advertisement
Music News

Music Biz Headlines: Celine Dion Inspires A Musical, Drake & Kendrick Lamar's Feud Escalates

Our weekly compendium of heads from across Canada and beyond also features concert tips in cities throughout Canada, Gwen Stefani's opening show at a new Toronto concert venue, Universal Music's deal with TikTok and more.

The Cast of the new Celine Dion jukebox musical 'Titanique'

The Cast of the new Celine Dion jukebox musical 'Titanique'

Emilio Madrid

Celine Dion-Driven Musical Comedy Titanique to Hit Montreal, Toronto

The farcical Celine Dion jukebox musical “Titanique” is setting its course for Canada. Producers of the off-Broadway smash say the show will make its maiden voyage to Montreal later this year followed by dates in Toronto. “Titanique” is a musical parody of James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster “Titanic.” – David Friend, Canadian Press


Drake and Kendrick’s Beef Is the Most Miserable Spectacle in Rap History

Kendrick won a pyrrhic victory and Drake might be done for good, all amid serious allegations that make it difficult to separate fact from fiction. – Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork

advertisement

Gwen Stefani Hosts an Unforgettable Opening of Toronto’s Newest Concert Venue

The Great Canadian Casino Resort, formerly Woodbine, hosted the No Doubt singer and massive pop star as it officially opens its 5,000-seat venue. – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star

Winnipeg Musicians Raising Money for Palestinians

Band Together, Music & Solidarity Humanitarian Aid Fundraiser for the Citizens of Palestine features Propagandhi (performing as a trio), Op-Ed, Death Cassette, Mariachi Ghost, Nicky Mehta with Daniel Roy and Vvonder May 21 at the Park Theatre. Profits will be donated to International Development and Relief Foundation Canada.Winnipeg Free Press

Vancouver International Jazz Festival is Back for Another Bangin’ Year

Headlined by Grammy-winner Killer Mike, the lineup includes a mix of free and ticketed shows across Vancouver. in June. Expect everything from Veronica Swift and Y La Bamba to the Sister Jazz Quintet and the Blue Moon Marquee. – Vicki Duong Georgia Straight

Can’t-miss Vancouver Concerts for May 2024

Be it pop girlies or prog daddies or Polish hip hop, we love and support all music. Here are our picks for Vancouver shows in May 2024. – V.S. Wells, Georgia Straight

It's Montreal Festival Season Again! Here are Some of the Best in the City and Beyond

advertisement

From major music fests to smaller, indie parties, bookmark this handy calendar. – Erik Leijon, Montreal Gazette

National Music Centre Features Instruments from Before and During the Holocaust

Violins of Hope loans restored instruments to orchestras for concerts and to exhibits and educational programs commemorating the Holocaust. – Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald

International

Read Lucian Grainge’s Memo on UMG-TikTok Deal: ‘Entire Music Ecosystem’ Will Benefit

The new agreement, announced in the early morning, addresses "key changes in several critical areas," Grainge said in outlining what UMG achieved in negotiations. – Dan Rys, Billboard

Universal Music Beats Earnings Forecasts After Blockbuster Taylor Swift Tour

Universal Music Group last week reported first-quarter earnings that comfortably beat expectations, helped by the record-breaking success of its star act Taylor Swift. – Reuters

Madonna’s Copacabana Beach Concert in Rio de Janeiro her Biggest Ever

Madonna concluded her world tour on Saturday with a free concert at Copacabana Beach. Pre-show, Rio’s City Hall estimated some 1.5 million spectators might attend, more than 10 times more than Madonna’s record attendance of 130,000 in Paris’ Parc des Sceaux in 1987. – Eleonore Hughes, Associated Press

How Will New Artists Learn to Navigate the Music Business?

advertisement

Several platforms that allow artists to create and listen to music also see educational initiatives as a way to foster loyalty — and possibly make extra money. – Elias Light, Billboard

Europapa or Baby Lasagna? Contestants to Look Out For at Eurovision 2024

The Eurovision Song Contest, a music kitsch-fest watched by some 200 million people, kicks off in Malmö, Sweden on Sunday with its “turquoise carpet” gala, in what fans say is a wide-open year with half a dozen countries having a shot at the title. – Isabelle Carlsson, Reuters

Stamping Out Sexual Assault at Gigs: “Make Your Voice Heard and Show Solidarity”

advertisement

Sprints' Karla Chubb talks to NME about her recent ordeal of being assaulted at a show, as the charity Girls Against share advice for victims and witnesses and react to the rejection of the Misogyny In Music report. – Andrew Trendell, New Musical Express

‘People Think it's Just For Emo or Goth Kids’: The Kenyan Metalhead Leading a New Wave of African Rock

Martin Kanja, AKA Lord Spikeheart, covers everything from colonialism to his grandmother in music that mixes African culture with metal. He hopes to help more artists like him break through. – Caroline Kimeu, The Guardian

Photos: Rolling Stones Play at Jazz Fest with Appearances from Irma Thomas and a Zydeco Great

New Orleans soul singer Irma Thomas and Zydeco great Dwayne Dopsie joined the legendary Rolling Stones on stage during their show on Thursday (May 2) at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. – Chris Granger, NOLA.com

advertisement
Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during The Pop Out – Ken & Friends Presented by pgLang and Free Lunch at The Kia Forum on June 19, 2024 in Inglewood, Calif.
Timothy Norris/Getty Images for pgLang, Amazon Music, & Free Lunch

Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during The Pop Out – Ken & Friends Presented by pgLang and Free Lunch at The Kia Forum on June 19, 2024 in Inglewood, Calif.

Rb Hip Hop

Kendrick Is Still Talking to Drake

Lamar's latest song is a lot to unpack, but one thing is for sure -- he's still sending his rival a message.

This past Sunday (Sept. 8), Kendrick dropped news that sent the rap community into a frenzy. Standing at the 50-yard line as he worked a football throwing machine with a huge American flag behind him, the Compton MC announced that he will be headlining next year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show. He also made sure to throw a subtle shot at his 2024 rival: “You know there’s only one opportunity to win a championship,” he said before loading another football into the machine. “No round twos.”

Two weeks ago, Drake took to his finsta account, @plottttwistttttt, and posted an old video clip of NBA All-Star Rasheed Wallace telling reporters that his Detroit Pistons “will win Game Two” after dropping the first game of the 2004 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Many believed that was Drake’s not-so-subtle way of telling fans that he’s not yet done with the battle. And despite talking heads like DJ Akademiks saying the Toronto rapper has no intention of continuing the back-and-forth, Drake alluded to a continuation on the song “No Face” (probably his best post-battle release) when he rapped lines like, “How you get lit off the n—a you hatin’ on?,” “This is the moment I know they been prayin’ on,” and “I’m just so happy that n—as who envied and held that s–t in got to finally show it/ I’m over the moon, yeah, we’ll see you boys soon.”

advertisement

keep readingShow less
advertisement