Music News Digest: Dayglo Abortions Members Jailed in Ohio, Toronto Symphony Orchestra Announces Return of Its Annual Free Concert

Two members of veteran and controversial B.C. hardcore punk band Dayglo Abortions, co-founder Murray Acton (aka The Cretin) and guitarist Matthew Fiorito, were recently arrested by police in Ashland County, Ohio, after a gig in Cleveland on Aug. 29.

Charges were not laid initially, resulting in much speculation on social media.

On Aug. 31, fellow Canadian punk band Ripcordz posted this on their Facebook page: "So our friends Matt and Murray from the Dayglo Abortions have been arrested after playing a show in Ohio. Since there's no charges listed next to their names, one can only surmise that this is somehow related to detaining 'foreigners' which seems to be an increasingly popular pastime of the increasingly fascist governments to the South. If anyone can do anything to help them (especially those living in Ohio), please do. Or if you know something we can all do to help, please let us know."

Further information came to light on Sept. 2, as reported by the Victoria Times-Colonist. It revealed that Acton was released on Sept. 2, but that Fiorito "was being held on drug-possession charges, according to criminal lawyer Jim Heller of Victoria, who is representing the musicians."

"Heller would not reveal details of the potential charges, which followed a traffic stop, but denied reports that the arrest had anything to do with immigration or border issues. Heller said the offences Acton and Fiorito were accused of were of a level that would never be prosecuted in Canada. 'Very, very minimal possession charges, but you end up dealing with the jurisdiction that you find yourself in.'"

Acton and his band are no strangers to courtrooms. In 1988, they were the focal point of an obscenity trial — the first of its kind in the history of Canadian law — over the content of songs Acton wrote on two albums, Feed Us a Fetus (1986) and Here Today, Guano Tomorrow (1986). After the group was dropped from the case, its Toronto-based record company, Fringe Product Inc., was eventually found not guilty of possession of obscene material for distribution.

Dayglo Abortions were in the middle of an extensive U.S. tour and had been scheduled to perform 14 more concerts there, concluding with a planned show on Sept. 14 in Charleston, South Carolina.

Festivals News

The free Endless Summer festival in Kitchener, ON, has scored a major coup in securing platinum-selling, Polaris and Juno-winning star Feist as this year's headliner. The event runs at Victoria Park on Sept. 6, 2-11 p.m., and the lineup also includes Basia Bulat, U.S. Girls, Liv Gains, DJ Joanna Magik and tribute band Queen’s Court.

Industry News

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has announced the return of its annual Open House & Free Concert on Saturday, Sep. 20, at Roy Thomson Hall. This year’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a host of all-ages lobby activities and special performances by TSO musicians, guest artists, and members of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The day culminates at 2 p.m. with a 60-minute full-orchestra performance conducted by TSO Music Director Gustavo Gimeno and TSO Barrett Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser.

The varied concert previews what’s to come in the 2025/26 concert season. Tickets are required for this free performance, and early registration on Sep. 8 is recommended. This year’s event builds on the centennial of TSO School Concerts—a legacy that has introduced more than one million young people to orchestral music. More info here.

- The two Elmnt FM radio stations in Toronto (106.5 FM) and Ottawa (95.7 FM) went off the air at midnight, Aug. 31. In a Facebook post, Canadian radio veteran Dave Charles, a key force at those stations, noted that "Lack of listener and advertiser support for these not for profit fm stations means that more radio talent loses their jobs and Elmnt fm’s 35% Indigenous music format will mean deserving artists will not be heard in two of Canada’'s largest markets.

"Thanks to Jean LaRose for his vision and courage with the amazing support of APTN. I was honoured to be on your team. I learned about Indigenous ways. We promoted ‘Every child matters’ and ‘A day to listen’ with incredible true stories of residential school survivors which played on most commercial radio stations in Canada. Miigwetch, Thank you and good luck."

– The National Ballet of Canada has announced that soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee will make her company debut at Toronto's Four Seasons Centre in the North American premiere of Flight Pattern by Crystal Pite. Described as "a poignant reflection on the global refugee crisis," the work will run from Feb. 27 to Mar. 6, 2026, and will share the program with Serge Lifar's Suite en Blanc. More info here.

– CIMA (The Canadian Independent Music Association) is now accepting nominations for its Board of Directors. There are five available positions on the Board this year. Nominations can be submitted here, with a Sept. 19 deadline. Elections will take place during CIMA’s virtual Annual General Meeting on October 9. Contact sid@cimamusic.ca for more information.

– A much-loved music venue in Penticton, BC, The Dream Café is closing down. The Penticton Western News reports that its final show, a sold-out concert by JJ Shiplett, takes place on Sept. 6. Opened in 2001, the Front Street venue announced its closure in a social media post that cited financial challenges as the reason.

In a statement, the board said, "The Dream Café has always stood for fair treatment of artists and a one-of-a-kind listening experience, but no amount of small adjustments can overcome the realities of this business model. We are heartbroken, but it is time to put our house in order. The board remains open to the possibility of an angel investor or community partner stepping forward to help preserve this cherished space for live music."

Operating on a co-op ownership model since 2015, The Dream Cafe hosted more than 100 shows a year. Major stars to have graced its stage include Jeff Healey, Colin Hay from Men at Work, Michael Kaeshammer, Dan Hill, Valdy, Matt Andersen and Judy Collins.