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BILLBOARD CANADA FYI
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Zora Sicher
Reneé Rapp
FYI
Music Biz Headlines: Reneé Rapp Headlines All Things Go Toronto, Josh Ross Controversy
Also in the headlines this week: the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, the inaugural SOCAN Polaris Song Prize, Diljit Dosanjh joins up with Intense for a new track and more.
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Just ahead of Canada Day, Juno-winning country star Josh Ross stirred up a hornets nest with his strongly pro-American comments at a time of heightened tensions between Canada and the U.S. Meanwhile, Toronto's anticipated new festival released its first lineup and Avril Lavigne joined up with her ex-husband for a pop-punk reunion for the ages.
Read all of this week's music business headlines below:
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Canadian Singer Josh Ross Apologizes, but Stands Ground After Calling U.S. ‘The Best' Country
Canadian country singer Josh Ross is apologizing after he drew jeers on social media for carrying a U.S. flag onstage at a music festival and calling the country the “best” in the world. – David Friend, Canadian Press
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Reneé Rapp, Kacey Musgraves, Charlotte Cardin and More Announced for Inaugural All Things Go Toronto
The two-day festival will also welcome Remi Wolf, Role Model, Noah Cyrus, Valley, Ravyn Lenae and more to its first edition at Budweiser Stage. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
20-Song Long List Announced for New SOCAN Polaris Song Prize
The new accolade will award the best Canadian song chosen by a jury of the nation’s critics. Tracks by Kaytranada, Saya Gray, Mustafa, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and more are competing for the $10,000 prize. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Alanis Morissette: ‘If Men Couldn't Have Sex With Me, They Didn't Know What To Do With Me'
She made her name with rage-fuelled anthems – and sold 75m records in the process. Now, with a highly anticipated Glastonbury slot, the California-dwelling earth mother is ready to let rip again. – Charlotte Edwardes, The Guardian
Avril Lavigne Reunites With Deryck Whibley for ‘In Too Deep’ at Warped Tour
The former couple performed the Sum 41 anthem together during Lavigne's headlining set at the Vans Warped Tour in D.C. – Jessica Lynch, Billboard
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Nardwuar the Human Serviette Nails It As He Delivers the First Pitch at a Chicago Cubs Game
After posing with fans ranging from folks in the stands to Clark the Cub mascot, the Nard took to the mound in a Cubs' jersey emblazoned with Nardwuar and the number 50 (dear trivia fans: think fabled Canadian pitchers from the past). – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Intense Releases New Track ‘Ruthless’ With Diljit Dosanjh
The hip-hop inspired Punjabi track is the lead single from the Canadian music producer’s upcoming self-titled album, the first in his global distribution partnership with ADA through Warner Music Group. – Peony Hirwani, Billboard Canada
Some musicians in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra are privately shocked that management has accepted money from Mandle Cheung, an entrepreneur-turned-amateur conductor, to lead them in a performance next week of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in C minor. – Josh O'Kane, Globe & Mail
Here's Why These Are Edmonton's Five Best Summer Festivals
We asked our arts writers for their takes on their favourite summer festivals in Edmonton. Here are their picks. – Staff, Edmonton Journal
When the World is Ending, Ben Caplan Says Find Love
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Caplan’s new album The Flood explores how we find joy in anxiety-riddled circumstances. – The Coast
International Music Biz Headlines
Live Aid Concert to be Broadcast on Radio to Mark 40th Anniversary
Greatest Hits Radio to air original performances from stars such as Queen and David Bowie in 10-hour show on 13 July. – The Guardian
‘Poor Management Leads to Fatal Crushes’: How Glastonbury and Others are Dealing with Big Crowds
After disasters such as Astroworld and scary bottlenecks at last year’s Glastonbury, Emily Eavis and crowd experts explain how they’re trying to make events safe. – The Guardian
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All Seven BTS Members Have Now Finished South Korea’s Mandatory Military Service
BTS members RM and V after being discharged from a mandatory military service in Chuncheon, South Korea, on June 10. All seven members of BTS have completed their enlistment duties. – Associated Press
Donald Trump Extends TikTok Sale or Divest Due Date For a Third Time
US President Donald Trump has issued another 90-day reprieve for TikTok. Trump has further postponed the enforcement of a law that would force the company to sell its US operations or face a ban in the market. The latest extension pushes ByteDance’s deadline to September 17, 2025. – Mandy Dalugdug, Music Business Worldwide
64% of Independent U.S. Live Music Operators are Unprofitable
The macro picture for independent live music venues, promoters, and festivals is strong: the sector contributed $86.2 billion to US GDP in 2024, according to a new report. But according to the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), 64% of these independent operators are unprofitable. Aka: losing money. – Music Business Worldwide
Despite controversial new ownership for the local landmark, Sheffield’s vibrant network of staunchly independent spots is bucking the crisis facing Britain’s small music venues. – Daniel David Wray, The Guardian
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