All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Photo Gallery: Andrew W.K. with The Maysides at Toronto’s Opera House
Drake Announces New Dates For The ‘Aubrey And The Three Migos Tour’
Due to overwhelming demand, platinum selling artist Drake is adding new dates to his ‘Aubrey and The Three Migos Tour.’ Drake is joined on the outing by special guests and “Walk It Talk It” collaborators Migos. The tour will now include a third Toronto date at Air Canada Centre (August 12), a third Chicago date at United Center (August 20), a third New York date at Madison Square Garden (August 27), a third Dallas date at American Airlines Centre (September 27), and a third Los Angeles date at STAPLES Center (October 14). Produced by Live Nation, the 46-date outing will kick off July 26 in Salt Lake City, UT and visit cities across the U.S. and Canada. The tour announcement follows the release of Drake’s hit singles “God’s Plan” and “Nice For What,” leading up to his highly-anticipated fifth studio album Scorpion.
Tickets go on sale to the general public today, May 18 at Ticketmaster.com stating at 10 am ET.
AUBREY AND THE THREE MIGOS TOUR DATES
*Newly Added Dates in Bold
| Thu Jul 26 | Salt Lake City, UT | Vivint Smart Home Arena |
| Sat Jul 28 | Denver, CO | Pepsi Center |
| Tue Jul 31 | Kansas City, MO | Sprint Center |
| Wed Aug 01 | St. Paul, MN | Xcel Energy Center |
| Fri Aug 10 | Toronto, ON | Air Canada Centre |
| Sat Aug 11 Sun Aug 12 |
Toronto, ON Toronto, ON |
Air Canada Centre Air Canada Centre |
| Tue Aug 14 | Detroit, MI | Little Caesars Arena |
| Fri Aug 17 | Chicago, IL | United Center |
| Sat Aug 18 Mon Aug 20 |
Chicago, IL Chicago, IL |
United Center United Center |
| Fri Aug 24 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden |
| Sat Aug 25 Mon Aug 27 |
New York, NY New York, NY |
Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden |
| Thu Aug 30 | Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center |
| Fri Aug 31 | Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center |
| Tue Sep 04 | Montreal, QC | Bell Centre |
| Fri Sep 07 | Boston, MA | TD Garden |
| Sat Sep 08 | Boston, MA | TD Garden |
| Wed Sep 12 | Washington, DC | Capital One Arena |
| Thu Sep 13 | Washington, DC | Capital One Arena |
| Sat Sep 15 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center |
| Tue Sep 18 | Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena |
| Fri Sep 21 | Miami, FL | AmericanAirlines Arena |
| Sat Sep 22 | Miami, FL | AmericanAirlines Arena |
| Mon Sept 24 | New Orleans, LA | Smoothie King Center |
| Wed Sep 26 Thurs Sept 27 |
Dallas, TX Dallas, TX |
American Airlines Center American Airlines Center |
| Sat Sep 29 | Houston, TX | Toyota Center |
| Sun Sep 30 | Houston, TX | Toyota Center |
| Fri Oct 05 | Las Vegas, NV | MGM Grand Garden Arena |
| Sat Oct 06 | Las Vegas, NV | MGM Grand Garden Arena |
| Mon Oct 08 | Phoenix, AZ | Gila River Arena |
| Fri Oct 12 | Los Angeles, CA | STAPLES Center |
| Sat Oct 13 Sun Oct 14 |
Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA |
STAPLES Center STAPLES Center |
| Tue Oct 16 | Los Angeles, CA | The Forum |
| Wed Oct 17 | Los Angeles, CA | The Forum |
| Fri Oct 26 | Oakland, CA | Oracle Arena |
| Sat Oct 27 | Oakland, CA | Oracle Arena |
| Thu Nov 01 | Seattle, WA | Tacoma Dome |
| Sat Nov 03 | Vancouver, BC | Rogers Arena |
| Sun Nov 04 | Vancouver, BC | Rogers Arena |
| Tue Nov 06 | Edmonton, AB | Rogers Place |
| Fri Nov 16 | Atlanta, GA | Philips Arena |
| Sat Nov 17 | Atlanta, GA | Philips Arena |
YouTube announces Jessie Reyez as First YouTube Artist on the Rise
Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez has been chosen as YouTube’s first-ever global Artist on the Rise – a new program from YouTube that will promote a diverse lineup of music’s most important new voices across all genres, connecting them with fans worldwide through in-product promotion and programming, out-of-home, social and fan events at YouTube Spaces. The Artist on the Rise Trending tab will also continue to feature three songs a week from emerging artists that are making a significant impact on YouTube.
