Music Biz Headlines, Sept. 21, 2018
Shania slays in Glasgow, Frank Turner's love affair with Toronto, and Polaris Prize gains international attention. Also in the headlines are KK Downing, Saskatoon concerts, Jeff Dalziel, Sirius XM, Mac Miller, Lauryn Hill, Ticketmaster, and Modern Sky.
By Kerry Doole
Jeremy Dutcher wins Polaris prize, Canada's top music award
The prize of 50,000 Canadian dollars is won by classically trained indigenous singer who reinterpreted traditional songs of his Native Wolastoq people. – Ben Beaumont-Thomas, The Guardian
Frank Turner adds perplexed pop to his musical recipe
Clearly, Toronto has some affection for Frank Turner. The English folk-punk troubadour and his ace backing band, the Sleeping Souls, set up shop at the 1,350-capacity Phoenix this week for three consecutive shows — the first two of which sold out long ago. – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star
Shania Twain review – barnstorming, thigh-slapping spectacular
Brash staging, old-school charisma and a bulletproof back catalogue power an energetic performance from the Canadian superstar. – Graeme Virtue, The Guardian
Music Notes: We're going Big and going Rogue
With pretty much all the music venues in full swing, Matt Olson recommends some great upcoming concerts in Saskatoon. – Star-Phoenix
Judas Priest's KK Downing writes a revealing memoir
In a frank new memoir, the guitarist opens up about his time with the metal band and how boiling tensions caused him to leave. – Jim Farber, The Guardian
Kim Gordon, Stevie Nicks, Paul McCartney, more boycott SiriusXM over Music Modernization Act
A group of about 150 artists and executives have signed a new open letter addressed to SiriusXM’s corporate parent, Liberty Media, declaring their intentions to boycott the satellite radio company in support of the MMA. – Braudie Blais-billie, pitchfork
Durham College professor wins CCMA's Record Producer of the Year award
As Aaron Streck reports, Jeff Dalziel's work is going a long way to inspire his students. – Global News
10 albums to listen to in fall 2018
A secretly recorded live album, an indie rock supergroup and Lil Wayne’s long-awaited release are among our most anticipated this season. – Samantha Edwards, NOW
Mac Miller fans furious the rapper wasn't given an Emmys tribute
Fans were left furious when the dead rapper was left out of the In Memoriam segment at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday night. – Musicnews.com
Twenty years after the debut of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” the singer played the Hollywood Bowl
The former Fugee rose to the occasion. – LA Times
Toronto Star went undercover to investigate Ticketmaster, but did they find anything new?
The Toronto Star has been hammering Ticketmaster this week in a series of investigative reports with the CBC on ticket pricing and Ticketmaster’s relationship with the secondary market. Interesting reporting, but not particularly ground-breaking. – Dave Brooks, Billboard
Modern Sky is bringing Chinese music to the masses at Echo Beach
The Chinese music festival expands to Toronto with a lineup that includes Calvin Love, Bohan Pheonix and Sunset Rollercoaster. – Cam Lindsay, NOW
From left: Joey Scolari, Tom Pistore, Keith Pelley, Wayne Zronik and Tim Leiweke speaking on State of the Industry panel at Departure at Toronto's Hotel X on May 8, 2025.Mike Highfield