MAY
JUNE
JULY
APRIL 22 : RECORD STORE DAY An annual event celebrating the vinyl record , Record Store Day is a time where music-makers and music-lovers alike can come together within safe spaces to do what they love most : listen to amazing records .
MAY
MAY 10 : PWR BTTM ’ S BEN HOPKINS ACCUSED OF ASSAULT A victim ’ s stories about an alleged sexual assault by Ben Hopkins begins circulating on social media , causing a widespread attack on the once beloved Brooklyn power-pop duo . The band releases a statement claiming this is a misunderstanding , but they are dropped by their label and their albums are removed from streaming services .
▲ MAY 22 : BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS Drake is the star of the hour , taking home multiple awards , including Top Artist , Top Streaming Songs Artist , Top Rap Tour , and more . The event is hosted by Ludacris , who has hosted previously , and Vanessa Hudgens .
MAY 22 : MANCHESTER BOMBING AT ARIANA GRANDE CONCERT Tragedy struck as an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester was bombed , endangering thousands , injuring dozens , and killing 22 , most of whom were children . Regarded as one of the biggest tragedies in the history of concerts , this event led to Grande penning a letter about staying strong and facing fear . She announces she will be returning to Manchester for a benefit concert .
JUNE
▲ JUNE 4 : MANCHESTER BENEFIT CONCERT In the wake of the Manchester Bombing , Ariana Grande , Katy Perry , Coldplay , Miley Cyrus , and more celebrities return to the city in order to perform at a benefit concert that will alleviate the burden of the victims . Attendees of the concert in May are offered free tickets .
JUNE 7 : SITE OF WOODSTOCK JOINS REGISTRY OF HISTORIC PLACES The home to one of the most famous music festivals of all time , the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is added to the National Register of Historic Places . This venue hosted the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969 .
JUNE 8 : TAYLOR SWIFT RETURNS TO SPOTIFY After criticizing the streaming service and removing her entire music catalog , Taylor Swift decides to make amends with Spotify . She tweets that she will be returning her entire discography to the platform .
JULY
► JULY 20 : CHESTER BENNINGTON PASSES AWAY The lead singer of Linkin Park , Chester Bennington , is found dead at age 41 in a Los Angeles house . It is suspected to be a suicide . His death is a shock to the music community as a whole , and he is mourned widely and celebrated for his contributions to alternative rock .
“ MUSIC IS SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE ON EARTH CAN SHARE . MUSIC IS MEANT TO HEAL US , TO BRING US TOGETHER , TO MAKE US HAPPY .”
— ARIANA GRANDE
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