“We had already shot a day of footage, and singing through the whole song just got me, and I just started bawling.” explains singer Jessie Reyez of her emotional video for her hit single “Figures.” Featuring little more than Jessie, her guitar and her powerful voice, the video captures the 27-year-old Colombian-Canadian belter fully in her feelings, reflecting on a breakup that was still all too real. “It was the most potent if we just left it raw, if we just left it direct and straight.”
The stripped-down video, which has racked up 23.5 million views and counting, is a fitting introduction to Reyez, who has been growing her YouTube fanbase for years. In her earliest days as a creator, Reyez covered hits like Adele’s “Hello” and twenty one pilots’ “Stressed Out”—songs that showed off her smoky voice, intense singing style, and guitar skills. “Watching covers of other people was almost like a window,” she recalls. “Someone could hear your voice and hear you play an instrument, and if that person liked you they’d be more inclined to listen to your original music. I didn’t have enough money to pay for a commercial, but YouTube was like my idea of a commercial.”
Reyez first broke through in 2014, when she collaborated with the Chicago MC King Louie on “Living In the Sky.” After the 2016 release of “Figures,” she got snapped up by the Toronto-based label FMLY, which released her debut EP Kiddo last year. She collaborated with superstar DJ Calvin Harris and bachata heartthrob Romeo Santos, and Kiddo was nominated for Canada’s prestigious Polaris Music Prize; Reyez was also on the short list for four Juno Awards, winning Breakthrough Artist and performing a stunning rework of “Figures” with fellow Canadian upstart Daniel Caesar at the ceremony in March. With each upload and achievement the views kept snowballing, making Reyez a natural for YouTube’s Artist on the Rise program.
“I remember uploading those clips to YouTube way back when, then blasting everybody, begging them to listen,” Reyez explains when looking back at her channel’s explosive growth. “To watch something grow organically is humbling. I’m really grateful.”
The singer has a busy summer ahead of her. She just released the “anti-judgment, anti-criticism, none of your business anthem” about sexuality “Body Count,” and in July she’s touring amphitheaters with Halsey. But she still has time to interact with her fans like she did with those early videos, making connections with each upload, poll, and update to her YouTube Community Tab.
“Any occasion where I get to interact with the people that are making this life possible is a gift,” the singer explains. “If people weren’t sharing it, if people didn’t bother to go onto YouTube and replay something or like something or share something, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be doing shows. I wouldn’t be chasing this dream. I would be stuck. I would be stuck where I was seven years ago, writing songs on receipts behind the bar, and rushing to sessions after work.”
Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square 15th Anniversary Free Block Party Featuring The New Pornographers
Be there and be anything but square for the 15th Anniversary Block Party at Yonge-Dundas Square!
Come to the ‘Heart of the City’ on Friday, June 8, 2018 for an all-day celebration hosted by Much and E! Host Tyrone Edwards, and featuring a headline set from rock darlings The New Pornographers. Everyone is invited!
Since opening in 2003, Yonge-Dundas Square (YDS) has been a community hub where Torontonians and visitors to the city from all walks of life gather. Whether it’s enjoying the serenity of the fountains, a rocking night out, or participating in an exciting range of free public events, the people light up the Square.
