Music Biz Headlines: BTS Take Toronto By Storm, Music Executives Pay Tribute to Dolly Parton
Also this week: Nelly Furtado celebrates 20 years of a breakthrough album, a Sidhu Moose Wala hologram tour begins in Toronto, Tim Curry dies at 80.
The arrival of Korean pop superstars BTS in Toronto last week caused a frenzy and grabbed a lions share of the headlines while boosting the city's economy. Also this week, the current success story of Canadian creation Imax, a classic Justin Bieber hit remains hot, the music industry pays tribute to Dolly Parton and conversations continue around AI music and the charts.
Check these and other stories making the headlines here.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
The K-pop icons rocked Canadian apparel, skated with the Maple Leafs and braved one night of torrential downpour on Aug. 22 and 23, taking the stage in Canada for the first time since 2018. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
By The Numbers: How BTS Measures up in Canada
Since 2018, BTS has had six albums reach No. 1 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart, including their newest release .–Mahima Singh, Globe & Mail
These Fans Dropped Thousands on Concerts. Toronto Hopes That's Only the Start
As concert tourism rises, Toronto is pushing to turn one-off stadium shows into multi-day vacation spending. – David Friend, Toronto Star
Two venues, both bearing the name of one of the largest telecommunications companies in Canada, often hosting concerts on the same dates, are causing confusion among Toronto-bound music fans. – Sheila Reid, Toronto Star
Ten Years After A Final Concert, The Tragically Hip Remains Open For Business
Jake Gold first managed the Hip for 17 years until 2003, when he was let go. He was brought back in 2020 to supervise the band’s archival releases and oversee its legacy. He has been kept busy. – Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
Sidhu Moose Wala Hologram Tour Kicking Off in Toronto
The late Punjabi-Canadian artist will appear as a hologram on Oct. 8 at Scotiabank Arena, part of a reported Signed To God World Tour, "a groundbreaking tribute that blends technology and emotion." – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
The early 2010s hit has been a fixture of the top 10 on both of Billboard's global charts since April. – Eric Frankenberg, Billboard
Nelly Furtado Releases New Version of 'Maneater' From Upcoming 20th Anniversary Edition of 'Loose'
The reimagined version of the hit single is the first taste of the upcoming 20th anniversary deluxe edition of her chart-topping 2006 album Loose, out Sept. 4. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Drake Dominates 80% of Spotify’s Global Impact List for the First Half of 2026
Highlighting the most-played Canadian artists outside of the country, the list includes 40 entries from the Toronto rapper alongside hits by rising Canadian stars Cameron Whitcomb, Shubh, bbno$ and Angine de Poitrine. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
FanDuel Canada is now available in Alberta, and they're giving fans the chance to bet on which artist will take the mic during the championship game. – Billboard Canada
Drake Celebrates the Opening of History Ottawa: ‘I Will Be There to Drop Off My Personal Touch’
The first expansion of the Toronto venue — a partnership between the famed homegrown rapper and Live Nation — is open for business. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Hamilton Venues: Music on the Move
The ever-changing landscape of Hamilton’s music clubs has seen mainstays replaced with an eclectic mix of smaller venues, and shows staged in some interesting spaces. Hamilton’s music club venues are in a constant state of flux. – Hamilton City Magazine
The Odyssey of Imax: How a Mississauga-based Tech Firm Became a Hollywood Juggernaut
Imax, valued at $2.8 billion (U.S.), is mulling a sale as its technology becomes the darling of big-name directors like Christopher Nolan– Toronto Star.
Releases by all the aforementioned punk and hardcore legends have been dragged out of a storage locker and are currently available for purchase at Urban Auctions Inc. in Langley. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
International Music Biz Headlines
Dolly Parton Dead at 80: Music Executives Remember the Country Icon
Following the music legend's passing at the age of 80, industry executives are sharing their reactions and condolences. – Ariel King, Billboard
Tim Curry, Star of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ Dies at 80
The acclaimed British actor, author, comedian and singer was best known for playing cross-dressing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the iconic late night movie classic. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Luminate to Add Labels to AI Music Later This Year
The move follows several announcements by streaming services and the record business to pursue labels for AI content earlier this summer. – Kristin Robinson, Billboard
Australia’s Music Industry Bans AI-Generated Tracks from Official Charts
Australia’s recorded music industry will bar tracks wholly generated by artificial intelligence from official charts as burgeoning generative technologies threaten artists’ livelihoods, a representative said on Tuesday. – Rod McGuirk, Associated Press
Netflix Sued by Band Demon Hunter Over Name of Hit Show KPop Demon Hunters
Christian metal band sues streaming giant and promoter AEG Presents over alleged trademark infringement. – Blake Brittain, Globe & Mail
Some Tupac Shakur Family Members Step Out of the Courtroom, Others Stay to Face Autopsy Photos
Some members of Tupac Shakur’s family stepped out of the courtroom Tuesday before prosecutors showed photos from his autopsy at the Las Vegas trial of the man charged in the killing of the rap giant. – Associated Press
Meta is in court again over child safety, and this time it’s a landmark case that could force significant changes to core features of Facebook and Instagram. – Lauren Goode, Wired
Sam Smith Says Madonna ‘Made Sure She Got Through to Me’ During ‘Unholy’ Controversy
Smith praised the pop star during a discussion on The Zane Lowe Show, stating that ‘her music is a lifeline to queer people.' – Alicia Urrea, Billboard
The pop star previously blasted the Trump administration in June for using "Bye" in a TikTok clip. – Michael Saponara, Billboard
Inside the Creator AI Reckoning: Backlash, Heated Debates and so Much Slop
An admission of AI use by a high-profile YouTuber earlier this month has opened a can of worms for creators, brand partners and everyone in between. – Kayla Cobb, The Wrap
Anthony Hopkins Writes an Orchestral Album
The 88-year-old has just released Life Is a Dream, a selection of often-cinematic orchestral works he’s written across more than six decades inspired by his family and his native Wales. Grammy Award-winner Gustavo Dudamel conducted the London-based Philharmonia Orchestra for the project. –Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
Veterans’ Fundraiser Draws Bruce Springsteen, Hasan Minhaj and Jon Stewart
Stand Up for Heroes will celebrate its 20th anniversary this fall in New York City with a performance by Bruce Springsteen and jokes by Hasan Minhaj and Jon Stewart. – Mark Kennedy, Associated Press
