People: Taylor Swift’s live album only on Apple Music
Taylor Swift is releasing a live concert special from her star-studded “1989 World Tour” exclusively on Apple Music.
The pop star announced Sunday, on her 26th birthday, that she will release “The 1989 World Tour LIVE” on the streaming platform on Dec. 20. It will not be available for purchase, but it is free for streaming for Apple Music users.
The concert, directed by Jonas Akerlund, features Swift’s performance in Sydney, Australia, at the ANZ Stadium, taped on Nov. 28. It will also include appearances from the many celebrities and musicians who surprised fans on the tour, from Justin Timberlake to Mick Jagger to Kobe Bryant.
Apple Music is currently the only streaming platform where Swift’s best-selling “1989” album is available. Swift, who wrote a critical Tumblr post in June about Apple’s initial decision to not pay artists during its free, three-month trial launch of Apple Music, said Apple contacted her about capturing one of her concerts for a special.
“I think I’d be leaving a huge part out if I didn’t mention the blog post that I wrote. I think that is probably the starting point because I didn’t have a personal relationship with Apple until that point,” Swift said in an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music’s Beats 1 Radio (the interview airs Monday at noon Eastern). “I’m sure there are better ways to introduce yourself than to say, ‘This is what I’m upset about, please think about our industry.’ It got more attention than I thought it would because I’d been echoing those sentiments for years.”
Apple changed its decision to pay artists.
The Weeknd shines at ‘Jingle Ball’
The Weeknd celebrated his breakout year from critical darling to full-blown pop star at iHeartRadio’s “Jingle Ball” concert in New York City.
The Grammy-nominated singer headlined Friday at Madison Square Garden, and even left out expletives during his set of songs, which was explosive and energetic.
He sang familiar radio hits like “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills” in front of the feverish crowd, as did Nick Jonas, Selena Gomez, Charlie Puth, Fifth Harmony and Shawn Mendes.
Demi Lovato was a vocal powerhouse in front of the loud audience and offered words of encouragement to the young fans.
The birthday bunch
Actress Patty Duke is 69. Pop singer Joyce Vincent-Wilson (Tony Orlando and Dawn) is 69. Actress Dee Wallace is 67. Rhythm-and-blues singer Ronnie McNeir (The Four Tops) is 66. Rock musician Cliff Williams (AC/DC) is 66. Actress Cynthia Gibb is 52. Actress-comedian Miranda Hart (“Call the Midwife”) is 43. Actress Vanessa Hudgens is 27. Rock/R&B singer Tori Kelly is 23.