Music Biz Headlines: FACTOR's Missing Millions, Les Cowboys Fringants' Anglo Fans
Topics in the headlines this week include Andy Kim Christmas, Martin Scorsese exploring the Beatles and Taylor Swift's Vancouver takeover.
'Swiftcouver' sign in Vancouver.
FACTOR's missing millions remains the biggest Canadian music industry story this week. On the eve of his star-studded charity concerts, Hall of Fame songwriter Andy Kim reflects upon his career with candour, while Taylor Swift's three shows in Vancouver this week keep her in the headlines.
We look at these topics and much more in our weekly roundup.
Canadian Music Headlines
Court hears of ‘gaps’ in Scotiabank’s alert system in alleged $10-million music-industry theft
Canadian arts-grant provider FACTOR alleges in court filings that almost $10-million of federal money was stolen from its Bank of Nova Scotia account last spring. – Josh O'Kane, Globe and Mail
Who’s Paying Thousands for Taylor Swift Tickets With No View of the Stage? We Ask Her Fans
Hailey Hague rushed to Ticketmaster to get tickets for herself and her 11-year-old daughter, where she was able to get her hands on the coveted Eras Tour tickets for $16.50 a pop. The only catch? The obstructed seats are behind the massive stage, meaning there’s no view of the singer or the show. – Mariya Postelnyak, Globe & Mail
How Vancouver is Preparing for Taylor Swift's Eras Shows
More than 150,000 fans are set to attend performances this week. – CBC News
The Inter Steer is a cosy tavern in Roncesvalles Village. –Toronto Star
Cowboy Fringants Songs en Anglais?
Jaclyn Lizzi has been posting her songs on YouTube and says 70 per cent of her audience now is from Quebec. – Brendan Kelly, Montreal Gazette
Andy Kim Talks About Sugar, Sugar and the Sweet Sound of Success
Veteran hitmaker Andy Kim, 77, is set to host his annual star-studded Christmas charity shows, the first of which takes place at Toronto’s Massey Hall on Dec. 4. Concerts follow in Montreal on Dec. 7 and Calgary on Dec. 13. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
Making a Difference With the Hamilton Music Collective
The HMC has been dedicated to providing barrier-free, accessible music-based educational and performance opportunities to kids since 2008. – Hamilton Spectator
Q and A: Head of Calgary's Arts Commons Explores how Cultural Institutions Can Stay Relevant in Changing Times
Alex Sarian had a fairly ambitious premise when he set out to write The Audacity of Relevance. His 193-page book addresses a crisis in the arts and culture sector and resolved to find solutions to protect its future. – Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald
International
Sony Music Sued By Patrick Moxey's Ultra Music Publishing Over Alleged Copyright Infringement
The publisher claims the major is committing 'piracy' of its IP. – Murray Stassen, Music Business News
Entertainment Industry Accused of Fleecing Fans as UK Ticket Mark-ups Reach 41%
Analysis charts rise of ‘sneaky’ fees for gig-goers, as singer Kate Nash says she makes more from selling pictures of her bottom than from touring. – James Tapper, The Guardian
Sony Music Acquires Cobalt Music, One of the Most Prominent Homegrown Independent Labels in Greece
The investment marks the re-establishment of Sony Music Entertainment Greece, a new branch of Sony Music that the company says "reinforces" its "commitment to expanding its footprint in fast-growing international markets". – Music Business Worldwide
Beatles '64: A Scorsese-Produced Snapshot of Two Weeks That Shook the Culture
You might rightly wonder whether there’s a need for another documentary about The Beatles and their influence. But Beatles ‘64 — directed by David Tedeschi, with producer Martin Scorsese — makes the case for itself. –Karen Gordon, Original Cin
A New Martin Scorsese Beatles Movie Explores the Band’s Triumphant 1964 U.S. Visit
The Disney Plus documentary “Beatles ’64” captures the excitement and innocence of the Fab Four’s first journey to America. – Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Could Have Settled Cassie Ventura’s Suit Privately but Didn’t
Public settlement led to music mogul’s career downfall and set stage for federal charges against him, podcast reveals. – Ramon Vargas, The Guardian
Elton John Tells London Theatre Audience That He Has Lost His Eyesight
Music legend Elton John told a theatre audience in London on Sunday he had lost his sight after struggling to recover from an eye infection earlier in the year. In an emotional speech from the stage, he said the performance had sounded good, but he had not been able to watch it. – Reuters
