Music Biz Headlines: The Weeknd Donates $1 Million to L.A. Wildfire Relief, TikTok Goes and Returns
Other headlines this week include UMG's response to Drake's lawsuit, Canadian acts playing FireAid, the Trump inauguration and more.
The gone yesterday, back today status of TikTok has dominated headlines recently, alongside the ongoing legal travails of Drake. Meanwhile, the L.A. wildfires continue to reverberate in the music industry. Read more about it in our roundup headlines below.
Canadian Music Headlines
The Weeknd Donates $1 Million to L.A. Wildfire Relief
The star previously cancelled his album release party at the Rose Bowl due to the ongoing crisis. – Hannah Dailey, Billboard
UMG Responds to Drake’s Defamation Lawsuit, Calling It ‘Illogical’ & ‘Frivolous’
The company vowed to fight back against a lawsuit that it said was trying to "weaponize" the legal process to "silence an artist's creative expression." – Bill Donahue, Billboard
Woman Faces More Charges in Taylor Swift Ticket Scam, 2nd Person Charged: Police
Toronto police say a Burlington, Ont., woman is facing additional charges and a second person has been arrested in an alleged Taylor Swift concert ticket scam that saw 28 people purchase nearly $70,000 worth of fraudulent tickets. – CBC
‘She Couldn’t Walk, She Couldn’t Talk’: Music Therapy Helped Joni Mitchell Recover From a Stroke
When his friend, the legendary songwriter, had a catastrophic stroke, neuroscientist Daniel Levitin put together a programme of music therapy. Now he’s recommending it for a whole range of conditions. – David Shariatmadari, The Guardian
Rush’s Members Might Still Jam Together, but a Reunion Isn’t Happening
"I'd rather be remembered for that legacy than returning as the top Rush tribute band," says Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson. – Tyler Jenke, Billboard
Bob Dylan Biopic Brings up Memories of When Singer Shot Little Known Movie in Hamilton
American musical icon shot musical drama “Hearts of Fire” here in 1986. – Daniel Nolan, Hamilton Spectator
AGO’s Hip-Hop Show Investigates the Music Genre Through Pop Culture, with a Sprinkling of Fine Art
There is music playing on the fifth floor of the Art Gallery of Ontario these days – a fairly loud track of contemporary rhythms interrupting the usual hush. Stick around long enough, and you will clearly hear Drake singing his 2016 hit Hotline Bling as the backdrop to a touring exhibition about hip-hop culture. – Kate Taylor, Globe and Mail
National Arts Centre Orchestra to Tour Japan, South Korea in Spring
The Ottawa-based institution says the tour includes a stop in Osaka at World Expo 2025 on June 6, when the orchestra will perform alongside the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet to commemorate the 100th birthday of the Canadian jazz musician. – Canadian Press
International
In this week's Legal Beat, TikTok's legal rollercoaster continues. – Bill Donahue, Billboard
Alanis Morissette, Joni Mitchell, Tate McRae to Play FireAid Concert Raising Money For Los Angeles Wildfire Victims
The Canadian artists join major musical acts including Olivia Rodrigo, No Doubt, Stevie Wonder, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Green Day and many more for the event set for January 30. – Rosie Long Decter, Billboard Canada
Music Streams Hit Nearly 5 Trillion in 2024. Women Pop Performers Lead the Charge in the U.S.
More music, more listeners, no problems. – Maria Sherman, AP
‘This Isn’t Politics’: Nelly Defends Decision to Perform at Trump Inauguration Ball After Backlash
Rapper says he is honoured to perform for the US president after he and other acts, including Village People and Billy Ray Cyrus, faced criticism. – The Guardian
To Songwriters, the City of Angels is a Little Bit Heaven and a Little Bit Hell
As beautiful as odes like California Dreamin’ are, their sentimentality is atypical of the best L.A. songs. The more interesting tunes are satirical in their seeming praise for the city, or at least have a tongue-in-cheek duality to them. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
The Gig Economy: Ticket Inflation is Getting Worse, so Where Does All the Money Go?
Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and the Gallaghers’ ill-fated dabble with dynamic pricing have put the spotlight on how much we’re willing to pay for live music. But, on the other side of the equation, the costs can be exorbitant and the risks are eye-watering. – Eamon Forde, The Guardian
Bob Dylan ‘Mr Tamborine Man’ Lyrics Sell for $508K
The original handwritten lyrics of an early draft of Bob Dylan’s hit Mr. Tambourine Man have sold at auction for $US508,000, The two yellowed sheets went under the hammer at a sale organised by Julien’s Auctions in Nashville. – Noise11
