Music Biz Headlines: Joni Mitchell Gets U.S. Citizenship After 62 Years, Universal Music Group Shakeup
Also this week: Dan Levy leads backlash against Shane Gillis's 'dangerous' Saturday Night Live monologue, Toronto's Cameron House turns 45 and more of the week's biggest music stories.
This week was a busy one for music news, as Canadian icon Joni Mitchell decided to get U.S .citizenship after 62 years of residence there, late Punjabi music icon Sidhu Moose Wala began his hologram tour in Toronto and celebrities spoke out against comedian Shane Gillis's SNL monologue, which many called misogynist.
Universal Music Group also parted ways with several executives across its empire, initiating the final phase of a three-part restructuring and cost-cutting plan first announced in 2024,
Read these stories and more in this week's collection of music news headlines.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Joni Mitchell Celebrates U.S. Citizenship After ‘A Journey That Began 62 Years Ago’
From her early days in the Laurel Canyon music scene, the Canadian-born icon has spent decades influencing American music. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard
Sidhu Moose Wala's Father Reveals How Hologram Tour Came Together
The late Punjabi music superstar returned to the stage at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 9 as a hologram, continuing the lasting legacy he left behind in 2022. The rapper's father Balkaur Singh spoke to Billboard India about the Signed to God tour. — Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
With ‘HABIBTI,’ Drake Sets New Record For Most No. 1 Albums on R&B/Hip-Hop Chart
The superstar breaks from a tie with Future and The Temptations for the crown. — Trevor Anderson, Billboard
As polls show race tightening, experts say endorsements can signal candidates have momentum. — Isaac Callan , CBC News
An Iconic Toronto bar Where Prince was ‘Super Weird’ Celebrates 45 years, Giant Ants and All
The Cameron House on Queen Street West hosted such musicians as Jane Siberry, Blue Rodeo, Ron Sexsmith, Barenaked Ladies early in their careers. — Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
Grimes Says She’s Not Releasing Songs ‘About Elon’ on Upcoming Album ‘Psy Opera’ — Yet
The project is divided into two parts, with the second more heavily focused on her personal life. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard
Every Artist Playing Nova Scotia Music Week 2026
The biggest week in Nova Scotia’s music scene is fast approaching. From Nov 12-15, artists from across the province will gather in Truro for Nova Scotia Music Week 2026. — Brendyn Creamer, The Coast
The Faculty of Music kicked off the initiative in January and has since generated over 200 professional opportunities for students who want to “shape their professional path and adapt to the ever-evolving realities of the music environment.” — Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Canadian Streaming Shows Are Drawing Big Audiences, Political Battles Aside | Charts
Demand for Canadian shows has increased 17% over the last two years. — Christofer Hamilton,The Wrap
The girl group’s management companies announced that leader Sophia Laforteza’s ongoing hiatus will stretch past the Hamilton show in November, onto Jan. 2027. — Nathan Bawaan, Hamilton Spectator
Dave Bidini Launched a Local Print Newspaper 10 Years Ago. Here's What He Learned.
Musician and author Dave Bidini (of Rheostatics fame) reflects upon a decade of the West End Phoenix. — Dave Bidini, Toronto Star
A Long and Winding Musical Road
James Bryan has had a long and varied career as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, mentor, and concert producer. His animated pop duo Prozzak will play FirstOntario Concert Hall in Bryan’s adopted hometown of Hamilton on Oct. 16. — Kerry Doole, Hamilton City Magazine
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) gathered twelve artists to reinterpret the ten tracks from Downie's 2016 album Secret Path, which supported reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. A tenth anniversary concert for the album will take place at Toronto's Concert Hall on Oct. 23. — Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Tate McRae on Morgan Wallen Collab Backlash: ‘Crazy to Think One Song Could Define a Whole Person’
The star has previously addressed her stance on people's assumptions about her politics. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard
Finger Eleven Launch Open Call For a Duet Partner On Their New Single, 'Last Night On Earth'
The popular Canadian hard rock veterans are seeking a guest vocalist for a new version of their single. — Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
International Music Biz Headlines
Def Jam chairman/CEO Tunji Balogun, Polydor president Ben Mortimer and Interscope head of pop/rock A&R Sam Riback are among those leaving. — Kristin Robinson, Dan Rys, Elisabeth Dilts Marshall & Melinda Newman, Billboard
Jewel, Lisa Loeb & Kristin Chenoweth also jumped into Dan Levy's comments section after the actor shared a takedown of the monologue. — Katie Atkinson, Billboard
Latin Power Players: Billboard’s 2026 List Revealed
Nominated by their companies and chosen by Billboard editors, these are the executives within the genre leading the field this year. — Thom Duffy, Billboard
Dolly Parton’s Multifaceted Legacy Showcased at Nashville Museum and Hotel
Dolly Parton’s longtime creative director, Steve Summers, designed hundreds of dresses and outfits for the late singer and entertainer every year, so he saw her in many stages of her career. — Associated Press
‘Punk Gave Me a Superpower – Question Everything’:
As punk turns 50, bands from China to Greenland explain how it fires up their lives. — Dave Sampson, The Guardian
Kacey Musgraves Claps Back at Kristi Noem Over James Talarico Diss
The disgraced politician wasn't happy with the country singer for introducing the Democratic nominee running for the U.S. Senate in Texas. — Bea Isaacson, Paste
Stevie Wonder Review – Playing his Greatest Album in Full, He Knocks Everyone Sideways
The opening night of Wonder’s tour in Birmingham, England, marking the 50th anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life leaves jaws on the floor, thanks to sumptuous tracks carrying still-urgent messages Alexis Petridis, The Guardian
Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis Gets 40 years to Life in Prison for Orchestrating the Murder of Tupac Shakur
The killing, rooted in a long-running gang feud, had gone unsolved for decades — captivating the public.— Associated Press
‘He’s Terrified, Panicked, Can't Sleep’: The Tragic, Lonely Death of Beatles Manager Brian Epstein
Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp paid £10k at auction for Epstein’s address book. He then used it to co-author a thrilling account of the swinging 60s – and an intimate portrait of a tormented man whose life was unravelling. — Simon Harper, The Guardian
