Music Biz Headlines, Sept. 29, 2022

By Kerry Doole

Glenn Gould would have turned 90 this month — 40 years after his death we still can’t agree on his legacy

Think about Gould’s incomparable technical facility, the uncompromising quest for an artistic ideal and sheer force of personality. Are these not the hallmarks of genius? – Michael Crabb, Toronto Star

The Weeknd fans pack Rogers Centre for the long-awaited return of Toronto’s prodigal son

At least he wasn’t Rogered this time around. The homegrown superstar treated 45,000 loyal fans to a 100-minute bombardment of the senses in his first of two concerts at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.  –Nick Krewen, Toronto Star

The Weeknd is in immaculate form with a halftime-worthy concert in Toronto

Toronto pop superstar The Weeknd transformed his hometown dome into a city on fire and an apocalyptic dance club with the first concert of a two-night stand. Beats dropped relentlessly, senses were bombarded, hits came in waves and bass lines threatened the building’s structural integrity. Some 45,000 fans enjoyed a spectacle as if it were their last day on Earth, going down with a smile, a cellphone and a familiar melody on their minds. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail

Local axe-masters Paul Pigat and Dave Martone performed at the Vancouver International Guitar Festival

The Vancouver International Guitar Festival The festival featured some fine local pickers showing their stuff, including local rockabilly specialist Paul Pigat of Cousin Harley and Dave Martone, a longtime associate of Bay Area guitar wizard Joe Satriani. – Steve Newton , Georgia Straight

Basia Bulat nurtures her songs like plants in a garden

Montreal singer-songwriter brought new takes on old songs to Bridgeworks. – Graham Rockingham, Hamilton Spectator

With his new album ‘Player, Piano,’ Daniel Lanois hopes to offer the listener ‘unexpected delights’

Lanois journeys via song to some of his favourite locales, from Cuba to Mexico, Jamaica to New Orleans. – David McPherson, Toronto Star

Take me home…

Whitehorse’s Luke Doucet follows the country road back to Winnipeg. –  Alan Small, Free Press

Jody Upshaw announced as 2022 Music Nova Scotia Artist in Residence

The R&B singer walked home the winner of the recent live competition showcase. The singer-songwriter has been seriously serving this year. – Morgan Mullin, The Coast

Vancouver police set up online portal to collect video footage of rampage following Lil Baby concert cancellation

Vancouver police are crowdsourcing video as part of their investigation into mayhem in East Vancouver on September 18. In particular, officers are seeking images of suspects who damaged property and acted violently following the cancellation of the Lil Baby concert at the PNE Amphitheatre. – Charlie Smith, Georgia Straight

As Savannah Ré looks forward with her latest EP ‘No Weapons’ and back at her Scarborough roots

“Sometimes when people get on as a Canadian artist it’s like they’re almost ashamed to say they’re Canadian. I’m, like, Toronto. Scarborough.” – Demar Grant, Toronto Star

Comedic glam-metal maniacs Steel Panther to play the Commodore Ballroom, Dec. 29 and 30

Lock up your daughters! Eighties glam-metal goofballs Steel Panther are headed back to Vancouver. Can't get enough over-the-top '80s glam-metal these days? Still yearn for the days of big hair, brightly coloured spandex, and pointy guitars? Then this band is for you. – Steve Newton, Georgia Straight

One annual extravaganza left to go as the fall concert schedule pushes ahead

After a bustling summer calendar of jazz that saw the return to life of festivals across the country, the fall concert schedule pushes ahead in the clubs and soft-seat venues. Here are some ways to jazz up your life. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail

International

J.P. Morgan glowingly endorses Hipgnosis Songs Fund. Here's why

J.P. Morgan issued a glowing research note on UK-listed Hipgnosis Songs Fund on Sept. 19 .“Given the long-term growth potential of the asset class, and the higher quality (in our view) portfolio relative to [Round Hill Music], we believe SONG offers compelling value,” said J.P. Morgan, maintaining its ‘overweight’ rating on HSF’s stock. – MBW

Napster hires Roblox former Global Head of Music Jon Vlassopulos as CEO

Music streaming service Napster has hired former Roblox Global Head of Music Jon Vlassopulos as its new CEO. The company has also announced a new funding round with participation from existing investors and new backers, which will accelerate Napster’s Web3 initiatives. – Murray Stassen, MBW

Pophouse Entertainment buys 75% of Avicii masters and publishing

Pophouse Entertainment, the Swedish entertainment company led by former Universal Music Sweden Managing Director Per Sundin, has acquired a 75% interest in the masters and publishing catalog of Avicii. The deal follows the launch of the Avicii Experience interactive tribute museum in Stockholm in February. Music Week

Gris-gris enigma: can a new posthumous release shed light on the elusive genius of Dr John?

How did a middle-class white kid break into New Orleans’ feverish 1950s R&B scene and enjoy a wildly eclectic six-decade career? As a new release puts it: things happen that way. – Garth Cartwright, The Guardian

Pearl Jam: reading the soundtrack of a generation in Steven Hyden’s new book “Long Road”

‘I want my writing to feel like listening to a record ... So when you’re done reading the book it feels like you just walked out of a good show’ – Gilles Leblanc, Toronto Star

‘I could see the trap in the ladette thing’: Lush’s Miki Berenyi on childhood abuse, hating Britpop, and her relief at dodging fame

A neglected child, Miki found her family in 80s indie – then watched as Britpop turned it into a caricature. After losing her post-band job in lockdown, she decided to look back in a memoir. – The Guardian

7 New Albums to listen to today

Featuring Alex G, Blackstarkids, Toledo, and more. – Paste Staff 

Grace Jones: ‘Even if I stand on my head, I still can’t do it. How these young girls twerk, I don’t know’

The actor and singer, 74, talks about working as a go-go dancer, hanging out with Keith Haring, dropping LSD in the 60s and missing out on Blade Runner. – Rich Pelley,The Guardian

Native Records signs deal with Def Jam

Less than a month after dropping their debut album dubbed, Nativeworld, an acclaimed music subsidiary, Native Records has announced a joint exclusive partnership with US-based Def Jam Recordings. – The Guardian (Nigeria)

Courtney Pine: ‘My music teacher said Black people like me shouldn’t go to university’

Born in London, Courtney Pine, 58, released his first album, Journey to the Urge Within, in 1986. His 1995 album Modern Day Jazz Stories was nominated for the Mercury music prize, and he won best jazz act at the inaugural Mobo awards in 1996. – The Guardian

Sharon Osbourne says firing from 'The Talk' amid racism claims 'destroyed my credibility in America'

Sharon Osbourne has harsh words — and an obscene gesture — for those involved in her firing from The Talk. The topic is the subject of a Fox Nation docuseries, titled Sharon Osbourne: To Hell & Back, which debuted Monday. – Yahoo Entertainment

Beck's classic Sea Change turns 20

Beck Hansen was sad. So was I. All things considered, this arrangement worked out pretty well for both of us. – Chris DeVille, Stereogum

Rihanna will take centre stage at February’s Super Bowl halftime show

The singer, who declined to perform in the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show out of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick, will headline the 2023 Super Bowl, the NFL announced Sunday along with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and Apple Music. Rihanna posted an image on Instagram of an arm outstretched holding an NFL football. – Jake Coyle, AP

50 years ago, Roxy Music invented rock’s future. Now they’re taking a well-deserved bow

– Hanif Abdurraqib,  Los Angeles Times

2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards: How to watch live and stream

The 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards are almost here. The annual awards ceremony celebrates the biggest names in Latin music and here's the info you need to watch. Today