Music

This Nov. 22, 2015 file photo shows Justin Bieber at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Bieber’s world tour is facing another setback as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. The Stratford, Ont.-raised pop singer is pushing dozens of tour dates including stops in three Canadian cities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File

Justin Bieber postpones Canadian summer tour dates until 2022

52-date world tour will now kick off Feb. 18, 2022

 

A Torrington School music program is one of 95 beneficiaries across the country of grants from MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity. (Black Press file photo).

Torrington music program gets grant to purchase instruments

A Torrington school will be able to replace worn out band instruments…

 

FILE - Bruce Springsteen performs at the 13th annual Stand Up For Heroes benefit concert in support of the Bob Woodruff Foundation in New York on Nov. 4, 2019. Springsteen is this year’s winner of the Woody Guthrie Prize. The award honors artists of any medium who continue the legacy of the Oklahoma songwriter. Springsteen calls Guthrie one of his most important influences. The legendary performer will be honored in a virtual ceremony May 13. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)

Bruce Springsteen receives this year’s Woody Guthrie Prize

Springsteen to be honoured during virtual ceremony May 13

  • May 5, 2021

 

Otter, a member of the Chinese music group Produce Pandas, reacts while watching other group members practice dance choreography during rehearsals in Beijing, Thursday, April 15, 2021. The Produce Pandas proudly call themselves “the first plus-sized boy band in China.” That’s a radical departure from the industry standard set by Korean super groups such as BTS, whose lanky young members are sometimes referred to in China as “little fresh meat.” (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

‘Plus-size’ boy band in China seeks to inspire fans

Produce Pandas rose to fame after making it about halfway idol talent competition

  • Apr 30, 2021
Otter, a member of the Chinese music group Produce Pandas, reacts while watching other group members practice dance choreography during rehearsals in Beijing, Thursday, April 15, 2021. The Produce Pandas proudly call themselves “the first plus-sized boy band in China.” That’s a radical departure from the industry standard set by Korean super groups such as BTS, whose lanky young members are sometimes referred to in China as “little fresh meat.” (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
FILE - The Weeknd performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game on Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Weeknd was snubbed by the Grammys but he’s the leading nominee at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Billboard Awards: 16 nods for Weeknd, 6 for Morgan Wallen

Weeknd up for top artist

  • Apr 30, 2021
FILE - The Weeknd performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game on Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Weeknd was snubbed by the Grammys but he’s the leading nominee at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Curtis Labelle (second from left) and his band are planning a cross-Canada tour in 2022. Meanwhile, Labelle is continuing to host his weekly livestreamed talk show, Chattin 88. (Contributed photo).

Red Deer rock pianist takes on a talk show role

Curtis Labelle’s Chattin 88 gets views from around the globe

Curtis Labelle (second from left) and his band are planning a cross-Canada tour in 2022. Meanwhile, Labelle is continuing to host his weekly livestreamed talk show, Chattin 88. (Contributed photo).
The Trews pose on the red carpet at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards in London, Ont. on Saturday, March 16, 2019. The Trews’ Colin MacDonald says their new track “I Wanna Play” captures some of the “longing and the desperation” he felt in the midst of COVID-19 lockdown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins

The Trews’ song ‘I Wanna Play’ captures music industry’s anxiety in COVID-19 pandemic

Hamilton-based act

The Trews pose on the red carpet at the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards in London, Ont. on Saturday, March 16, 2019. The Trews’ Colin MacDonald says their new track “I Wanna Play” captures some of the “longing and the desperation” he felt in the midst of COVID-19 lockdown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins
FILE - Inductee Jim Steinman speaks at the 2012 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards gala in New York on June 14, 2012. Steinman, the Grammy-winning composer and playwright who wrote Meat Loaf's best-selling “Bat Out Of Hell" debut album as well as hits for Celine Dion, Air Supply and Bonnie Tyler, has died, at 73. Bill Steinman told The Associated Press that his brother died Monday from kidney failure and was ill for some time. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision, File)

