AGP Executive Report

Canadian Artists Abroad: The Weeknd debuted “Hong Kong,” a new song sampling Faye Wong’s 1993 classic, during his tour stop in the city. Venue History: A documentary about London, Ont.’s Call the Office premieres next weekend, celebrating the independent bands and community hub the venue nurtured before closing in 2020. Local Music: Cowichan Valley blues artist Brandon Isaak has released his eighth solo album, Lookin’ Out My Window, and Winkler guitarist Jason Friesen has issued an instrumental EP as Alamoth. Venue Watch: Vancouver concertgoer’s lawsuit over allegedly excessive volume raises questions about concert sound levels, while Duncan Showroom is set to close at the end of November. Canadian Icons: Drake celebrated his 40th birthday with a surprise Backstreet Boys performance, joining the group for “I Want It That Way.”

New Music: The Weeknd debuted “Hong Kong,” a new track sampling Faye Wong’s “Seasonal Wind,” during his tour’s opening night at Kai Tak Stadium. Cowichan Valley blues artist Brandon Isaak also released his eighth solo album, Lookin’ Out My Window, alongside the single “World’s Got the Blues.” Canadian Artists: Rapper Kardinal Offishall is finding fresh energy after personal and career challenges, while Toronto’s Allison Russell drew praise for a recent Concert Hall performance. On Stage: Haywire has announced an extensive 2027 tour across Europe and North America, and the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra opens its season Nov. 22 with works by Dvořák, Brahms and Kenji Bunch. Local Music Spaces: Duncan Showroom will close at the end of November after its building was sold. Honours: Jann Arden, Emily Hampshire and Andrea Martin were celebrated at a Toronto gala that raised more than $700,000 for education and community initiatives in Haiti.

Canadian Artists: Tate McRae’s “Housewife” debuted at No. 1 on Australia’s singles chart, her first chart-topper there and sixth top-10 hit. Touring: Boston hardcore band Haywire has mapped an 80-show 2027 run, including Canadian dates with Béton Armé in April. Hip-Hop: Toronto pioneer Kardinal Offishall looks back on the label upheaval and financial struggles that followed his breakthrough album, “Quest for Fire.” Live Music: Vancouver concertgoer Jeffrey Shmigelsky is suing Live Nation and other parties, alleging excessive volume at a 2024 Evanescence show caused permanent hearing loss. Venues: Duncan Showroom on Vancouver Island plans to close at the end of November after its building was sold.

Live Shows: Grammy-nominated Canadian pianist Laila Biali brings her Wintersongs & Holiday Classics show to High River on Nov. 29, joined by Calgary musicians. New Music: Tate McRae has released new single “Housewife,” which debuted at No. 1 in Australia. Cowichan singer Cari Burdett’s long-awaited album Don’t Forget is out, with a tour also planned. Music Industry: Calgary is hosting Music Cities at the National Music Centre, bringing attention to the city’s role in Canada’s music scene. Venues: Duncan Showroom must leave its current home by Dec. 31 after the building was sold; founder Longevity John Falkner is looking for a new space. Rising Talent: Timmins-born singer Briana Sutherland is among nine finalists in Canada’s National Auditions for Opera Singers, with the final set for Nov. 10 in Montreal.

Tate McRae: The Canadian pop star is back with “Housewife,” her first new single of 2026, and has scored her first No. 1 on Australia’s ARIA chart. Concert Safety: A Calgary couple say they were attacked after Bruno Mars’ Vancouver concert. Music for Care: The Trews and Orillia’s Bleeker helped raise more than $225,000 for Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital at Casino Rama’s first Concert for Care. Canadian Stories on Stage: Gander’s former mayor Claude Elliott is sharing the real story behind Come From Away during an SIU production, while Weyburn students prepare their own staging of the Newfoundland-set musical. Indigenous Music: Weyburn’s Walk for Wenjack recalls Gord Downie’s Secret Path and its role in bringing Chanie Wenjack’s story to wider audiences; Saskatchewan’s Indigenous Awards also celebrated Métis fiddle music. On Tour: Quebec rock duo Angine de Poitrine have announced a 2027 international tour, including Calgary dates.

