Music Biz Headlines, Jan. 22, 2018
Swedish music has been dominating global charts, and the Grammys recognise that hip-hop is here to stay. Also in today's look at the headlines, John Mann, Lindi Ortega, Justin Timberlake, rising Toronto stars, Andre Ethier, Lee Ann Womack, the Beatles, The Black Eyed Peas, protest music, and Sass Jordan.
By Kerry Doole
Sweden makes music: How diversity, education and tech propel Swedish artists onto the world stage
Sweden may be a small country but its artistic community has been a dominating force on the Billboard charts for decades, and the national government is investing more money in providing the same global resources to the smaller, local acts who need it most – Cherie Hu, Billboard
Grammys finally admit hip-hop is here to stay
The genre rules the top categories, including Record, Album and Song of the Year – Lorraine Ali, LA Times
Toronto musicians to watch in 2018: indie edition
By our slippery definition, the genre includes everything from synth ballads to sunny psych rock to lo-fi R&B gong punk. Here are six bands to keep an eye on – Richard Trapunski, NOW
Forget About Tomorrow puts John Mann’s spirit on the stage
His diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s inspired his wife Jill Daum to create a play on the topic – Marsha Lederman, The Globe and Mail
Revealed: lucky break that led lovelorn traveller to a fling in India with the Beatles
A broken heart took a young Canadian to the river Ganges’ banks – and the shots of a lifetime – Vanessa Thorpe, The Observer
Andre Ethier’s long break from music ends with him examining maturity
The former Deadly Snakes member finds he had things to say in his 20s and now in his 40s, but not in between – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
The creative integrity of Lindi Ortega
The country music siren has found her place in the world of music. It might not have all the trappings of stardom, but its comfort level can’t be beat – Jeff DeDekker, Regina Leader-Post
Let's hear it for the banned
The once infamously shunned Barenaked Ladies are now Canadian Music Hall of Fame-bound – David Friend, CP
Justin Timberlake made peace with Janet Jackson after Nipplegate scandal at Super Bowl
Justin Timberlake was involved in the biggest controversy in Super Bowl halftime history, but he returns for the show this year – Peter Sblendorio, NY Daily News
Pop-punk bassist accused of $27M fraud scheme
Former Ataris member Michael Davenport was indicted in December for allegedly defrauding 100,000 people in every US state over a period of seven years – npr.org
All along, Waxahatchee
Katie Crutchfield, maker of one of last year’s best records, is taking that buzz and going home – Tara Thorne, The Coast
Lee Ann Womack wants to remind us what country music is about
The 51-year-old Grammy winner and 2001 Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year returns to her Texan roots on her fine new album. She plays The Horseshoe in Toronto on Jan. 24 – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
The Black Eyed Peas return to their radical roots
A dark and poignant new track focuses on gun control, prison reform and institutional racism – August Brown, LA Times
Victory for live music as venues are given protection from future Bristol city centre flats
The agent of change principle will come into law meaning developers must properly soundproof new properties – Patrick Daly, Bristol Post
Stop children, what’s that sound?: Trump-wave protest music
A new generation of American songwriters answer the call for musical dissidence – Dean Van Nguyen, Irish Times
Sass Jordan reimagines her past in Racine Revisited
'I got to pretend that I was a kid, recording a record the way I would have loved to have recorded a record back then' – Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette
From left: Joey Scolari, Tom Pistore, Keith Pelley, Wayne Zronik and Tim Leiweke speaking on State of the Industry panel at Departure at Toronto's Hotel X on May 8, 2025.Mike Highfield