UK music venues still exclude disabled performers, audience members and staff

Why are so many handicapped staff, performers and guests having to fight for access to music venues? The sector and the government needs to do more — Louise Mitchell, The Guardian

The tear-stained confessions of Sam Smith

The British pop singer who releases a new album today tried to come out on his terms. Now he is listening — Taffy Brodesser-Akner, New York Times

WITHIN and Universal Music Group partner to bring immersive experiences to music fans  

A new strategic alliance aims to create and develop augmented reality and virtual reality music experiences featuring artists from UMG’s roster   —  allaccess.com

Sainsbury's is setting up a record label

The UK supermarket chain will release two new compilations on vinyl, curated by Bob Stanley —  Mark Savage, bbcnews.com

And the bands played on

A pillar of the Winnipeg live music scene, the West End Cultural Centre has survived significant obstacles and now turns 30 —  Erin Lebar and Jen Zoratti, Winnipeg Free Press

Kelly Clarkson pleased that new album shows off her soul

Meaning of Life is a departure for the American Idol winner — one she’s been waiting for  — Nick Krewen, Toronto Star

A South African superstar says farewell

Johnny Clegg — the co-founder of two groundbreaking, racially mixed bands during the apartheid era — is battling pancreatic cancer. He's saying goodbye to his fans on a U.S. tour — Anastasia Tsioulcas, npr.org

'Rolling Stone: Stories From the Edge': Inside magazine's pages

Renowned documentarian's Alex Gibney's four-hour HBO film examines the stories behind some of the magazine’s biggest scoops   — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone

Tori Amos covered The Tragically Hip at Massey Hall

The US singer/songwriter/storyteller was intimate, vulnerable and triumphant in her solo show   — Suzanne Andrew, NOW

A healthy and happy Alan Frew talks '80s music, a new Glass Tiger album, and more

A new Glass Tiger album, due out in February, has a theme of family and friendship, love and kindness running across the songs. It also includes several duets recorded with some heavyweight friends in L.A. —Jim Barber, musiclifemagazine

Kirt Webster, powerful Nashville music exec, steps away from firm

The head of PR firm Webster Public Relations shutters the company in the wake of allegations against him — Cindy Watts and Anita Wadhwani, The Tennessean

How an old Slavic prison ballad inspired Lemon Bucket Orkestra's new album

 If I had the Strength (out today) is Lemon Bucket Orkestra's follow-up to their Juno Award-nominated album, Moorka, and once again the band draws on those Eastern European traditions —  q

Katy Perry’s nonsensical spectacle a very fun ride in the moment: review

Halloween was the right night to witness a costume-change-filled party like the one this pop superstar threw on Tuesday  —  Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

Niall Horan takes Flicker Sessions to Toronto: 'You're just the nicest people in the world'

The debut solo album from the One Direction singer is already gold in Canada  —  Karen Bliss, Billboard