Music Biz Headlines: Alanis & Bublé Open the World Cup in Toronto, Harry Styles Covers Patrick Watson
Also this week: Brett Kissel on Albertan separatism rumours, Nardwuar interviews Olivia Rodrigo, and the feline love of deadmau5.
Alanis Morissette performs the Canadian national anthem during the opening ceremony before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 12, 2026.
Taylor Swift is making headlines again this week. After making a splash with a surprise appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of Toy Story 5, she became the youngest woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The World Cup also took over culture this week, with Toronto's opening ceremony a major part. Canada's country music queen Shania Twain also returned to the headlines with the news that Sony Pictures has started on a biopic of the icon, who is on board as co-producer.
Read these stories and more via our roundup of headlines at home and away.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé & More Launch Canada’s 2026 World Cup Opening Ceremony
Alessia Cara also took the stage at Toronto Stadium ahead of Canada's opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina. – Mitchell Peters, Billboard Canada
See Billboard’s 11 Global World Cup Covers
See all the covers in the global series, including Alphonso Davies for Billboard Canada. – Billboard Staff
A Shania Twain Biopic Is in Production at Sony Pictures
Written and directed by Leah McKendrick, the Canadian country-pop icon will co-produce the project, titled Shania, alongside producer Amy Karp. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Shania Twain, Justin Bieber and 10 More Stars who Enjoy Summer in Canada's Cottage Country, MuskokaWhen celebrities want to kick back and relax, they head north to Ontario's cottage country. – Chris Stoodley, Yahoo News
Harry Styles Covers Patrick Watson at Intimate Meltdown Festival Set in London
Styles is the curator of the 2026 edition of the festival. He fit in two covers of Montreal singer-songwriter alongside a Simon & Garfunkel cover, plus deep cuts and reinterpretations of his own songs. – Thomas Smith, Billboard UK
Rosalía Praises Toronto During 'Lux' Concert: ‘You’ve Always Had My Back’
The singer brought her Lux tour to Scotiabank Arena this weekend (June 13) for her sole Canadian date, a sold-out show marking her third time performing in Toronto. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada
9 Ontario Music Festivals Worth a Quick Road Trip, from Mariposa to Boots and Hearts
Metric, the Jonas Brothers, Angine de Poitrine, the Trews, Paul Langlois, Dwayne Gretzky and more are set to perform in Ontario in the next few months. – Stuart Berman, The Star
With the Rush, Triumph and Guess Who Reunion Tours, Is This Classic Rock's Last Stand?
These shows present a chance to celebrate trail-blazing bands that helped smash the glass border separating domestic artists from the U.S. market. – Stuart Berman, Toronto Star
Plus, Wet Leg played their Heated Rivalry hit “Mangetout,” and rising homegrown acts Sofia Camara, Flower Face and Jade LeMac took the stage at RBC Amphitheatre. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Country Star Rejects Separatism Claims, Says Critics Question his 'National Pride'
Brett Kissel frustrated people question his loyalty: 'F--- off. I'm a Canadian and Albertan. I can be both.' – Steven Sandor, Calgary Herald
Maple Leafs and Blue Jays stars came out from backstage holding beers and proceeded to shotgun them as the country star sang at Rogers Stadium. –Toronto Star
She Started a Beatles Fan Club. Then Beatlemania Arrived
Canada occupied a strangely early position in the Beatles story – I spoke to Trudy Medcalf to understand why. – Jonathan Dekel, The Globe and Mail
Canadian News Media Companies Join Alliance to Protect Journalism Used by AI Companies
Torstar will be one of 30 new members of the Standards for Publisher Usage Rights (SPUR) Coalition, a global group focused on helping media organizations monitor, license and commercialize the use of their intellectual property. –Toronto Star
deadmau5 Donates $30,000 to Help 27 Rescue Cats: ‘I Got You’
The donation was made after the felines were rescued from a home near Oakville, Ontario. – Katie Bain, Billboard
deadmau5 Is Expanding His Family in the Most Purr-ecious Way — by Adopting a New Cat He Helped
This will make four feline friends in the music producer's home.– Anna Chan, Billboard
International Music Biz Headlines
With Travis Kelce and her parents there for support, Swift was inducted into the prestigious organization's Class of 2026. She makes history as the youngest woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. – Joe Lynch, Billboard
Inside ‘Toy Story 5’ World Premiere: Taylor Swift & Randy Newman’s Friendly Duet & More Magical Moments
Billboard takes you inside Tuesday night's Hollywood premiere, where Swift's "I Knew It, I Knew You" live debut was just part of the story. – Katie Atkinson, Billboard
BTS, Cardi B, Lainey Wilson, Muse, Snoop Dogg and Others Will Perform at iHeartRadio Music Festival
K-pop band BTS, Benson Boone, Cardi B, Lainey Wilson, Major Lazer, Muse, Snoop Dogg and Zara Larsson are among the performers this fall at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas. It will be broadcast live. – Associated Press
Oliver Tree, ‘Life Goes On’ and ‘Miss You’ Singer, Dies in Helicopter Crash
The musician was reportedly among six people killed in a helicopter collision over Rio de Janeiro. – Mitchell Peters, Billboard
Warner Music Group has agreed to acquire Sureel AI. Sureel is the attribution startup whose technology tracks how AI models use artists' work in training and generation. –Music Business Worldwide
Michael Jackson: The Verdict: Jackson Trial Doc on Netflix Hits Us From Both Sides
The new three-part doc-series Michael Jackson: The Verdict, streaming on Netflix, which focuses on one of the biggest pop stars ever, Michael Jackson, and the charges of pedophilia leveled against him. – Karen Gordon, Original Cin
Jelly Roll Files for Divorce From Bunnie Xo After Nearly 10 Years of Marriage
The couple met in 2015 and married at a Las Vegas chapel in August 2016. – Jessica Lynch, Billboard
Heart Singer Ann Wilson Opens up on Cancer Diagnosis
The famed rock singer calls cancer treatment 'pretty scary,' plans new project with sister. – Brian Towie, Postmedia
Peter Asher on Being Music’s Incredible ‘Everywhere Man’: ‘The Secret is Simple’
As the musician and producer reaches 82, a new documentary reveals his life working with everyone from James Taylor to Carole King to Paul McCartney. – Jim Farber, The Guardian
Nardwuar interviews Olivia Rodrigo at Licorice Pizza Records in Los Angeles, CA ! Doot doo ! – Nardwuar the Human Serviette, YouTube
