Bo Lueders, guitarist of Chicago, IL-formed hardcore punks Harm's Way and host of the HardLore podcast, has died. He was 39.
The news was shared via the HardLore social media channels, with no cause of death reported. However, the various social posts did share a suicide and crisis hotline, as well as urging those struggling with depression and self-harm that help is always available.
"It is with heavy, broken hearts that we share that our beloved Bo Lueders has passed away," the posts read. "He will be remembered for his unwavering empathy and compassion for his friends & family and his magnetic, inimitable presence on & off the stage."
Lueders and fellow members of the straight-edge band Few and the Proud formed Harm's Way in 2006 as an unserious side project they used to perform powerviolence songs in the vein of Infest and Crossed Out. Eventually, they retired many of the sillier elements (including their singer wearing a mask and lyrics about beating up frat boys) and went in a more death metal direction.
Harm's Way released their debut album, Reality Approaches, in 2009, and its sophomore follow-up, Isolation, in 2011, ahead of signing with Deathwish Inc. for their third record, 2015's Rust. Their most recent album remains 2023's Common Suffering.
Lueders also had stints in bands like Double Crossed and Convicted, as well as the Knocked Loose side project xWeaponx. Over the past few years, he and Colin Young (Twitching Tongues, God's Hate) have been hosting the popular HardLore podcast, in which they interview titans of hardcore, metal and punk, swapping stories from touring life in those scenes, breaking down mythic histories, and more.
]]>
A 1.5-inch strand of Bob Marley's iconic locked hair is expected to rake in up to £25,000 at an upcoming auction.
The loc dates back to a 1978 performance on Top of the Pops, where Marley took the stage with the Wailers to perform their hit single "Satisfy My Soul."
The current owner recalled the unforgettable encounter: "After Bob Marley finished singing, a friend and I went up onto the platform where he was performing. He was chuckling the whole time. I asked if I could take a piece of his hair, and he just nodded and laughed — it seemed to amuse him. So I gently twisted off a piece of his dreadlock. Of course, he also signed an autograph for me."
That autograph alone is estimated to be worth £4,000. But Bristol-based JC Auctions predicts the hair, accompanied by the signature, could sell for between £20,000 and £25,000 when it goes under the hammer on April 9. According to NME, this marks the first time in over two decades that a Bob Marley loc has been offered at auction, which makes you wonder how much of his hair is still out there in the world.
]]>
"I wouldn't like to be in the visual effects business. They're in trouble because what used to cost a lot of money is going to cost a lot less. And it's going to hammer that space, and it already is. And maybe it shouldn't take a thousand people to render something," Ben Affleck foreshadowed in a CNBC conference back in November 2024.
Now in 2026, Affleck — of Gone Girl, The Accountant, Good Will Hunting, arguably some of the greatest films before AI filmmaking — finds himself wading in the ethically grey waters of artificial intelligence.
Last month, Affleck sold his AI startup, InterPositive, to Netflix for an estimated $600 million USD. During this period, in a promotional video with Netflix, Affleck emphasized that his invention is simply a tool — not something that relies on "text prompting or creating something from nothing." Instead, he explained, the model is developed using your own material: "That's how this works. You have to create your movie essentially first before you can really build your model."
InterPositive's mission, therefore, is "to use emerging technology in ways that protect and expand creative choice," which Netflix says is "deeply aligned" with its "long-standing belief that innovation should serve storytellers and the creative process."
Interesting, then, how an AI tool that threatens the job security of said storytellers happens to serve it, too.
Which brings us to the present: Deadline has obtained the patent filed for InterPositive in 2024, and its messaging appears to differ somewhat from what Affleck and Netflix previously promised.
Suddenly, the focus turns to "cutting costs," a thinly veiled goal of reducing human labour, revealing the underlying intentions of these profit-driven ventures.
It reveals that Affleck's technology is designed to deliver significant cost reductions across film and TV production, with some of the most striking figures including a 50 percent cut to visual effects budgets and up to 70 percent savings on background actors and stand-ins. Overall, below-the-line costs are projected to drop by 10 to 20 percent, while specific departments could see reductions of 40 percent for additional production units and set dressing, and 30 percent for the art department. Although much of the patent focuses on technical processes and efforts to normalize AI use through "ambassadors," the scale of these projected savings stands out — especially given the lack of detail about how many jobs might be affected.
At that same CNBC conference in 2024, Affleck made his perspective clear, saying the goal is to "lower the barrier to entry and allow more voices to be heard," making it easier for people who want to create films like Good Will Hunting to go out and make them.
And sure, a reasonable person might understand that argument — lowering expenses could make filmmaking more accessible to the average person. Yet it overlooks the fact that the "inconveniences" Affleck highlights — such as "removing stunt wires, reframing shots, capturing missed takes, adjusting lighting, and enhancing backgrounds" — are precisely where the artistry and skill of great filmmaking come to life. It is within those pockets of imperfections that separate good filmmakers from great ones. It is in those moments of frustration that filmmaking is epitomized and the human intellect leveraged.
It seems as though Ben Affleck is a walking contradiction — an advocate for human creativity but a supporter of the very thing that eliminates them.
In a press release, he says, "We also need to preserve what makes storytelling human, which is judgment. The kind that takes decades to build, experience to hone and that only people can have. I knew I had a responsibility to my peers and our industry, to protect the power of human creativity and the people behind it. In creating InterPositive, I sought to do just that."
The writer, director and actor aims to preserve judgment by eliminating the costs of human judgment — undeniable logic!
]]>
Eric André's formerly deactivated college band BLARF came back in 2020 for a new album called Cease & Desist, and now the comedian has returned to his musical roots for its follow-up, Film Scores for Films That Don't Exist, out May 1 through Stones Throw Records.
