Music Biz Headlines: The Weeknd Tops All-Time Spotify List, More Reactions to Ticketmaster's Resale Cap
Also this week: the world premiere of a Tragically Hip-inspired musical, Michael's box office record, Canadian music industry pays tribute to Donald K. Donald, BMG's parent company plans to buy Concord & more.
This week, Ticketmaster announced it will comply early with Doug Ford's new cap on ticket resales at face value. The industry reacted.
Diljit Dosanjh also grabbed headlines this week via his appearance on The Tonight Show and the start of his North American tour at Vancouver's BC Place, the site of multiple record-breaking concerts for the Punjabi star.
Elsewhere, the Michael Jackson biopic scores at the box office but not with the critics, hard rock stars Triumph return and Neil Young details an upcoming album.
Read more more music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
StubHub Slams Ontario’s Proposed Resell Ticket Cap
The popular ticket reseller platform said the proposal wouldn’t lower ticket prices because it didn’t address Ticketmaster’s overwhelming control of the marketplace. – Marco Vigliotti, iPolitics
Toronto Resale Tickets for World Cup No Longer on FIFA Site Following New Price Cap Rule
Resale platform is being reconfigured to comply with the new legislation, FIFA said. – Tara Deschamps, Canadian Press
What Will The Live Nation Antitrust Verdict Mean For Canadian Live Music and Ticketing?
Last week, Live Nation and Ticketmaster were found guilty of violating federal and state antitrust laws. Could this prompt similar action in Canada? – Richard Trapunski, Billboard Canada
The Weeknd Tops Spotify's List of Most-Streamed Songs Ever
But who else made the cut? – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Diljit Dosanjh References Komagata Maru, Stands as Flagbearer of the Punjabi Community at BC Place
Dosanjh kicked off his North American tour of AURA with a fully packed BC Place stadium by seeking blessings from his mother on stage. Nobody was surprised about the sold-out show. It is known that the Punjabi community shows up to support one another. – Aadva Aror, Georgia StraightThe Dirty Nil are additionally slated to perform at the Burlington waterfront fest — operated by MRG Live — which will see over 30 acts performing between three music stages at Spencer Smith Park from June 20-21. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Extraordinary New Show Does Poetic Justice to The Tragically Hip
The world premiere of It’s a Good Life If You Don’t Weaken at Theatre Aquarius celebrates the music of Canada’s band, woven into a new and original story. It’s everything musical theatre should be and should not to be missed. – Meredith MacLeod, Hamilton City Magazine
Police Ask People Enjoying Remnants of Drake’s ‘Iceman’ Tower to be Careful
Toronto police say people climbing and playing in the ice blocks of Drake’s “Iceman” tower should use caution as fans and residents continue to visit the sculpture’s melted remains. – Diana Mussina, The Canadian Press
Canadian Music Industry Pays Tribute To Legendary Montreal Entrepreneur Donald K. Tarlton
Since the news of the April 13 passing of the icon known as Donald K. Donald, peers, industry colleagues and artists have continued to pour out loving tributes and colourful anecdotes. – Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
Concert Review: Triumph Returns to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Wars with Honour
Toronto concert was high-tech with heart, a strongly-amped trip down memory lane. – Brad Wheeler, Globe & Mail
Quebec DJ CRi Trades the Solo Spotlight for a Community of Friends : 'I'm Done Touring Alone'
The renowned house producer tells Billboard Canada about his brand new collaborative EP 'AMi Vol. 1' featuring Bob Moses, Jesse Mac Cormack, Harry Hayes and more. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
Neil Young Announces 'As Time Explodes' Live Album And Details New Studio Record Second Song
Neil Young has confirmed the release of As Time Explodes, a live album with The Chrome Hearts, while revealing details of a newly completed studio record, Second Song, recorded in Malibu and shaped by a unique full moon timeline.– Noise11
Obsessive, Lonely Record Collectors are the Focus of This Toronto Director’s Revived Landmark Film
When Alan Zweig’s documentary Vinyl premiered in 2000, many viewers assumed they were about to see a celebration of record collecting — a quirky tour through the crates of obsessive music fans. His take is quite different, and the film is now revived. – Eric Veillette, Toronto Star
International Music Biz Headlines
‘You caught you?’ the star producer retorts after the ticket giant and Styles announced that they're working together to sell tickets to fans at face value. – Annie Harrigan, Billboard
‘Michael’ Eyes Biggest Music Biopic Opening Ever With $95M–$100M Box Office Debut
The Lionsgate film has already earned $217.4 million globally. – Mitchell Peters, Billboard
Antoine Fuqua’s bizarrely sanitized MJ biopic is riddled with amateur storytelling clichés, featuring only a few strong performances to keep things afloat. – Pitchfork
BMG Parent Co. Bertelsmann to Buy Concord in Major Indie Music Merger
The tie-up creates a scaled publisher and catalogue company with an estimated $2 billion in revenue that will be majority owned by BMG parent company Bertelsmann. – Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Billboard
Primary Wave Raises Additional $2.2 Billion For Song Catalogue Investments
The publishing giant called it "the largest dedicated closed-end music royalties fund raised to date" in a press release. – Ariel King, Billboard
‘More Stories, More Inventory’: Inside the Backlash to McClatchy’s AI News Tool
Miami Herald, Sacramento Bee and Kansas City Star unions have filed grievances against the company as TheWrap obtains new details on McClatchy’s “content scaling agent.” – Corbin Bolies, The Wrap
‘It Will Never Cover What's Authentic': African Music Industry Weighs up AI Risks and Rewards
Delegates at event in Cape Verde highlight opportunities from tech while stressing AI is no replacement for talent. – The Guardian
