Music Biz Headlines, June 14, 2021

By Kerry Doole

MuchMusic is back, and it’s got people nostalgic for the 80s, 90s and 00s. Here’s what people are saying

MuchMusic is back baby! Remember that global checkered logo? The hours-long countdowns of music videos from Avril Lavigne to Tamia to Billy Talent? Speakers’ Corner? Young and hip VJs? Electric Circus? With today’s announcement, it might have you wondering, what year is it? – Justin Smirlies, Toronto Star

MuchMusic is coming back – on TikTok

The former Canadian music video network will bring VJs, live music and Video On Trial to your social media feeds. – Richard Trapunski, NOW

Rush back to the road is on as musicians battle for concert slots

Bands are 'chomping at the bit' to get back on stage and earn cash, but spots are limited. – Joel Dryden, CBC News

Silenced: Musicians forced off-stage during Covid face emotional, financial fallout

Desperation, isolation and live streams. Ontario’s slow reopening began Friday, but not for everyone. Among those still waiting — and often overlooked in debates about the pandemic’s wake of destruction — are Essex County’s musicians and performers. – Trevor Wilhelm, Windsor Star

Catching up with Juno winner Rose Cousins 

 Rose Cousins is a Halifax music scene fixture, a musical MVP. Her brand of folk-pop singer-songwriter is the kind that critics adore and awards stream in for: Fresh yet familiar, honest and real, driven by melody and backed up with airy arrangements. We talk with the singer-songwriter about her latest award. – Morgan Mullin, The Coast

The Zolas come back to life in 2021

After taking some time off, the Zolas are back with an album with a lot more political edge. – Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Province

Online concert a 'one-stop shop' for music lovers

The FeSKival concert in Regina last weekend featured five prominent Saskatchewan music acts along with options for food and accommodations. – Greg Harder, Regina Leader-Post

“My past is in my music.” Meet rapper, songwriter and record producer Belly

The hitmaker was born in Palestine, moving to Canada at an early age. Learn more of his past here. – Rescueorg

International

Sony Music will disregard unrecouped balances for legacy artists

Sony Music has made an announcement that will be talked about by the music business for years to come. For some time, influential voices in the industry have called for the unrecouped balances of heritage artists to be written off by record labels. Many in the music industry never thought we’d see a day when a major record company openly embraced such a plan. Those people were wrong. – MBW

Live music is back, but for roadies and crews, the pandemic’s toll may be irreversible

But for the people who make their living on or from the road in the touring industry — from tour managers to lighting and sound engineers to truck drivers, stage riggers and merch sellers — “normal” is still a distant fantasy. – August Brown,  Los Angeles Times

Roblox speaks out about the lawsuit it is facing 

Video gaming platform Roblox has responded to being hit with a $200 million-plus copyright infringement lawsuit from music publishers in the US, noting its “surprise and disappointment” at being sued. –  Tim Ingham, MBW

Believe is a public company, as CEO rings the bell on Paris stock market debut

Yesterday (June 10), distribution and services company Believe officially went public today (June 10), debuting on the Paris Euronext. The company floated 14.35% of its equity via its IPO, raising €300 million in the process. Subsequent to the IPO, TCV will continue to own 41.67% of Believe, while the music company’s founder and CEO, Denis Ladegaillerie, will own 12.62%. Another major shareholder, Ventech, will own 17.08%. – MBW

Primary Wave sells $375M stake to Oaktree Capital

Oaktree Capital Management has paid $375 million to acquire a significant minority stake in Primary Wave Music, the companies announced Friday (June 11). A portion of that investment will be used to complete funding for a new commingled music intellectual property fund, which Primary Wave established earlier this year. – Ed Christman, Billboard

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un labels K-Pop a ‘vicious cancer,’ risks ire of fans

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has labelled K-Pop as a “vicious cancer” that is corrupting the youth of the country he leads. As a result, he is imposing harsher penalties on citizens who are consuming South Korean movies, K-dramas and K-pop videos. – Antonio Ferme, Jem Aswad, Variety

Bruce Springsteen talks ‘Broadway’ return, new music with Killers and John Mellencamp, and 2022 tour?

Bruce Springsteen is getting back to work this summer, playing a big role in Broadway’s return by bringing back his $108-million-grossing “Springsteen on Broadway” for the entire summer, but that isn’t all he has in the works, as he revealed in a call on Sirius XM’s E Street Radio. – Michele Amabile Angermiller, Variety

Lorde’s comeback single is a lesson in letting pop stars take their time

Solar Power delivers a statement of loose-limbed maturity from a mercurial star who is much imitated but utterly unique. – Laura Snapes, The Guardian

Doja Cat announces new album, includes Grimes in a new video

R&B singer and rapper Doja Cat has announced her new album Planet Her along with a music video for her new single Need to Know, featuring Grimes.  Planet Her is set to come out on June 25, and includes features from Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, JID, Young Thug, and SZA. – Mxdwn

On my radar: Shirley Manson’s cultural highlights

The singer on her obsession with The Bureau, the revolutionary Lil Nas X and her seafood pilgrimage to East Lothian. – The Guardian

Danny Elfman talks about making a ‘Big Mess,’ and returning to rock a quarter-century after Oingo Boingo split

Elfman used his quarantine to take his first break from film composing for a rock record in 27 years. Just don't expect the album's remake of a Oingo Boingo song to portend any reunion shows: "Band reunions, they eat brains." – Variety

Some fans turn against Foo Fighters after hearing concert-goers need proof of vaccination

When fans learned they would have to prove they’d been jabbed to attend a Foo Fighters concert in New York City, some said they wouldn’t stick around.–  LA Times

A trailblazing female conductor is still alone on the trail

As Marin Alsop leaves the Baltimore Symphony after 14 years, the field is taking a step backward: 25 major American orchestras, no female music directors. – A Tommasini, NY Times