Music Biz Headlines: East Coast Music Awards Responds to Boycotts, Elton John Wins Glenn Gould Prize
Also this week: Stereophonics' deep love of The Tragically Hip, OpenAI calls for weaker copyright protection, Lady Gaga announces mega-shows in Toronto and more.
This past week, the biggest story in the Canadian music industry was news that Canadian Music Week founder Neill Dixon is suing Loft Entertainment and Oak View Group, the owners of the festival formerly known as Canadian Music Week and soon to be launched as Departure Festival. Dixon alleges unpaid sale fees and breach of contract. There is an update on that story at the top of this week's Billboard Canada FYI newsletter.
The East Coast Music Awards are also facing controversy, in a story that continues to unfold. Also this week, prolific Toronto indie label We are Busy Bodies celebrates its 20th anniversary with a festival, Arkells play an intimate show in their hometown and Canada's Got Talent opens the door for established artists.
Read all that and more in the stories below.
Canadian Music Headlines of the Week
East Coast Music Association Responds to Calls for Boycott with a Plan for Change
The association sent its members a 6-point action plan Tuesday. – Maddie Ryan, CBC
Elton John Set to Receive 2025 Glenn Gould Prize
"I am awestruck and honoured to receive this award," he said in a statement. – Paul Grein, Billboard
Lady Gaga Announces Dates For North American, International 2025 Mayhem Ball Tour
The outing hitting stadiums and arenas will kick off next month. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Actor Geordie Brown to Front Foreigner for Canadian Farewell Tour Dates
No details have been given for vocalist Kelly Hansen's absence from the group. – Tyler Jenke, Billboard
How Welsh Mega-band Stereophonics Became the Tragically Hip’s Biggest Fans
Stereophonics are one of the biggest rock bands to come out of Wales. But before they had their own hits, they had the Hip. – Jonathan Dekel, Globe and Mail
Eric Warner: From Teen Concert Promoter to Mini Music Mogul
This Toronto dad of three is celebrating 20 years of his basement record label , We Are Busy Bodies, has organized a festival to mark the label’s 20th anniversary. – Stuart Berman, Toronto Star
Kaytranada Plays Free Surprise Show at Toronto's Princes' Gates
In the first-ever show at the iconic Toronto landmark, the Montreal producer treated 500 fans to a unique experience. – Rosie Long Decter, Billboard Canada
What Was it Like to See Arkells Play a Small Intimate Hamilton Show?
Arkells had enough gas in the tank to go all night — but a short, intimate show at a mostly dormant downtown Hamilton venue warmed up the pipes for this summer. – Fallon Hewitt, Hamilton Spectator
Toronto’s Choir! Choir! Choir! and ex-Headpins singer Darby Mills appear on the series this season. – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
Canada’s Spectrum Regulator Introduces new Fee Framework for Telecom Companies
Canada’s spectrum regulator's decision lowers licence costs for some and raising them for others, as the industry’s largest players face industry headwinds. – Irene Galea, Globe & Mail
Tom Wilson Donates Two Paintings to Theatre Aquarius
The Hamilton musician, artist, author and playwright made the offer of the gift after the world premiere of his musical Beautiful Scars. Two of his paintings now hang at either end of the lobby at Theatre Aquarius. –Hamilton City Magazine
Grimes Reveals ADHD, Autism Diagnoses & Explains Why She’s Glad She Didn’t Know Sooner
"Had we known this when I was a child, I would have worked so much less hard," the singer wrote. – Hannah Dailey, Billboard
International Music Headlines of the Week
Mariah Carey Didn't Steal 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' From Other Writers, a Judge Says
Two songwriters in 2023 filed a $20 million lawsuit alleging Carey’s 1994 song infringed the copyright of their country hit with the same title. –Associated Press
Concord Has, as Expected, Fully Acquired Los Angeles-based Music Distribution Platform Stem
Sources told us earlier this month that Concord was making a deal, suggesting a high eight-figure dollar deal. The official announcement of the acquisition March 2) reveals that as well as buying Stem, Concord is making an additional investment into Tone, a royalty accounting and financial tools platform launched by Stem's management team in 2023. – Music Business Worldwide
Tencent Music Entertainment Revenue Grew 8% to $1B in Q4 as Subscribers Reach 121 Million
The company also announced a $273 million dividend and a $1 billion share repurchase program. – Glenn Peoples, Billboard
Kendrick Lamar Teased As Potential Performer at 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles
Kendrick Lamar could be performing at another huge sporting event in the near future. The 22-time Grammy Award winner is a native of Compton and is considered an L.A. icon. It would make sense for him to be involved. – Ryan Phillips, Sports Illustrated
Elton John Backs Ed Sheeran’s Call for U.K. to put £250m Into Music Education
Coldplay, Harry Styles and Stormzy also join Suffolk songwriter in campaigning for music funding in schools. – Laura Snapes, The Guardian
OpenAI is Pushing for Donald Trump to Weaken Copyright Protections in the U.S.
The maker of ChatGPT, OpenAI, has called for fundamental changes to US copyright law that would allow AI companies to use copyrighted works without permission or compensation to rightsholders. Music stars like Sir Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, and Bette Midler have joined hundreds of Hollywood celebrities in signing a letter pushing back against the proposals. – MBW
Pioneering Project by Welsh National Opera Suggests Music can Alleviate Chronic Pain
Participants in pain management programme said singing and breathing exercises eased their symptoms. –The Guardian
