Music Biz Headlines, July 11, 2018
Drake's legal entanglements, Shania and Alanis return to the stage in fine form, an in-depth look at ticket scalping, and a profile of eOne's Meg Symsyk. Others in the headlines include Bruce Springsteen, Kesha, Michael Monroe, Lié, Melvin Brown, Mastodon, Sheryl Crow, and Westben.
By FYI Staff
Drake caught in legal wrangle between Cash Money, Aspire and UMG
Aspire Music Group claims that they signed Drake to a contract in 2008 before Cash Money inked him to a new deal a year later. The case is moving forward and is one of several legacy entanglements Drake faces from his past when he was unproven and starting out as a rap artist. — Eric Skelton, Complex
Breaking the box office
How the ticket industry became a scalper's game and why we all have to play – Josh O'Kane, Globe and Mail
Twainiacs rejoice: Shania is back, owning her femininity and rockin’ the hell out of an NHL rink
Shania’s lack of polish in the between-song banter was actually one of the evening’s more endearing elements at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
Alanis Morissette review – a full-throttle tour through greatest hits
At her show in London, the Canadian alt-rocker delivers high-energy thrills amid sing-alongs that could rival the cheers of jubilant football fans – Hannah Ewens, The Guardian
A profile of Canadian music industry exec Meg Symsyk
"You don't get gender equality by waving a magic wand," she declares – Rhian Jones, MBW
Dunlevy: SLĀV director Robert Lepage just doesn't get it
"Newsflash, M. Lepage: no one is taking away your rights. You were free to mount this highly problematic production. People have the right to question your choices. And they did" – T'cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
Bruce Springsteen’s childhood home is sold
The home in New Jersey where Bruce Springsteen lived for seven years as a child has been sold for $255K (US), which is under the asking price – AP
80/35 review: Female artists take the lead at Des Moines' downtown music festival, proving they're no longer bill-fillers
From the sublimely ethereal Phoebe Bridgers to the ridiculously over-the-top Kesha, who closed it with a bang on Saturday, the lineup provided a ringing affirmation of what was once called “girl power" – Don McLeese, Des Moines Register
Hear Hanoi Rocks’ Michael Monroe talk glam rock with Chris Shiflett
Finnish blues-rock trailblazer is the latest guest on the Foo Fighters guitarist’s podcast – Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone
On Our Radar: lié makes guitar music sound alive and amphetamined with the video for "Fill It Up"
At a time when rock, punk, indie, chillwave, and every other six-string subgenre seems pretty much dead, it's good to know that someone is making old-fashioned guitar music sound thrillingly alive – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Fringe Fest review: Movin' Melvin Brown – A Man, A Magic, A Music
The human jukebox who played with B.B. King and James Brown croons, twists and totally entertains – Jordy Kieto, NOW
Mastodon’s Bill Kelliher on artist payments in today’s music industry
“If this continues, the artist is going to disappear. There are so many people behind those songs you hear on the radio. I can only speak for my genre and the people who know how we do it. I could live a thousand years and if Spotify played me all day long, I’d maybe make a thousand dollars" – mxdwn.com
Sheryl Crow ends folk fest with bang
The American roots-pop singer-songwriter was the perfect accompaniment to cap off the Winnipeg Folk Fest as the sun began setting in a cloudless sky at the main stage at Birds Hill Park – Jill Wilson, Winnipeg Free Press
Westben Festival’s Don Giovanni needs more substance to be seductive
A stripped down concert version of Mozart’s perennial favourite Don Giovanni at the Westben Festival in Campbellford ON leaves too much to the imagination – John Terauds, Toronto Star
The Weeknd, Neil Young and Future drew huge crowds at Festival D'ete
The sprawling, eclectic Quebec City festival should be on the radar of music fans across the country – Richard Trapunski, NOW
