Music Biz Headlines, June 20, 2018
A record number of songs are contending to be World Cup anthems, Bey and Jay's duo album celebrates their union, and a look back at NXNE. Also in the headlines are Exclaim's top albums, Steve Albini, Katalogue, sexual harassment at festivals, the Monkees, Rainbow Robert, Heidi Munro, Robbie Williams, Jesse Zubot, Ben Sures, and the death of the CD.
By Kerry Doole
The Carters: Everything Is Love review – Beyoncé and Jay-Z celebrate their marriage and magnificence
The duo’s surprise release, rooted far more in hip-hop than R&B, embraces their romantic bliss and phenomenal wealth as well as highlighting racism in the US – Alexis Petridis, The Guardian
Why more songs than ever are contending to be World Cup anthems
For the 2018 edition, taking place June 14-July 15 in Russia, there is a record number of musical contenders as streaming services amp up their World Cup-themed playlists and offer unofficial anthems the opportunity to become hits -- without necessarily being performed during the opening ceremony – Leila Cobo, Billboard
Exclaim!'s Top 31 Albums of 2018 so far
Voted on by an array of contributors, it's a broad, varied list of albums from a mix of musicians that includes underground rap veterans, DIY pop artists and Top 40 country singers alike –Exclaim!
NXNE 2018: Club Land reviews
Our reviewers spent the week in venues throughout the city, catching shows by Ryan Hemsworth, RYAN Playground, Tokyo Police Club's Dave Monks, LA Timpa and more – Staff, NOW
Steve Albini wins 2018 World Series of Poker seven-card stud event
The renowned member of Big Black and engineer of classic Nirvana and Pixies albums shines at the poker table, not just the console – Rob Arcand, Spin
Katalogue gives a boost to Montreal musicians, encourages listening locally
The database showcases about 1,100 artists, along with their genre, the names of their members and links to their music – Kelsey Litwin, Montreal Gazette
One in five at UK festivals sexually assaulted or harassed – survey
Just 2% of those subjected to unwanted sexual behaviour say they reported it to police – Laura Snapes, The Guardian
1970s pop icons the Monkees are still busy singing with latest tour
If you look at the poster for the Monkees current concert tour — subtitled “The Mike & Micky Show” — you may think your eyes are deceiving you – Joel Rubinoff, Waterloo Region Record
Rainbow Robert steers TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival's artistic programming into the future
The 33rd TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival opens its doors on June 22. Meet Rainbow Robert, Coastal’s new managing director for artistic programming – Alex Varty, Georgia Straight
Heidi Munro is in the groove on her new album
Saskatoon retro-soul-jazz-pop singer Heidi Munro keeps a steady pace of live shows, including a June 22 Jazz Fest gig, but she's also found time to hit the studio – Cam Fuller, Star-Phoenix
'Robbie Williams is the neighbour from hell'
Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page reveals the treasures and works of art which he claims are being put at risk by the pop star's construction aspirations – Rebecca Hardy, Daily Mail
The Old Confidence Lodge: Sonic and iconic
A look at Riverport’s Old Confidence Lodge, the 89-year-old seaside venue and recording studio that has had an undeniable influence on the Nova Scotia south shore’s music and arts scene – Hillary Windsor, The Coast
2018 Jazz Festival pays tribute to Jesse Zubot's Drip Audio label
Jesse Zubot is both musician and mogul and Drip Audio, the label he founded in 2005 is featured at the Imperial in Vancouver on June 29, with Fond of Tigers, Peregrine Falls, and Sick Boss all making an appearance – Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun
The end of owning music: How CDs and downloads die
"I definitely believe the next decade is going to be streaming plus vinyl," says Jack White. "Streaming in the car and kitchen, vinyl in the living room and the den. Those will be the two formats. And I feel really good about that" – Steve Knopper, Rolling Stone
Ben Sures, music guru of The Works, releasing lovely live album
When Ben Sures first came up to me around 20 years ago, he asked how to bust into the local scene. “I still feel like an outsider,” he said with a laugh the other day – Fish Griwkowsky, Edmonton Journal
Watch: St-Henri high school teaches rap, rock & roll
For the third straight year, St-Henri’s James Lyng High School is releasing an online “mixtape” of rap and rock songs recorded by students in its music program – Montreal Gazette
