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In the “girl” era, are women really splurging for fun?

Feb 29, 2024
Economic disadvantages like the wealth gap persist, despite talk of the “she-conomy."
Since the pandemic began, single women and other lower-wealth groups saw larger percentage gains in their wealth than their higher-wealth counterparts. Hernández Kent said that’s primarily because it’s easier to double a small amount of money.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Cataloging the top objects of 2023

"Whe more digital we get, the more we crave these sort of physical manifestations of the digital," says Rob Walker.
"The more digital we get, the more we crave these sort of physical manifestations of the digital and the digital world amplifies physical things," says Rob Walker.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

What Spotify and Apple Music's 2023 lists reveal about the music industry

It's more than just the fact that Taylor Swift had a massive year.
Both Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay had the same top artist of the year. Can you guess who?
Spotify

Concert films from artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé have a ripple effect

Nov 28, 2023
Movie theaters get a slice of profit from ticket sales, but many also capitalize on the moment with themed food, merchandise and more.
After more than a month, the Taylor Swift movie still consistently ranks in the top five for ticket sales, per Michael O’Leary at the National Association of Theatre Owners.
Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images

Americans are still revenge spending on live events — especially concerts

Oct 19, 2023
And yet, more than half of Americans say they’re going to cut back on entertainment spending, because of rising costs.
Beyoncé and Taylor Swift took over the entertainment world this year with their highly-attended and highly-promoted concert tours.
John Shearer/Getty Images for TAS

Ticket scalpers are way better at buying Olivia Rodrigo tickets than the rest of us

Sep 29, 2023
Ticketmaster's Verified Fan system was meant to reduce scalping. But Jason Koebler at 404 Media says it may have done just the opposite.
Scalpers have "basically figured out every restriction that Ticketmaster has and then have figured out a way to circumvent it," says Jason Koebler at 404 Media. Above, Olivia Rodrigo in performance.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

Arena tours leave little to trickle down to this indie Iowa venue

Sep 11, 2023
Smaller stages want a slice of your entertainment budget, but blowout events like the Beyoncé and Taylor Swift tours are eating them up.
Tobi Parks, owner of xBk, above, says the joy in operating an independent venue is helping her community discover new artists.
Courtesy Lucius Pham

For public good, not for profit.

Taylor Swift's tour is boosting business near venues, but the singer's the big winner

May 19, 2023
She's likely to make more than $5 million a night in ticket sales alone.
Taylor Swift performs onstage for the opening night of "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

How Ticketmaster came to dominate live events (and incur the wrath of Taylor Swift fans)

Nov 17, 2022
In addition to selling tickets, the company controls venues and manages artists. Some lawmakers say it's a monopoly.
The company is under scrutiny following last year's debacle involving problems with Taylor Swift tickets.
Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Taylor Swift unable to shake off copyright lawsuit

Dec 16, 2021
While a judge said that Swift had a strong case against the claim, he concluded that a reasonable jury could find in favor of the plaintiff, meaning it should go to trial.
Taylor Swift performs onstage during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame