Music Biz Headlines: The Weeknd Announces New Album, Oasis Ticket Chaos
Also this week: AP Dhillon safe after shooting at his house, Usher brings out Kardinal Offishall at Toronto concert.
Oasis
The Weeknd Reveals Title of Final Album in ‘After Hours/Dawn FM’ Trilogy
The reveal came in a dramatic video featuring a story told through lyrics from the singer's previous songs. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Usher Brings out Kardinal Offishall for Surprise Performance of "Dangerous" in Toronto
"If you represent Toronto, if you represent Canada, if you represent Europe, if you represent Africa, if you represent the Caribbean, I need y'all to put your hands up." - @Much
AP Dhillon Says He's Safe Following Reports of Gunshots at His Home Near Victoria, B.C.
The Punjabi-Canadian star shared a message to social media after 14 shots were reportedly fired at his home in Colwood early Monday morning (September 2). Rosie Long Decter, Billboard Canada
Vancouver Classic Guitar Society Unveils 2024-25 season
Get strung along—in a good way. The VCGS is set to entertain audiences with its 20224-25 concert season. Under the guidance of artistic director Alec Pearson, this season promises a breadth of musical experiences, from solos to grand ensemble pieces. –Vicki Duong, Georgia Straight
Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Adds Sam Roberts, Metric & More As 2024 Gala Performers
New inductees Sarah McLachlan and Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor will also perform at the September 28 event. – Billboard Canada
By Popular Demand, Local Bands Veda Hille Sisterhood and P:ano Add a Second Cultch Show
The Cultch has added a second concert for Veda Hille Sisterhood and P:ano after the first show sold out. Now, fans can catch the bands the following day as well (Sept. 15)—double the music, double the fun. – Vicki Duong, Georgia Straight
International
Error Messages and Lengthy Online Queues Frustrate Fans Scrambling to Secure Oasis Reunion Tickets
Some Oasis fans celebrated like a champagne supernova, while others looked back in anger Saturday on Saturday as online ticket sites strained under demand for the band’s first shows for 15 years. Jill Lawless, Associated Press
Failure to Warn Oasis Fans of Dynamic Pricing may be Consumer Law Breach, Say Experts
Would-be concertgoers said they had only minutes to decide whether to pay £355 for tickets on Ticketmaster. – The Guardian
Paid Streaming Subscriptions Grew Just 2.7% in the U.S. in H1 2024
Overall market revenue topped $8.6bn. According to new stats from the RIAA published August 29, there were 99.0 million Paid music streaming subscription accounts in H1 2024. –Murray Stassen, Music Business Worldwide
You Use Spotify to Listen to Music. Here’s How Money From Ads and Subscription Fees Flows to Artists
Every day, millions of people use Spotify to stream music. A few years ago, it would’ve felt like an impossibility: Click, and bam — a seemingly endless catalog of recorded music opens up, right at your fingertips. – Maria Sherman, Associated Press
Economic Impact of UK Live Music Industry Hits Record £6.1bn
Exclusive: Growth in sector in 2023 driven by concerts featuring big names such as Elton John and Beyoncé. – Mark Sweney, The Guardian
‘They should be afraid of our power’: Carole King, Elizabeth Warren and other heavyweights joined a Tuesday night fundraising call organized by the group, Swifties for Kamala (S4K). – Abhiraj Lamba, Toronto Star
New Documentary Series Looks At How the K-pop Industry is Embracing Diversity
An Apple TV+ documentary series, “K-pop Idols,” premiering Friday, offers an intimate look at how the K-pop industry is embracing diversity while grappling with challenges in a field that demands perfection. – Juwon Parkseoul, AP
In Senegal’s Thriving Hip-hop Scene, This Beatmaker Insists Women Have a Seat at the Table
In a classroom at the House of Urban Culture, tucked away in the narrow streets of Dakar, Senegal, Aminata Thiam claps her hands in time with a beat she created on her computer. – AP
Britain’s First Gay Anthem? Why the UK’s Pioneering LGBTQ+ Protest Band Reunited
Written by members of the Gay Liberation Front in 1972, A Gay Song is a joyously defiant rallying cry. Artist Ian Giles explains why he persuaded its unruly creators to return to the studio. – Louis Staples,The Guardian
