Music Biz Headlines: The Impact of Bieberchella, Drake's Iceman Stunt
Also this week: Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter provide another Coachella highlight, a new Celine Dion single and the return of Grimes.
Justin Bieber
Two Canadian superstars have dominated the headlines over the past week. Justin Bieber conquered Coachella with his appearances at the festival, reaping kudos and financial payoffs. In Toronto, Drake's publicity stunt to announce the release date of new album Iceman drew frenzied fans and police attention.
Read more more music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond here.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Drake to Release 'Iceman' Album on May 15
The album’s release date was uncovered from the rapper's ice installation in Toronto by local streamer Kishka. Check out footage from the chaos here. – Stefano Rebuli, Peony Hirwani, Billboard Canada
Angine de Poitrine’s Global Spotify Streams Surge By Over 340% in the Past Month
Following the costumed Quebec duo’s viral performance videos, their streams have skyrocketed in Canada and across the globe. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Justin Bieber Serenades Billie Eilish, Duets With SZA During Guest-Filled Coachella Weekend 2 Set
Sexyy Red and Big Sean were among the surprise appearances at the superstar singer's April 18 performance. – Mitchell Peters, Billboard
Billie Eilish’s Mom Thanks Justin Bieber For ‘One of the Most Touching Moments Ever’
This comes after the superstar's ‘One Less Lonely Girl’ Coachella serenade of her daughter. Maggie Baird gushed about watching the "crazy unimaginable dream" of Billie and Justin becoming friends in a sweet Instagram post on Sunday (April 19). – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
How Much Have Justin Bieber’s Streams Continued to Rise Post-Coachella?
The Bieb's daily plays continue to skyrocket following his much-anticipated festival performance, while fellow headliners Karol G and Sabrina Carpenter also see gains. – Kyle Denis & Andrew Unterberger, Billboard
Justin Bieber Sparks Tour Speculation after Website Change
Justin Bieber has fans asking “What do you mean?” after a cryptic website update suggests a tour announcement could be coming. – Alex Nino Gheciu, Canadian Press
R.I.P.: Canadian Music Industry Legend Donald K. Tarlton Passes Away at Age 82
Influential Montreal concert promoter, record label head and record producer Donald K. Tarlton (a.k.a. Donald K. Donald) has died at the age of 82. – Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
Céline Dion Returns With French-Language Ballad 'Dansons', Her First Single in Seven Years
The beloved Canadian singer returns to her roots on the ballad, which was written by frequent collaborator Jean-Jacques Goldman. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Luke Doucet, Guitarist for Hire, had Just Three Days to Learn Bryan Adams’s Entire Set List
The Canadian musician and one half of Whitehorse had received a long-distance ring from England the week before. “Could you,” Mr. Adams asked Mr. Doucet, “learn 26 of my songs and be ready to play in San Juan in three days?” –Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail
Grimes Teases First Album in Over Six Years, ‘Psy Opera’
In a profile with Interview Magazine, the Canadian avant-garde artist shared some details on her forthcoming record, which has yet to be given a release date. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Husker Du's Greg Norton Heads to Alberta for two Unique Shows
Norton's upcoming appearance at Dickens on April 24 — followed by an Edmonton show at The Buckingham on April 25 — are monumental. The setup involves Norton and two sidemen playing classic Husker Du cuts as instrumentals and having locals sing them. – Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald
International Music Biz Headlines
Sabrina Carpenter Brings Out Madonna for Coachella Weekend Two
The Queen of Pop emerged during Carpenter's performance of "Juno".– Jessica Lynch, Billboard
Chord Music-Linked ABS Vehicle Plans $500M Deal, Backed by $830M Catalog
The notes are collateralized by royalties from a catalog of more than 3,750 works from artists and songwriters, including Suicideboys, Morgan Wallen, Ryan Tedder, Diplo, and Twenty One Pilots. – Music Business Worldwide
South Korean Police Seek Arrest Warrant for HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk Over IPO Allegations
Authorities allege Bang misled investors ahead of HYBE's listing and later profited through a private-equity-linked arrangement. – Billboard Korea
Do I Believe In God? Do I Believe in Prince?
Reflecting on Prince, who died 10 years ago today. – Matt Mitchell, Paste
What’s the Future of Ye’s Touring Career?
Industry insiders tell Billboard about the controversial star's live prospects amid a rocky comeback attempt. – Ariel King, Billboard
Singer D4vd Pleads Not Guilty to Murder of 14-year-old Girl
The murder charge follows the death of a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered and decomposed body was found in September in his apparently abandoned Tesla.– Andrew Dalton, Associated Press
Opinion: Grimes Joining LinkedIn is Artwashing at its Most Brazen.
The networking platform – social media’s answer to boomer grandparents – is rapidly becoming an AI slop dystopia. Which made it the perfect place for my Nvidia-inspired fairytale.– Al Warburton, The Guardian
