Also this week: Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story wins a documentary award, the Horseshoe Tavern partners with the Americana Music Association, Calgary Stampede's Nashville North names a strong lineup and more.
History Ottawa rendering
Toronto music producer Bob Ezrin was recently named as a recipient of the lifetime artistic achievement award by The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation, a significant honour in the performing arts in Canada. Others named include and actors Graham Greene and Patrick Huard, Sandra Laronde, the founding artistic director of the Indigenous performance company Red Sky Performance, and classical composer Denis Gougeon, whose array of works include music for solo instruments, chamber groups, orchestra, ballet and opera. Also announced was the National Arts Centre Award for extraordinary work in the past performance year, going to two-time Polaris Prize-wining musician and ethnomusicologist Jeremy Dutcher. The awards celebration is set for June 14 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
One of Canada's most internationally successful record producers, Ezrin's discography over a very lengthy career includes work on albums by such superstars as Pink Floyd, U2, Deep Purple, Peter Gabriel, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli, Taylor Swift, Alice Cooper, Nine Inch Nails, Kiss, Lou Reed and many more. Canadian artists he has produced include The Kings, The Tenors, Murray McLauchlan, Lee Aaron and Fefe Dobson.
Ezrin was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2013 he was named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music and in 2022 he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, "For his ongoing contributions to music and entertainment production, and for his sustained advocacy of musical education, journalism and environmental justice."
— The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) has awarded Quebec country star Matt Lang the prestigious Road Gold certification, a recognition reserved for Canada’s hardest-working touring artists. This honour celebrates Lang’s achievement of selling over 50,000 tickets during his More Tour over the past year.
Lang is currently embarking on his new All Night Longer Tour. Other career milestones for Lang include over 50 million streams, three top 10 radio singles, and a Gold-certified single for his hit “Getcha.” Partners in Lang's career ascent include Anthem Entertainment, River House Artists and WME.
— The Toronto Film Critics Association’s 2024 Rogers Best Canadian Documentary Award recently went to the musical biopic Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story, a critically-acclaimed portrait of the ground-breaking transgender soul singer popular on the Toronto scene in the 1960s. The Winnipeg-set feature Universal Language won the Best Canadian Film Award. The richest annual film prize in Canada gave $50,000 to each winner.
Nashville North, described as "the Calgary Stampede’s country-music party tent," has announced a strong lineup of local and international talent for its 2025 edition, which runs from July 4 to 13. Headliners include Albertan stars Tenille Townes and MacKenzie Porter (she won the 2011 Nashville North Star competition), as well as Jade Eagleson, Drake Milligan, Chayce Beckham, Midland, Koe Wetzel, Cole Swindell, Charles Wesley Godwin, Chase Rice and The Reklaws. View the full Nashville North lineup here.
— As reported in Billboard, the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) recently pulled the plug on its planned Canada House showcase at this year's SXSW in Austin, Texas, citing political 'instability.' Other Canadian music trade orgs and festivals remain SXSW participants, with POP Montreal and M For Montreal jointly showcasing 10 acts across two stages at Swan Dive on March 12. The lineup includes critic faves Population 11 and The OBGMS, plus Ribbon Skirt, Knitting, Annie-Claude Deschênes and more.
— Despite its withdrawal from SXSW, CIMA's Canada House showcase will return to the Reeperbahn 2025 festival and conference in Hamburg, Germany, Sept. 15-20. Applications are now open for bands/artists wanting to be part of the showcase. Partner hosts can also apply. Fill out CIMA’s Canada House application form here. Complete Reeperbahn’s artist application form here. Deadline is May 16.
— The Americana Music Association, the Nashville-based organization that puts on AMERICANAFEST, is launching a new Toronto concert series in Toronto at the Horseshoe Tavern. The series will run throughout March and feature folk, country, blues and rock bands. Nine shows are scheduled so far, featuring these artists: Mariel Buckley, Ron Pop, Jeffrey Martin, Bob Sumner, India Ramey, Ariel Posen, Charlie Parr, Cousin Harley, Bella White and Shannon McNally. Find the full calendar and a link to buy tickets at the Horseshoe's website.
Live Nation Canada is making History in Ottawa. The live music monolith recently announced its plans for a major new club venue in the city, to be named History. Located downtown at 47-57 Rideau Street, History Ottawa will be a sister venue to History in Toronto, a large club that is now a key player on that city's concert scene.
At a launch press conference, Erik Hoffman, the Toronto-based president of Live Nation Canada, explained that Drake, a partner in the Toronto venue, has also invested in the Ottawa venture. A multi-million dollar project, it will take a similar approach to History Toronto, hosting a general-admission audience on the ground floor, and seating on the upper level. The capacity in Ottawa of 2,000 is around 400 concertgoers less than the Toronto club.
