Regarding the insane changes to itunesconnect.
When you successfully upload a build from Xcode,
Some partial information ...
a build submitted at 1606 did appear on the "prerelease" area at 1651.....
(So, 45 minutes later.)
How did I make it happen? Over on Xcode, I took the same archive, and clicked validate, let it process that, and then clicked submit again. Half way through, the "first" one (from 45 minutes ago) did appear as shown here on the "Prerelease" section. I then just clicked to cancel that second upload (I guess it would have been harmless anyway.) Coincidence? I don't know, but it worked.
So now - it's stuck in "prerelease" section! :O