The Bulletin: Arts & Culture Roundup | 22 November

BECK VS. SPOTIFY: "IT'S NOT WORKING..."
Beck has added his voice to the chorus of independent musicians hitting out at streaming service Spotify. In an interview with Argentinian magazine Pagina 12, translated by blog The Future Heart, the singer attacks Spotify for their criminally small revenue payouts, saying: "What Spotify pays me is not even enough to pay the musicians playing with me or the people working on the discs. It's not working. Something is going to have to give." He also laid into the site for it's low-quality sound, streaming at 128kbps: "It's like watching Citizen Kane on your phone. That's what people are listening to."  

Beck is currently recovering from a serious spinal injury, but plans to release new Jack White-assisted album Morning Phase  – his first full album since 2008's Modern Guilt – next year will not be delayed. In other Spotify-related news, the NME reported that the UK arm of the company posted a loss of £10.1 million for 2012, despite a hike in user numbers. 

FORMER GROUPIES OF REDDIT
Reddit, the user-driven news and entertainment website, caused controversy this week with a thread asking for people to tell all about their experiences of being 'groupies.' The stories told, although almost impossible to verify, shed some very embarrassing light on the activities, proclivities and egos of some famous music stars, particularly in the world of the 'superstar DJ.' Read the hilarious (and potentially libellous) thread in full here.  

USHER HALL CENTENARY CONCERT
Edinburgh's Usher Hall celebrates a landmark centenary this year with a concert featuring some of the works performed at its opening. The programme features the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union and the magnificent Usher Hall organ that has played a big part in the Hall’s heritage since it was installed in 1913. The concert will feature works by Wagner, Rachmaninov, Mendelssohn, MacCunn, Bach, Parry and Beethoven, with directors RSNO Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Søndergård and conductor Michael Bawtree manning the batons. 

Søndergård commented: “Since coming to Scotland my experiences of the Usher Hall have been full of excitement, joy and thrilling music-making. It is a wonderful venue with a venerable history and I am honoured to play a part in its centenary celebrations. Both myself and the musicians of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra wish our Edinburgh home another successful 100 years!” Tickets went on sale this morning.

FESTIVAL WATCH: T IN THE PARK, WEE DUB
A couple of snatches of music festival news – cheeky indie-rock chappies Arctic Monkeys have been confirmed as the headliners for next year's 21st annual T in the Park (11-13 July). Tickets went on sale today. Festival director Geoff Ellis said: "We're thrilled to announce Arctic Monkeys as our first headliners for T In The Park 2014. After this year's fantastic 20th year celebrations, we asked our audience who they'd like to see at next year's festival and Arctic Monkeys came top of the poll, so we're really pleased to be able to confirm them for T In The Park." 

The Wee Dub Festival has changed its dates for 2014 - the festival will now run from 7 to 9 March. Meanwhile, plans are in motion for the Wee Dub Hogmanay party, which will feature Dreadzone Soundsystem, Capitol 1212, Jinx In Dub, Astroboy and the Too Much Fun Club. Details and tickets here.

ON TOUR: NINE INCH NAILS, DARKSIDE
Unless you've been sleeping under a rock this week, you'll no doubt be aware that Trent Reznor's Nine Inch Nails are hitting the road in Europe next year in support of their latest album Hesitation Marks. Tickets for their gig at Glasgow's Hydro on 20 May went on sale today. The band will also visit Manchester's Phones4u Arena on 25 May. Full details and links to ticket vendors here.

Another band hitting the UK next year are Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington, performing together as DARKSIDE. They will be playing the relaunched Glasgow Art School on 26 March, in association with The Arches. Read our recent interview with Jaar about the DARKSIDE project here.