Music Biz Headlines: Rush Expand Blockbuster Tour, MGK Controversial Choice for Grey Cup Halftime
Also making news this week: Drake discusses his new era, Ed Sheeran recruits Indian-Canadian stars for new remix EP, Sum 41's Deryck Whibley joins star-studded 60th anniversary celebration of The Doors.
The juggernaut Rush reunion tour got a major extension, with Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and new drummer Anika Nilles coming to 17 extra cities including Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver. Meanwhile, the choice of American artist MGK for the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup Halftime show has been controversial in this post-elbows up era.
Read these stories and more in this week's collection of music biz headlines.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Rush Expand 50th Anniversary Tour Again, Add 17 Cities Including Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver
After announcing an initial run of 12 shows celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band and then expanding on that first run of gigs, Rush has added another 17 dates to their Fifty Something 2026 arena tour. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
MGK To Headline Grey Cup Halftime Show in Winnipeg
The American rapper and singer will hit the field in the Western Canadian province on Nov. 16 for its 112th edition. Our Lady Peace, meanwhile, will open the show, while emerging Manitoba singer Catie St. Germain will sing the national anthem. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard
Elbows Down! CFL Punts CanCon for Halftime: Opinion Column
MGK, the American musician formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly, will be headlining the Grey Cup halftime show in Winnipeg next month. This baffling choice raises many questions, such as: why isn’t the Grey Cup headliner Canadian? Especially in this, the Elbows Up era? – Jen Zoratti, Winnipeg Free Press
Canada’s Entertainment Industry Grapples with Keeping Elbows Up as Hollywood Remains a Superpower
Film and theatre producers are ramping up connections with countries aside from the U.S. – JK Nestruck, Globe & Mail
Karan Aujla and Jonita Join Ed Sheeran On New 'Play (The Remixes)' EP
Reworking four of Sheeran’s Play tracks in Punjabi and Hindi, the new project emphasizes cross-border listening for the pop star’s ever-growing fanbase throughout the world. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Canadian Musician Beverly Glenn-Copeland on Trans Rights, Cult Stardom and Living With Dementia
His music was ignored for decades. Now, at 81, he is collaborating with pop stars. He and his wife talk about his extraordinary life – and facing severe illness. – Dorian Lynskey, The Guardian
Drake on Entering His New Era: ‘Every Action Has a Reaction’
The OVO boss turns 39 this week. – Michael Saponara, Billboard
After Many Eras, Quebec's Very Own Taylor Swift is Leaning Into Star Power
Celebrity impersonator Jimmy Moore's 3.5-hour show, with backup dancers and 25 costume changes, is a total recreation of the Eras Tour. – T'Cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
Montreal Artist Trinisha Browne Named Head of A&R at Nigeria-Based Nnamani Music Group
The Browne Records founder will step into the executive role at the Nigeria-based label, bringing emerging talent to broader international industry networks. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Rogers, Fido Customers Could Get Refunds in Canada Class Action Lawsuit
Rogers, Fido and Chatr customers who had cellular services interrupted in the outage on April 19, 2021, could be compensated, according to a press release from Montreal law firm Lex Group Inc. – Karen Longwell, Insauga.com
NXNE Wins Major Design Award for 30th Anniversary Branding Campaign
Canadian design agency Frontier won an RGD award for its audio-visual "Sound On" branding, celebrating the roots of the legendary music festival. – Billboard Canada
International Biz Headlines
Taylor Swift’s Record-Shattering ‘Showgirl’ Debut Revived This 1990s Sales Tactic
By not allowing fans to download individual songs from the album, the star and her label harkened back to a CD-era strategy. – Ed Christman, Billboard
Robby Krieger Leads All-Star Celebration For The Doors’ 60th Anniversary At The Greek Theatre
The Doors' legendary guitarist Robby Krieger will mark the band's 60th anniversary with an all-star concert at Los Angeles' Greek Theatre on 30 October, joined by some of rock's big names including Perry Farrell, Billy Idol, Steve Stevens and Canadian Sum 41 rocker Deryck Whibley. – Noise11
U.K. Rapper Giggs takes Center Stage as NFL Spices up International Games with Halftime Shows
The NFL has been spicing up its international games with halftime performers, a bit like mini-Super Bowls. British rapper Giggs performed Sunday at halftime of the game between the New York Jets and Denver Broncos at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. – AP
Music Could Help Ease Pain From Surgery or Illness. Scientists are Listening
“Pain is a really complex experience,” said Adam Hanley, a psychologist at Florida State University. – Christina Larson, The Associated Press
Protest Singer Jesse Welles is Determined Not to be Yesterday’s News
With his raspy voice, impressive mane of hair and tuneful sloganeering inspired by the front pages, the 32-year-old Arkansan has struck a populist chord in the internet age. – Jesse Welles. Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
‘I hear that you and your band have sold your guitars and bought turntables. I hear that you and your band have sold your turntables and bought guitars.” American music critic Chris DeVille quotes this LCD Soundsystem lyric twice in his ambitious debut book Such Great Heights. – Jordan Ross, Winnipeg Free Press
King Gizzard’s Stu Mackenzie on Leaving Spotify and Making All Their Music Free
‘Sometimes you just forget that you have free will’. – Shaad D'Souza, The Guardian
Without Ace Frehley, Kiss Could Not Have Achieved Their Extraordinary Greatness
The guitarist was the most proficient musician in the original lineup and his bludgeoning ‘monster plod’ was central to their sound. – Michael Hann, The Guardian