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— Manitoba's music scene is getting a boost with the launch of Odd Doll Records, a women-owned label that states it "is dedicated to redefining the 'Canadian mainstream' with music enriched by multilingual and multicultural artistry." An expansion of Misfit Music Management, Odd Doll has announced Franco-Manitoban artist Kelly Bado as its first signed act, and is sharing a new single from Bado, “La danse."
— A colourful and popular personality on the Toronto jazz scene, impresario, broadcaster and bandleader Jaymz Bee has been facing a challenging time of late. To lend support, local singers, poets and musicians are performing at a benefit concert, A Night of Music & Love for Jaymz Bee, set for March 5 at Toronto's Lula Lounge. The lineup includes Branko, Brendee Green, Denielle Bassels, Genevieve Marentette, Mike Schram, Pam Hyatt, Queen Mary The Artist, Robert Priest, Roger aka Roger, Sam Broverman, Simone Denny, Tony Quarrington, Whitney Ross-Barris, Stella Walker and an all-star backing band. Tickets & dinner Reservations here.
— The popular BC-based 97 South Song Sessions has announced an impressive lineup for its inaugural benefit concert, Hits With Heart. Coming to the O’Rourke Family Estate in Lake Country, BC, on April 12, it will feature Kim Mitchell, Marc Jordan, Lee Thomas Miller and Wendell Mobley in an intimate stories and songs format, presented in the round and acoustically. Proceeds will go to supporting the music education charity MusiCounts. More info and tickets here.
— In honour of International Women’s Day, Music Nova Scotia (with FACTOR support) is presenting “Stage Ready: Local Style, Global Impact,” an event to foster collaboration and artistic expression between local fashion designers and musicians. for International Women’s Day. It takes place on Wednesday, March 5 (from 11am – 3pm) at The Sanctuary Arts Centre (100 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth. This event is free for Music Nova Scotia members to attend. Space is limited and it is recommended to RSVP in advance here
— The City of Mississauga is calling all diverse concert presenters to apply for funding to bring live music events to the city in 2025. The Live Music Grant program is part of the city’s Music Strategy and it provides funding to offset eligible expenses associated with hosting live music events and is open to for-profit applicants, including artists, venue operators, promoters, bars, restaurants and other potential music event hosts. All grant applications must be submitted online through the City’s grants portal. The deadline for the Live Music Grant is Friday, March 28 at 4:30 p.m.
Legendary Canadian producer and musician Daniel Lanois has announced tour dates in Ontario this summer. Joined by Jermaine Holmes (drums/vocals) and Jim Wilson (bass/vocals), his powerhouse trio plays Meaford Hall, Meaford (Aug. 7 and 8), The Aeolian, London (Aug. 10 and 11), The Regent Theatre, Picton (Aug. 14 and 15) and Georgian Theatre, Barrie (Aug. 16). Tickets on sale now at daniellanois.com. A trio concert at The Mule Spinner in Hamilton (Lanois' hometown) last year showcased the group in adventurous and compelling form.
— While keeping busy as the most passionate defender of Canadian sovereignty in Parliament, MP Charlie Angus still finds time to play shows with The Grievous Angels, the acclaimed folk-rock combo he has led for almost 40years. Tour dates in Ontario over the next few months include Ottawa's Rainbow Bistro, Belleville's Up Front Cafe (March 15), Ottawa's Rainbow Bistro, (March 23), Clifford Brewery in Hamilton (March 29, a matinee show, with tickets here) and Toronto's Horseshoe Taven on June 1 (also a matinee. Tickets here). Angus recently published a new book, Dangerous Memory: Coming of Age in the Decade of Greed, a memoir of heady early days in Toronto as a punk rocker (L'Etranger) and activist.
— Stephen Hamm (aka Theremin Man) has long paid dues in such noted Vancouver rock bands as Slow, Copyright and The Evaporators. He has also devoted himself to mastery of that exotic instrument, the theremin, and earlier this month he released a solo album, Live From Planet Earth (out on Light Organ Records). Its sound is described as a combination of space rock and psychedelic electronica.
Metric
Also in the news this week: Joel Plaskett is surprised with a tribute album, Green Day makes a statement at Coachella, AI copyright fears & more.
Trans artists Bells Larsen and T. Thomason are pulling out of U.S. tour dates because of border fears, and the issue is grabbing attention on both sides of the border. That story has grabbed headlines this week, as have Coachella performances, AI backlash and an HYBE crackdown on deepfakes in South Korea resulting in multiple arrests.
