Music Biz Headlines: Queen's University's Taylor Swift Law Class, Hipgnosis Songs Fund For Sale
Our weekly compendium of headlines from across Canada and around the globe also includes Celine Dion's new Prime documentary, Randy Bachman's auction, Latin Grammys, Coachella, AI and vinyl hunting.
Law (Taylor’s Version): First-ever Taylor Swift Law Course in Canada Comes to Queen’s University
Queen’s University students with a Blank Space in their timetables may be pleased to learn that a first-of-its-kind entertainment law course will be offered later this year, centring on pop culture’s favourite Tortured Poet. – Kathryn Mannie, Global News
‘High School Confidential’ Singer Carole Pope Focus of Documentary ‘AntiDiva’
Producers of “AntiDiva: The Confessions of Carole Pope” say production is underway on a feature-length documentary that explores the career and life of the 78-year-old “queer maverick.” – David Friend, Canadian Press
Closing in on 100 Years, CKUA Radio Could Go Dark Without Cash Infusion
'Perfect storm' of inflationary pressures and a lack of government support is taking its toll on one of Canada's oldest radio stations. – Michael Rodriguez, Calgary Herald
Randy Bachman Digs Into his Past With Plans to Auction Off 200 Guitars
Randy Bachman is bidding farewell to some of the instruments that shaped his legendary rock career, including the guitar used to compose the Guess Who classic “American Woman.” 200 of his signature guitars will be auctioned at New York’s Hard Rock Cafe and online on May 29 and 30. – David Friend, CP
Montreal International Jazz Festival Will Blur Lines Between Jazz, Funk and Hip-Hop
While genre-hopping names like Hiatus Kaiyote and André 3000 will perform, the fest will also include jazz stalwarts like Al Di Meola and crowd-pleasers like Norah Jones. – Brendan Kelly, Montreal Gazette
I Am: Celine Dion’ Documentary Release Date Revealed: Here’s When It’s Coming
The global icon's new documentary is coming to Prime Video. Get all the details. – Billboard
Neil Young Delivers Appropriately Raw Live Version of 1990’s ‘Ragged Glory’
The venerable Neil Young offers a ragged and raw live take of his beloved 1990 album “Ragged Glory” with a new album, titled “Fu##in’ Up.” It was recorded at Toronto club The Rivoli.– Scott Bauer, Associated Press
International
Strap in. Blackstone is Ready to Bid $1.5 Billion for Hipgnosis Songs Fund
Don't always believe what you read in the press. On April 18, Hipgnosis Songs Fund's board announced that Concord Chorus had made a cash offer for its portfolio of USD $1.40 billion. HSF's board said it had accepted this offer, and was recommending its shareholders do the same. Enter Blackstone. – Music Business Worldwide
Blackstone Tops Concord’s bid for Shakira Music Owner Hipgnosis
Blackstone made a potential offer to buy Hipgnosis Songs Fund for about $1.5-billion, outbidding Apollo-backed Concord and triggering a takeover battle for the owner of music rights by artists including Shakira and Red Hot Chili Peppers. – Reuters
The 2024 Latin Grammys will Return Home to Miami After a Controversial Move to Spain
The 2024 Latin Grammys will return to Miami — where the show first started 25 years ago, and where the organization is headquartered. The annual event will air live from the Kaseya Center on Nov. 14. – Maria Sherman, Associated Press
Creators Should Disclose When They've Used AI: Social Media Mogul Randi Zuckerberg
Randi Zuckerberg says she thinks creators should start disclosing when they’ve used artificial intelligence to produce work because it’s “becoming harder and harder to tell what’s real.” – Tara Deschamps, Canadian Press
Coachella 2024: What's Gone Wrong With the U.S. Festival?
As sound issues and indifferent crowds dogged its first weekend, we ask what the future holds for the U.S.'s flagship music festival. – Nick Levine, BBC
‘After 8 Hours, My Feet and Fingers Throb: My Treasure Hunt for Vinyl Gold
This Saturday, Record Store Day saw an avalanche of pricey rarities and flashy reissues. Instead, our writer scoured the secondhand bins of indie stores and charity shops – and bags a dozen crackers. – James Briggs, The Guardian
Mali Singer Oumou Sangaré on Why She's Still Speaking Out for Women in Africa and Beyond
Known as the Songbird of Wassoulou, Mali’s Oumou Sangaré has been championing women’s rights since her groundbreaking album “Moussolou” in 1989. She makes a rare Toronto appearance at Koerner Hall on April 20. – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
Protests, Heightened Terror Threat Mean Tight Security at Eurovision Song Contest
Security will be tight during next month’s Eurovision Song Contest in the southern Sweden city of Malmo, police said, citing demonstrations that could lead to unrests and a heightened threat of terrorism in the Scandinavian country. – Jan M. Olsen, Associated Press