Jim Steinman, hitmaker for Meat Loaf and Celine Dion, dies

Jim Steinman, hitmaker for Meat Loaf and Celine Dion, dies

FILE - Inductee Jim Steinman speaks at the 2012 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards gala in New York on June 14, 2012. Steinman, the Grammy-winning composer and playwright who wrote Meat Loaf's best-selling “Bat Out Of Hell" debut album as well as hits for Celine Dion, Air Supply and Bonnie Tyler, has died, at 73. Bill Steinman told The Associated Press that his brother died Monday from kidney failure and was ill for some time. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision, File)
In this May 26, 2018, file photo, people listen to Michael Franti perform at the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival in Napa, Calif. Canadian music festival organizers hoped this summer would mark a return to concerts, but as COVID-19 cases rage on many have already dropped off the calendar. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Eric Risberg

Facing the music: Summer concert festival organizers see no path ahead in pandemic

Facing the music: Summer concert festival organizers see no path ahead in pandemic

In this May 26, 2018, file photo, people listen to Michael Franti perform at the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival in Napa, Calif. Canadian music festival organizers hoped this summer would mark a return to concerts, but as COVID-19 cases rage on many have already dropped off the calendar. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Eric Risberg
FILE - Diane Warren poses for a portrait at the 90th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon on Feb. 5, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Warren is nominated for an Oscar for best original song for her work in “The Life Ahead” starring Sophia Loren. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

12-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren hopes for ‘awesome’ win

Third movie adaptation of the 1975 Romain Gary novel ‘The Life Before Us’

  • Apr 15, 2021
FILE - Diane Warren poses for a portrait at the 90th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon on Feb. 5, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Warren is nominated for an Oscar for best original song for her work in “The Life Ahead” starring Sophia Loren. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - Rap artist DMX appears at a news conference in New York to announce a 40 city, hard core, hip hop tour, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 1999. The family of rapper DMX says he has died at age 50 after a career in which he delivered iconic hip-hop songs such as “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem." A statement from the family says the Grammy-nominated rapper died at a hospital in White Plains, New York, "with his family by his side" after being placed on life support for the past few days. He was rushed to a New York hospital from his home April 2. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

‘Nothing less than a giant’: Rapper-actor DMX dies at 50

‘Nothing less than a giant’: Rapper-actor DMX dies at 50

FILE - Rap artist DMX appears at a news conference in New York to announce a 40 city, hard core, hip hop tour, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 1999. The family of rapper DMX says he has died at age 50 after a career in which he delivered iconic hip-hop songs such as “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem." A statement from the family says the Grammy-nominated rapper died at a hospital in White Plains, New York, "with his family by his side" after being placed on life support for the past few days. He was rushed to a New York hospital from his home April 2. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
FILE - Pearl Jam members, from left, Mike McCready, Matt Cameron, Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard appear at a news conference in Mexico City, on July 17, 2003. Pearl Jam should be on the road celebrating 30 years of “Ten” with a tour. Pearl Jam’s postponed European tour was rescheduled for June and July 2022. The delay not only put any plans to celebrate “Ten” on hold, Pearl Jam has still yet to tour in support of last year’s release, “Gigaton.” (AP Photo/Jaime Puebla, File)

Pearl Jam guitarist McCready proud of 30 years of ‘Ten’

Pearl Jam guitarist McCready proud of 30 years of ‘Ten’

FILE - Pearl Jam members, from left, Mike McCready, Matt Cameron, Eddie Vedder, Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard appear at a news conference in Mexico City, on July 17, 2003. Pearl Jam should be on the road celebrating 30 years of “Ten” with a tour. Pearl Jam’s postponed European tour was rescheduled for June and July 2022. The delay not only put any plans to celebrate “Ten” on hold, Pearl Jam has still yet to tour in support of last year’s release, “Gigaton.” (AP Photo/Jaime Puebla, File)
FILE - In this Tuesday, March 30, 2021,, file photo, a person holds aloft photos of Donovon Lynch during a vigil near the intersection of 20th Street and Pacific Avenue in Virginia Beach, Va. Grammy award-winning musician Pharrell Williams has called for a federal investigation into the fatal police shooting of his cousin, Lynch, on March 27, along the Virginia coast. Williams made the call on Instagram Monday, April 5, 2021, after speaking at his cousin’s funeral in Virginia Beach. (Kaitlin McKeown/The Virginian-Pilot via AP, File)

