s a shame — a truly unique festival/experience, at least when I went in 2000 & 01. If it dies, id chalk up the kill as much to climate change as anything. 103 temps in 2022, then flooding in 2023 turned a lot of folks off for 2024. www.billboard.com/pro/burning-...

billboard.com

Burning Man’s CEO on Budget Shortfall, Community Blowback & What’s Needed to Keep It Going

Burning Man CEO Marian Goodell talks ticket prices, fundraising and the the 2025 event amid a revenue shortfall in a new interview.

110

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

In case you thought Drake’s reputation couldn’t get lower, he just became the ultimate snitch. And in doing so, he provides a rare, comprehensive glimpse into what modern major labels do to promote a hit. www.billboard.com/pro/drake-um... #musicindustry

billboard.com

Drake Accuses UMG & Spotify of Scheme to ‘Artificially Inflate’ Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

Drake says UMG and Spotify schemed to boost Kendrick Lamar’s "Not Like Us" via bots, payola and other methods.

2165

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Another great aggregator of #musicindustry news here, from another really smart, experienced voice about the business.

131

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

I’ve started to put together a list of credible, important #musicbusiness voices here on @bsky.app. There is so much bad info, so many cheap, ill-informed hot takes on the #musicbiz. These are some of the sources that I use to stay informed on what’s now/next. bsky.app/profile/did:...

362

Bill Werde @billwerde.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Anyone care about the #musicbusiness on this app? Or have recommendations of folks who do? #musicbiz #musicindustry

591