Music Biz Headlines: Taylor Swift's Vancouver Swansong, TikTok Under Fire, NewJeans' Dispute More
Our weekly roundup of headlines from home and afar also includes Nettwerk co-founder Terry McBride, a '90s CanCon rock fest, K-pop stars NewJeans, James Cameron's partnership with Meta and a Leonard Cohen musical.
NewJeans. Clockwise from top left: Haerin, Danielle, Hanni, Hyein, Minji. Styling by Choi Yumi. Hair by Lee Hye Jin. Makeup by Lee Nakyeum. All wardrobe by Calvin Klein.
The finale of Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras tour in Vancouver made international headlines. In this week's roundup, we also look at the ongoing challenges TikTok faces in the U.S. and Canada, the legal troubles of Jay-Z and NewJeans, Spotify's Wrapping as head Daniel Ek cashes in and intriguing stories around a bizarre Paul McCartney musical and Motown's foray into Nashville.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
Taylor Swift’s 8 Best Moments as the Last Eras Tour Weekend Begins in Vancouver
Vancouver night 1 set the stage for the last hurrah for Swift's epic, sold-out tour. – Ashley Iasimone, Billboard
What’s Next for Taylor Swift After the Eras Tour? We Asked the Experts
After 149 shows spanning nearly two years, it’s finally time for Swift to hang up her bejewelled bodysuit. But what the famously hard-working pop star will get up to next is anyone’s guess. We surveyed five Canadian pop-culture experts and PR pros for their predictions. – Rebecca Tucker, Globe and Mail
TikTok Fights Order to Shut Down Operations in Canada
As promised, the social media company will fight the federal government's shutdown order in court. – Richard Trapunski, Billboard Canada
Big Wreck, Matthew Good, Crash Test Dummies, I Mother Earth and the Watchmen to play Pigeon Lake Music Festival southwest of Edmonton over 2025 August long weekend. – Edmonton Journal
Does Cannabis Help Us Love Music More? Canadian Researchers Are on a Quest to Fiind Out
In a small cannabis lounge in downtown Toronto, I exhale a plume of smoke after taking a hit from a gravity bong. Music fills the room as I relax into a comfy chair. But this isn’t a casual smoke session; I’m here for some self-reflection. – David Silverberg, Globe & Mail
The College Musical Theatre Program That Spawned the Smash-Hit Come From Away is Under Pressure
Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance program will be submitted to an “efficiency review." – Aisling Murphy, Globe & Mail
‘Very Promising’: Private Donor May Step In to Support Cash-Strapped Burlington Sound of Music
Sound of Music Board of Directors seeking debt forgiveness from city, 2025 festival not yet confirmed. – Hamilton Spectator
Opinion: Spotify Wrapped is Here — and More Obnoxious Than Ever
This year’s Wrapped includes new AI-generated features. And, surprise, Taylor Swift was the country’s most streamed artist. Love it or hate it, Spotify Wrapped season is here. – Richie Assaly, Toronto Star
International
TikTok Files Emergency Motion Seeking Temporary Pause to Looming U.S. Ban
TikTok and its parent company ByteDance filed an emergency motion today (December 9) for a temporary injunction to block a law that could effectively ban the app in the US on January 19. – Murray Stassen, Music Business Worldwide
Meta Partners With James Cameron’s Tech Venture to Boost Mixed Reality Content
Meta said on Thursday it has partnered with film director James Cameron’s technology venture Lightstorm Vision to enhance the creation of 3D entertainment, including live sports, concerts and TV series. – Reuters
HYBE’s ADOR Files Lawsuit Over NewJeans Deal Dispute
A subsidiary of K-pop powerhouse HYBE, ADOR has filed a lawsuit to prevent girl group NewJeans from terminating their exclusive contract, escalating a high-stakes dispute in the South Korean music industry. – MBW
Taylor Swift, Drake, BTS & More Record-Holders for Most Billboard Music Awards in 12 Key Categories
This year's BBMAs show is set to air Thursday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. – Paul Grein, Billboard
Jay-Z Accused of Rape of a Minor in Civil Lawsuit Originally Filed Against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
The rapper and mogul describes the allegations as a “blackmail attempt”.– The Wrap
Bob Dylan Is Looking Forward To Seeing Timothee Chalamet Play Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan says he is keenly anticipating the biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’ where Timothee Charlamet will play Bob. Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me," Dylan recently tweeted. – Noise11
Daniel Ek Cashes Out Another $37m in Spotify Stock
This brings the total value of shares Ek has sold this year to nearly $320m, and the price he’s received for them speaks volumes about the rapid run-up in Spotify’s market value. – Daniel Tencer, MBW
The ‘Bizarre’ Paul McCartney Alien Musical That Never Was
Former Beatle’s treatment for the film – and an expanded version by sci-fi writer Isaac Asimov – unearthed in the US. – Dalya Alberge, The Observer
When Motown Tried - and Failed - To Go Country
The wild story of how a little-known evangelist helped thwart the legendary R&B label's foray into Nashville. – David Browne, Rolling Stone
