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FYI

Music Biz Headlines, June 29, 2018

Nick Cave (pictured) gets bronzed, Morrissey gets roasted, and Saul Williams explains poetry's growing popularity. Also making headlines are Gilles Vigneault, Sloan, Stephin Merritt, Kevin Breit, Kamasi Washington, SLAV, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Vancouver Jazz Fest, and Dean Brody.

Music Biz Headlines, June 29, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Former Morrissey fans to stage anti-racism party in Manchester

Party to protest against singer’s views to be held at same time as his nearby gig  – Frances Perraudin, The Guardian


Spoken word pioneer Saul Williams on why poetry's surge in popularity is no surprise

'We are gathering to something ancient,' says the acclaimed poet/rapper/social activist – Sarah Bradbury, The Independent

Coming soon: A giant bronze statue of Nick Cave on a horse

The musician’s small Australian hometown of Warracknabeal plans to raise money to make this long-held dream a reality – Sarah Laskow, atlasobscura.com

Gilles Vigneault's powerful dream of un pays

The legendary Quebec singer-songwriter turns 90 later this year. On the eve of Fête nationale, we look back at Vigneault's legacy – Bernard Perusse, Montreal Gazette

Damon Albarn calls out Kanye for “abusive collaboration” with Paul McCartney

The Gorillaz frontman says Kanye "trapped" McCartney – Ben Kaye, ConsequenceofSound

Sloan is still Canada's coolest band (over 45)

Holding anything together for 27 years is an extraordinary feat. But Sloan, somehow, has managed to hack it — with its original lineup, mind you — for nearly three decades – Chris Murphy helps explain why –  Alex Gheciu, Sharp

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The Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt staged his musical memoir at Luminato

Over two nights at the Elgin Theatre, he sang a song for every year of his life and brought them to life with costumes, video and countless instruments and props  – Sarah Greene, NOW

Kevin Breit acts out with help from his Johnny Goldtooth alter ego

The guitarist's latest album Johnny Goldtooth and the Chevy Casanovas is a bold, swaggering effort, and even if it sounds like it could have been made 50 years ago it’s also animated by Breit’s very postmodern sense of genre play –  Alexander Varty, Georgia Straight

Old-school and new-school collide in Kamasi Washington's concert

Washington's sound combines elements of a classic jazz sound with a new-age, R&B edge for a unique listening experience – Matt Olson, Star-Phoenix

Jazz Fest: SLĀV isn't cultural appropriation, singer Bonifassi says

SLĀV, “a theatrical odyssey based on slave songs,” is the most popular ticketed show at the 39th Montreal International Jazz Festival – T'cha Dunlevy, montreal Gazette

Vancouver International Jazz Festival : Five free shows to check out

The fest closes July 1, but there's still time for some fine free concerts – Shawn Conner, Vancouver Sun

Note to Paul McCartney: please stop

Enablers are allowing Sir Paul to look sillier than his love songs. His expiry date is up – Susan G. Cole, NOW

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Singer Robert Plant relishes his freedom with Sensational Space Shifters

Robert Plant is now leading the charge with his band, but he emphasizes that songs are written collaboratively and credits are shared. Here he sounds off on the things that enquiring minds want to know  Alex Varty, Georgia Straight

Dean Brody glad to be at Trackside Music Festival for Canada Day weekend

Dean Brody is pumped and ready for a little fun. The Canadian country music star is among the headliners at the annual Trackside fest this long weekend – Joe Belanger, Calgary Herald

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Shhenseea, MOLIY, Skillibeng and Silent Addy
ACEPXL

Shhenseea, MOLIY, Skillibeng and Silent Addy

Awards

Here’s Why ‘Shake It to the Max’ Was Deemed Ineligible at the 2026 Grammys — And Why Its Label Calls the Decision ‘Devoid of Any Common Sense’

Representatives from the Recording Academy and gamma. CEO Larry Jackson comment on one of this year's most shocking Grammy snubs.

Few phrases define the year in music and culture like Moliy’s scintillating directive to “shake it to the max.” The Ghanaian singer’s sultry voice reverberated across the globe, blending her own Afropop inclinations with Jamaican dancehall-informed production, courtesy of Miami-based duo Silent Addy and Disco Neil. Originally released in December 2024, Moliy’s breakthrough global crossover hit ascended to world domination, peaking at No. 6 on the Global 200, thanks to a remix featuring dancehall superstars Shenseea and Skillibeng. Simply put, “Max” soundtracked a seismic moment in African and Caribbean music in 2025.

Given its blockbuster success, “Shake It to the Max” was widely expected to be a frontrunner in several categories at the 2026 Grammys. In fact, had the song earned a nomination for either best African music performance or best global music performance, many forecasters anticipated a victory. So, when “Shake It to the Max” failed to appear on the final list of 2026 Grammy nominees in any category earlier this month (Nov. 7), listeners across the world were left scratching their heads — none more than gamma. CEO Larry Jackson.

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