Music Biz Headlines, June 26, 2017
17th annual BET Awards focuses on performances, skimps on awards
The biggest weekend in Hip-Hop and R&B concluded on Sunday with the 17th annual BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles — Variety
The wild west of record deals
Amid the changing economics of the music industry, all parties are venturing away from standard contracts, experimenting with new ideas and fresh approaches — Hannah Karp, Billboard
How BMG is helping Nickelback and others return to the charts
They've had petitions circulated to prevent them from performing in places as wide-ranging as the countries of Australia and the United Kingdom to an NFL halftime show in Detroit. Figures no less prominent than former President Barack Obama and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg have jokingly dissed them. And they are often mentioned in the same breath as other negatively-associated bands such as Limp Bizkit, Creed and Candlebox. And yet, Nickelback, unlike most others, have continued to enjoy astronomical sales and may just be one the most inexplicable conundrums in all of the music business — Andy Gensler, Billboard
How countries around the world fund music, and why it matters
As President Trump eyes abolishing federal arts funding in the U.S., a survey of tax-supported music from Australia to Iceland reveals a complex, shifting landscape — Marc Hogan, Pitchfork
Canadian invasion: Why Drake, The Weeknd and Justin Bieber rule the streaming world
The Beatles and the Rolling Stones spearheaded the British Invasion of the 1960s as rock infiltrated the global pop world--and now, a half-century later, one might call Drake, The Weeknd and Justin Bieber the Canadian Invasion. Over the past two years, they've clocked over 20 billion streaming spins combined, more than any other triumvirate, parlaying that ubiquity into lucrative tours. All three now gross more than $1 million per stop — Zack O’Malley Greenburg, Forbes
Bachman using publishers instead of labels for new album
He’s still going strong, has a new album, a son in his band and is pitching a reality show to Showtime and Netflix — Toronto Sun
Tesla seeks to launch its own music service
The luxury car manufacturer run by multi-billionaire Elon Musk, is poised to launch its own rival to the likes of Spotify and Apple Music and according to one report has already held discussions with the major labels — MBW
Inside the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) summit
The push to put the spotlight on songwriters is gaining momentum with streaming services, thanks in part to the efforts of music publisher organizations and high profile songwriters — American Songwriter
“He’s an addiction”: U2 pay emotional tribute to Leonard Cohen
The Irish band, who are currently touring to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ‘The Joshua Tree’, paid tribute at a show in Toronto over the weekend.
Bono said: “Tonight we hold onto some things, as you let go of others. I’m not quite sure how to let it go, but I know tonight I’m holding onto the music of Leonard Cohen, thinking about it today. It’s been on my mind. He’s an addiction I’m not ready to give up, so I’m going to sing this one to Leonard Cohen” — NME
Corbyn-mania grips crowds at Glastonbury Festival
Thousands turn out to hear Labour leader speak on stage at famed English fest — The Telegraph
The problem with Gord Downie's Order of Canada
"We don't need white people to translate our narrative to the mainstream — Clayton Thomas-Müller, CBC.ca
New York Rocks the Great Canadian Songbook
Sibling songwriters The Breithaupt Brothers play Joe's Pub on Canada Day -- Time Out Mew York
Jazz fest: Charlotte Cardin finds her voice after La Voix
Quebec star to play three nights at Metropolis this week — T'Cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
U2 gives it all but fans want more
Bono pays tribute to Leonard Cohen at sold-out arena show — Jane Stevenson, Toronto Sun
Side Musicians: The Musical Glue Making Bluegrass Work
Bluegrass fans are acutely aware of who's playing in what band —Ted Lehmann, No Depression
