News in brief (Friday 8 April 2016)

Nassau Coliseum looks to draw big names
The $130 million renovation of the 43 year-old Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on New York’s Long Island includes an ambitious dressing room programme known as the Artists Quarters, which developers believe will play a significant role in convincing artists to add a stop at the 16,000-capacity arena when touring in North America. (Billboard)

Indonesian popstar dies from onstage snake bite
An Indonesian pop singer has died in a bizarre and tragic incident after a cobra being used as a prop onstage bit her during a performance in Karawang, Indonesia. Irma Bule was known for using snakes at her shows and may have believed the cobra was defanged. (Pollstar)

Music community mourns the passing of Merle Haggard
The US music community has paid tribute to country music legend Merle Haggard, who died on 6 April, the day of his 79th birthday. (Music Week)