RS' Knopper on summer tour woes

DOG DAYS: I.B. Bad isn’t the only one to take note of the brutal summer shaping up for the touring business. Rolling Stone industry reporter Steve Knopper offers a similar take in the current issue of the mag, with Jay-Z on the cover. Knopper points out that Christina Aguilera’s tour has been canceled, along with that of Limp Bizkit, while the Eagles have dropped three stadium dates in markets the band hit just last year. Among the tours that are struggling, according to the reporter, are Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Jonas Brothers, Rihanna and Lilith Fair. But some acts are selling briskly despite the depressed market, including Lady Gaga, Carole King & James Taylor, Dave Matthews Band and Justin Bieber, with all but the Boomer duo succeeding in part by offering reasonable prices. (6/11a)