Music Biz Headlines: BTS Set To Invade Toronto This Week, Rush Mania Continues
Also this week: Jann Arden gets married, the 2Pac murder trial gets underway, the Asian Pop category at the Grammys remains a hot topic and more.
The ongoing blockbuster international tour of Rush continues to make the headlines, especially in their Toronto hometown, where they recently played four sold-out shows. Next up with arena shows in Toronto is BTS and the city is buzzing in anticipation.
Internationally, the 2Pac murder trial is underway decades after his death. BTS has also spawned an internal conversation at the Grammys around the organization's new Asian Pop category.
Check these and other stories grabbing headlines here.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Rush’s Fifty Something Tour Makes Time Stand Still
The band’s first tour after drummer Neil Peart’s death never feels like another arena rock band trying to cash in on nostalgia. – Andy Steiner, Paste
Return Of The Kings: Inside Rush's Fifty Something Tour
Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and new drummer Anika Nilles tell all about rock's biggest and most unlikely tour: "I'm this age now. Can I still do it?" – Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone Canada
Rush Praise Angine de Poitrine: 'Most Entertaining and Exhilarating Music in a Long, Long Time'
Founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson stopped by the Chilean radio show Radio Futuro and spoke about the band’s unique playing style and their infectious qualities. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Sister Nancy, Rachel Reid, Jeremy Dutcher and More Added to Pop Montreal 2026's Full Lineup
Martha Wainwright, Jeru the Damaja and many more have been added to the lineup for the festival's milestone 25th anniversary edition, which takes place from Sept. 23-27 in local venues in Montreal. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
BTS Members J-Hope and RM Attend Usher and Chris Brown's R&B Tour Concert in Toronto
The K-pop stars attended the R&B superstars' second night at Rogers Stadium before meeting with them backstage and posing for several photos together. BTS returns to the Canadian stage next week with two nights at Rogers Stadium on Aug. 22-23. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
BTS Fans Are Flocking to a Toronto Merch Pop-up, Where Hoodies Cost $253 and T-shirts $112
The Bloor Street shop is drawing BTS fans to Toronto ahead of the band’s sold-out Rogers Stadium shows on Aug. 22 and 23. – Toronto Star
AC/DC ‘Power Up’ Their Upcoming Tour with Special Pop-Ups in Every Canadian City
As AC/DC pass through the country on their latest global stadium tour, they are offering Canadian fans a one-stop shop for exclusive merch, props, giveaways and much more. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
The "Insensitive" singer tied the knot with the Icelandic author over the weekend. – Chris Stoodley, Yahoo News
as she prepares to return to the stage following the devastating health crisis that nearly derailed her career, the pop icon is ready to show the world that her heart does too. –Jazmine Hughes, Harper’s Bazaar
New Club History Ottawa is No Carbon Copy of Toronto Location
Ottawa’s new Live Nation venue features an uncommonly wide stage, lofty ceilings and a backdrop adorned with the biggest LED video wall in the city. – Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
Bryan Adams Brings Out Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo for Surprise Stevie Wonder Cover in Detroit
The Canadian rock superstar performed at Little Caesars Arena on Aug. 15. – Gary Graff, Billboard
House Concert Venue Destroyed by Summerland, B.C. Wildfires
Craig Milton and his wife, Deb Taylor, started hosting concerts in their barn about ten years ago, which would see musicians including Leeroy Stagger and Brandon Isaak perform throughout the summer. – Lana Hall, Globe & Mail
This Legendary Toronto Venue Hosted Led Zeppelin and Frank Sinatra. Here’s Why It Still MattersIn the first of a series of tributes to the city’s beloved music spaces, we look at the Concert Hall on Yonge and Davenport. – Liisa Ladouceur, Toronto Star
Kehlani Performs in Toronto Two Years After Last-Minute Cancellation: ‘I Need to Explain Myself’
Last night, the R&B singer took the stage at RBC Amphitheatre, nearly two years after she had to cancel her Toronto show in 2024, only hours before she was set to perform. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
International Music Biz Headlines
Nearly 30 years after the rap legend's death, the murder trial began earlier this week. – Michael Saponara, Billboard
Recording Academy Discussing Future of New Asian Pop Category
"There are some artists in this space who feel that this category isn’t representing the music they work so hard to create," Harvey Mason, Jr. said in a statement. – Paul Grein, Billboard
The dynamic duo performed two classic songs from the movie musical during the second date of Grande's 10-night residency at the O2. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Laufey Created a 'Third Space' With Her Annual Fan Event
Then it exploded. – Associated Press
The newly added Beatdapp tool will ensure fully AI-generated music does not appear on Beatport, per the company's AI policy. – Katie Bain, Billboard
UMG Strikes Global Deal for the Beatles' Merch, Licensing, and E-commerce
Universal Music Group has signed an exclusive, long-term global partnership with Apple Corps Ltd. covering merchandise, licensing, and e-commerce for The Beatles. The agreement was announced on Wednesday (August 19). – Mandy Dalugdug, Music Business Worldwide
New York City Lawmakers Push to ‘Ban the Scan’ at MSG
At a press conference outside Madison Square Garden, politicians, musicians, and privacy advocates argued for tighter restrictions on how public venues deploy biometric surveillance. – Wired
Hayden Panettiere, ‘Heroes,’ ‘Nashville’ and ‘Scream’ Star, Dies at 36
"It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden," her father said in a statement. – Jessica Lynch, Billboard
The Charts and the Clubs Have Different Definitions of the Song of the Summer
With songs like "Choosin' Texas" and "Spend Dat" blasting everywhere, DJs have their own ideas about what rules the season. – Rolling Stone Canada
Thom Yorke, Romy and Brian Eno Among 200 Musicians Urging PM to Reject New North Sea Drilling
Robert Smith, Olly Alexander and Paris Paloma also among signatories to letter saying exploitation of Rosebank and Jackdaw fields defies climate reality. – Lauren Almeida, The Guardian
Ellie Goulding Sues Former Managers Over Live Nation Conflict of Interest
The singer is bringing a breach of fiduciary duty lawsuit against Ben Mawson and Ed Millet of TaP Management. – Rachel Scharf, Billboard
California Bill to Cap Concert Resale Ticket Prices Dies After Lobbying Frenzy
StubHub, the industry's largest ticket resale platform, spent $3.4 million this year lobbying against California's AB 1720. – Ethan Millman, The Hollywood Reporter