Described in press notes as "if Ennio Morricone conducted performances of his score for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly using a stick of dynamite instead of a baton," the work is previewed today by teaser track "What's for Dinner," which starts off sounding like a legitimate orchestral movie score well suited for a nature doc (he indeed enlisted orchestras in L.A. and Budapest for the album) before ripping into power metal — maybe that's for the part when the lion trounces the gazelle?
Hear that below, where you'll also find the record's tracklist.
André has announced an orchestral live show in L.A. on April 27. No word yet on whether he plans to take the show on the road. Toronto Symphony Orchestra: take note.
Film Scores for Films That Don't Exist:
1. The Final Shootout
2. What's for Dinner
3. Stars Without Light
4. Piano Concerto No. 0
5. Mercury Dripping Down My Spine
6. Run for Your Death
7. Dead Ballerina
8. 1869 Overture
After hinting that new music was coming last month, Olivia Rodrigo's promises have finally been actualized.
The musician's third album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love arrives June 12, and is the first of her records to not be titled a four-letter word. We'll call that growth!
As of time of publication, no other information has been shared. Pre-orders are available now via Rodrigo's website.
]]>
With false spring behind us, it's probably good for us to find a distraction until the real thing comes. Rest assured, Paramount+ will help fill the void with a fresh set of new titles summitting the streamer this April.
The Paramount+ original series Marshals continues the run of its first season throughout the month, with new episodes arriving every Monday. Plenty of other shows will also drop episodes throughout the month, including but not limited to Survivor, Matlock, Elsbeth, NCIS and Watson.
While it's a very TV-heavy month at the peak of the mountain, a few movies will also arrive, including Dunkirk, Primate, Hallow Road, Pose, Thieves Highway and more.
Check out the full slate of titles coming to Paramount+ this April below, and be sure to see what else is arriving on other streamers, like Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video.
April 2
Caught in the Act: Unfaithful (new episode)
April 3
TMNT: Mutant Mayhem
Hate the Player (new episode)
April 5
Zuffa Boxing #5
Watson (new episode)
April 6
Marshals (new episode)
CIA (new episode)
The Neighborhood (new episode)
DMV (new episode)
FBI (new episode)
April 7
Morning Glory
Something's Gotta Give
NCIS (new episode)
NCIS: Origins (new episode)
NCIS: Sydney (new episode)
April 8
America's Culinary Cup (new episode)
Survivor (new episode)
April 9
Caught in the Act: Unfaithful (new episode)
Ghosts (new episode)
Matlock (new episode)
Elsbeth (new episode)
April 10
Hallow Road
Sheriff Country/Fire Country
Hate the Player
Fire Country (new episode)
Boston Blue (new episode)
Sheriff Country (new episode)
April 12
Watson (new episode)
April 13
Marshals (new episode)
The Neighborhood (new episode)
April 14
Dunkirk
Everybody Loves Raymond Seasons 5–9
Unplugging
NCIS (new episode)
NCIS: Origins (new episode)
NCIS: Sydney (new episode)
April 15
Divorced Sistas Season 1
The Loud House: Europe Road Trip
America's Culinary Cup (new episode)
Survivor (new episode)
April 16
Caught in the Act: Unfaithful (new episode)
Ghosts (new episode)
Matlock (new episode)
Elsbeth (new episode)
April 17
Pose
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Fire Country (new episode)
Boston Blue (new episode)
Sheriff Country (new episode)
April 19
Watson (new episode)
April 20
From Season 4
Marshals (new episode)
CIA (new episode)
The Neighborhood (new episode)
DMV (new episode)
April 21
John Q.
The Last Victim
NCIS (new episode)
NCIS: Origins (new episode)
NCIS: Sydney (new episode)
April 22
Farmer Wants a Wife Season 4
America's Culinary Cup (new episode)
Survivor (new episode)
April 23
Ghosts (new episode)
Matlock (new episode)
Elsbeth (new episode)
April 24
Thieves Highway
Fire Country (new episode)
Boston Blue (new episode)
Sheriff Country (new episode)
April 26
Watson (new episode)
April 27
Marshals (new episode)
CIA (new episode)
The Neighborhood (new episode)
DMV (new episode)
FBI (new episode)
April 28
My Killer Father: The Green Hollow Murders
Game Night
Tammy
NCIS (new episode)
NCIS: Origins (new episode)
NCIS: Sydney (new episode)
April 29
America's Culinary Cup (new episode)
Survivor (new episode)
April 30
Ghosts (new episode)
Matlock (new episode)
We Are in the Future is back with more shows to add to your calendar over the next few months, including Fruit Bats (pictured above), Tortoise's first Toronto show in 10 years and Hayden Pedigo's rescheduled Canadian tour and more.
Head over to Concert Central to check out more Canadian tour announcements, show recommendations, listings and more.
Vacations
The Garrison, June 24 and 25
Get tickets:
Vacations are thrilled to announce a special run of exclusive live shows in celebration of their forthcoming single "Holy Grail." After a year spent recording, the band are ready to get back on stage, play new music, and give fans an early glimpse of what's to come. Tickets are moving fast for the shows — get them before it's too late!
Tortoise
The Concert Hall, July 3
Get tickets:
Tortoise return to Toronto for their first show in ten years! Don't miss out on seeing them live at the Concert Hall on July 3 in support of their latest record Touch. Get tickets now.
Fruit Bats
The Concert Hall, July 21
Get tickets:
The midwest, particularly the part of the midwest Eric D. Johnson hails from, is a largely flat expanse. Zipping through it on the it highway, you'll see cities and towns rise up in the distance, but blink and you'll miss other man-made rejoinders to horizontal living dotting the landscape, hill after hill, built from the refuse of the past: landfills. Some of these hills make for great sledding spots, parks, and trails. Others turn organic waste into compost.
The Landfill, Fruit Bats' upcoming album (out June 12 via Merge Records), is something else entirely: a mountain dominating the landscape of Johnson's heart. Don't miss the show at the Concert Hall on July 21.
Cruz Beckham and the Breakers
The Garrison, July 31
Get tickets:
Cruz Beckham and the Breakers make their Toronto debut at the Garrison on July 31. Get tickets now.
Daily J
Drake Underground, September 11
Get tickets:
Born and bred in idyllic Marlborough, New Zealand, Daily J has grown its own unique sound, offering blissful blends of dreamy, swirling melodies, warm basslines and a hazy pop electronica influence that leaves you feeling swooned — the perfect soundtrack to your golden hour. Catch them live at the Drake Underground on September 11.
Altin Gün
Danforth Music Hall, September 18
Get tickets:
Since bursting onto the scene in 2018 with their debut album On, Amsterdam-based Altin Gün have been at the vanguard of the 21st century revival of Turkish-influenced psychedelic grooves. Coming straight out of the gate with a wah-wah and organ heavy sound that effortlessly captured the spirit of Anatolian 70s psych-funk masters like Baris Manço and Erkin Koray, they deepened and expanded their palette with 2021's Yol, which brought synths and drum machines into the mix for a more 80s-influenced dream-pop vibe. Don't miss them live on September 18 at the Danforth Music Hall.
Hayden Pedigo
The Great Hall, October 6
Get tickets:
Fresh off signing to Sub Pop Records, Hayden Pedigo makes his highly anticipated return to Toronto on October 6.
Friko
The Great Hall, October 19
Get tickets:
When Friko delivered their debut album Where We've Been, Where We Go From Here, the Chicago-based band introduced a galvanizing new voice into the indie-rock canon. Both uncompromising in spirit and thrilling in impact, the 2024 LP landed on best-of-the-year lists from the likes of Pitchfork, the cover of NME, and led to glowing acclaim from Rolling Stone, Paste, NPR Music and more.
In the making of their sophomore full-length, vocalist/guitarist Niko Kapetan, drummer Bailey Minzenberger, guitarist Korgan Robb, and bassist David Fuller gained a powerful new clarity on their purpose and vision while embracing an even bolder sense of abandon, exploring everything from noise-rock to avant-garde classical to '70s-era symphonic balladry. Equal parts sonically extravagant and emotionally searing, their forthcoming new record Something Worth Waiting For ultimately locates a wildly elusive balance between the wide-eyed idealism of youth and the self-possessed grit of lived experience. Hear songs from the album live on October 19 at The Great Hall.
Sammy Rae and the Friends with Melt
The Concert Hall, November 10
Get tickets:
For as much as Sammy Rae & the Friends may be a band, this collective of dreamers and artists considers themselves a family first. That all-for-one and one-for-all camaraderie ignites their unforgettable and can't-miss live shows, which serve as a catharsis for both the musicians and their fervent audience.
Fronted by singer/songwriter Sammy Rae and honed through years of touring, the group is capable of flourishing in any spotlight thanks to its signature blend of palpable chemistry, deft virtuosity, and vocal fireworks. They return to Toronto on November 10 to play the Concert Hall with support from Melt.
Mama's Gun
The Garrison, November 19
Get tickets:
Mamas Gun is a 5-piece band from the UK, who's sound straddles that so-called blue-eyed soul and the best of soul in the Black music tradition. Echoes of artists such as Marvin Gaye, Bobby Caldwell, Bill Withers, Lewis Taylor and Sly Stone can be heard weaving in between the sonic threads of their frequently uplifting and heart-rending music. Catch them live in support of their new record Dig! at the Garrison on November 19.
After calling out his ex-bandmates on social media for "pandering" to fans on social issues back in January, former Turnstile guitarist Brady Ebert has reportedly been arrested for attempted murder.
UPDATE (4/2, 1:32 p.m. ET): The band have shared a statement [via Rolling Stone] about the incident involving Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates's father:
Turnstile cut ties with Brady Ebert in 2022 in response to a consistent pattern of harmful behavior affecting himself, the band, and the community. After exhausting every available resource to support his access to help and recovery, a boundary ultimately had to be set when healthy communication was no longer possible and he began threatening violence.
In the years since, his baseless tirades have continued in public. We never addressed it. We chose to protect his privacy and the circumstances around his departure, even when he did nothing to be deserving of that protection. Over the past few months, his threats only escalated further.
This past week, that violence led to a physical attack when Brady went to the house of Brendan's parents and used his vehicle to run over Brendan's father, causing severe physical trauma. We are grateful that Mr. Yates survived, has successfully undergone surgery, and we're hoping for the best possible outcome in his recovery.
We have no language left for Brady.
Please respect our privacy in this time.
UPDATE (4/2, 11:58 a.m. ET): According to local publication The Baltimore Banner, Ebert has been accused of intentionally hitting Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates's father, William Yates, with a car. Montgomery County Police found the 79-year-old in the front yard of his Silver Spring home on Sunday (March 29) with "trauma to his lower extremities."
Yates alleged that Ebert had driven up to the house, honking his horn and cursing before driving off — only to later return and hit Yates, who was standing in the driveway, with his vehicle.
Prior to the arrival of first responders, Ebert reportedly returned again to tell Yates that he "deserved it." As per The Baltimore Banner, the frontman's father told police that the former guitarist had "been causing issues with his family since being fired from the band."
