Music Biz Headlines: Neil Young Endorses Mark Carney, Kendrick Lamar & SZA Open Grand National Tour
Other topics in our weekly roundup include the New Pornographers parting ways with drummer Joe Seiders after shocking revelations, YouTube's 20th birthday, Kneecap's Coachella message and more.
Neil Young
As the federal election approaches rapidly, Canadian musicians are speaking out. Neil Young has come out with a strong endorsement of Mark Carney, while over 150 artists have signed an open letter with an 'anyone but Pierre Poilievre' tone.
Also this week, YouTube turns 20, Kendrick Lamar opens his tour and deadmau5 apologizes. Find all those stories in this week's roundup of the headlines of the week.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
‘I’m With You’: Neil Young Reveals Which Canadian Federal Leader he’s Backing in Open Letter
Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young has endorsed Mark Carney in an open letter published on the musician’s official website. “Without a doubt, you’ve got the chops to get it done. And man, you have got the guts to take it on.” – Robin Della Corte, CTV News
Daryl Hannah Claims Neil Young’s Citizenship Process Was Hindered by ‘Every Trick in the Book’
"He's been living in America and paying taxes here since he was in his 20s," Hannah said. – Tyler Jenke, Billboard
As the video-sharing platform turns 20, the Globe reflects on how it shaped the cultural landscape. – JK Nestruck & Samantha Edwards, Globe & Mail
Deadmau5 Apologizes for Drunken Coachella Set: ‘I Don’t Remember a Thing’
The incident happened during a b2b with Zhu on the Quasar Stage during the second weekend of the festival. – Katie Bain, Billboard
Group "immediately" severed ties with Joe Seiders the musician who joined the group in 2014. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Robbie Robertson’s Friendship with Martin Scorsese Explored in Upcoming Memoir
Penguin Random House Canada says it’s marking November to publish “Insomnia,” a posthumous second memoir from Robertson that explores “the rock legend’s wild ride collaborating with the iconic filmmaker. – David Friend, Canadian Press
Life on Tour With My Band Autogramm is a Blur. Here’s Why I Just Can’t Quit
Music can be boring. Super boring. But it can also be electrifying, rewarding, and life-defining. That conflict is something musicians wrestle with, especially as we get older, start families, and realize music isn’t paying the bills. – CC Voltage, Georgia Straight
Chilly Gonzales Talks Drake, Piano Pedals and the Joy of Happy Accidents
Gonzales sides with his fellow Canadian in the rap war between Drake and Lamar, particularly when it comes to 'Not Like Us.' “As time goes on, history will be kinder to Drake than it will be to Kendrick Lamar,” he says. – Brad Wheeler, Globe & Mail
David Foster Wasn’t Attuned to Broadway, Until He Wrote the Music For ‘Boop!’
David Foster is the first to admit he’s a musical dictator. – David Friend, CP
Pierre Poilievre Doing Himself No Favours by Continuing to Dodge a Date With Nardwaur
One wonders what the hell the Pierre Poilievre camp is thinking. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
International Music Biz Headlines
13 Best Moments From Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s Grand National Tour Kickoff In Minneapolis
The duo brought the house down on the trek's opening night. – Joe Lynch, Billboard
AI Music Invasion Doubles on Deezer
20,000 bot-created tracks are now uploaded each DAY to the France-headquartered music streaming service Deezer, the company revealed last week. This is around double the figure reported in January. – Music Business Worldwide
Charles Goldstuck's GoldState Raises $500m to Buy Music Assets
According to the announcement on Thursday (April 17), the strategic capital raise includes “a structured capital facility” co-led by Northleaf Capital Partners and Ares Management funds, as well as “separately raised leverage”. – Music Business Worldwide
The Who’s Sacking of Zak Starkey Shows That Session Musicians are Only as Good as Their Last Show
This week they fired their drummer of 29 years, Zak Starkey, apparently because of his performance at the concert, the second of two in benefit of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Shortly after, they rehired him. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
Kneecap End Coachella Set With Pro-Palestine Messages After Censorship Claims
Scooter Braun has also taken to social media to defend Goldenvoice CEO Paul Tollett in the wake of the messaging. – Tyler Jenke, Billboard
The 2025 Latin Grammys Will Return to Las Vegas for the 15th Time
The 26th annual award show will take place on Nov. 13 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It marks the 15th time the show has taken place in Sin City. The three-hour telecast will be broadcast live on Univision. Nominations will be announced on Sept. 17. – Maria Sherman, The Associated Press
New Doc ‘One To One: John & Yoko’ is a Lesson in Using Your Platform For Good
Director Kevin Macdonald talks us through his experimental film, which uses previously unheard phone conversations to explore the couple’s activism in 1970s New York. – Jordan Bassett, NME
Alice Cooper Reunites With Original Band For Their First Album in 51 Years
All of a sudden it just falls into place,' says Cooper. The Revenge of Alice Cooper" is due out in July. – Gary Graff, Billboard
Will Meta Really Have to Sell Instagram and WhatsApp?
On this episode of Uncanny Valley, we unpack the trial between Meta and the FTC. – Zoe Schiffer & Paresh Dave, Wired
