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Music Biz Headlines: Neil Young 'Renames' Budweiser Stage, Noel Gallagher Gives First Interview SInce Oasis Reunion
Stories making headlines this week: Lucian Grainge fights back in Drake trial, Montreal investigates suspected drugging at îLESONIQ and more.
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It's another busy week for music news.
The Drake vs. UMG conginues, Neil Young leaves Facebook while rocking out at two Toronto shows, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce get emotional and Stingray cashes in on karaoke in cars.
Read these stories and more in this week's collection of music biz headlines.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
UMG CEO Lucian Grainge Hits Back at Drake’s Demand for His Emails: ‘Farcical’ and ‘Ridiculous’
In a signed declaration filed in court, Grainge says he never even heard Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" before it was released. – Bill Donahue, Billboard
Neil Young Quits Facebook, Citing Meta's 'Unconscionable' Use of Chatbots with Children
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The official artist page will no longer be used for “any Neil Young-related activities,” according to a statement on the platform. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Neil Young ‘Renames’ Budweiser Stage at Fiery, Defiant Toronto Concert
With his new touring band, the Chrome Hearts, the singer-songwriter played a show at the venue he called “the Fresh Water Stage” for the night. – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star
Montreal Police Investigating Suspected Drugging at îLESONIQ Music Festival
"We understand how concerning these incidents are, and we are sincerely sorry," the EDM festival organizers shared on social media after six people reported feeling a "sharp prick" in their back. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
Montreal-based Media Company Stingray sees Karaoke Taking Over the Car World
The world’s auto assembly lines that have Stingray CEO Mr. Boyko dreaming big these days. More precisely, the possibility of supplying many of the 90-some million passenger vehicles built worldwide each year with an entertainment experience no one realized they pined for: karaoke. – Nicolas Van Praet, Globe & Mail
Everything You Need to Know About Hamilton’s Arena and Downtown Redevelopment
The deal will see private consortium renovate and run downtown arena, concert hall and convention centre as part of an ‘entertainment precinct.’ – Mac Christie, Hamilton Spectator
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Once the Most Notorious Club in Vancouver, the Cobalt Returns to its Legendary Roots
Not to get all dark and punk-rock-nihilistic right off the top, but the team behind the rebirth of the Cobalt on Main Street is already thinking about the end, given that the building is likely to be torn down in a few years.“ – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Is Lil Wayne’s Cancelled Concert Part of the ‘Toronto Curse?’
The postponed Monday concert on Lil Wayne's Tha Carter VI Tour joins a growing list of cancelled and postponed concerts in Toronto. Here’s a look at some of the city’s biggest shows that were called off. –Toronto Star
Why is There No Song of the Summer for 2025?
The lack of an obvious, ubiquitous hit blaring out of car windows raises the question: Does 2025 not have a Song of the Summer? Billboard Canada's Richard Trapunski speaks to the Globe as part of this exploration. – Russ Martin, Globe & Mail
Martin Popoff has turned his obsession with heavy metal and hard rock into his livelihood, publishing four books this summer alone. – Corey Atad, Toronto Star
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Everything You Need To Know About Nova Scotia Music Week 2025
The annual awards and artist showcase will be taking place in Yarmouth from Oct. 23-26. – Brendyn Creamer, The Coast
Podcast: A Year After CHML Went Silent
The closing of the radio station, after 97 years of broadcasting to Hamilton, has left a gap in the local media landscape that hasn’t been filled. – Scott Radley, The Spectator
The Mule Spinner: Music’s Tiny Temple
A multi-purpose creative space founded by Hamilton music veterans Glen Marshall and the late Bob Lanois, the former stable at the Cotton Factory hosts intimate live performances and recording sessions. It looks like a film set. – Jamie Tennant, Hamilton City Magazine
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Supercrawl 2025 Announces Its Non-Musical Attractions
Work In Progress Festival, Hamilton Pro Wrestling and Chess Simultaneous Exhibitions all make an appearance at the free Hamilton fest next month. – Demar Grant, Hamilton Spectator
International Music Biz Headlines
The football-mad songwriter/singer called in to his favorite sports chat show on Tuesday (Aug. 19) to talk soccer and how he's feeling after winding up UK shows. – Billboard
Taylor Swift Gets Emotional on Travis Kelce’s Podcast
The tight end admitted he also wept over the news of Swift regaining her masters. – Billboard
Austen Adams Appointed President of Warner Chappell Music Nashville
The Big Loud executive fills the publishing position held by the late Ben Vaughn. He was previously at Big Loud, as Chief Operating Officer of its Publishing and Records divisions for six years. – Melinda Newman, Billboard
Chord Music Partners Raises $2 Billion+ in Investible Capital... With Another $1 billion+ on the Way
Universal Music Group-backed investment vehicle Chord Music Partners has raised over USD $2 billion in investible capital to buy music rights. Our sources expect Chord will secure an additional $1 billion to $2 billion in investible capital before the round closes - taking its total raise to between $3 billion and $4 billion. – Music Business Worldwide
New John Lennon and Yoko Ono Box Set Power to the People Announced
The 12-disc set features 90 unreleased tracks including demos, home recordings, jam sessions, live cuts, and more from the duo and Plastic Ono Band. –PitchforkRapper Sean Kingston to be Sentenced for $1 Million Fraud Scheme in South Florida
Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Paul Anderson, and his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, were each convicted by a federal jury in March of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud. – Associated Press
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Billy Joel Closing Beloved New York Motorcycle Shop After Brain Disorder Diagnosis
Billy Joel’s beloved Long Island motorcycle shop is closing down after nearly 15 years of offering fans a free peek at his personal collection of dozens of bikes. – The Star
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