Music Biz Headlines, July 6, 2018
Gordon Lightfoot bids a temporary farewell to Massey Hall, members of The Hip still mourn their Gord, and Arthur Fogel reflects on the concert business. Others in the headlines include James Blake, Kanye West, Shania Twain, D.O.A., Joe Jackson, streaming, Kensington Market, Friar's Music Museum, Vance Joy, Jesse Zubot, and Jiants.
By Kerry Doole
Review: Gordon Lightfoot bids farewell to Massey Hall
As the concert hall prepares to close for extensive renovations, the Canadian folk icon's wit and timeless songs cut through the air of finality – Michael Rancic, NOW
The Hip mourn "the loss of a good friend," eight months after Gord Downie's passing
The Hip still hurts. Gord Downie’s Tragically Hip bandmates — guitarists Rob Baker and Paul Langlois, and bassist Gord Sinclair — say they continue to mourn the loss of their long-time friend and frontman as they slowly step back into the spotlight – Jane Stevenson, Toronto Sun
How Canadian Arthur Fogel became the go-to tour promoter for U2, Lady Gaga, and Madonna
The head of global touring for Live Nation dishes on digital disruption, ticket prices and his most disastrous decision ever – Dawn Calleja, Globe and Mail
James Blake speaks out about the struggle with depression
The musician says he has sought treatment for ‘suicidal thoughts’, and urges public figures to help remove the stigma of mental illness – Laura Snapes, The Guardian
Louis Vuitton’s next generation steps up to Kanye’s latest tune
At last week’s Louis Vuitton menswear show in Paris, newly hired designer Virgil Abloh sent hoodie-clad models down the runway toting duffel bags made from gleaming high-tech plastic, all to the latest Kanye West album. Kanye watched – Carol Matlack and Robert Williams, Bloomberg
Review: Shania's better 'Now' than ever
The 52-year-old singer-songwriter from Timmins who climbed the musical charts to become known as the Queen of Country Pop brought it all and more to London’s Budweiser Gardens – Joe Belanger, London Free Press
X-Plycit and Mackie are on the come-up
Halifax rappers merge life and art with their first co-headlining tour – Brandon Young, The Coast
The SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival attracted an estimated 75,000 this year.
The 32nd annual event wrapped up last Sunday. Hit shows included Flaming Lips, City and Colour, Tom Cochrane, and Michael Kaeshammer – Star-Phoenix
DOA says you need an a — kickin' right now
Bon Jovi is a 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. D.O.A. is not. Apparently being legendary innovators of hardcore punk doesn’t matter as much as being Jersey pretty boys who only sing about being wanted; dead or alive. Joey Keithley doesn’t give a toss – Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun
Joe Jackson is buried in same LA-area cemetery as son Michael
The Jackson family patriarch Joseph Jackson has been buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park close to his late son Michael – AP
How streaming is saving the music business
There has never been a more vast, diverse, and readily available body of music to explore. But how does a below-the-megastar-radar artist or band survive the new paradigm? – John Kehe, Christian Science Monitor
Kensington Market’s former Fairland grocery transforming into an immersive art maze
A group of artists and musicians are teaming up to turn an old Kensington Market grocery store into a funhouse featuring an art maze, music venue and more. Artists involved include Lights, Jazz Cartier, and The Beaches – Raju Mudhar, Toronto Star
Vance Joy packed Rogers Place
The Australian songsmith is a master of the mundane, trading in small moments, crafting songs that zero in on the homiest of topics. Standard folk club stuff, slightly Hallmark tinged, but how does it translate to a hockey arena? – Tom Murray, Edmonton Journal
On the second floor of a Shoppers Drug Mart, there’s a shrine to Yonge Street’s musical history
As a shiny new Shoppers Drug Mart takes over the landmark space at 279 Yonge St. — occupied by the Hard Rock Café from 1978 until 2017 — part of its second floor is now the Friar’s Music Museum, a time capsule snapshot of the famous music venue that stood there a half-century earlier – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
Jesse Zubot’s happy to stay busy
The violinist and head of Drip Audio is a man with many projects on the go – Alexander Varty, Georgia Straight
How former pro skateboarder Jesse Landen ended up in Jiants
The Toronto indie rock band is the result of skate videos, injuries and lust for life – Luke Ottenhof, NOW