The Block Party begins at noon on Friday, June 8 with Toronto’s House of Virtual Reality taking street art to the next level with live demonstrations of virtual painting, using the square’s new digital signs as a canvas. YDS partner OUTFRONT Media will present surprise performances throughout the day, and treats, sweets and drinks will be available from the onsite food trucks.
The night will be bright with the presence of Much and E! host Tyrone Edwards, beginning at 6pm. The party continues all evening with live performances to be capped with a performance by iconic Canadian rockers The New Pornographers. Opening acts include Toronto’s indie-rock gentlemen Secret Broadcast and dreamy synth pop duo Featurette.
The 15th anniversary of YDS comes with some exciting programming announcements for the summer. Fan favourites like free movies and indie concerts will make a comeback, with some fresh new activities being added to the slate. And as always, wifi at YDS is free.
From June 18 to September 3, exhale the old and inhale the new with the inaugural YOGA MONDAYS. Every Monday at noon, YDS will transform into an oasis for relaxation, with mats, music and instructors provided by lululemon. All ages, sizes, and skill levels are welcome!
From June 26 to August 31, music and movies come together for CITY CINEMA: Rockumentaries. Every Tuesday at 8pm, YDS features free outdoor screenings of biopics about music legends. Films include the Martin Scorsese-Rolling Stones collaboration Shine a Light, Amy Winehouse’s tragic tale in Amy, and a throwback to Beatlemania with The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years.
From June 29 to August 31, Chevrolet presents INDIE FRIDAYS, kicking off weekends in the downtown with some of Toronto’s best musical acts including Juno award-winners The East Pointers, seasoned Toronto reggae group Sattalites, and jazz idol Chloe Watkinson. Each Friday night performance will be complemented by an on-site beer garden with service starting at 7pm.
“Destination Wedding” Trailer Starring Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder Is Out
DESTINATION WEDDING reunites two of Hollywood’s most adored stars, Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder, as the socially awkward Frank and Lindsay. When they meet on their way to a destination wedding, they soon discover they have a lot in common: they both hate the bride, the groom, the wedding, themselves, and most especially each other. As the weekend’s events continually force them together – and their cheerlessness immediately isolates them from the other guests – Frank and Lindsay find that if you verbally spar with someone long enough, anything can happen. When debate gives way to desire, they must decide which is stronger: their hearts or their common sense. The film gets to theaters on August 24.
Robin Williams Explaining How His Mind Works
Robin Williams tries to explain how his mind works to James Lipton.
https://youtu.be/cVF6S-BDM6k
UP Cannabis and Unison Benevolent Fund Announce Major Music Industry Support
Up Cannabis and the Unison Benevolent Fund, a non-profit, registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community, today announced a partnership agreement that will serve to strengthen Unison’s longstanding Counselling and Health Solutions program. The partnership, which entails an infusion of funds totalling $150,000, will also offer Unison members access to a Cannabis Responsible Use resource to which they can turn for questions about the emerging legalized cannabis marketplace.
Jay Wilgar, CEO of Up Cannabis, said the partnership is meant to solidify Up’s wholehearted support of the Canadian music industry, which began with fundraising support in 2017 at Unison’s Holiday Schmoozefest and the 2018 Unison Rocks Charity Bonspiel in January. “With strategic partners on our side including Canada’s iconic musicians, The Tragically Hip, and world class entertainment consultants at The Feldman Agency, our brand is steeped in the music business,” Wilgar said. “We could not think of a better way to show our support for the industry than to ensure the music community is getting the health & wellness resources it may need as the cannabis industry moves toward legalization. We’re thankful for this partnership and look forward to cultivating health together.”
The partnership begins immediately and will be officially recognized at this summer’s Canadian Entertainment Charity (CEC) Golf Classic, in support of Unison, and for which Up Cannabis has been named Presenting Sponsor. The fundraiser expands this year to include events in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal/Ottawa.
