Music Biz Headlines, Sept. 15, 2022
Sara Quin becomes a new mom, Jeremy Fisher (pictured) launches a new animated kids TV show, and Taylor Swift creates a stir at TIFF. Also in the headlines are Rolling Loud, classical concerts, Roxy Music, Alanna Stuart, Hipgnosis Songs Fund, YouTube, Sir Lucian Grainge, Elton John, Queen Elizabeth, Mercury Prize, Tedeschi-Trucks Band, Sixthman, Little River Band, Harry Styles, Glen Matlock, and Blondie.
By Kerry Doole
‘I’m so excited to be a queer parent’
Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara on being a new mom. – David Friend, CP
Looking for a classical fix?
Here are eight picks from symphonies and performing arts centres across the country. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
Hamilton native Jeremy Fisher launches new CBC animated music series ‘Jeremy and Jazzy’
‘My daughters are my focus group,’ he explains. – Graham Rockingham, Hamilton Spectator
Central Cee saves the best of his set for last at Rolling Loud Toronto
To make the U.K. to North America crossover core fans and Central Cee think can happen, requires work, not just on the music but the audience. But his presentation at Rolling Loud Toronto was very plain. – Demar Grant, Toronto Star
This one was for the diehards: Roxy Music begins 50th anniversary tour in Toronto
Roxy Music kicked off its 13-date world tour at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night with opening act St. Vincent. – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
Crowds of fans gather ahead of sold-out Taylor Swift appearance at TIFF
Fans crowded around the headquarters of the Toronto International Film Festival for an appearance by Taylor Swift on Friday evening, including many devotees who were unable to get tickets to the sold-out event. Hordes of Swifties packed a portion of so-called “Festival Street” to get close to the pop star ahead of the event. – CP
Five top TO-made soundsystem and bass tracks
Alanna Stuart launched Rewind/Forward, a public art exhibition celebrating soundsystem and bass music. – Briony Smith, Toronto Star
International
Hipgnosis Songs Fund has ‘burned through its funds and is unable to raise more,’ FT reports
For reference, Hipgnosis Songs Fund has closed catalog deals with all manner of high-profile creators, including but not limited to Barry Manilow, Shakira, and Nikki Sixx, since 2020’s start. –
Dylan Smith, Digital Music News
The buying mania for old songs has come to a sudden and ugly end
The rock stars who sold their catalogs at the top appear to have outwitted the bankers. – Ted Gioia, Substack
YouTube says it paid the music industry over $6bn in the past year – with around $2bn coming from UGC
YouTube’s Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen, has announced that YouTube paid music rightsholders over USD $6 billion in the 12 months to end of June 2022. That figure is significant for a number of reasons, not least that it’s a $2 billion increase from the $4 billion contribution to music rightsholders that YouTube said it paid out in the prior-year period (the 12 months to end of June 2021). – MBW
Sir Lucian Grainge on streaming growth, catalog deals and the balance of power between labels vs. DSPs
Sir Lucian Grainge doesn't do many interviews, so when he does speak publicly, it's worth paying close attention to the man at the helm of the world’s largest music rights company. Grainge, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Music Group, participated in a Q&A session on Sept. 12 at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference. – MBW
How much does Apple Music pay artists per stream in 2022? You asked and we answered!
If you’re releasing music on Apple Music, best believe there’s potential to rake in some serious revenue in the form of streaming royalties. But what’s the average amount of money you can expect to earn for a single stream of your track on Apple Music? And better yet – how does it compare to the platform’s biggest rival Spotify? Hypebot
Elton John pays tribute to Queen at his final Toronto show: ‘She worked bloody hard’
Elton John paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II at his final Toronto show last Thursday, calling her an “inspiring” presence in his life. “She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace and decency and genuine warmth,” the British singer said midway through his Toronto concert. – David Friend, CP
Mercury Prize postponed because of death of the Queen
The Mercury Prize was due to be announced in London on Friday night. In a statement, Mercury Prize HQ has announced, “In light of the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, we are so sorry to announce that we will not be proceeding with this evening’s event as planned.” – Noise11
This week In the Hot Seat with Larry LeBlanc: Jeff Cuellar, Vice President of Partnerships, Sixthman.
After being dry-docked by Covid, Sixthman returned to sea in late 2021 and is now skippering a rapid succession of immersive super-server fan-themed experiences in international waters. – Larry LeBlanc, Celebrity Access
C.R.E.A.T.E. An entertainment manifesto
When we first formed MIDiA eight years ago, we saw the new entertainment world was going to require a new joined up approach for entertainment businesses. Now, business as usual is gone. The next chapter of the business of entertainment will require a completely new approach. This is MIDiA’s C.R.E.A.T.E. Entertainment Manifesto for what is required of entertainment companies in this brave new world. – MIDiA
Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock to play bass on new Blondie album
"It's just the band and Glen playing on it. He's fitted right in." – Arusa Qureshi, NME
Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and the myth of Layla
On their I Am the Moon LPs, Tedeschi-Trucks Band breathe new life into a centuries-old story of star-crossed love. – Geoffrey Himes, Paste
Little River Band first 10 albums finally remastered and expanded
The Little River Band’s classic catalogue is final set for expansion and reissues and two new compilations will also be released.– Noise11
Harry Styles wows Toronto Film Festival crowd, calls ‘My Policeman’ a ‘timeless’ story
The British ensemble drama “My Policeman” its story through two different timelines, in 1957 and 1999. – Brian Truitt, USA Today
The Beatles' Revolver album to be released as super-deluxe box set
Beatles freaks like me who can't get enough of their behind-the-scenes antics and previously unheard recordings should know that Universal Music has announced the release, on October 28, of super-deluxe editions of the band's acclaimed 1966 Revolver album. You know, the one that opens with George Harrison's "Taxman". – Steve Newton, Georgia Straight
The Irish rock ‘n’ roll castle of your dreams
There is a castle in Ireland, perhaps you’ve heard of it. The Slane Castle hosts some of the best rock concerts around, and the vibe is full-on magical. You haven’t lived until you’ve lounged on the kelly green lawns of Slane Castle, built in 1703 and sung along to “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles. Here, rock history and Irish history meet. – Thrillist
Richard Gottehrer on hit songwriting, producing Blondie and the Go-Go's, and 25 Years of The Orchard
In this 'Strictly Business' podcast, we feature Richard Gottehrer — a songwriter, producer and exec over a nearly 70-year career. – Jem Aswad, Variety
Rock stars who walked away and never looked back
Rock bands, like relationships, are difficult to manage. In both cases, egos and emotions are involved, and knowing when it’s time to quit is extremely difficult to gauge. For many musicians opting to break away from their bands, the classic line is true: “It’s not you, it’s me.” – Ultimate Classic Rock Staff
Diljit Dosanjh photographed by Lane Dorsey on July 15 in Toronto. Styling by Alecia Brissett.
Diljit Dosanjh photographed by Lane Dorsey on July 15 in Toronto. Styling by Alecia Brissett.
Diljit Dosanjh photographed by Lane Dorsey on July 15 in Toronto. Styling by Alecia Brissett. On Diljit: Hermès shirt & pants.
Diljit Dosanjh photographed by Lane Dorsey on July 15 in Toronto. Styling by Alecia Brissett. On Diljit: EYTYS jacket