Music Biz Headlines: The Fate of CP24's Famous Spinning Car at 299 Queen Toronto Headquarters
Also this week: Queen's catalogue sells, The Weeknd makes history, Celine Dion's moving documentary and more.
CP24 Car at 299 Yonge
CP24 is moving. Here’s what that means for the iconic car on the side of the Queen Street building
The CP24 truck bursting out of the side of 299 Queen Street West has been a staple of Toronto for decades. – Andy Tagaki, Toronto Star
Five Impactful Moments in Celine Dion’s new Documentary
Celine Dion has bared her soul on stage for most of her life, but her new documentary reveals a previously unseen side of the famed Québécois singer. Ahead of its release on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service June 25, here are five impactful and insightful moments from the documentary. – David Friend, Canadian Press
DeMar DeRozan was Drake’s ‘Brother.’ Now He’s Dancing Onstage to Kendrick Lamar’s Diss Track
DeRozan appears to be in a unique situation in that he might have been the only person up there who has — or at least had — a friendship with Drake. – Chuck Schilken Los Angeles Times
The Weeknd Becomes First Canadian Artist With 7 Diamond Certified Singles
Additionally, his "Popular" collaboration with Playboi Carti and Madonna went platinum. – Billboard
Hedley Frontman Jacob Hoggard’s Appeal of Sexual Assault Conviction Heard by Ontario Court
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard’s appeal of his sexual assault conviction was heard at Ontario’s top court on Wednesday. Hoggard was sentenced to five years behind bars in October 2022 after being found guilty of sexual assault causing bodily harm. – Canadian Press
Vocalist and songwriter Jacintha tUkU Matthews is determined to preserve the memories of Toronto’s vibrant musical lineage. – Filipa Pajevic, Toronto Star
Early Music Vancouver's Summer Festival is Bach, Better Than Ever
This summer, Early Music Vancouver (EMV) invites music lovers to join in for a week-long celebration of Bach, featuring traditional and interpretive performances of the Baroque composer’s work. – Vicki Duong, Georgia Straight
Village People and War are Sure to Draw Large Crowds at the Festival of Friends
Imagine 20,000 people doing the “Y.M.C.A.” dance in the stately greenery of Gage Park. It’s going to happen when the Festival of Friends returns to the east Hamilton park for the August long weekend. – Graham Rockingham, Hamilton Spectator
10 Days and 20 Ways to Make the Most of Montreal Jazz Fest
Wade through over 350 concerts at the city’s biggest music event with these top picks. – T'Cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
.Looking for Summer Festival Fun Not Far From the GTA? Take these Music Road Trips
Orillia, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Guelph and Elora are all hosting multi-artist concerts. – Stuart Berman, Toronto Star
Montreal Jazz Festival: More Than Just Jazz
The 44th edition of the Montreal Jazz Festival takes over the city’s downtown arts neighborhood from June 26 to July 6 this year. There will be 350 performances at 19 different venues, all within walking distance of each other. Two-thirds of the shows will be free to the public. – Geoffrey Himes, Paste
International
KKR Acquires Live Music Giant Superstruct in $1.6bn Deal
Investment giant KKR has acquired European festival operator Superstruct Entertainment from private equity firm Providence Equity Partners. The Financial Times reports that KKR has acquired the company in a deal worth £1.3 billion. – Access All Areas
Queen Sells Its Catalog For Huge Sum
Sony Music Entertainment is set to acquire the catalog of legendary rock band Queen in a landmark deal worthGBP £1 billion. – Music Business Worldwide
Justin Timberlake Breaks Silence on DWI Arrest at Chicago Concert: Here’s What He Said
The singer-actor was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated on June 17. – Billboard
'Verzuz' Will Return After Swizz Beatz and Timbaland Lock in a New Distribution Deal with XS
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland are bringing the “Verzuz” series back with a new major platform for viewers to watch musicians face off in a song-against-song battle. – Associated Press
Major record companies sue Suno, Udio for 'mass infringement' of copyright
Among AI music generators capable of creating entire songs with just a prompt, Suno and Udio are considered by many to have used copyrighted music to train their AI models, without authorization. Now, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is coordinating lawsuits on behalf of major recording companies against the two AI companies. – MBW
War, Disastrous Sex and a Lot of Lawsuits: The Chaotic Aftermath of Motown’s Peak Years
Disenchanted with Motown, star songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland set up a pair of bold new labels: Hot Wax and Invictus. As a new box set is released, its artists remember their personal, political songs – and exhausting battles. – Fraser Morris, The Guardian
Kendrick Lamar Films Video for Drake Diss Track ‘Not Like Us’ in Compton
There's a visual on the way for K. Dot's fourth No. 1 Hot 100 hit. –Billboard
