Live Nation’s basically a concert promoter, the one that organised the marginally successful and very worthy Live 8 arena shows. It’s also the new cool company for successful MEGA-ACTS to sign with when their traditional “deals” expire.

Signing with Live Nation means more cash/money up front for the artist, with Nation recouping the cash via record sales and touring revenues – previously dealt with separately – as it works the artist into the ground like a pit pony.

The newest beneficiary of the “joined up” marketing/selling deal is 50 Cent who, according to rumours, is set to SMASH Madonna’s $120m deal…