Music Biz Headlines: Billie Eilish's Vinyl Criticism, Vice's Mad Scramble

The Creators of Les Misérables Thought it Would Flop. Now the Unstoppable Hit is Back in Toronto

In an interview with the Star, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil reflect on their hit musical "Les Misérables," which has returned to Toronto. – Joshua Chong, Toronto Star

Shania Twain Revisits the Enduring Cultural Impact of ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman!’ Video

In a new episode of Vevo Footnotes, Twain discusses the creative decisions that went into crafting the now-iconic video. – Jessica Nicholson, Billboard

The Economic Case for More Funding for the Arts

As a country, we are still recovering. According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s most recent Economic and Fiscal Outlook, “sluggish growth” will continue to define Canada’s economy this year. The arts, culture and tourism sectors are no exception. – Tim Jennings, Globe and Mail

From Abbotsford, Drummer Jared Falk Builds a Smashing Empire in Drumeo Online Learning

Today, Drumeo supports 50,000 active students and a social media community with more than six million followers. – Stuart Derdeyn, Calgary Herald

World Ski & Snowboard Festival Releases Music Lineup

Since 1996, the World Ski & Snowboard Festival held in Whistler has been the “ultimate apres” in the form of a festival at Vancouver's Skiers Plaza — complete with drinks, DJs and headlining musical acts. This year’s festival from April 12 to 14 features Chali 2Na and Cut Chemist. – Kristi Alexandra, Georgia Straight

Local Vinyl-heads Are In It Together, All the Way Through to the Run-out Groove

Are record clubs the new book clubs? A group of Winnipeggers acknowledge how rewarding it can be to enjoy an album from start to finish, the way an artist intended their work to be heard. – David Sanderson, Winnipeg Free Press

Mission Hill Winery Reveals Outdoor Concert Series Lineup — Including Sarah McLachlan and Jewel

Also tapped in the summer concert series lineup at the Romanesque outdoor venue in West Kelowna, B.C. are Melissa Etheridge and the Barenaked Ladies. – Kristi Alexandra, Georgia Straight

Shuffle Off to Concerts Galore

A preview of an exciting range of concerts coming to Hamilton and region.– Leonard Turnevicius, Hamilton Spectator

'70s-era Rockers The Stampeders Saluting Late Bassist on Ontario Tour

An upcoming Ontario tour by 1970s-era rockers The Stampeders will be a tribute to longtime band member Ronnie King, who died recently at age 76. – Paul Morden, London Free Press

Musical Performance Series to Bring Health-care Providers and Newcomers Together

The Joe H Henry Trio will kick off a series of shows on April 13 to give thanks to healthcare professionals, and welcome new-comers to the province. – SaltWire

A Tribute to Gary Corrin, Long Time Music Librarian & Programmer

Corrin, who served as the TSO Principal Librarian for three decades, as well as Director of Programming and Chief Librarian for Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert and Bravissimo!, passed away in late 2023 of cancer. – Anya Wassenberg, Ludwig Van

International

Billie Eilish Criticises Musicians for Releasing Multiple Vinyl Variants

‘I can’t even express how wasteful it is,' says the singer known for her attempts to run her career sustainably. She likened the practice to The Hunger Games – playing a game to get fans to keep buying more. – Laura Snapes, The Guardian

Beyoncé's Game-changing Country Album is Here. Meet Four Black Women who Blazed a Path Earlier

"White artists are allowed to flourish. I'd like to see Black artists be granted the same freedom." – Vernon Ayiku, Toronto Star

Indie Artists Shift to Artist-Centric Payments on Deezer, as it Signs New Deal with Merlin

Merlin will be joining Universal Music Group (UMG) and Warner Music Group (WMG) in shifting away from the traditional pro-rata payment model employed by most music streamers to one that prioritizes artists with a “consistent and engaged fan base,” as the companies described it in a statement. –Daniel Tencer, MBW 

BMG Annual Revenues Hit $979m in 2023, up 4.6% YoY; EBITDA Fllat at $210m

That's according to a new set of annual fiscal results from the music company's parent, Bertelsmann, published on March 26. – MBW

Bertelsmann, Facing Setbacks, Wants to Grow its Music Unit BMG

It is looking at a merger with a rival or a "breakout investment." “BMG could potentially be an opportunity for a breakout investment and joining forces with a competitor,” Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe said. – Murray Stassen, MBW

Feds Want Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Communications, Flight Records in Sex Trafficking Probe

Federal investigators are seeking telecommunications records involving Sean "Diddy" Combs as part of an investigation into alleged sex trafficking, a source close to the investigation told The Times. –Richard Winton, LA Times

Shane Smith Scrambles to Save What’s Left of Vice

As Vice convulses in the throes of decline — Vice.com barely there, hundreds of journalists laid off — the latest plot twist seems almost scripted. – Sharon Waxman and Emily Smith, The Wrap

Jeremy Allen White in Talks to Play Bruce Springsteen in ’80s Set Biopic

White is in talks to play Bruce Springsteen in a biopic in development focused on the making of the music icon’s 1982 album Nebraska. It is based on the recent Warren Zanes book Deliver Me From Nowhere. – Margeaux Sippell, MovieMaker