In other news this week, a new town hall to help Canadian artists with U.S. border issues, Martha Wainwright celebrates a milestone album anniversary, Auteur Research gets acquired & more.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Official Community, an artist-led data and e-commerce platform, has announced the acquisition of Auteur Research, the Hamilton-based music marketing and publicity firm founded by Adam Bentley.
In a statement, Ron Thomson, CEO of Official Community, explains that "This strategic move strengthens Official Community’s position as a leader in All Media Marketing, offering a unified, customizable platform for artists to grow their careers and deepen connections with fans. Artists need more than just visibility; they need meaningful engagement with their audience. By acquiring Auteur Research, we’re reinforcing our commitment to providing artists with a comprehensive approach to career growth — one that integrates marketing, PR, digital strategy, and fan engagement."
Auteur Research has driven marketing campaigns for the three Canadian major labels, high-profile indies Wax Records, Sonic Unyon Records and Dine Alone Records, and artists like Arkells, The Dirty Nil, Silverstein, Lights, Danko Jones, Big Wreck and Julian Taylor.
“In 2025, the need for diverse connectivity methods is more crucial than ever,” said Bentley. “Since founding Auteur Research, my mission has been to make sure real people hear the artists we represent. Partnering with Official Community is a powerful step forward — an opportunity to amplify that mission at scale.”
Bentley is also an active musician (Allegories) and producer (The Dirty Nil, Edgar Breau).
The City of Winnipeg has announced the naming of a section of the Disraeli Bridge Roadway to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, in tribute to one of the city’s most legendary rock bands. The honourary designation recognizes Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s (BTO) lasting contributions to music and their deep connection to the Winnipeg community. A dedication ceremony will be held April 18th at 1 pm, at the Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Education Centre, where members of the band, city officials and community leaders will unveil the new signage.
In a statement, Deputy Mayor Markus Chambers called Bachman-Turner Overdrive "part of the soundtrack of Winnipeg. Their music not only shaped a generation but also inspired countless artists across Canada and beyond. We’re proud to recognize their roots here in our city with this honourary naming.”
The hard rock veterans have begun their Back In Overdrive Tour 2025, consisting of 22 shows across Canada. It includes a show at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre on April 19, with April Wine and Headpins in support. Check out the itinerary here.
Gala SOCAN is returning to Montreal for SOCAN's 100th anniversary. On May 4, Montréal’s La TOHU will be the host of this event celebrating music creators and publishers from Québec and the rest of Canada’s Francophone community. The organization will award more than 100 trophies in 29 categories to artists and professionals for their work over the last two years, including Kaytranada, Charlotte Cardin, Banx & Ranx and more.
For a full list and more info head to socan.com
– The National Music Centre (NMC) has announced the 2025 recipients of the OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursary: singer-songwriter Raymond Sewell and powwow and round dance artist Marlon Deschamps. Sewell is an I’nu singer-songwriter, poet, and English professor from Pabineau First Nation. Hailing from the Cree Nation of Maskwacis, Deschamps is a member of the acclaimed drum group Northern Cree, has contributed to nine Grammy-nominated albums and shared his music on world stages, including the New Orleans Jazz Festival and the 2017 Grammy Awards.
The Bursary offers recipients studio time in NMC’s recording spaces, along with access to its renowned “living collection” of rare musical instruments, all with the intention of producing a commercial release. The associated OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator fosters artistic growth by connecting emerging Indigenous artists with mentorship, career-building workshops, and live performance opportunities. NMC is also now accepting submissions for the next edition of the OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator. Apply at studiobell.ca/ohsotokino by May 31.
– The City of Burlington has announced that acclaimed musician and community advocate Chris McKhool will be presented with the Key to the City on April 16, from 7-8 p.m. at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. McKhool is leader of award-winning global music group Sultans of String.
In a statement, The City notes that "McKhool’s commitment to equity, access, and the performing arts has had a transformative effect on Burlington’s cultural landscape. He has worked to remove barriers for youth in underserved neighbourhoods, collaborated with educators and presenters across the region, and created opportunities for meaningful dialogue through artistic expression." In 2024, McKhool was inducted into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame. More info here.
– Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) recently entered two new inductees into the FEO Hall of Fame. They are festival manager and event planner Peter Gismondi, of Superior Events Group, and veteran festival founder, Pat Silver, who created the internationally praised SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival in 2011.
The VENUExVENUE Music Festival and Conference returns to London, Ontario, for its 2025 edition, running November 6–8. For the first time, more than 50 artists from across the country will be invited to showcase there. Submissions to join that group are now being accepted here by July 11.
