Andrew Mall 8/22/25 Andrew Mall 8/22/25

Taylor Swift’s new album, ‘The Life of a Showgirl,’ is being sold on cassette. Who’s buying?

NGN (2025). After Taylor Swift announced her latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” fans began pre-ordering limited-release vinyls, CDs and even cassette tapes. While it may have been a while since the average person has bought a cassette tape, Andrew Mall, associate music professor at Northeastern University, says cassettes have percolated on the music scene and have become popular again over the last 10 to 15 years.

Andrew Mall 8/2/25 Andrew Mall 8/2/25

A new doc sheds light on Jeff Buckley’s legacy. Musicians explain why he is still so influential almost 30 years after his early death

NGN (2025). Experts explain what makes the subject of “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” one of the most legendary artists of his generation, despite only releasing one studio album before his premature death. Despite only releasing one studio album, “Grace,” prior to tragically drowning at the age of 30 in 1997, Buckley remains one of the most legendary — and subtly influential — artists of his generation.

Andrew Mall 8/1/25 Andrew Mall 8/1/25

Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks are reissuing an album that’s been out of circulation for 50 years. Why reissue ‘Buckingham Nicks’ now?

NGN (2025). “Buckingham Nicks” was released in 1973 to minimal fanfare; the couple’s label, Polydor Records, dropped it within months of their release. The following year, the couple joined Fleetwood Mac, making them the notable figures they are today. But while you can easily find copies of or stream all of the duo’s other work — both in Fleetwood Mac and as solo artists — “Buckingham Nicks” was never reissued. Why reissue “Buckingham Nicks” now, after decades that were filled with breakups, makeups, reunion tours, and lawsuits for the pair? Andrew Mall, an associate professor of music at Northeastern University, thinks it could be a sign that things are thawing between the two exes.

Andrew Mall 7/21/25 Andrew Mall 7/21/25

Caught vinyl fever? Our music expert has tips

NGN (2025). Andrew Mall, associate professor of music, has a collection of 1,500 records. He gives his top tips for those venturing into the world of buying vinyl records.

Andrew Mall 7/18/25 Andrew Mall 7/18/25

Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall (Life Free or DIY Podcast, Two Week Notice Podcast)

The Rumors Are True (podcast, 2025). Host Jeremy Alan Gould interviews Dana Bollen and Andrew Mall about making their new podcast, Live Free or DIY.

Andrew Mall 7/16/25 Andrew Mall 7/16/25

Fyre Festival sells on eBay for $245K, a sum so low it wouldn’t have been able to afford disgraced founder Billy McFarland some tickets at his own event

Fortune (2025). Billy McFarland’s Fyre Festival chapter has come to a close. The disgraced owner of the brand behind the disaster luxury music festival sold its intellectual property for $245,300 on eBay. The sum falls far short of some of the ticket options McFarland previously promised for a planned Fyre Festival event, including a $1.1 million package. The final bid falls further still than the $26 million in restitution following McFarland’s wire-fraud conviction.

Andrew Mall 5/16/25 Andrew Mall 5/16/25

Do phone-free concerts lead to better experiences? We asked Northeastern experts

NGN (2025). “If you have 10,000 people at a concert and 8,000 of them are holding a phone, there’s something deeply disconnected,” said Tobias Forge, the frontman of Swedish rock group Ghost. Forge was explaining why the band’s world tour is mandating a no-phones policy. A music expert, philosopher and psychologist explain what is going on when artists restrict what their fans can do at their performances.

Andrew Mall 5/14/25 Andrew Mall 5/14/25

All-In Ticket Pricing Rule Goes Live, Intended to Level Playing Field

TicketNews (2025). A major shift in how ticket prices are displayed went into effect this week, as the Federal Trade Commission’s newly adopted “all-in pricing” rule requires businesses to include all known fees and charges before asking for payment. This move is largely seen as a win for consumers and a step toward fairness among ticket sellers—though it won’t necessarily bring costs down.

Andrew Mall 5/13/25 Andrew Mall 5/13/25

The FTC’s new rule on ticket prices is a win for consumers, experts say — but don’t expect it to bring costs down

CNBC (2025). The Federal Trade Commission’s new rule requires ticket sellers to disclose total prices upfront, including fees, prohibiting them from concealing add-on charges until the last minute. “More transparency is always a win for consumers,” says Andrew Mall, an associate professor of music at Northeastern University. However, “if there are any consumers who have been expecting fewer fees as a result, they will be disappointed.”