While the news was first reported by Lambgoat yesterday (April 1), this seems to be real and not April Fool's hijinks: there's a case filing on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search & Record Portal showing that Ebert is currently in custody for felony charges of attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault that allegedly took place on March 29.
As of yet, there hasn't been any verifiable information reported about the incident(s) that led to the arrest or the victim(s). Ebert is slated to appear in Montgomery County court this afternoon for a bail and bond review hearing.
The founding guitarist parted ways with Turnstile in 2022. In 2025, Ebert formed a new Baltimore-based hardcore band called the S.E.T., but was kicked out of the group prior to the release of their debut EP last month due to the aforementioned inflammatory comments he'd made about Turnstile, claiming that "no one" in the band "cares about ethics or social issues in general."
Shortly after being ousted from the S.E.T., the guitarist seemingly formed another new band called the Experience, sharing practice videos on Instagram.
]]>
Bass Coast's annual festival returns to Merritt, BC, from June 10 to 13 in 2026, and after teasing its initial lineup last year, organizers have now unveiled the fest's full roster of performers.
In addition to previously announced headliner Daphni (a.k.a. Caribou's Dan Snaith), the festival will also host Addison Groove, Bakey Burchill, Bushbaby, Christian Löffler, Cinthie Coffintexts, Craze Craze, D. Tiffany, Dane, DJ Minx, Dylan Fogarty, Fort Knox Five, Hypho, Ivy Lab, JPS, Kahn, KiNK, Lauren Flax, Mat the Alien, Mike Servito, OAKK, Opiuo, Paul Woolford, Rumpus, Sabre, Skratch Bastid, Slynk, Smalltown DJs, Special Request, Surusinghe, Tailor Jae, the Funk Hunters, the Librarian Visages, Vnssa, Young Franco and many more.
In addition to musical programming, the festival will also offer workshops, yoga instruction, murals, interactive arts, performance art and more.
"We program for people who are genuinely curious about where dance music is going," says Co-Founder and Music Director Andrea Graham a.k.a. the Librarian. "These artists are leading that conversation globally, and a lot of North American audiences haven't experienced them yet. That's exactly the point."
Festival passes, camping passes, bell tents and more are on sale now via the festival's website.
See the poster below.
]]>
Yellowknife's Folk of the Rocks teased its 2026 lineup earlier this year, revealing that Aysanabee, the OBGMs, Virgo Rising, Janky Bungag, Justine Giles, Marrow Bones, Robert Adam, Northwyne, Dumb Crush and R.A.S.K.L. were scheduled to join the festivities running July 17 to 19 under the midnight sun.
Now, organizers have shared the second wave of artists, including Great Lake Swimmers, Drives the Common Man, the Darcys, Waahli, Altered by Mom, FONTINE, Electric Lemonade, Daughters of Donbas, Gnarwhal, Jeffrey Straker, Cat McGurk, June Trasher, Stacie Arden Smith, Upper Mall Rats, the Only, Worn and Glam on the Rocks.
As always, the festival will also feature community programming, including NorthWords NWT Storytime, Rock the Arts Puppets and Taiga Yoga, as well as local food vendors, cold beverages, artisans and community organizations.
The third and final wave of performers is expected to be announced on May 15. Early-bird tickets are on sale now via Folk on the Rock's website.
See the second wave poster below.
There are plenty of publications Morrissey could complain about on his diary website for making fun of them (us included), but none of them (in recent history, at least) are BrooklynVegan. That didn't stop him, though!
The disgraced Smiths frontman is mad at the music news site for bringing up his string of cancelled shows in its post about Huntington Beach, CA's Darker Waves Festival. The Gen X nostalgia fest boasts Moz as one of the headliners, and in its reporting, the pub mentioned his sleepy disposition.
This was enough for Moz to call them out with a post on Morrissey Central, writing, "Massive boo's [sic] to BrooklynVegan for their awful announcement of the upcoming Darker Waves festival. Morrissey [sic] friends will boycott BrooklynVegan." He signed off the post the way any other disgruntled 66-year-old man would: with a Bitmoji of himself.
Seems like a strong reaction to an unaggressive half-sentence when some of us get Instagram DMs from unnamed Morrissey associates defending him. Peep Moz's Bitmoji below.
]]>
Sturgill Simpson's latest album as Johnny Blue Skies, Mutiny After Midnight, was released only as physical media — save for some unofficial Bandcamp digital versions that dashed the singer-songwriter's dreams of leaking his own album.
Simpson and his band the Dark Clouds have now announced the Mutiny After Midnight tour, which will take them across North America this September and October — including a lone Canadian stop in Vancouver.
With no openers, the trek kicks off on September 4 in Austin, TX. The musicians will make their way across the border into Canada later in the month for a September 19 performance at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum ahead of wrapping the run on October 30 in Lexington, KY.
Tickets go on general sale next Friday (April 10) at 10 a.m. local time, with various presales beginning Wednesday (April 8). Find the full itinerary below, as well as more upcoming Canadian shows via Concert Central.
Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds 2026 Tour Dates:
09/04 Austin, TX - Moody Center
09/06 Rio Rancho, NM - Rio Rancho Events Center
09/08 Glendale, AZ - Desert Diamond Arena
09/09 Santa Barbara, CA - Santa Barbara Bowl
09/11 Inglewood, CA - Kia Forum
09/13 San Diego, CA - Viejas Arena
09/15 Berkeley, CA - The Greek Theatre
09/18 Seattle, WA - Climate Pledge Arena
09/19 Vancouver, BC - Pacific Coliseum
09/21 Eugene, OR - Matthew Knight Arena
09/23 Denver, CO - Ball Arena
09/26 Kansas City, MO - T-Mobile Center
09/27 St. Paul, MN - Grand Casino Arena
09/29 Chicago, IL - United Center
10/02 Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
10/03 Indianapolis, IN - Gainbridge Fieldhouse
10/06 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center
10/07 Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
10/09 Pittsburgh, PA - Petersen Events Center
10/10 Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena
10/13 Boston, MA - TD Garden
10/15 Philadelphia, PA - Xfinity Mobile Arena
10/16 Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center
10/18 Washington, D.C. - Capital One Arena
10/21 Raleigh, NC - Lenovo Center
10/23 Charleston, SC - Credit One Stadium
10/25 Atlanta, GA - State Farm Arena
10/27 New Orleans, LA - Lakefront Arena
10/30 Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena
Long Day's Night Music Festival is returning to its home in Swift Current, SK, from June 18 to 20, and organizers have unveiled the lineup for its 2026 edition.
Leading this year's bill are Marcus Trummer, Hutsul Drive, Peter and the Wolves, Lemon Bucket Orkestra and Blu Beach Band. Margaret's Medicine will close out the festivities with a hometown show at the official afterparty.
"We're thrilled to bring this lineup," Festival Coordinator Keely Williams shared in a release. "Each night offers something unique and we can't wait to see everyone dancing, singing, and celebrating under the big Saskatchewan sky. Just bring your dancing shoes and we'll take care of the rest."
Festival passes and single-day tickets are on sale now.
]]>
This is not an April Fool's Joke: the shell of what once was Toronto's Velvet Underground has already been taken over by a nightclub that looks entirely fake.
The new addition to the once-strong Queen West strip is Hyve, a club and cocktail bar that vows to keep "part of the iconic stage, and continue the legacy of the Velvet," whatever that means. Have you ever been to one of those bar shows where there's not enough room on the stage so the bass player has to play on the floor and inevitably gets bumped into when someone needs to go to the bathroom? That's what this is giving.
Though the club's website says that live performance will be a part of Hyve, its imagery looks like it will be mostly in the form of DJ sets. Which is fine — we certainly aren't elitists who think electronic music isn't "real" over here. We are just mourning the loss of another mid-size venue in Toronto, which is something the city desperately needs.
Beyond the loss of the Velvet, the most offensive part so far is how fake the building's new signage looks. The "Y" of Hyve descends down to near street level, looking like one of those hazardous icicles that can kill you.
It's depressing to see how dilapidated Queen West looks now after being the pinnacle of cool in Toronto just over a decade ago. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
See some reactions to the new nightclub below.
]]>
When Shad woke up this weekend, he probably didn't think he'd be on the receiving end of shade from Drake — but that's exactly what happened, as Drake seemingly took a swipe at Shad during the JUNO Awards ceremony while getting his facts all mixed up.
When inducting Nelly Furtado into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during a remote speech, Drake said, "To the JUNOS, because you are honouring one of my dearest friends tonight, I will spare you, even though I know you're still thinking about those six awards that you gave to Shad in 2011 when you snubbed Take Care as I hosted the 40th anniversary of your award show."
On Instagram, Shad fact-checked Drake by sharing an article from the Toronto Star, which points out that Drake is misremembering a couple of key points. Firstly, he lost six JUNOS for his album Thank Me Later, not Take Care; in fact, Take Care won a JUNO in 2012.
Furthermore, on the night in question, Drake only lost one category to Shad: Rap Recording of the Year, which went to TSOL. The other prizes went to Justin Bieber (Fan Choice Award), Neil Young (Artist of the Year), Arcade Fire (Songwriter of the Year and Album of the Year) and K'naan's Young Artists for Haiti (Single of the Year). Sidenote: Drake should start a feud with Arcade Fire! He might actually win that one.
Shad wrote on Instagram, "This is the last I want to talk about this lol bc I really believe artists should be trying to direct attention towards things beyond ourselves: Big serious things, small beautiful things, things more vital, edifying, and interesting than this. There's a lot of temptation to ego in this biz. The real work is staying focused on the craft, the message, and the people rather than the noise. "
He also shared an op-ed he wrote for the Vancouver Sun in 2011, arguing that the JUNOS and similar shows ought to "shine a light on those unsung people in our country who have devoted their lives to building a better society."
]]>
Having won a couple of JUNO Awards over the weekend, Toronto R&B singer Daniel Caesar has announced a tour in support of last year's Son of Spergy, including a seven-date Canadian leg.
UPDATE (4/2, 11:36 a.m. ET): Due to overwhelming demand, a second date has been added at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on August 3.
Presales begin today at 12 p.m. local time, and general on-sale will take place tomorrow (April 3) at 10 a.m. You can find the updated schedule below.
Following spring dates in Asia, Caesar will come to North America in the summer. The Canadian leg runs through the first half of August, and includes arena shows in seven cities: Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.
Faye Webster will open the Toronto date, while 070 Shake will open the rest of the dates.
An artist presale will begin on Thursday (April 2) at 10 a.m. local time, with tickets going on sale to the general public the day after (Friday, April 3), also at 10 a.m. See the details below.