“Up Cannabis’ support is instrumental in allowing this fundraising event to grow nationally, which ensures additional resources to sustain and expand Unison’s health and counselling services,” said Derrick Ross, Chair of the Unison Benevolent Fund Board of Directors. “Up, in partnership with Unison, will be raising awareness of the safe and responsible use of cannabis. We’ll be continuing to support the music community in times of need through counselling, while also exploring the ways in which we can educate the general community.”
Scott Helman Set To Embark On North American Tour
Following a successful three-week swing of European dates which included performing in front of 50,000 music fans in Spain, Scott Helman, is crossing country lines to infiltrate the U.S as the start of a North American tour which includes solo shows and support slots for Vance Joy.
Since the May 2017 release of his full-length album Hôtel De Ville, the four-time JUNO Award nominee has maintained a relentless touring schedule in support of the album and it’s hit singles “Kinda Complicated” and the gold-certified “PDA.” Beginning with a headlining tour across Canada in the Fall of 2017, Scott then began the new year with dates in Sinapore, Hong, Kong, Australia and Japan.
As a follow-up to “PDA,” Scott is releasing the song “Ripple Effect” as the next step in his burgeoning career. The release of the single will be accompanied by a series of remixes and a beautiful video that pays homage to John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
“Ripple Effect” exudes the kind of emotional maturity and self-realization that belies Helman’s age. He understands that the issues we have are a result of the ripple effects of all of the history that came before us. Through the song, Helman continues on to explore all the ways we can start fresh, free of patterns of the past. The “Ripple Effect” video, directed by Scott’s long-time video collaborator Ben Knetchel debuted earlier today on Billboard.com.
The Australian edition of Cosmopolitan magazine recently named Scott one of the 14 men to look out for in 2018 alongside the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman.
Scott Helman North American tour dates:
May 31 New York City, NY Rockwood Music Hall
June 1 South Burlington, VT Higher Ground Showcase Lounge
June 2 Boston, MA The Red Room at Café 939
June 3 Philidelphia, PA Milkboy
June 5 Washington, D.C. Songbyrd Music House
June 6 Millvale, PA The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls
June 7 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room
June 8 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
June 9 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place
June 21 Montreal, QC Bell Centre (w/ Vance Joy)
June 22 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage (w/ Vance Joy)
June 25 Winnipeg. MB MTS Centre (w/Vance Joy)
June 27 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place (w/Vance Joy)
June 28 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome (w/Vance Joy)
June 30 Burnaby, BC Festival Lawn at Deer Lake Park
July 1 Fort Saskatchewan, SK Legacy Park
July 6 Quebec, QC Festival d’ete de Quebec
July 25 Peterborough, ON Peterborough MusicFest
July 27 Timmins, ON Rock On The River Festival
August 3 North Bay, ON Summer in the Park Festival
August 4 Kirkland Lake, ON Homecoming (w/Tom Cochrane)
Get Ready For A Trio Of Releases Highlighting David Bowie Live And Studio Recordings Made Between 1978 and 1982
David Bowie released two classic studio albums between 1978 and 1982 (Lodger and Scary Monsters [And Super Creeps]), as well as a wealth of work for film, television and more. Bowie also found time to embark upon a massive world tour, documented by the double live album Stage, along with two acclaimed projects for film and television. On June 29, Parlophone will revisit that prolific period with Welcome To The Blackout (Live London ’78), as well as two special vinyl reissues exclusively for “brick and mortar” retail stores: Christiane F. – Wir Kinder Vom Bahnhof Zoo and David Bowie In Bertolt Brecht’s Baal.
The new releases begin with the CD and digital debut of Welcome To The Blackout (Live London ’78). This live album features performances recorded at Earl’s Court in London on 30 June and 1 July, 1978 during Bowie’s “Isolar II” Tour. The music was released earlier this year on vinyl as a strictly limited-edition triple-LP set for Record Store Day 2018.
