Music Biz Headlines: Potential Refund for Taylor Swift Fans in Vancouver, Angine de Poitrine Blows Up
Also this week: The Junos head to Winnipeg next, Colter Wall cites mental health issues as he quits the road & a new festival for Kingston, Ontario.
Angine de Poitrine
It's a big week for Canadian musicians on the global stage.
This week's news headlines show a strong Canadian presence at the Oscars, led by the success of Kpop Demon Hunters, and an impressive Spotify milestone for hard rockers Three Days Grace. There's also news of an international tour by Radiohead starting next year and the unmasking of art sensation Banksy.
Read these stories and more in this week's roundup of music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
A B.C. consumer group reached a deal with StubHub Canada, making ticket-buyers eligible for a refund if their resale ticket didn’t disclose an obstructed or limited view. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Quebec Masked Band Angine de Poitrine is Blowing Up. Meet the Men Behind the Noses
Quebec’s newest breakout band wears paper-mâché masks with giant phallic noses and polka-dot-speckled costumes covering their entire bodies. Their music sounds like a freewheeling jam session that wandered out of a dream and crashed into a carnival ride. Who they are is a mystery. – Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press
Kingston, Ontario's RoadTrip Music Festival Launches in September 2026
The Kingston Downtown BIA has teamed with promoter Virginia Clark and former Polaris Prize head Steve Jordan to present the event featuring Peach Pit, Kasador, Katie Tupper, Mariel Buckley and more. – Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
Juno Awards Coming to Winnipeg in April 2027
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has announced that the Manitoba capital will host the 2027 Junos. Winnipeg previously hosted the celebration of Canadian music in 2005 and 2014. – Canadian Press
Melissa Auf der Maur on her Bandmate Courtney Love and the Farce of the '90s
"I watched society burn a woman at the stake’: The Montreal rock bassist is publishing her memoir, Even Good Girls Will Cry, to great anticipation. – Jenny Stevens, The Guardian
How Sweet the Sound: Music Infrastructure Drives Economic Growth
History Ottawa – a 41,000-square-foot, two-storey concert hall on Rideau Street – is set to open this summer. Over its 25-year lease with Live Nation Canada, the venue is expected to add foot traffic and leasing activity to the city’s ByWard Market and to add $1.2 billion to the local economy. – Nancy Lanthier, Globe & Mail
For the past seven months, the country singer has been on the road in support of his fifth studio album, Memories and Empties. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
The board of the Entertainment Industry Coalition has resigned after a fallout with ACTRA Toronto over the handling of a major agency scandal. – Kristjan Lautens, Toronto Star
Take Your Time Back Announces it Can No Longer Host Live Music
The venue is unable to host shows after March 22. The East Vancouver all-ages venue, which has served as an important incubator for many of the city's young new bands, posted the news on its Instagram page. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
New Book Explores How Canadian Music – and the Communities Around It – Hit the Information Highway
Cam Gordon’s Track Changes explores the ripple effects of homegrown projects. – Josh O'Kane, Globe & Mail
International Music Biz Headlines
Spotify Says Over 13,800 Artists Generated $100,000 on the Platform Last Year: Loud & Clear Report
In its latest annual report, the streaming giant calls itself "the largest driver of the industry's continued growth." – Chris Eggertsen, Billboard
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Songwriters Finish Oscars Speeches Backstage After Being Played Off Stage
EJAE passed the mic to Yuhan and Mark Sonnenblick backstage after the pair were cut off during the historic Best Original Song win for "Golden" at the 98th Academy Awards. – Billboard
Elusive Street Artist Banksy’s Identity Finally Revealed
Robert del Naja of Massive Attack had long been considered as possibly being Banksy. A rigorous exploration has now outed him. – Simon Gardner, James Pearson and Blake Morrison, Reuters
Shakira Says She Feels Like She's Just Getting Started. A Rock Hall Nomination Begs to Differ
Shakira is on her way to drop her son off at flag football practice. It’s an ordinary experience for a mother who, in the not-so-recent past, has been at the center of some pretty extraordinary circumstances. – Associated Press
Radiohead Will Play 20 Shows on Different Continents Every Year Starting in 2027
Guitarist Ed O'Brien promises it will be "20 shows each year. No more, no less." – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Bluesfest Crisis Deepens As Touring Sideshows Remain In Limbo
The fallout from Bluesfest continues to escalate, with Bluesfest and Bluesfest Touring now facing mounting uncertainty around sideshows, refunds and industry trust. – Paul Cashmere, Noise11
