Music Biz Headlines: Live Nation’s DOJ Antitrust Trial Begins, The Guess 'Rebuild What the Fake Band Broke'
Also this week: Sting returns to a Montreal venue after 50 years, a classic Rush album turns 50 and Bad Bunny's Super Bowl ratings record.
The Guess Who
This week, the Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit of Live Nation and Ticketmaster has begun in the U.S., accusing the live music and ticketing giants of unfair practices. Billboard breaks down what's at stake as many in the music industry watch carefully.
Elsewhere, K-Pop superstars Blackpink return to the spotlight with a new album, Sting returns to an important Montreal venue and Olivia Dean triumphs at the Brit Awards.
Read these stories and more in this week's roundup of music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
"It's hit after hit after hit," Bachman teases of the setlist Cummings put together. – Gary Graff, Billboard
Sting Returns to Montreal’s Théâtre St-Denis for the First Time in Almost 50 Years
The legendary musician first played the venue back in 1979 as the frontman of The Police. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
The Canadian Skid Row singer will step up for a run of shows with TS guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
The Canadian prog rockers’ fourth album was the sound of a band that refused to bend. – Brad Wheeler, Globe & Mail
Drake Posts Cryptic ‘Iceman’ Teaser: ‘What I Was Doing When You Thought I Was Crying’
Drizzy season is approaching. – Michael Saponara, Billboard
Charlotte Cardin Shares Her Favourite Québécois Artists in New Playlist
Paying tribute to her home province after winning a major award in France, the bilingual Canadian singer revealed a list of tracks from Céline Dion, Patrick Watson, Kaytranada, Cœur de pirate and more. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
The initiative, launched by grassroots group Musicians For Palestine Montréal, asks artists and organizations to abstain from all affiliations with the Middle Eastern country. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Live Plays Edmonton and Shrugs Off Cease-And-Decist Over
Strange, dreamlike vibes Friday night as Live (aka + LIVE +) played a chill, pub-vibed half bowl arena show — singer-guitarist Ed Kowalczyk cheerfully shrugging off a week-old cease-and-desist over the band’s name. Big Wreck and Econoline Crush also played. – Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal
Alanis To Arkells: Hamilton’s Iconic Juno Awards Moments
Hamilton has hosted Canada's Biggest Night in Music six times and has been centre stage for some historical highlights. – Dylan Hudecki, Hamilton City Magazine
John Hannah: From Guitar Hero to Human Frailties
Following chart-topping success, legendary Winnipeg musician found peace living in obscurity. – John Einarson, Winnipeg Free Press
International Music Biz Headlines
Live Nation-DOJ Monopoly Trial Kicks Off With Fight Over Messy Taylor Swift Eras Tour Presale
At the start of a blockbuster antitrust trial, attorneys for the DOJ ripped Live Nation for botching the Eras Tour rollout: "Their technology is held together by duct tape." – Bill Donahue, Bill Donahue, Billboard
Live Nation’s DOJ Antitrust Trial Starts. What’s at Stake?
Billboard breaks down the federal monopoly case and its potential impacts on the live music business. – Rachel Scharf, Bill Donahue, Billboard
K-pop’s Blackpink Unveils Deadline, Marking First Release in Three Years
The National Museum of Korea in central Seoul was bathed in pink lights to mark the release. More than 300 fans had lined up in the atrium of the museum on Friday, set up as a listening zone for the five tracks of the EP. – Minwoo Park, Reuters
Olivia Dean Just Swept the BRIT Awards. Is That a Good Thing for U.K. Music?
Dean took home four awards at the ceremony in Manchester. – Thomas Smith, Billboard U.K.
The figure was reportedly a combination of viewership across global & U.S. broadcasts, YouTube and other digital properties. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Man on the Run Successfully Contextualizes Paul McCartney’s Post-Beatles Reinvention
Director Morgan Neville shapes McCartney’s vast archives into a story of personal grief and resurrection. – Paste
Trent Reznor Hints at the End of the Road for Nine Inch Nails
NIN spearhead Trent Reznor gave fans a surprise warning when the industrial rock heavyweights visited Tulsa, OK. – Lars Brandle, Billboard
As the narrative around marriage shifts, ending a relationship is moving from failure to opportunity. – Meaghan Wray, Toronto Star
