Also this week: the legacy of important rock radio station CFNY is explored in a new documentary, BTS comes to Toronto, a watershed copyright ruling and more.
As the new year gets underway, a diverse range of topics are featured in the headlines. The potential perils of AI for music are explored, a US court ruling may be a big win for songwriters, the announcement of a global BTS tour sparks excitement and there are updates on the Grammys, iHeart Radio Music Awards and Golden Globes.
Read these stories and more in this week's roundup of music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond.
Now streaming for free via TVO Docs, the documentary focuses on the alternative spirit of the GTA station that made waves in the '80s and '90s before being rebranded as 102.1 The Edge. There are interviews with Rush’s Geddy Lee, Metric's Emily Haines, Sum 41's Deryck Whibley and more. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
There's no stopping this breakout Canadian show's momentum, with the score by Quebec artist Peter Peter as the latest beneficiary. – Kyle Denis, Billboard Canada
The post arrives days after a protester was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis. – Jessica Lynch, Billboard
Keithley, a longtime Green voice on Burnaby council but better known as the legendary leader of D.O.A., recently announced that he has joined the Burnaby Citizens Association, which is affiliated with the New Democratic Party. – Vicki Duong, Georgia Straight
The former bassist for Hole and the Smashing Pumpkins, Melissa Auf der Maur has written Even the Good Girls Will Cry: A ’90s Rock Memoir, one of the more intriguing music titles coming to shelves and shippers in 2026. – Brad Wheeler, Globe & Mail
Siding with the songwriter behind a 1963 track, the ruling could mean major changes to how artists win back their music rights. – Bill Donahue, Billboard
From the V&A to the Stranger Things finale, the pop icon still looms large – but with lower streaming figures than his peers, how many new listeners are discovering his music? – Eamonn Forde, The Guardian
Noah himself is a four-time Grammy nominee and is up this year in the best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording category. – Associated Press
“We never felt we would see that happen,” Montero told The Globe and Mail. She performs at Toronto’s Koerner Hall on Jan. 18. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
The former Arista Records chief executive had faced allegations that he derailed the career of former employee Drew Dixon after she rejected his advances. – Laura Snapes, The Guardian
