Music Biz Headlines, Nov. 23, 2023: Drake and Toronto, Alex Lifeson & More

Canadian

Drake And Toronto: A Toxic Relationship? Why The City's Love affair With The Hometown Hero Has Soured

Considering the curious case of the fallen 6ix God, including Drake’s shallow rebrand and newly bitter attitude toward women. - Emilie Hanskamp, Toronto Star

Veteran Musician David Baxter Championed Canadian Songwriters

A gifted guitarist, a self-deprecating singer-songwriter, David Gavan Baxter was a committed mentor to many Canadian musicians over the years and a musical lifer. - Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail

Paul McCartney Tried To Convince Geddy Lee And Rush Bandmate Alex Lifeson To Tour Together again

The conversation took place in September 2022, when all three classic rockers were performing as part of the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert in London. It was head Foo Fighter Dave Grohl who made the initial introduction. - Corey Irwin, Ultimate Classic Rock

Green Day Played It Safe - But Great - At The Grey Cup Halftime Show

The pop punk trio is riding a wave of nostalgia, and they proved in Hamilton, Ont., that they know how to deliver what we want. - Justin Smirlies, Toronto Star

Metric Cover A Classic Canadian Song In New Netflix Series 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off'

Emily Haines returns as the singing voice of Envy Adams (otherwise voiced by Brie Larson) for a covert piece of CanCon. - Richard Trapunski, Billboard Canada

‘A Grateful Dead Concert Is Life': A Trip Back Through 50 Shows Through The Eyes Of A Superfan

‘All The Years Combine’ is Toronto writer Ray Robertson’s tribute to the band that Deadheads followed around the world. - David McPherson, Toronto Star 

Three Hamilton Bar Bands To Watch In 2024

Heather Valley and the Current State, Wreckless Harbour and Checkerboard Floors frequently play local bars and breweries and offer a fantastic show for their audiences. - Jody Aberdeen, HCM

Jeanne Beker And Other Fans On How Beatlemania Disrupted Toronto's Style Scene

“They were always pushing forward,” said fashion journalist Deirdre Kelly. “They never wanted to be yesterday’s men.” - Toronto Star

Songwriter Series Aims To Shine Spotlight On Women, Non-Binary Artists Across Maritimes

Madison Violet’s Lisa MacIsaac co-headlined a Halifax show on Nov. 19 along with Erin Costelo and Catherine MacLellan. - Martin Bauman, The Coast

Fresh Sounds Canada: Drake, MacKenzie Porter, Charlotte Cardin & More

This week's must-hear music also includes big new singles from Tate McRae, rock band Gulfer and a deconstructed Christmas song. - Billboard Canada

International

Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran & ‘Barbie’ Helped Warner Music Hit A Record $6 Billion In Revenue

Warner Music Group hit a record US $6 billion (AU $9.27 billion) in the 2023 financial year – its highest revenue in its history. Making the announcement last week about the fortunes of the 12 months to September 30, the company singled out Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran for mention. -The Music.com.au

Taylor Swift Postpones Rio de Janeiro Show, Citing Record Heat A Day After A Fan Dies

Taylor Swift postponed an Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro Saturday after a 23-year-old fan died during her Friday night show, according to a message posted on the singer's Instagram. - Diane Jeantet, AP 

Taylor Swift’s Rio Tour Marred By Deaths, Muggings, And A Dangerous Heat Wave

Before the show Friday, fans lined up for hours outside the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium where temperatures soared to 41 degrees Celsius. - AP

SA Music Legends Star On New Music Podcast ‘From the Hip’

There is a new music podcast on the block. And this new South African music podcast has promised to be a cut above the rest. It is run by renowned music industry veteran Benjy Mudie. - Saturday Star

Andre 3000’s Life Is Dominated By ‘Music And More Music’

Andre 3000’s daily routine consists of “music and more music”. The Outkast musician – whose real name is Andre Benjamin - is back with his debut solo album 'New Blue Sun'. - Yahoo

Concert Cancellations By Legacy Acts Rock The Live Music Industry

I recall the veteran British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac giving a performance at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena not long ago. After two hours and more of classics of the eight-track era, Stevie Nicks and the others carefully made their way off the stage swaddled in so many thick white towels and plush robes they could barely move. - Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail

How growing interest in Formula One is felt across the music world

Beyond the engineering, the athleticism, the speed, the luxury – fans love the sound of Formula One. The fierce rhythms of a V6 turbocharged hybrid engine; the sticky staccato of a rushed downshift; sexy, loud zooms. - Maria Sherman, AP

"We had a real human skull. at gigs": The story of Radio Birdman, the original Oz punks

From Sydney via Detroit, Radio Birdman were Australia's anarchic answer to the Stooges and Blue Öyster Cult. - Kris Needs, LouderSound

When The Beatles Became Bigger Than God, One Toronto Critic Detected Malevolence In Their Music

Remembering Kevin Courrier, a great critic, Beatles fan and author of “Artificial Paradise.” - Adam Nayman, Toronto Star

A 2023 Gift Guide That Will Strike A Chord With The Music Lover

For the obsessive record collector or the casual listener, the shower singer or the rock star of tomorrow, a music-inspired gift is never a faux pas over the holidays. - Maria Sherman, AP

How Billie Eilish And Finneas Tapped Into The Personal To Write Their ‘Barbie’ Ballad

"The thing that we can relate to, that anyone can relate to, is having an identity crisis: not knowing who you are,” Finneas says. -TheWrap

What Makes Tool A Metal Mainstay? Even Guitarist Adam Jones Doesn’t Know

“We really are that band you can't explain," says Jones ahead of two Toronto show. - Ben Rayner, Toronto Star