Read about those stories and more in our weekly roundup below:
Metric Backs Out of Tour, Citing ‘Sudden Production Decisions' from Team of Co-Headliner Bloc Party
Canadian band Metric has announced on social media that it is backing out of an upcoming tour with English band Bloc Party, but will still play a hometown show with Sam Roberts Band in place. – Canadian Press
Trans Musicians Are Cancelling U.S. Tour Dates Due To Trump's Gender ID Rules
Canadian trans artists are cancelling because of Trump's crackdown on immigration at the border. – Manisha Krishnan, Wired
Toronto Musicians Share Their Favourite Memories From the Dakota Tavern: ‘It Was Like Our Version of a Sunday Service’
Jason Collett, Ed Robertson, Charlotte Cornfield and more on nearly 20 years at the Dakota: “The first Toronto venue where I felt the true magic of time and place.” – Richie Assaly, Toronto Star
45th Montreal International Jazz Festival boasts ‘a modern twist’
With the Montreal International Jazz Festival turning 45 this year, programming director Maurin Auxéméry likes to joke that the city’s emblematic summer event is having its mid-life crisis. The city’s flagship festival presents more than 350 shows — from June 26 to July 5. –T’Cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
Canadian Folk and Rock Stars Surprise Joel Plaskett With Tribute Album 'Songs From The Gang'
Arkells, Alan Doyle, Sloan, City and Colour, Jenn Grant, Julian Taylor and many more are putting their spin on the east coast songwriter's vast body of work. – Rosie Long Decter, Billboard Canada
Opera Atelier Co-founders Celebrate 40 years, Onstage and Off
Opera Atelier’s upcoming presentation of baroque masterpiece David and Jonathan at Toronto’s Koerner Hall is cause enough for celebration. The 40th anniversary of the company, co-founded by married joint artistic directors Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg and Marshall Pynkoski is another. – Brad Wheeler, Globe & Mail
After a Harrowing Spiral Into Darkness, Toronto Singer Cold Specks Returns with Breathtaking Comeback Album
Released nearly eight years after mental illness derailed her career, “Light for the Midnight” is a stripped-back soul record that sublimates pain into breathtaking beauty. – Richie Assaly, Toronto Star
Liberal Leader Mark Carney Nails his Nardwuar the Human Serviette Interview
If Nardwuar the Human Serviette truly is, as a wise person once suggested, the “litmus test for humanity”, then Mark Carney just passed with a gold-standard showing. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Stratford Festival Gears Up for New Season Amid Succession Questions
As this year’s Stratford Festival inches closer, two crucial questions are circling: Who will take the top job in Canadian theatre when current artistic Antoni Cimolino steps down at the end of the 2026 season? And what sort of festival will they inherit when they start? – Aisling Murphy, Globe & Mail
Canadian Rock Veterans Headstones Sign To Dine Alone, Release New Single with City and Colour
With this signing, Headstones become labelmates with Dallas Green, who guests on the Hugh Dillon-fronted band's brand new single, "NAVIGATE." Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
A Fresh(Up) Approach to R&B in Hamilton
Sonic Unyon’s showcases have expanded to include hip hop, soul, electronic and roots performers. The dream is to eventually blossom into a full-fledged summer festival. – Sarah Jessica Rintjema, Hamilton City Magazine
Neil Young, Joan Baez & Maggie Rogers Perform at ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ Rally
The moment took place on Saturday (April 12) at the political rally hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. –Jessica Lynch, Billboard
Green Day Change 'Jesus of Suburbia' Lyrics to Make Israel-Palestine War Reference During Coachella 2025 Set
Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong used the band's Coachella debut to make a political statement that had the crowd cheering. – Entertainment Weekly
European Union’s Latest Draft AI Code of Practice Renders Copyright ‘Meaningless,’ Rightsholders Warn
A coalition of creatives including the IFPI, which represents the recording industry worldwide, said the third draft is “completely unacceptable” as it “undermines the objectives of the AI Act, contravenes EU law and ignores the intention of the EU legislator". – Mandy Dalugdug, Music Business Worldwide
Warner Music Group is Readying Its Superfan App – With Help From Ed Sheeran
Warner Music Group‘s long-promised superfan app is moving closer to reality, with a more sophisticated version now being tested by a select group of users, according to a new Wall Street Journal report. The app recruited Ed Sheeran as its first featured artist. – MBW
Music Can Lift Mood, Foster Community and Even Rewire Brains – But Does It Need to Have a Purpose?
The therapeutic role music can play is the focus of a string of new books and even an entire BBC radio station. But why can’t we just listen to music for music’s sake? Emily MacGregor, The Guardian
HYBE Deepfake Crackdown Sees Eight Arrested in South Korea
Company's CEO pledges 'zero-tolerance and no-settlement policy' over alleged crimes against its artists .– Murray Stassen, MBW
