By David Farrell
You read that right!
There will be no newsletter released next Monday, Wednesday or Friday as the FYI team is taking a break to kick-back and enjoy a holiday break. We promise to return refreshed and ready to roll up our sleeves and get back to the business of the day on Monday, July 15. Until then, happy trails.
Cheers – Team FYI
Also this week: Drake teases his next chapter, Billy Joel postpones Toronto concert, and top artists are deserting festivals in favour of stadium shows.
Last week, Buffy Sainte-Marie returned her Order of Canada and affirmed she is not a Canadian citizen. This week, the Junos and Polaris Prize decided she no longer meets their eligibility requirements and stripped her of the awards.
That was the biggest music story in Canada this week, while other hot-button issues continued to play out. Celine Dion warned of AI theft of her voice. Drake made cryptic comments about his next move following his high-profile beef. The Trump-fuelled chaos at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts meant another big cancellation.
Here are some more stories in the headlines.
Juno Awards and Polaris Music Prize Revoke Buffy Sainte-Marie's Awards
The decision follows questions around her Indigenous identity and a statement from the artist that she is not a Canadian citizen. – Richard Trapunski, Billboard Canada
Drake Cryptically Warns His ‘Next Chapter’ May ‘Leave You Feeling Uneasy’
Drake's latest Instagram post has generated speculation as to what's next for the OVO rapper. – Tyler Jenke, Billboard
Billy Joel Postpones Upcoming Toronto Stadium Show and Other Tour Dates Following Surgery: ‘My Health Must Come First’
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will return to the road in July. – Billboard
Neil Young Taps Vast Archive for Previously Unreleased 1977 Country-rock Gem Oceanside Countryside
Oceanside Countryside is the latest in Neil Young’s Analog Original Series, which releases albums that were recorded in analog before digital processing.– Scott Bauer, Associated Press
A Near-Death Experience and a Promise Kick-started Aysanabee’s Music Career
Now he wants to ‘take those hinges’ off doors for other Indigenous artists From Ear Falls in the North to Toronto, Juno-winning, Polaris-nominated Aysanabee finally found his way to success. – Emilie Hanskamp, Toronto Star
Celine Dion Warns Fans of AI-Generated Music That Is ‘Fake & Not Approved’
The star shared a statement about AI on Instagram. – Rania Aftos, Billboard
Bass Coast's Carefully Curated 2025 Lineup Goes Thrillingly Beyond the Mainstream
The serene landscape of Nicola Valley is set to come alive again this summer as the deep, pulsating sounds of bass ripple through the air. Bass Coast, the renowned boutique music festival, returns July 11-14, delivering a fusion of cutting-edge electronic music and immersive art. – Georgia Straight
‘What a Difference a Year Makes’: Shaw Festival Rebounds With Surplus After 2024 Season
A huge jump in ticket sales helped the theatre company fight back from a large deficit. – John Law ,Niagara Falls Review
Musical 'Hamilton' Cancels Run at Kennedy Center After Trump Takeover
The hit musical "Hamilton" is scrapping plans to take part in John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' upcoming celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence after President Donald Trump's overhaul of the center in Washington. – Reuters
Sony Music reveals 75,000 AI deepfake takedowns, slams U.K.’s ‘rushed’ copyright plans
In a submission to the government's consultation on AI and copyright law, the music giant warned that proposed changes to copyright laws would be "rushed, unbalanced and irreversible" and could significantly harm the British creative economy. – Music Business Worldwide
Why Many Top Artists Are Ditching Music Festivals in Favour of Stadium Concerts
As more markets offer giant-size venues and bigger potential paydays, multiday music events are becoming less attractive. – Dave Brooks, Billboard
Concord to Acquire Stem in $50M + Deal, Says Sources
We also hear that Raine Group is in the middle of it.– Murray Stassen, MBW
Media M&A Plunges 40% in 2025 as Trump Chaos Chills Dealmakers
Executives may find it hard now to believe Trump 2.0 will spur a new wave of media, tech and Hollywood consolidation, but some remain hopeful for a turnaround. – Dean Burch & Tess Patton, The Wrap
Netflix Sees More Than $40 Billion in Market Cap Evaporate on Subscriber Concerns
Shares are down 11% over two days after a MoffettNathanson report warned sub growth could slow in the quarters ahead. – Sean Burch,
The Wrap
Chinese Companies Rush to Put DeepSeek in Everything
Video game developers to a nuclear power plant, companies across China are adopting DeepSeek’s AI models to boost stock prices and flaunt their national pride. – Zeiy Zang, Wired
Music Flows as Stevie Wonder and Lauryn Hill Lead Tributes at Roberta Flack Memorial
Grammy winner, who died last month at 88, remembered at New York service with series of star performers. – The Guardian
We Joke About Who's Getting Their Knees Done': The Rock Veterans Still Touring Into Their Late 70s
Yoga and ice baths have replaced all-nighters, but musicians such as Graham Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Rick Wakeman and Elkie Brooks aren’t planning to retire any time soon. – Dave Sampson, The Guardian