Concert Industry: A jury found Live Nation illegally monopolized concerts, opening the door to a possible breakup with major implications for Canada’s live-music business. Saskatchewan Tour: JUNO-nominated Newfoundland singer-songwriter Kellie Loder brought unreleased songs to Weyburn during a first Saskatchewan tour spanning 12 shows. Festival News: Sask Jazz Fest set attendance and ticket-sales records in 2026, with overall attendance up 25% and ticket sales up 60%; Modest Mouse drew a record 4,478 fans for a ticketed show. Canadian Breakout: French-Canadian duo Angine de Poitrine are taking their hypnotic sound on a 2027 international tour, including two Calgary dates. Holiday Sounds: Sam Roberts Band will join the CPKC Holiday Train for stops in Salmon Arm this December.

Canadian Music Milestone: Raffi marks 50 years since his debut children’s album with a new release, Love Is Everywhere, arriving Friday, and a 50th-anniversary reissue planned for Nov. 13. Live Music Business: Live Nation faces a possible breakup as independent venues struggle to compete with the concert giant, a debate with implications for Canada’s live-music scene. Tour News: Quebec art-rock duo Angine de Poitrine have announced a 2027 world tour, while Calgary-born Tate McRae returns with new single “Housewife.” Holiday Giving: The CPKC Holiday Train brings live music and food-bank support to communities, with Canadian acts including Tyler Shaw, Sam Roberts Band and Owen Riegling on the tour. Music and Community: Inuit artists’ songs and throat singing feature in a mobile game designed to support youth mental wellness.

Touring News: Quebec experimental-rock duo Angine de Poitrine has unveiled an international 2027 tour, including major Canadian stops in Toronto, Chicoutimi, Calgary, Ottawa and Winnipeg; the band’s sold-out 2026 dates resume next month. Canadian Jazz: JUNO-winning saxophonist Tara Davidson returns with her ninth album, launching the Marni Project — her first outing as a bandleader in 12 years. Hometown Sounds: Northern Pikes’ Jay Semko and singer-songwriter Danica Lorer bring original songs, band favourites and ghost stories to Humboldt on Oct. 30, with proceeds supporting repairs at the community gathering place. Toronto Date: Chvrches will release its first album in six years on Jan. 22, then tour Canada, including a Feb. 23 show at Toronto’s History.

Canadian Breakthrough: Quebec duo Angine de Poitrine, fresh off a historic double win at the Polaris and SOCAN Polaris awards, have announced their first Australian tour for March 2027. New Music: Burlington new-wave veterans Spoons are preparing their eighth studio album, Nightlife, and have released lead single “Take the World.” On the Road: Sam Roberts Band and Owen Riegling will headline stops on the CPKC Holiday Train’s B.C. run. Music Business: Spotify says it has removed more than 50 million AI-generated and spam tracks from recommendations. Canadian Icons: Alberta-born Joni Mitchell has become a U.S. citizen while retaining her Canadian citizenship. Opera Controversy: Calgary Opera replaced a singer after he unfurled a Palestinian flag onstage.

New Music: Toronto-born, Toronto- and L.A.-based artist Nicole Simone has released her debut album, Circles, a collection shaped by questions of home, belonging and life in transition. Holiday Train: Sam Roberts Band and country singer Owen Riegling will perform 33 free shows aboard the CPKC Holiday Train across Alberta and B.C. from Dec. 11 to 20, with donations supporting local food banks. Massey Hall Return: The Lightfoot Band is preparing for its Nov. 21 show at the storied Toronto venue, balancing nerves and excitement as it carries on without the late Gordon Lightfoot. Keeping Music Close to Home: A Mount Forest volunteer is moving an after-school vocal club into the community, partnering with Canadian Idol winner Theo Tams to launch the Mount Forest Music Club on Nov. 16.

Canadian Music Scene: A new feature traces Winnipeg’s gritty musical identity to the city’s labour and social-movement history, while Vancouver metal band Anciients has made keyboardist Justin Hagberg a permanent member. Live Music: Nickelback has announced a 2027 world tour, and Bon Jovi added a Toronto date at Rogers Stadium; the Backstreet Boys are also set for a 12-show Toronto run. Canadian Icons: Joni Mitchell has become a U.S. citizen so she can vote, but says she’ll always be Canadian. Céline Dion is also getting a Barbie inspired by her 1998 Oscars look. Arts Controversy: Calgary Opera replaced singer Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega after he unfurled a Palestinian flag during the curtain call at Tosca.

