Music Biz Headlines, July 25, 2018
Chris Cornell will be honoured with a Seattle statue, R. Kelly fights back, and Rich Aucoin wraps his marathon cycling trek. Others in the headlines include Fairland Funhouse, Lorde, Interstellar Rodeo, Toto, Ryuichi Sakamoto, MorMor, Wallgrin, Big Pond, and the Home County fest.
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By Kerry Doole
Statue honouring Chris Cornell to be erected in Seattle
The late grunge pioneer and Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell will be remembered in the city where he was born. He died a year ago, at age 52 – AP
Greedy music bosses can’t see the gig is up
Unless the industry cuts sky-high ticket and vinyl prices it will drive away the fans who have given it a second chance – Liam Fay, The Times
R. Kelly responds to accusations with a 19-minute new song.
The soul star has long been termed a sexual predator – Randall Roberts, LA Times
Rich Aucoin bike blog wrap-up: Impressions from cycling across America
Travelling across a country only 40 years older than this invention and on a land with peoples 100 times older than it, I felt a great connection to this rock we live on. I cannot recommend enough travelling by some form of open-air transportation, with the bicycle being the most natural in my opinion –The Coast
Fairland Funhouse proposal divides Kensington Market community
To some, a former grocery store’s transformation into an art maze/doughnut shop/music studio/craft beer-serving hipster hangout seems a perfect fit for Toronto’s eclectic Kensington Market. For others, the soon-to-be converted store has become the latest obstacle in the ongoing fight to preserve the beloved historic neighbourhood from overdevelopment – Megan Ogilvie, Toronto Star
The 100th edition of Now That's What I Call Music has its failings
It includes a greatest hits disc that favours the arena titans – overlooking the pleasure of rediscovering the one-hit wonders and sub-genres buried in these pop time capsules – Bob Stanley, The Guardian
Smooth sailing through stormy seas at Interstellar Rodeo
If anything, the turbulent weather and safety delays made the day at Interstellar Rodeo better, as the good-natured, super-chill music festival repeatedly showed off its true character – Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal
"This is crazy": Lorde suffers on-stage wardrobe malfunction
Lorde had to halt a festival show in Australia on Saturday night as her dress started to fall apart – WENN
Chicken does best Toto “Africa” cover. Ever.
You've all heard Toto's biggest hit before, but never like this – Michael Hainsworth, Geeks and Beats
Annoyed by restaurant playlists, a master musician made his own
How Ryuichi Sakamoto assembled the soundtrack for Kajitsu, in Murray Hall – New York Times
MorMor proves he could be one of Toronto's hottest exports on Heaven’s Only Wishful
A compelling, sweet-voiced mix of Dev Hynes, How To Dress Well and Rhye, Seth Nyquist uses the five songs on this EP to prove he should be on your radar – Cam Lindsay, NOW
Dancing with a pedigreed cello at Stratford Summer Music
Québec cellist Stéphane Tétrault worked his musical magic on a $6 million (U.S.) instrument, shining on Bach suites – John Terauds, Toronto Star
5 things to know about Bird/Alien by Wallgrin
Vancouver-based artist Tegan Wahlgren heads up Wallgrin, a project where she performs vocals, violin and electronics. Her instruments and gear of choice come in handy for delivering the multitudes of voicings required – Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun
Annual Big Pond concert still draws a crowd 54 years after its debut
The Big Pond summer concert was still music to the ears of those who took in the annual show that has traditionally featured some of Cape Breton’s most talented musicians – David Jala, Cape Breton Post
Surprise and familiarity combine as 45th Home County folk fest opens at Victoria Park
You just never know what you're going to get at Home County Music & Art Festival and this past weekend was no different – Joe Belanger, London Free Press