Canadian Music Biz Headlines of the Week
A roundup of the latest news from the Canadian music industry, featuring updates on Drake, Neil Young, and more.
In a surprise move, rapper Drake announced the return of his star-studded hometown festival, OVO Fest, during a concert at the History venue in Toronto on May 24. According to a report by Billboard Canada, Drake made the announcement from the balcony of the venue, stating that OVO Fest will be back this summer. He also performed his hit song "Nokia" during the concert.
In other news, legendary musician Neil Young performed a solo acoustic set at the Lakefield College School in Ontario, marking his first full performance of 2025. As reported by Billboard, Young’s set included a rare performance of his 1983 song "My Boy", which he hadn’t played in 42 years.
Neil Young also made headlines with a solo benefit concert in Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes, where he performed a selection of songs that reflected on his youth. According to the Globe and Mail, Young’s concert was held on a farm in Lakefield, Ontario, and featured a mix of old and new songs.
Meanwhile, Canadian singer Michael Bublé has partnered with the Florida Panthers to support a cancer fundraising cause. As reported by the Associated Press, Bublé, a five-time Grammy-winning pop icon, will be part of the team’s fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society.
Toronto rock legends Triumph are enjoying newfound fame after their song "Lay It on the Line" was featured in a commercial during the NHL playoffs. According to the Toronto Star, the power trio has seen its fan base grow significantly since the commercial aired.
In other Canadian music news, Justin Bieber recently shared a "welcome home" message for Chris Brown after his arrest and release in London. As reported by Billboard, Brown was arrested on May 15 over an alleged assault in 2023.
International Music Biz Headlines of the Week
In international music news, SZA has spoken out about the bullying that Megan Thee Stallion is facing in the Tory Lanez case. According to Billboard, SZA expressed her shock at the bullying, stating that she is "actually so shocked" by the situation.
Bruce Springsteen has released a new EP, "Land of Hopes & Dreams", which features a speech that previously set off President Trump. As reported by Billboard, the recorded remarks led to Trump calling Springsteen "dumb as a rock".
In a major music industry deal, HYBE is selling its entire stake in K-Pop rival SM Entertainment to Tencent Music for nearly $180m. According to Music Business Worldwide, the sale marks a significant shift in the K-Pop landscape.
The music industry is also grappling with the rise of AI-generated music, with some experts arguing that licensing AI music is the wrong problem to focus on. As reported by Music 🙂 ally, the issue of AI-generated music raises complex questions about ownership and copyright.
Bono has criticised Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas at the Ivor Novello Awards, calling for Hamas to release hostages and for Israel to "be released from the far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts". According to The Guardian, Bono’s comments sparked a mixed reaction from the audience.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have announced the inaugural Future Ruins Fest, a celebration of film music featuring live performances by Mark Mothersbaugh, John Carpenter, and Hildur Guðnadóttir. As reported by Rolling Stone, the festival will take place in Los Angeles and feature a range of musical performances.
All information in this article is sourced from reputable news outlets, including Billboard, the Globe and Mail, and The Guardian.