Daniel Caesar 2026 Tour Dates:
05/16 Singapore - Singapore Indoor Stadium
05/19 Manila, Philippines - SM Mall of Asia Arena
05/24 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Idea Live Arena
05/29 Seoul, South Korea - KINTEX Hall 10
05/31 Jakarta, Indonesia - Java Jazz Festival
06/02 Hong Kong, China - AsiaWorld-Expo, Hall 10
06/04 Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo International Forum
06/06 Taipei, Taiwan - Messe Taoyuan
06/09 Bangkok, Thailand - Impact Arena
07/14 Denver, CO - Ball Arena *
07/16 Phoenix, AZ - Mortgage Matchup Center *
07/19 Austin, TX - Moody Center *
07/20 Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center *
07/23 Tampa, FL - Benchmark International Arena *
07/24 Atlanta, GA - State Farm Arena *
07/25 Eau Claire, WI - Eaux Claires Festival
07/26 Chicago, IL - United Center *
07/28 Baltimore, MD - CFG Bank Arena *
07/30 Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center *
07/31 Boston, MA - TD Garden *
08/02 Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena *
08/03 Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena *
08/05 Ottawa, ON - Canadian Tire Centre ~
08/06 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre ~
08/10 Winnipeg, MB - Canada Life Centre ~
08/13 Edmonton, AB - Rogers Place ~
08/14 Calgary, AB - Scotiabank Saddledome ~
08/16 Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena ~
08/18 Portland, OR - Moda Center ~
08/20 San Francisco, CA - Chase Center ~
08/23 Anaheim, CA - Honda Center ~
* with Faye Webster
~ with 070 Shake
If you also spent many formative years of your childhood reading creepypastas — horror stories and/or images shared on the Internet — well past your bedtime, you may be excited (or terrified) to hear that the trailer for A24's The Backrooms has finally arrived.
Directed by British-American filmmaker Kane Parsons in his directorial feature debut, the film is based on Parsons's YouTube found-footage horror series, where a therapist searches for her patient who disappeared into an otherworldly dimension. The webseries was inspired by the original, viral backrooms creepypasta.
The film's screenplay was written by Will Soodick and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. The cast includes Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell and Avan Jogia.
At just 20, Parsons is the youngest director to ever work with A24, and his directorial debut hits theatres on May 29. You can check out the trailer below.
Fresh off the release of her new EP Detour earlier this month, rapper and singer-songwriter Samara Cyn has announced a brief slate of North American tour dates for this spring — including a lone Canadian appearance in Toronto.
The Detour (ha, get it?) gets underway starting May 10 in New York, NY. After Cyn performs in Chicago, IL, she'll cross the border into Canada for a gig at Toronto's Drake Underground on May 13 ahead of the trek's final date on May 20 in Los Angeles, CA.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (April 1), with presale access available here. See the full routing below, and don't forget to check out Concert Central for more upcoming Canadian shows.
Samara Cyn 2026 Tour Dates:
05/10 New York, NY - Baby's All Right
05/12 Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
05/13 Toronto, ON - Drake Underground
05/20 Los Angeles, CA - Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
If it's up, then it's up, then it's up, I guess. Cardi B stays up, maintaining her winning streak as she navigates ongoing legal matters, most recently scoring a victory against Kemika1956 in a copyright infringement case.
According to Rolling Stone, on Monday (March 30), a federal judge in Texas dismissed the lawsuit claiming her 2024 hit "Enough (Miami)" copied beats from the 2021 track "Greasy Frybread," featured in the FX series Reservation Dogs. The plaintiffs, production duo Joshua Fraustro and Miguel Aguilar (professionally known as Kemika1956), alleged Cardi B had "reproduced, distributed, and publicly performed" their song without permission and later added defamation claims.
Cardi B's lawyers argued that "Greasy Frybread" was not initially protected by copyright and pointed out that the plaintiffs only switched from a federal copyright claim to Texas state law after realizing they lacked a valid registration. Though the duo eventually obtained a copyright with an effective date of October 31, 2025, it was too late to strengthen their case.
US District Judge Fernando Rodriguez dismissed the suit, ruling that Cardi B, born Belcalis Almánzar, did not specifically target Texas with her performances. "Plaintiffs do not demonstrate that Almanzar targeted Texas for concert performances, rather than simply including Texas venues within a broader concert tour in numerous states," the judge wrote. He added that even if jurisdiction were established, the claims were too weak to proceed.
Whether the duo plan to try their luck in another state remains to be seen, but the judge made it clear that Cardi's Texas shows weren't enough to make their case stick — and any attempt to amend the complaint would be, in his words, "futile."
Cardi B's lawyer, Lisa F. Moore, stated, "Obviously, we are very pleased with today's order and appreciate the court's careful consideration of the issues."
"Enough (Miami)" has been a commercial hit, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning more than 78 million views on YouTube. By comparison, "Greasy Frybread" has just over 920,000 views since its release.
This latest victory adds to Cardi B's string of courtroom successes, which include defending against an assault lawsuit, a libel case alongside her sister Hennessy, a copyright dispute over a tattoo on her early mixtape cover, and a $4 million USD jury verdict against celebrity gossip vlogger Tasha K.
With another win in her corner, Cardi B is arguably untouchable.
The triumphant rapper took the stage last night at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena ahead of performing tonight at Hamilton's TD Coliseum.
]]>
New Orleans hip-hop duo $uicideboy$ have announced an upcoming 33-date arena and amphitheatre tour that will take them across the US and up to Canada for a lone Toronto date this fall.
The Grey Day Tour begins in Shakopee, MN, at the end of August. They'll eventually venture north of the border to play Toronto's RBC Amphitheatre on September 14, before continuing the rest of the outing stateside.
The duo will be joined by Destroy Lonely, Shakewell, DRAIN, Black Kray, $lim Gucci and Shoreline Mafia on select dates.
Tickets go on sale this Friday (April 3) at 10 a.m. local time, following presales beginning Thursday (April 2). Check out the schedule below, and head over to Concert Central for more Canadian tour announcements.