Pharrell wants federal probe into police shooting of cousin

Investigation recently turned over to Virginia State Police

  • Apr 8, 2021
FILE - In this Tuesday, March 30, 2021,, file photo, a person holds aloft photos of Donovon Lynch during a vigil near the intersection of 20th Street and Pacific Avenue in Virginia Beach, Va. Grammy award-winning musician Pharrell Williams has called for a federal investigation into the fatal police shooting of his cousin, Lynch, on March 27, along the Virginia coast. Williams made the call on Instagram Monday, April 5, 2021, after speaking at his cousin’s funeral in Virginia Beach. (Kaitlin McKeown/The Virginian-Pilot via AP, File)
Paul Humphrey of the band Blue Peter is shown on stage in this undated handout photo. Paul Humphrey, the frontman of 1980s Toronto new wave band Blue Peter, died on Sunday at 61. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Taza McDoom

Paul Humphrey, suave frontman of ’80s Toronto new wave band Blue Peter, dies at 61

‘Don’t Walk Past’ music video helped usher in the glory days of MuchMusic

Paul Humphrey of the band Blue Peter is shown on stage in this undated handout photo. Paul Humphrey, the frontman of 1980s Toronto new wave band Blue Peter, died on Sunday at 61. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Taza McDoom
Red Deer musician Jesse Roads recorded a live album at Banff’s Rose and Crown Pub to give fans the sense of a concert experience during the pandemic. (Contributed photo).

Red Deer musician records live album to give pandemic-weary fans a concert experience

Remember when music could be performed live? Red Deer musician Jesse Roads…

Red Deer musician Jesse Roads recorded a live album at Banff’s Rose and Crown Pub to give fans the sense of a concert experience during the pandemic. (Contributed photo).
FILE - The Weeknd performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game on Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch are among the top nominees for next month’s iHeartRadio Music Awards. The Weeknd’s eight nominations include male artist of the year and song of the year, for “Blinding Lights.” (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

The Weeknd is top nominee for May’s iHeartRadio Music Awards

The Weeknd’s nominations include male artist of the year

  • Apr 7, 2021
FILE - The Weeknd performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game on Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Weeknd, Megan Thee Stallion and Roddy Ricch are among the top nominees for next month’s iHeartRadio Music Awards. The Weeknd’s eight nominations include male artist of the year and song of the year, for “Blinding Lights.” (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Red Deer musician Levi Cuss has used pandemic isolation to spark his creativity, putting out three digital EPs so far — and he isn’t done yet. (Contributed photo).

Red Deer’s Levi Cuss uses the pandemic to fuel an outpouring of musical inspiration

He’s released three digital EPs so far — and isn’t done yet

Red Deer musician Levi Cuss has used pandemic isolation to spark his creativity, putting out three digital EPs so far — and he isn’t done yet. (Contributed photo).
Toronto-born performer Aubrey “Drake” Graham reacts courtside during first half NBA Eastern Conference finals action between the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks, in Toronto, Saturday, May 25, 2019. Toronto police say they have taken a woman into custody after getting a call about a disturbance near the home of rap star Drake. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Toronto police take woman into custody near the home of rap star Drake

No reported injuries

Toronto-born performer Aubrey “Drake” Graham reacts courtside during first half NBA Eastern Conference finals action between the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks, in Toronto, Saturday, May 25, 2019. Toronto police say they have taken a woman into custody after getting a call about a disturbance near the home of rap star Drake. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2020, file photo, South Korean K-pop group BTS salutes to their national flag during a ceremony marking the National Youth Day at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea. BTS released a statement condemning racism against Asians and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. “We stand against racial discrimination,” the biggest boyband in the world, tweeted to their 34 million followers in both English and Korean. (Lee Jin-wook/Yonhap via AP)

BTS condemns anti-Asian racism, says they’ve experienced it

BTS is one of the first South Korean bands to openly condemn anti-Asian racism

  • Mar 30, 2021
FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2020, file photo, South Korean K-pop group BTS salutes to their national flag during a ceremony marking the National Youth Day at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea. BTS released a statement condemning racism against Asians and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. “We stand against racial discrimination,” the biggest boyband in the world, tweeted to their 34 million followers in both English and Korean. (Lee Jin-wook/Yonhap via AP)
FILE - Carrie Underwood attends the 42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors in Washington on Dec. 8, 2019. Underwood released her first album of gospel music called “My Savior,” on Friday, March 26. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)

Carrie Underwood’s faith shines through on church hymns

Underwood records the songs that she sang in church growing up in Oklahoma

  • Mar 26, 2021
FILE - Carrie Underwood attends the 42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors in Washington on Dec. 8, 2019. Underwood released her first album of gospel music called “My Savior,” on Friday, March 26. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)