– The highly-lauded PEI music venue Under the Spire has just announced its30th anniversary artist lineup. The season begins on June 20, with a solo show from Matt Andersen. He is followed by such award-winning folk artists as Rose Cousins, the Ennis Sisters, a triple bill featuring Catherine MacLellan, JP Cormier, and Dave Gunning, Inn Echo, Lawrence Maxwell and Irish Mythen. Classical performances include Measha Bruggergosman-Lee, Cheng2 Duo, Maritime Brass Quintet and Philip Chiu, and global music acts Tulua and Okavango African Orchestra will also perform. See the full lineup and purchase tickets here.
CIMA has announced a Zoom town hall on a very timely and important topic, Canadian Artists Performing in the United States. The trade org notes that "Shifting enforcement practices, particularly at the border, and the overall political climate coming out of the United States has caused some Canadian artists and their teams to cancel U.S. tours and shift travel plans. Many more are concerned and confused."
The session takes place onApril 22, 1:30 -3.00 p.m. and you can register here. CIMA's president & CEO, Andrew Cash will be joined by guests Lee Clark (Attorney at CoveyLaw), Will Spitz (Attorney at CoveyLaw) and Liana White (Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Musicians, "to help give a clearer picture of what to expect at the U.S. border and beyond."
Montreal singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her self-titled debut album. In a statement, she explains that "in many ways that record defined me, as well as launched me into a now over 20-year-long career that has made me who I am." Last month, that album was given its first-ever release on vinyl, and Wainwright is playing it in its entirety, plus new material, on her current tour featuring shows in Canada, the U.S. and England. The trek began March 21 in Hamilton and runs to May 31, including concerts in Montreal (April 25) and Toronto (May 11). Itinerary and tickets here.
– Acclaimed Toronto jazz-pop vocalist Genevieve Marentette (Gigi) has a show at Hugh's Room on April 17. It will showcase material from her recent album Songs of '69, one that reimagines classics released that year and has been praised by the likes of David Clayton-Thomas and Randy Bachman. Her A-list band features George Koller, Eric St-Laurent, Ben Wittman and new Juno winner Jeremy Ledbetter. Clela Errington opens. Tickets via Showpass.
– Aspart of his current Ride On tour, celebrating 50 years of live performances, 9x Juno and Grammy-winning blues artist and producer Colin Linden plays The Mule Spinner in Hamilton on April 22. He has previously played the venue both solo and as part of the roots super-trio, Blackie and The Rodeo Kings. Opening up will be longtime hometown hero Lori Yates, now relocated to Toronto and riding a wave of praise for her recent album Matador. Tickets here. See Linden's full itinerary here.
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who perform during the Closing Ceremony on Day 16 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 12, 2012 in London, England.
Reports indicated that frontman Roger Daltrey was unhappy with Starkey's performance at a recent Royal Albert Hall gig.
The Who have parted ways with drummer Zak Starkey after nearly three decades, following the band’s recent run of London shows.
In a statement to The Guardian, a spokesperson for the veteran group said: “The band made a collective decision to part ways with Zak after this round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall. They have nothing but admiration for him and wish him the very best for his future.”
The gigs, which took place last month on March 18 and 20, were in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. The Who’s frontman, Roger Daltrey, is a patron of the charity and until 2024 acted as curator for their annual gig series at the historic venue.
Tensions came to a head when Daltrey complained onstage last month about Starkey’s performance. A report of the first performance via Metrosuggested that the singer stopped several songs mid-performance, citing difficulty hearing the band over the drums.
It also said that Daltrey paused their final song, “The Song Is Over,” and told the audience: “To sing that song I do need to hear the key, and I can’t. All I’ve got is drums going boom, boom, boom. I can’t sing to that. I’m sorry guys.”
Starkey appeared to pre-empt his dismissal over the weekend (Apr. 13), when he posted an all-caps message to his Instagram page that read, in part: “Heard today from inside source that Toger Daktrey [sic] lead singer and principal songwriter of the group unhappy with Zak the drummer’s performance at the Albert Hall a few weeks ago is bringing formal charges of overplaying and is literally going to Zak the drummer.”
Daltrey, 81, recently revealed during those Teenage Cancer Trust shows that “the joys of getting old mean you go deaf. I also now have got the joy of going blind.”
The decision wraps up a significant chapter in the legendary rockers’ history. Starkey joined the band during their 1996 Quadrophenia world tour. He was introduced to drumming by The Who’s original drummer, Keith Moon, a close family friend who gave him a drum kit for his eighth birthday. He went on to play major shows with the group, including the 2010 Super Bowl and the 2012 London Olympics. At press time spokespeople for Starkey and the Who had not returned Billboard‘s request for additional comment.
Starkey is the son of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and Maureen Starkey, and has also enjoyed a fruitful career outside of The Who, playing with Oasis, Johnny Marr, Paul Weller and Graham Coxon. He currently performs in the recently-formed supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos, also featuring Shaun Ryder and Bez of the Happy Mondays and Black Grape, and Andy Bell of Oasis and Ride.
This article was first published by Billboard U.S.