$uicideboy$ 2026 Tour Dates:
08/29 Shakopee, MN - Mystic Lake Amphitheater *
08/30 Kansas City, MO - Morton Amphitheater *
09/01 Dallas, TX - Dos Equis Pavilion *
09/04 Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live $
09/05 Charlotte, NC - Truliant Amphitheater *
09/06 Virginia Beach, VA - Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater *
09/08 Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center *
09/10 Burgettstown, PA - The Pavilion at Star Lake *
09/11 Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center *
09/12 Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake Amphitheater *
09/14 Toronto, ON - RBC Amphitheatre *
09/15 Clarkston, MI - Pine Knob Music Theatre *
09/16 Tinley Park, IL - Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre *
09/18 Milwaukee, WI - American Family Insurance Amphitheater *
09/19 St Louis, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheater *
09/20 Noblesville, IN - Ruoff Music Center *
09/25 Denver, CO - Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre
09/26 Salt Lake City, UT - Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
09/28 Seattle, WA - Climate Pledge Arena ^
09/29 Ridgefield, WA - Cascades Amphitheater ^
10/01 Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre ^
10/02 Sacramento, CA - Aftershock Festival
10/03 San Bernardino, CA - Glen Helen Amphitheater ^
10/04 Chula Vista, CA - North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ^
10/06 Fresno, CA - Save Mart Center ^
10/08 Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ^
10/10 Albuquerque, NM - First Financial Credit Union ^ Amphitheater
10/13 Austin, TX - Germania Insurance Amphitheater*
10/14 New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center*
10/16 Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheater*
10/17 Tampa, FL - MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre #*
October 18 - Sunrise, FL - Amerant Bank Arena #*
October 20 - Birmingham, AL - Coca-Cola Amphitheater *
* with Destroy Lonely, Shakewell, DRAIN, Black Kray and $lim Gucci
$ with Destroy Lonely, Shakewell and $lim Gucci
^ with Shoreline Mafia, Shakewell, DRAIN, Black Kray and $lim Gucci
# no Destroy Lonely
A new legal dispute has entered Taylor Swift's orbit. The tortured poet behind the lyrics "Did you girlboss too close to the sun?" is now being sued by Las Vegas performer Maren Wade over the title of her chart-topping album, The Life of a Showgirl.
According to a lawsuit filed on March 30 in a California federal court, Wade alleges that Swift knowingly moved forward with a name that closely resembles her own long-running brand. NME reports the suit brings claims of trademark infringement, false designation, and unfair competition against both Swift and UMG Recordings. Wade is seeking unspecified damages, along with a court order to stop Swift from continuing to use the title.
Wade's connection to the phrase dates back over a decade. In 2014, she launched Confessions of a Showgirl, a column in Las Vegas Weekly based on her experiences in the entertainment industry. Since then, the project has expanded into a podcast and live show, with trademark protection covering stage performances, theatrical productions, and television.
The complaint argues that Swift's rollout of The Life of a Showgirl was anything but subtle. It claims the title was quickly applied across merchandise and promotional materials, targeting the same audience Wade had spent years building. Wade also alleges that the overlap has created confusion, with some audiences assuming she copied Swift rather than the other way around.
Complicating things further, the lawsuit notes that the US Patent and Trademark Office had previously declined Swift's application for the title, citing similarities to Wade's mark — particularly the shared phrase "of a Showgirl" and its use within the same entertainment space.
Trademark disputes often come down to priority and likelihood of confusion, meaning Swift could either challenge the claim in court or attempt to acquire rights to the name. For Wade, the stakes are personal as well as professional. The lawsuit argues that the "continued erosion" of her trademark threatens the foundation of her brand.
"A solo performer who spent twelve years building a brand shouldn't have to watch it disappear because someone bigger came along," said Wade's lawyer, Jaymie Parkinnen, in a statement.
Swift has not publicly responded to the lawsuit.
]]>
J-metal troupe Babymetal have announced that they're bringing their biggest-ever tour behind last year's METAL FORTH to North America with special guests Halestorm and Violent Vira. The stint on the road is slated to include a single Canadian stop in Toronto come September.
Babymetal kick off this leg of their routing by opening for My Chemical Romance on August 30 in San Diego, CA. From there, they'll take over headlining duties, crossing the border for their lone venture into Canada to perform at Toronto's RBC Amphitheatre on September 7. The remainder of the North American gigs will happen stateside, wrapping up at the beginning of October before the band head to Latin America.
Tickets go on sale to the general public next Friday (April 10) at 10 a.m. local time, following various presales beginning April 6; sign up here for access. Find the full North American itinerary below, and be sure to head over to Concert Central for more upcoming Canadian shows.
Babymetal 2026 Tour Dates:
08/30 San Diego, CA - Petco Park *
09/02 Denver, CO - Ball Arena
09/04 Chicago, IL - Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
09/05 Noblesville, IN - Ruoff Music Center
09/07 Toronto, ON - RBC Amphitheatre
09/09 Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
09/10 Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center
09/12 Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
09/13 Raleigh, NC - Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
09/15 Charlotte, NC - Truliant Amphitheater
09/16 Alpharetta, GA - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
09/18 Clarkston, MI - Pine Knob Music Theatre
09/19 Louisville, KY - Louder Than Life
09/21 St. Louis, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
09/23 Dallas, TX - Dos Equis Pavilion
09/25 The Woodlands, TX - The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Sponsored by Huntsman
09/26 Austin, TX - Germania Insurance Amphitheater
09/29 Albuquerque, NM - First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater
10/01 Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
10/03 Sacramento, CA - Aftershock Festival
* supporting My Chemical Romance
]]>
Fucked Up's frontman Damian Abraham has teamed up with Emmy-winning producer Zach Feldberg to launch a new independent film and television production company, Cut & Paste Pictures.
With an active slate of scripted and unscripted formats and a feature documentary currently in production, the Toronto-based Cut & Paste will focus on "bold, voice-driven projects rooted in music, counterculture and outsider perspectives."
