This week: Bonnaroo announces an eclectic 2026 lineup including a couple of big Canadian artists, Taylor Swift's Vancouver-set concert film releases a trailer, Olivia Dean has won her battle with Ticketmaster and more.
Olivia Dean has won a fight with Ticketmaster/Live Nation, securing refunds for fans after protesting exorbitant ticket resale prices. Eminem and Jack White dazzle during a Thanksgiving Day NFL Halftime Show, while the league names its Super Bowl pre-game performers. Meanwhile, a church has sued the city of Montreal after hosting "MAGA superstar" Sean Feucht.
Read these stories and more in this week's roundup of the music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond.
In a statement shared to social media, the Irish group shared that they will be “relentless in defending ourselves against outrageous and baseless accusations.” – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Vince Gasparro, parliamentary secretary for combating crime, released a social media video in September announcing the ban in response to allegations that Kneecap had been inciting violence and glorifying terrorism. – David Baxter, The Canadian Press
The Canadian company already has an active roster of touring artists and music companies already as clients, including Elijah Woods, folk-electronic duo Moontricks, Canadian electronic acts The Funk Hunters and Hoang and independent label Westwood Recordings. – Ryan Borba, Pollstar
Quebec City is not alone in facing legal action for the way its municipal administration responded to a scheduled concert by Sean Feucht, an American Christian singer known for his ties to U.S. President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement. The City of Montreal is also being sued now. – Miriam Lafontaine, CP
In partnership with Billboard Canada, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is offering a course that spotlights Punjabi artist Diljit Dosanjh — and students will be able to take it starting January 2026. – Aru Kaul, Hamilton Spectator
The concert film captures the final night of the tour in Vancouver and features the full Tortured Poets Department set for the first time. – Jessica Lynch, Billboard
Life is better than ever for Juno award-winner William Prince, whose aptly titled fourth studio album, Stand in the Joy, serves as a reminder of the daily importance of choosing happiness – even and especially if tomorrow it might be gone. – Rosemary Counter, Globe & Mail
Last month, the British-Canadian singer-songwriter/producer released the best pop record of 2025, Through the Wall. She recently sat down to talk about it, her partnership with KLSH, using audience cravings as a longevity tool and what being a diva means to her. – Matt Mitchell, Paste
"We echo Olivia's call to 'Do Better' and have taken steps to lead by example," comments Michael Rapino, CEO, Live Nation Entertainment, parent of Ticketmaster. – Lars Brandle, Billboard
"We share Olivia's desire to keep live music accessible and ensure fans have the best access to affordable tickets," Live Nation Entertainment said. – Jessica Lynch, Billboard
The Diddy Netflix series produced by 50 Cent must be shelved, said lawyers for the rap mogul, who sent a cease-and-desist warning. – Rachel Scharf, Billboard
Yungblud, Geese, Clipse and Wet Leg are also on the roster for the June 11-14 gathering of the vibes in Manchester, Tenn, as are Canadian acts bbno$ and Mother Mother. – Gil Kaufman,Billboard
When an AI-generated country song called “Walk My Walk” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s country digital song sales chart this month, it was credited to a fictional artist named Breaking Rust — a white, digitally generated avatar that didn’t exist two months ago. – Jonathan Landrum, AP
The Super Bowl pregame show will open with a trio of standout performers in Northern California: Charlie Puth will hit the stage to sing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will take on “America the Beautiful” and Coco Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” – AP
Sean Ono Lennon debuted the Academy Award winning animated short War Is Over! on YouTube on Dec. 1, with the premiere supporting War Child throughout the holiday season. The film, written by Sean with director Dave Mullins, uses the message of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Happy Xmas (War Is Over) to frame a modern call for peace. –
Organised by Olly Alexander and the Mighty Hoopla festival to ‘fight back against the politics of fear and exclusion’, Trans Mission will take place at Wembley Arena in March. – Laura Snapes, The Guardian
"To say that Los Thuthanaka, the self-titled album from Chuquimamani-Condori and their brother, Joshua Chuquimia Crampton, requires some time on the shelf might be an understatement," the publication writes. "But get into it, and you’ll know this is a special record, so ahead of its time, and so worthy of your own."
