2014 has already brought a couple of potentially impacting achievements for music performers and fans.
Joel Takes Up Musical Residency
Music icon Billy Joel became the first artist to assume musical residency at New York City’s Madison Square Garden to perform monthly concerts “for as long as there is demand,” said Joel after his announcement late last year.
Unsigned Grammy Winners Pave Way
The four Grammy wins for former underground Indie artists Macklemore & Ryan Lewis set the bar. In beating out popular rappers Jay Z and Kanye West, they’ve paved the way for fellow unsigned musicians to achieve the mainstream recognition they reached this year.
There’s no limit to how far the duo can go with the greater visibility they obtained with the touchingly candid hit rap ballad to the LGBT community,”Same Love,” which proved indisputably to be a major career maker.
Mars Passes NFL Litmus Test
Most notably, is the hugely successful performance of singing underdog Bruno Mars, who rocked New Jersey’s MetLife Center stage during the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show.
The NFL’s choice of Mars also set a potential milestone for music artists this year, especially after the League initially received public backlash over the R&B crooner of hit album “Unorthodox Jukebox.” Mars was considered a risk because he was not thought to be established enough to hold the stature of headline performer for the prominent mega gig watched by millions of viewers.
Having passed the musical litmus test, Mars may have opened the door to more singers that wouldn’t necessarily get offered the opportunity for the coveted shot at the top spot in the hugely popular sports event of the year.
Beyoncé Challenges Musical Artistic Standards
And the visual LP (with 14 cuts and 17 videos) released by Beyoncé Knowles that could challenge other artists to rise to the standard of prolific video-making established by late King of Pop Michael Jackson – is another reason why this year may be one of the best ever, musically.
MSG Completion Spurs Venue Competition
A huge boost will be the natural competitive atmosphere that completion of MSG’s theatre’s lengthy overhaul is likely to spur among local venues, such as the new Barclays Center, in regard to artist bookings.
Any incentive to rev up push to fill venue rosters is good news for entertainers sure to benefit from an increased climate of professional competition, making them more in-demand.
For fans eager to see their favorite music stars in concert at affordable ticket prices, this year should be a win-win all around.
Read also from this Contributor:
Has Beyonce Gotten Too Hot for the Stage?
Celebs Who have Leveraged Star Power and Talent into Multiple Careers
Toni Braxton’s Retirement News and Sudden Comeback in Same Year
