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FYI

Music Biz Headlines: The Canadian Behind 'KPop Demon Hunters,' Chappell Roan Creates Buzz for Saskatchewan

These stories are making headlines this week: JP Saxe's online plea for more ticket sales fails, the podcast Kreative Kontrol reaches a milestone, pop-punk stars are writing Disney themes and more.

HUNTR/X
HUNTR/X
Netflix

KPop Demon Hunters is taking over the charts, and there's an important Canadian connection. Meanwhile, a look at the Oak View Group bid-rigging scandal, JP Saxe's ticket struggles and a look at a beloved figure at one of Canada's most legendary music venues.

Read these stories and more in this week's collection of music biz headlines.


Canadian Music Biz Headlines

‘It’s pretty wild’: How Toronto’s Maggie Kang created global smash ‘KPop Demon Hunters’

Growing up as a Korean immigrant in 1990s Toronto, Maggie Kang kept her love of K-pop to herself. – Alex Nino Gheciu, Canadian Press

Chappell Roan’s New Song 'The Subway' Increases Tourism Buzz For Saskatchewan

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The Grammy-winning artist's new track is leading tourists to discover the land of the living skies. Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada

JP Saxe Cancels North American Tour After Social Media Plea for Ticket Sales

“I’m grateful to each one of you who bought a ticket, and I’m really sorry,” the Toronto singer-songwriter shared on TikTok. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada

Stevie Nicks Postpones Toronto Show This Month due to Shoulder Injury

Toronto fans who were looking forward Stevie Nicks’ concert this month will have to wait a little longer. The famed Fleetwood Mac member is postponing her Toronto show until Nov. 15, citing a fractured shoulder. – Elissa Mendes, Toronto Star

At 1,000 Episodes, Vish Khanna’s Kreative Kontrol Culture Podcast Keeps Guests Talking

Vish Khanna, host of the podcast Kreative Kontrol, brings a warmth to his interviews that comes from deep research, a love of culture and a willingness to follow the natural flow of conversation. – Josh O'Kane, Globe and Mail

Arts Majors: Long-time Horseshoe Barkeep Teddy Fury has Ringside Seat on Legendary Venue’s Epic Nights

NEXT looks at the people and places that make Toronto’s arts scene soar. – Felix Hughes, NEXT

How Festival of Friends Booked Sugarhill Gang

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Held over the holiday weekend, The Festival of Friends was packed with acts from different genres and decades, including some hip-hop pioneers. Cheyenne Bolla, Hamilton Spectator

This Montreal Riding Obtained $27 Million in Public Arts Funds. Others Received Zero. Is the System Fair?

A Star analysis has found stark disparities in how public funding from the Canada Council for the Arts is distributed across the country. – Joshua Chong, Toronto Star

Influential? Absolutely. Here are Some Drummers Inspired by St. Catharines’ Neil Peart

Whatever happens to the proposed Neil Peart memorial at Lakeside Park, the legendary drummer made his mark. – St. Catharines Standard

CMRRA at 50: Conversations with Neville Quinlan and Mary Megan Peer

In a recent interview, Quinlan and global peermusic CEO, Mary Megan Peer, offered a rare glimpse into the key milestones that shaped CMRRA, shedding light on the agency’s evolution and impact. – Isabelle Speerin, CMRRA

Remembering Pioneering Queen West Playwright, Writer, Photographer, Scenester and Super-Cool Presence Donna Lypchuk

Donna didn’t just walk through this city — she prowled, observed, skewered, and exalted it. She was one of those rare Toronto originals who turned the weird and wonderful into her own literary playground. – Jaymz Bee, NEXT

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International Music Biz Headlines

Why OVG’s Bid-Rigging Settlement Included Ticketmaster — And What It Could Mean for DOJ’s Live Nation Case

Does the non-prosecution agreement require OVG to cooperate with the DOJ's efforts to break up the concert giant? Legal experts weigh in. – Billboard

Naoshi Fujikura on Breaking Global Superstars, Japan’s Culture of ‘Superfans’, and UMG’s Positioning in Japan

Running one of Japan’s largest music companies in the world’s second-largest music market is a high-wire act. You need to balance tradition, innovation, expert precision, and creativity to stay at the top of your game. Naoshi Fujikura has been doing that for the past 11 years as CEO of Universal Music Japan. – Music Business Worldwide

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A Man Fell to His Death During an Oasis Concert at London’s Wembley Stadium

Oasis said Sunday its members are “shocked and saddened” after a man fell to his death during a concert by the band at London’s Wembley Stadium. – Associated Press

Fans Think Beyoncé Just Dropped a Major Hint in Her New Ad That ‘Act III’ Will Be a Rock Album

The upcoming LP will complete the trilogy she started with Renaissance and Cowboy Carter. – Hannah Dailey, Billboard

How Disney’s Marvel Kids Shows Are Luring Millennial Parents With Catchy New Tunes by Pop-Punk Icons

Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump and Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus unpack their earworm theme songs for “Spidey and His Amazing Friends” and a new “Iron Man” show. – Adam Chitwood, The Wrap

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Val Blavatnik
Courtesy WMG

Val Blavatnik

Business News

Val Blavatnik to Oversee Warner Music Canada in New Role at Warner Music Group

Blavatnik will oversee Warner Music Canada as managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at WMG. As part of a slew of executive announcements, Simon Robson will be leaving the company, while Alejandro Duque takes the top international role.

Val Blavatnik, the 28-year-old son of Warner Music Group majority owner and vice chairman Len Blavatnik, has been named managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at the Warner Music Group, the company announced Friday (Sept. 25). In his new role the younger Blavatnik, who has held several roles at the company in recent years, and has been a board member since 2023, expects to “unify and drive business and operational strategy across these markets while guiding the company’s investment strategy to support growth,” according to a press release.

The Blavatnik announcement is part of a flurry of new executive announcements that CEO Robert Kyncl made this morning. In addition, Atlantic Music Group chairman/CEO Elliot Grainge will take on ADA in the U.S. as its new chairman, while Alejandro Duque, who has held the dual roles of president of Warner Latin and president of ADA since last July, has been named president of Warner Music International, adding Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa under his oversight. (Duque will continue to oversee ADA outside the U.S.) Zach Friedman, currently COO at Atlantic Music Group, will add the title of vice chair of ADA U.S. to his resume.

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