The Barometer: Michael Jackson; Angela Gheorghiu; Horne and Corden; Madonna in fancy dress

What's hot...

Michael Jackson

Having sold out all 50 dates at the O2 Arena – that's 750,000 tickets – the king of pop has given London's ailing economy a much-needed boost.

Angela Gheorghiu

Straight in at No 1 in the classical music chart last week with her evocative version of Madama Butterfly and still in the top 10.

Nicholas Hoult

The 19-year-old star of TV's Skins has generated record ticket sales for his appearance in the West End show New Boy.

... and what's not

Horne and Corden

Their sketch show was panned and their new film, Lesbian Vampire Killers, isn't the killer show we expected either.

Madonna in fancy dress

Not quite pulling off Britney's sexy schoolgirl outfit – we prefer the tracksuits any day.

Recordings

It's official: the Performing Rights Society says musicians now earn more from their live shows than from their recordings. Last year, live music revenues were £8m higher than recorded music.