The unscripted development slate is led by the factual series Exit Strategy, which stars Hassan "MVP" Assad. On the scripted side is Kelly McCormack's feature film I Just Want to Talk to You, which is based on uncovered recordings by Charles K Brown. The comedy series HOSER, co-created by Abraham and Ehren "Bear Witness" Thomas, is also in development.
Last December, Cut & Paste released the documentary SNFU: A Band from Edmonton in partnership with Trust Records. It premiered at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas.
Cut & Paste are currently developing a feature-length documentary about the lifelong friendship between Rise Against guitarist Zach Blair and professional wrestler MVP, which is directed by Scott Barber.
Abraham and Feldberg's creative partnership combines a rich background across music, media and television, which will inform the company's distinct point of view. In addition to music, Abraham has also hosted and produced television projects like VICE's The Wrestlers and MuchMusic's The Wedge, and is also the creator of the interview podcast I Turned Out a Punk.
Felberg's experience includes serving as the Director of Current Production, Comedy and Head of Scripted Gem Originals at CBC. He was also involved with the series Soft Of, Son of a Critch, Fakes, and also produced for Trailer Park Boys and Big Brother.
"After two decades leading a band with a swear word for a name, and years spent working across podcasting and television chasing era-defining moments, I've learned that the culture you want to see in the world doesn't just happen," Abraham shared in a release. "Cut & Paste is an extension of that mindset — a home for stories that are raw, strange, and often overlooked, and that come from incredible people we've encountered who trust us with bringing their fascinating stories to the world."
"We called our company Cut & Paste because it reflects the culture and ethos that shaped us making things from scratch, by hand, and seeking out voices that hadn't yet broken through and were ahead of their time," Feldberg added. "Personally, it connects everything from releasing records and 'zines as a teenager to working as a journalist, radio host, and later as an executive and producer in TV and film. Our aim now is to pair that creative drive with the infrastructure and partnerships needed to bring those stories to scale."
You can check out Cut & Paste's website here.
]]>
Montreal's knitting are back, giving us something new to remember. The band have announced their sophomore album Souvenir, arriving June 26 via Mint Records, and shared its lead single, "I Want to Remember Everything."
In French, "souvenir" means "to remember," a fitting title for a record rooted in memory and in what we carry forward. Each track is said to play like a snapshot — intimate, reflective, and emotionally textured without losing the band's guitar-driven edge.
Souvenir was written in the margins of a hectic touring schedule and brought to life through collaborative sessions in Montreal and St. John's. While their debut leaned into a hazy, grungy cohesion, this record expands their sound — introducing more experimentation with texture, synths, and structure while keeping that introspective core intact.
"I Want to Remember Everything" sets the tone. It's a nostalgic, slightly off-kilter track about reconnecting with the parts of yourself you once hid to fit in. Frontperson Mischa Dempsey describes it as "a love letter to the weirdo I was when I was a kid," pulling inspiration from early internet culture, childhood media, and formative music discoveries.
The single arrives with a playful, campy video that follows the band on a quest to recover a missing object, set against a stark Montreal winter. It balances whimsy with a sense of longing, mirroring the song's mix of warmth and self-reflection.
Ahead of the release, knitting will hit the road for a run of Canadian shows this spring, including stops in Ottawa, Peterborough, Toronto and Montreal, with support from Sasha Cay on select dates.
Watch the video for "I Want to Remember Everything" below, along with the album's tracklist and upcoming tour dates.
Souvenir:
1. I Want to Remember Everything
2. Sunrise
3. Here Comes
4. Photocopy
5. I Wasn't Fully Cooked
6. Shuffle
7. Gift Horse
8. Sequel
9. Exit Desire
knitting 2026 Tour Dates:
04/02 Ottawa, ON - Saw Centre *
04/03 Peterborough, ON - Sadleir House
04/04 Toronto, ON - The Cameron House *
04/11 Montreal, QC - La Sotterenea * #
* with Sasha Cay
# with Hiding Places
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea preaches peace and love, but he's also developed a bit of a reputation for getting angry, thanks to a couple of viral videos in which he loses his cool. Now, he's responded to those videos.
During an interview with Apple Music, host Zane Lowe brought up a video in which Flea was approached by someone filming him, and he said, "Get your fucking camera out of my face." Lowe praised him for his response.
Flea recalled, "I felt kind of bad afterwards, because the guy stuck his camera in my face. I'm walking down the street with a friend. [He] sticks the camera face and had some question that you ask people. And I was like, 'Dude, get your fucking camera out of my face. Period.' And he was offended."
Lowe criticized the guy filming Flea for a lack of "discipline," but the bassist acknowledged, "Well, there wasn't the most discipline in my reaction either, but I stand by it. Get your fucking camera out of my face."
Flea also brought up another viral video in which he gets angry at a sound guy for not being able to hear himself during the concert, when in fact the reason he couldn't hear himself was that his ear monitors weren't in.
"When I get on stage to play a concert, I go into another mode," he explained. "I let go of the entire world. I live for this sometimes violent animal, sometimes heavenly ghost — all these things. But I'm gone, and all sudden, I can't hear. And I didn't think. My earphones were out, but I didn't know. I'm yelling at the monitor guy, 'I can't hear! I can't hear!' I'm getting madder and madder. I went, 'Mother fucker! Put it the fuck on!' And granted, this is someone I work with every day and I respect and love. But I'm gone, and I'm just bathing like a two-year-old."
Flea joked that these videos have gotten far more attention than most of his music. "The funny thing is, you can do something totally beautiful, and it's online, and it's like, 'Oh, that's cool.' But then you get pissed at some dude, and millions of people look at it."
Speaking of Flea doing things that are totally beautiful, his solo album Honora is out now.