Music Biz Headlines: Rush's Final Tour Regrets, Meta Ditches Fact-Checkers
Also this week: How Trudeau's resignation affects live music, TikTok creators await a potential ban, Getty Images merges with Shutterstock and more.
The new year has gotten started with a bang, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation. What does that mean for music? We had a look here, while other stories this week look more specifically at live music. Tech companies have also gotten the year started in a newsworthy way, with Meta ditching its fact-checkers on its platforms, TikTok awaiting a potential ban, and Getty Images merging with its rival Sutterstock amid threats from A.I.
Check out our weekly roundup of headlines below.
This Week's Canadian Music Headlines
Rush Reflect on ‘Incorrect’ Decision to Shorten Their Final Tour
Rush played their last shows almost a decade ago, but bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson regret that their final tour didn't go further. – Tyler Jenke, Billboard
What Does Trudeau's Exit Mean For Canada's Live Biz
Erin Benjamin, Canadian Live Music Association president and CEO, sets out priorities for the next government. – Lisa Henderson, IQ
Google Sends $100M in Funds to Journalism Collective in Exchange for Online News Act Exemption
The collective said it would distribute the first portion of funds by the end of January to eligible media. – The Canadian Press
Why 2024 Represented a Crisis for the Live Music Industry
Live music was booming, until now. Around the world, there’s a sentiment that 2024 was the year the live-music bubble burst. There might have been big acts, such as Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, but those don’t reflect the wider industry. – Will Page, Globe & Mail
Queen West Used to be the Heart of Toronto. How Did It Go So Wrong?
CP24’s move away from Queen West is the latest evolution in half a century of change, but memories of punk rockers and MuchMusic aren’t fading. – Mark Colley, Toronto Star
Rogers Says 2024 Revenue Growth to Fall Short of Forecast Due to Media Division
The company has slightly lowered its revenue expectations for 2024, blaming weaker performance in its media business during the final months of the year. The telecom company now expects its service revenue will grow 7 per cent this year, down from initial guidance of 8 to 10 per cent, it said in a news release Friday morning. –Irena Galea, Globe & Mail
Every Big Show Coming to Halifax and Beyond in 2025
An ever-updated list of concerts, comedy shows, live performance, theatre and events in Nova Scotia. – The Coast
The 10 Must-Listen Albums from Edmonton Artists in 2024
Another year has passed, gifting us many exceptional albums from Edmonton musicians. While the Fresh Tracks column can’t cover every release from local artists, here is a selection of some of the albums we continue to hit replay on. – Chad Huculak,Edmonton Journal
The Biggest Concerts Coming To Canada in 2025
From Kendrick Lamar’s much-anticipated visit to Toronto to the combustible Oasis reunion at the new Rogers Stadium, these shows are bringing major artists – and some big storylines – to Canadian venues this year. – Billboard Canada
International Music Headlines
TikTok Creators Left in Limbo while Awaiting Decision on Potential Platform Ban
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Jan. 10 over a law requiring TikTok to break ties with its Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, or face a U.S. ban. –Jonathan Landrum Jr. & Haleluya Hadero, Associated Press
Meta Ditches Fact-Checkers Ahead of Trump's Second Term
In an apparent overture to the incoming Trump administration, Meta announced sweeping changes to its content moderation, including no more fact-checkers and a move to Texas. – David Gilbert, Wired
Getty Images, Shutterstock Gear Up For AI Challenge With $3.7 Billion Merger
Getty Images said on Tuesday it would merge with rival Shutterstock to create a $3.7 billion stock image powerhouse geared for the artificial intelligence era, in a deal that would likely draw antitrust scrutiny. The move comes at a time when the licensed visual content industry is facing threats from generative AI tools. – CNBC
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek cashed out nearly $100m in company stock in last month of 2024. –Tim Ingham, Music Business Worldwide
Audiences can Smell Fakeness a Mile Away’: The Creative Directors Behind Pop’s Biggest Stars
Whether making rabbits for Chappell Roan or dangling Pink upside down, these professionals build entire worlds for pop’s A-listers. They explain their singular craft. – Elle Hunt, The Guardian
