Mark Elliot was a brave man - an early advocate for same sex marriage and courageously talked about his struggles with addiction to help others. Rest In Peace
By External Source
Mark Elliot was a brave man - an early advocate for same sex marriage and courageously talked about his struggles with addiction to help others. Rest In Peace
- Mayor John Tory, Jan. 12, on Twitter
Also this week: Canadian producer Mike Wise earns credits on buzzy Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan remix, a political protest at an opera in Calgary, Drake's "Janice STFU" lawsuit & more.
In the headlines this week, Bruno Mars takes Vancouver by storm while Toronto prepares for Backstreet Boys mania in the new year.
Meanwhile, an update on Drake's "Janice STFU" lawsuit, more exec shakeups at Universal Music Group and dispatches from Billboard Latin Music Week.
Read these stories and more in this week's collection of music news headlines.
Bruno Mars Made Vancouver his Home "For The Next Little While" With Five BC Place Shows
Pop superstar Bruno Mars declared Vancouver his "home for the next little while" on the first night of a record-breaking five sold-out shows at BC Place for his Romantic Tour. Mars mania swept the city. — Hunter Soo, Georgia Straight
Bruno Mars Records Special Vancouver SkyTrain Announcements Amid Record-Breaking Concert Run
The music superstar brought his Romantic Tour to BC Place for a record-setting five nights, the most for a single tour in the stadium's history, and recorded a special message for Vancouverites on their way tot he concerts. — Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Justin Bieber Was Considered for 2027 Super Bowl Halftime Show, According to New Reports
According to reports from Puck News and TMZ, Jay-Z and Roc Nation considered both Bieber and Miley Cyrus for the viral performance slot, before reportedly settling on Jay-Z himself. — Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Live Nation to Relocate Obstructed Ticket Holders Attending Backstreet Boys Concerts in Toronto
After fans of the boy band flagged that their tickets were unknowingly partial-view seats, Live Nation tells Billboard Canada they will address the situation. — Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Legendary Club The Guvernment Returns for One Night in Toronto to Celebrate 30th Anniversary
Over a decade after its closure, the beloved nightclub and concert venue will return on Nov. 28 at Rebel. — Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Elbows Down: We No Longer Own Joni Mitchell, and Maybe We Never Did: Opinion
In the lyrics of her 1971 song A Case of You, Joni Mitchell drew a map of Canada. Now one might wonder where Mitchell puts herself on the map of Canada. On Tuesday, the legendary singer-songwriter became a U.S. citizen after decades of living and paying taxes in the country. — Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
The Canadian producer and songwriter co-produced the original and reworked versions of Rodrigo’s You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love track with acclaimed, Grammy-winning producer Dan Nigro. — Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Sidhu Moose Wala's Remaining 'Signed to God' Hologram Tour Dates Postponed
The late Punjabi star's concert in Calgary concert and the remaining dates in the U.S. were postponed after two sold-out shows in Toronto and Vancouver. — Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Calgary Opera Replaces Performer who Unfurled Palestinian Flag During ‘Tosca’ Bow
The Calgary Opera has replaced a performer who unfurled a Palestinian flag during the curtain call of the political opera “Tosca.'' Actor playing escaped political prisoner says he has 'no regrets,' — Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press
Ontario Folk Music Awards 2026 a Triumph For Logan Staats: Full Winners List
The Mohawk artist took home two trophies from the event that kicked off the Folk Canada Conference in Hamilton last night. Coco Love Alcorn received the Estelle Klein community builder award and elicited an uplifting singalong from the audience. — Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
K.d. lang on Fame, Buddhism and Finding Peace Away From the Spotlight
Over the last several years, k.d. lang has used different words to describe this phase of her career. — Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
Tal Bachman Interview: Bachman Turner Overdrive's First Australian Tour
After 27 years since his last conversation with Noise11, Tal is preparing to return to Australia alongside his father, Randy Bachman, as BTO brings its classic rock catalogue to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. — Paul Cashmere , Noise11
Over 30 groups — including SOCAN, SPACQ-AE, GAMIQ and Quebec Music Council — have signed the letter “to increase opportunities for people to encounter our music” outside of streaming platforms. — Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black’ at 20, an Oral History: ‘It Was Just Like Magic’
Collaborators behind the landmark album reflect on the singer-songwriter's sophomore LP and her brilliance as an artist (and as a pool player). — Sophie Williams, Billboard
Billboard Latin Music Awards 2026: All the Performers & Presenters, How to Watch & More
Wisin and Ivy Queen join the gala set for Oct. 22 in Miami. — Jessica Roiz, Billboard
The chairman of Mottola Media Group and president of Sony Music U.S. Latin took center stage at Latin Music Week 2026 on Oct. 19. — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard Latin
Spotify Shares Update on ‘AI Spam,’ Says 50M Songs Have Been Removed From Recommendations
The company said more than 75 million tracks have also been removed from the service altogether. — Ariel King, Billboard
Interscope Geffen A&M Promotes Three Amid UMG Restructure
Michelle An, Laura Carter and Ramon Alvarez-Smikle have all taken on new and expanded roles at IGA. — Chris Eggertsen, Billboard
Drake Sued Over 'Janice STFU': Songwriter Claims Chorus Is 'Literally Identical' to His Demo
Aviel Calev Hirschfield alleges the rapper's reps "shamelessly refuse to acknowledge" his contributions. Drake's team calls the lawsuit "entirely fabricated." — Rachel Scharf, Billboard
"The neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it's like you're getting a concussion," Joel shared in a new interview. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard
‘Glee’ Reboot a Go at Disney+ and Hulu
The series order comes weeks after Ryan Murphy finished a script alongside Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk. — Loree Seitz, The Wrap
Cyndi Lauper on Fun, Fashion and Freedom of Expression: ‘We Have Braces on our Brains’
As she auctions off her treasures, the synth-pop savant opens up about her eccentric style and why she doesn’t believe in cancel culture. — Owen Myers, The Guardian
Mariah Carey Prevails in Brother’s $20 Million Memoir Lawsuit
“[Mariah] believes the importance of the court’s decision goes well beyond her own interests,” the singer’s lawyer, John Rosenberg, says. — Alyssa Ray, The Wrap