Andrew Mall 5/1/25 Andrew Mall 5/1/25

Fyre Fest is up for sale. Could someone buy the brand and turn it around?

Northeastern Global News (2025). The doomed festival’s founder Billy McFarland said the brand can be purchased, but one Northeastern expert said it’s “poisonous.” Could someone purchase the Fyre Fest brand and revive it? It would be a difficult endeavor, said Andrew Mall, associate professor of music at Northeastern University.

Andrew Mall 4/17/25 Andrew Mall 4/17/25

How to buy concert tickets — and avoid getting scammed

Portland Press Herald (2025). Anyone who has bought a ticket to live entertainment in the past few years has likely racked up as many questions as they have credit card debt. We talked to industry experts, arts professionals and concert promoters to demystify what third-party ticket sellers are doing and to help you get the best seat for your buck.

Andrew Mall 4/14/25 Andrew Mall 4/14/25

Songs are getting shorter, thanks in part to Spotify and TikTok algorithms

The Washington Times (2025). Songs are becoming shorter as artists tailor their tracks to fit the algorithms of TikTok and Spotify, where quick hooks and replay-friendly formats drive plays and chart success. “Artists, especially new young artists, are simply just creating hooks and trying to circulate those on TikTok,” professor Andrew Mall, who studies music and media at Northeastern University, told The Washington Times.

Andrew Mall 2/19/25 Andrew Mall 2/19/25

Beyoncé fans complain of inconsistent ticket prices for Cowboy Carter Tour

CBS Morning News (2025). Some Beyoncé fans say they're seeing inconsistent ticket prices for the Cowboy Carter Tour, with some social media users pointing to seats in the same section going for different prices depending on when you bought the tickets. Andrew Mall, associate professor of music at Northeastern University, joined CBS News to discuss the issue.

Andrew Mall 2/1/25 Andrew Mall 2/1/25

Funflation: Concert ticket prices have soared, but music fans don’t seem to care

CNBC (2025). 2025 promises to be another big year for live music events. That may also mean concertgoers will be shelling out more for their favorite shows. After rising steadily post-pandemic, admission to movies, theaters and concerts jumped 20% since 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index data. And yet, consumers have demonstrated a high tolerance for the increasing price tag, also known as “funflation.”

Andrew Mall 1/31/25 Andrew Mall 1/31/25

Will Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show push NFL’s buttons or play it safe?

Northeastern Global News (2025). One of the biggest rappers of his generation, Kendrick Lamar is a logical choice for the NFL’s biggest stage. But the politically conscious rapper also stands in stark contrast to the league’s image.

Andrew Mall 12/12/24 Andrew Mall 12/12/24

What is the legacy of Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras Tour’? Cultural impact goes beyond music, expert says

Northeastern Global News (2024). Taylor Swift ended her nearly two-year-long tour on Dec. 8. The Eras Tour broke records as one of the highest-grossing tours in history.

Andrew Mall 12/12/24 Andrew Mall 12/12/24

Taylor Swift closed her Eras tour on top of the world. Now what?

Reporting by Agency France-Presse, published by ABS-CBN and other global media outlets (2024). The nearly two-year-long, $2-billion Eras Tour shattered records, made history and quite literally triggered earthquakes -- so what could Taylor Swift, the planet's biggest star, possibly do next?

Andrew Mall 12/4/24 Andrew Mall 12/4/24

“Dynamic pricing” was a top contender for word of the year. Here’s why it got consumers so worked up in 2024

CNBC (2024). “Dynamic pricing” made Oxford University Press’ shortlist for the word of the year in 2024. Although the practice has been around for years, a recent surge in demand for sought-after concert tickets, such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, brought dynamic pricing back into the spotlight.

Andrew Mall 11/13/24 Andrew Mall 11/13/24

Why are the best new artists nominees at the Grammys not that new?

Northeastern Global News (2024). Northeastern music expert Andrew Mall sounds off on this year’s Grammy nominations, including Beyonce’s nominations for her first country album.

Andrew Mall 10/2/24 Andrew Mall 10/2/24

What is dynamic pricing and why is it hiking ticket prices for Oasis, Taylor Swift and your favorite artist?

Northeastern Global News (2024). Dynamic pricing was meant to stabilize the market; instead, fans have been hit with spiking ticket costs. How do we fix concert ticketing? A Northeastern music industry expert weighs in.