Music Business

Live Nation -- which owns Ticketmaster -- was dealt a massive blow Wednesday when a federal jury found the concert company operated an illegal monopoly over ticketing for live entertainment.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta applauded the verdict in a statement ... calling it "a historic and resounding victory for artists, fans, and the venues that support them," according to NBC News.

Remember ... Taylor Swift slammed Ticketmaster back in 2022, when fans were furious over issues getting tickets for her shows. There were difficulties and delays during the presale, leading TM to cancel the public sale.

Kacey Musgraves just saw some "insane" orbs in the sky, and she ain't blowin' smoke ... she's got videos to back it up.

The singer posted on her Instagram Story late Thursday night, describing the "craziest f***ing orb UFO experience" while flying from Fort Worth, TX to Nashville, TN with one of her managers, Bobby.

She said she was about to take a nap when she saw some lights that "just didn't look normal" ... first noticing them over the Little Rock, AR area and watching them all the way until they reached Nashville.

Remember when Coachella wasn’t just an Instagram feed and celebs could actually party in peace? Yeah, those days are no longer, but we’ve dug up the throwback photos ... and they’re just too dang good to scroll past!

The gang's all here!!! Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Pharrell! And flashback to Austin Butler and Vanessa Hudgens hand-in-hand in the desert?!

You might have to kiss your *NSYNC reunion dreams bye, bye, bye! While leaving LAX recently, Joey Fatone said the boys won't be getting back together anytime soon ... but not because he doesn't want to!

JF explained it's tricky trying to get everyone's calendars lined up, saying the other guys have kids, families and "other things" -- an apparent nod to the recently-released body cam footage from Justin Timberlake's 2024 DUI.

Justin Bieber's already in the desert prepping for Coachella ... and some of his rehearsal was caught on camera.

TikTok users are posting videos that seem to show Biebs practicing for his big headlining set this weekend. You can't see much ... but it sounds like you can hear the pop star singing along to his backing tracks.

**Potential Coachella Spoilers below**

Michael Jackson’s estate continues to provide for the late pop star’s kids, including dropping thousands on tuition for his oldest son and tens of thousands for his daughter Paris’ home improvements ... this according to new legal docs filed by the estate.

TMZ obtained the 2022 accounting report submitted by John Branca and John McClain, the two executors who run Michael’s estate.

The executors said 2022 was “another banner year for the estate.” Branca and McClain pointed out the estate launched "MJ: The Musical" on Broadway, which made a ton of money and received acclaim.

Ray Stevens has a broken neck after suffering a serious fall near Nashville, Tennessee ... his team announced in a statement Tuesday.

The legendary country singer fell on Sunday, March 29 ... and, he ended up "briefly hospitalized in the Nashville area."

The 87-year-old is now recovering at home, his team adds ... but he has been advised by doctors to wear a neck brace for the next month or so.

Paris Jackson's not letting the drama with her dad Michael's estate get her down ... visiting a Beverly Hills salon for some much-needed self-care.

Michael Jackson's middle child stepped out for a relaxing afternoon on Monday ... rocking a plaid shirt over a crop top and a pair of booty shorts.

She added cowboy boots to the ensemble ... and christened herself a "Cowboy" with an orange hat that featured the word prominently in white script.

Paris Jackson’s little brother, Blanket "Bigi" Jackson, and his lawyer Justin Gold were apparently unsuccessful in their attempt to resolve her bitter battle with their late father’s estate ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ ... Michael’s estate executors, John Branca and John McClain, called out Paris for backing out of a deal they say was recently reached between the executors and Jackson's children.

Paris has been fighting the executors over certain payments made by the estate to third-party law firms that she felt were excessive, and has been pushing for a better process in court for approval of such payments. The estate countered that the payments were standard for the industry, and pointed out they have earned the estate billions of dollars.

Amanda Bynes has officially inked a record deal as she steps into the music world ... TMZ has learned.

The former Nickelodeon star signed with Create Music Group and is launching a new chapter as a recording artist, starting with her single "Girlfriend," set to drop April 10.

We're told Amanda teamed up with Fenix Flexin from Shoreline Mafia on the track ... giving the record a strong L.A. sound and a notable hip hop co-sign.

Create tells TMZ, "'GIRLFRIEND' blends melodic rap with EDM-inspired production, creating a catchy, high-replay record with a smooth West Coast bounce. Built around a strong hook and confident, flirt-heavy energy, it's designed for repeat listens and wide playlist appeal. Featuring Fenix Flexin, it taps into a familiar L.A. sound while staying fresh and accessible."

Of course, Amanda first rose to fame as a Nickelodeon star on "All That" and "The Amanda Show," before making a successful jump to the big screen in films. She later stepped away from acting and has kept a relatively low profile in recent years while focusing on her personal life and creative pursuits.

Sydney Sweeney kept things low-key for Easter -- ditching the glam and stepping out for a chill date night with Scooter Braun.

Peep this -- the "Euphoria" star was keeping it shy in a fully covered-up fit ... sweater, jeans, cap ... slipping out of L.A.’s Gyu-Kaku right alongside the music mogul Sunday night.

The two looked deep in their couple bubble -- super easy, casual, no flash, just vibing together.

Don't expect to get a Spice Girls documentary anytime soon ... at least not according to Mel B!

This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the girl group's debut -- their first single and album both dropped in 1996 -- but Mel is shutting down rumors that she'll reunite with Victoria Beckham, Melanie C, Geri Halliwell and Emma Bunton for a doc.

She told Hello it's not that they haven't been asked or weren't considering it, but she's not sure it would get done "in the right way," saying ... "It has to be honest -- and not everybody wants to be honest."

Backstreet's back ... perhaps in a beef with NSYNC thanks to Brian Littrell taking a hilarious jab at the rival boy band in police body cam footage, obtained by TMZ.

Watch the video ... the police question Littrell about an altercation the Backstreet Boy had with a guy he accused of assaulting him on his property. After Brian says the other guy was going after him "because I'm a celebrity" ... one of the cops says she recognizes BL and breaks out into "Bye Bye Bye."

Nice try officer, but of course, that's the wrong band ... and Brian didn't hesitate to let her know that!

Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham was allegedly ambushed by a woman in Santa Monica ... and it sounds like he may have a stalker.

Lindsey showed up Wednesday for an appointment and was allegedly attacked by a woman who doused him with an unknown substance ... TMZ can confirm. NBC 4 was the first to report on the news.

The woman reportedly fled the scene after the alleged incident, but cops are said to know who she is ... and it sounds like they expect to track her down and make an arrest.

BBC Radio host Scott Mills has been fired over reported concerns about "personal conduct," according to BBC News.

After being with the broadcaster for almost 30 years, a spokesperson told USA Today that the British DJ is "no longer contracted to work with the BBC."

According to The Mirror, the allegation "relates to a historic relationship dating back more than 10 years," but no details about Mills' alleged behavior have been reported.

Simon Cowell says Tom Sandoval would make a ton of money in the music industry ... as a wedding singer -- not as a mainstream frontman.

We caught up with the "America's Got Talent" judge and asked him about Sandoval's performance on the show back in August ... which Cowell lightly ripped apart -- telling Sandoval he liked him and his group ... but their performance of "Blinding Lights" didn't sound good.

Cowell tells us Sandoval just didn't really impress him -- as much as his fans may have liked the performance ... but, he could see Sandoval leading a "party band."

SC points out there's a ton of money in weddings and birthday parties ... and, he thinks Sandoval and his group -- Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras -- would rake in the dough if they jumped into that space.