At the Leafs’ Organ: Jimmy Holmstrom is nearing 40 years entertaining fans in Toronto, adapting from the Maple Leaf Gardens Wurlitzer to today’s arena playlists. The story also traces the organ’s arrival at the Gardens in 1958. Toronto Concerts: Bon Jovi has added a 2027 Rogers Stadium date to its Forever Tour, while the Backstreet Boys’ 12-show Toronto run is selling nostalgia to longtime fans. Canadian Artists: Bruce Cockburn revisits the songs that shaped him on his new album, The Blood of Others. Newfoundland musicians are also reaching wider audiences with an appearance on Netflix’s Below. Homegrown Talent: Haliburton country singer Ryan Van Lee is among three winners of Samsung Canada’s True North Tunes competition, chosen from more than 4,000 musicians.

Tour Updates: Sidhu Moosewala’s remaining hologram tour dates in Canada and the U.S. are postponed amid protests in Punjab. Toronto and Vancouver shows sold out; Calgary fans will have to wait. Lord Huron has announced an intimate winter tour with a Montreal stop. Canadian Artists: Okanagan rapper SonReal is drawing attention with a viral track featuring accordion and drums, while Newfoundland musicians are reaching new listeners through Netflix’s Below. Homegrown Sound: Montreal-area audio maker Simaudio has unveiled its $5,000 MOON 341 integrated amplifier, designed and assembled in Boucherville. Canadian Icon: Joni Mitchell says becoming a U.S. citizen will not change her connection to Canada.

Canadian Breakout: Okanagan rapper SonReal’s playful “Fondue,” built around accordion and drums, is taking off online as he passes one million monthly Spotify listeners. New Music: Tate McRae’s “Housewife” won 51% of votes in Billboard’s weekly fan poll, ahead of releases from Olivia Rodrigo and U2. Opera Dispute: Calgary Opera replaced bass-baritone Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega in Tosca after he displayed a Palestinian flag at curtain call, saying the protest breached company policy. Live in Canada: Bruno Mars’ five-show Vancouver run is setting a BC Place record, while the Backstreet Boys’ 12-show Toronto residency is drawing millennial fans. Canadian Icon: Joni Mitchell has become a U.S. citizen so she can vote, but says she’ll keep her Canadian citizenship.

Breakthrough Moment: Newfoundland trio Salt Beef Junkies are reaching a global audience through Netflix’s hit Below, contributing a song and appearing on screen. The series drew 17 million views in its first week and topped charts in 53 countries. Live in Canada: Bruno Mars is wrapping a record-setting five-show run at Vancouver’s BC Place, while the Backstreet Boys’ 12-show Toronto engagement is bringing a wave of nostalgia to fans. New Music: Saskatoon singer-songwriter Andrea An released “My Heart Denies,” a grief-inspired single from her upcoming concept album. On the Road: Juno-nominated Newfoundland artist Kellie Loder brings a folk-pop set to Estevan on Oct. 21. Industry Spotlight: Cardi B has been named Billboard Canada’s first Global Woman of the Year.

Canadian Talent: Newfoundland-Labrador singer-songwriter Kellie Loder, a 2025 Juno nominee, is set to perform in Estevan on Oct. 21. In Portage la Prairie, Amazon Music’s Northern Echoes filmed Manitoba artist Shawn Pallister performing at Fort la Reine Museum. Live Shows: Halton fiddle-rock band Fiddlestix returns to Cambridge Nov. 13, while Iron Maiden has added a final North American leg to its 2027 anniversary tour, including Canadian dates. Big-Name Visits: Bruno Mars played five shows at Vancouver’s B.C. Place, and the Backstreet Boys’ 12-show Toronto run is bringing fans a dose of nostalgia. Music Across Ontario: CBC’s latest In the Key of C spotlights artists including Majid Jordan, Spoons, Damhnait Doyle, Faiza and Peach Luffe, alongside touring acts. Music and Community: Montreal’s Planetarium hosts Vicious Circle, a 360-degree immersive reimagining of multidisciplinary artist Dulcinea Langfelder’s work on Oct. 20 and 21. The CPKC Holiday Train’s 2026 route and artist lineup are also drawing attention as its music-filled stops approach.