Music Biz Headlines, Dec. 18, 2017
In today's wrap comes news that Canada's economy is helping boost the live music sector and Canadian musicals are enjoying the spotlight; also, WestJet finds itself in a feud with Lil Pump. Other headliners include George Michael, The Barr Brothers, Kelly Derrickson, Robin Black, Pat DiNizio, Sam Coffey and The Iron Lungs, and David Bowie.
By Kerry Doole
O Canada: A market report
A growing economy is providing Canadian consumers with more disposable income, a proportion of which is finding its way to live entertainment – Steve McLean, IQ
Canadian musicals are having a moment in the spotlight — and making up the rules as they go along
From Britta Johnson to Come from Away, homegrown talent is taking centre stage – Robert Cushman, cbc.ca
Still saving us from tears: the inside story of Wham!'s Last Christmas
From George Michael hogging the sleigh bells in the studio to pratfalling on the snowy video set, the beloved Christmas song is testament to the late pop star’s talent – and insecurities – Rachel Aroesti, The Guardian
WestJet brushes rapper Lil Pump's diss off its wings
His massive hit "Gucci Gang" takes aim at the Canadian airline – Josh O'Kane, The Globe and Mail
The 10 best Toronto albums of 2017
Our list of top local releases of the year as voted by NOW’s music critics includes Feist, Alvvays and The Weather Station – NOW
Music is a family affair for Montreal’s Barr Brothers
Time becomes a precious commodity once you have a family, something that Brad and Andrew Barr have discovered over their last couple of records – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Voices carry
Mo Kenney, Gabrielle Papillon and Jessie Brown make the personal the priority on the year’s best records from East Coast artists – Tara Thorne, The Coast
Kelly Derrickson puts First Nations pride and healing into songs
The award-winning singer has her grandfather to thank for the twang in her tunes, and her heritage for the lyrical honesty in her music – Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun
From rock 'n' roll to rocking the octagon
Robin Black's journey from rock singer to MMA fighter and analyst – Taylor Allen, Winnipeg Sun
Retro rockers Sam Coffey and the Iron Lungs make their home in sweet spot of the ’70s
Springsteen, Ramones and the Clash all in the mix for Sam Coffey and the Iron Lungs. They play the Horseshoe on Dec. 29 – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
The 20 Best Rock Albums of 2017
The list features The National, Jay Som, Broken Social Scene, Waxahatchee, and more – Pitchfork
We have entered the post-James Levine era
There is a lot of empty gossip in the classical music business, but abuse exists – Arthur Kaptainis, Montreal Gazette
Remembering The Smithereens' Pat DiNizio, passionate rock 'n' roll lifer
The New Jersey band's frontman died last week, at 62 and is remembered as a truly approachable star – Annie Zaleski, Billboard
Hidden gems of 2017: great albums you may have missed
From hypnotic hip-hop to Japanese psych-rock, our critics pick some albums of 2017 that deserve a wider audience – The Guardian
David Bowie's 'Hunky Dory': How America inspired 1971 masterpiece
Inside the making of the album that Bowie said "reflected my newfound enthusiasm for this new continent that had been opened up to me" – Andy Greene, Rolling Stone