Tony Visconti, who co-produced a dozen studio albums for Bowie throughout his career, recorded the 1978 concert which was later mixed by Bowie and David Richards.
The set naturally focuses on songs from the two albums Bowie released in 1977 – Low and “Heroes” as well as other earlier career highlights such as “Fame”, Ziggy Stardust”, “The Jean Genie” and “Station To Station” and the first ever live performance of “Sound And Vision”, included in this set was its debut live performance. Welcome To The Blackout (Live London ’78) will be available as a two-CD set as well as digitally for download and streaming in both standard and high-definition versions.
Christiane F. – Wir Kinder Vom Bahnhof Zoo is the soundtrack to the 1981 film based on the 1978 autobiography by German actress Christiane Vera Felscherinow. The soundtrack incorporates songs from several Bowie albums, including “Stay” (Station To Station, 1976), “Warszawa” (Low, 1977) “V-2 Schneider” (“Heroes”, 1977), and “Look Back In Anger” (Lodger, 1979.) Released on vinyl for the first time in 30 years, this fan favourite will be pressed on limited edition red vinyl and available exclusively at “brick and mortar” retail stores. The set includes Mark Adams’ original liner notes from the 2001 CD issue of the album.
David Bowie In Bertolt Brecht’s Baal features Bowie performing five songs that were written for German playwright Bertolt Brecht’s 1918 play “Baal.” Bowie recorded this EP with Visconti at Hansa Studios in Berlin in November 1981. Recently, all five songs were re-released as part of the exclusive Re:Call 3 compilation that accompanied the box set, A New Career In A New Town (1977-1982). This new limited edition 10” vinyl reissue comes in a six-panel sleeve that replicates the original 1982 packaging and is available exclusively at “brick and mortar” retail stores.
WELCOME TO THE BLACKOUT (LIVE LONDON ’78)
CD and Digital for streaming and download in standard resolution, 96kHz/24bit and 192/kHz/24bit resolutions.
CD1
Warszawa
“Heroes”
What In The World
Be My Wife
The Jean Genie
Blackout
Sense Of Doubt
Speed Of Life
Sound And Vision
Breaking Glass
Fame
Beauty And The Beast
CD 2
Five Years
Soul Love
Star
Hang On To Yourself
Ziggy Stardust
Suffragette City
Art Decade
Alabama Song
Station To Station
TVC 15
Stay
Rebel Rebel
CHRISTIANE F. – WIR KINDER VOM BAHNHOF ZOO
Side 1:
V-2 Schneider
TVC 15
“Heroes/Helden”
Boys Keep Swinging
Sense Of Doubt
Side2:
Station To Station
Look Back In Anger
Stay
Warszawa
DAVID BOWIE IN BERTOLT BRECHT’S BAAL
10” vinyl EP
Side 1:
Baal’s Hymn (Der Choral Vom Großen Baal)
Remembering Marie A. (Erinnerung An Die Marie A.)
Side 2
Ballad Of The Adventurers (Die Ballad Von Den Abenteurern)
The Drowned Girl (Vom Ertrunkenen Mädchen)
The Dirty Song
National Music Centre launches special exhibition dedicated to Barenaked Ladies
The National Music Centre (NMC) is pleased to launch a new temporary exhibition at Studio Bell in partnership with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), honouring 2018 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees Barenaked Ladies, alongside former member Steven Page.
As one of Canada’s most unique and acclaimed international acts of the past 30 years, Barenaked Ladies carved out a legacy with their irreverent sense of humour and blend of pop, folk, alt-rock, and even rap. They have produced 15 studio albums—including their latest 2017 release, Fake Nudes—that have collectively sold more than 15 million copies.
The band has won nine JUNO Awards, earned multiple Grammy nominations, penned No. 1 single in the U.S. “One Week,” along with beloved hits “It’s All Been Done,” “Brian Wilson,” “If I Had $1,000,000” and many others, and created the theme song to one of TV’s most popular shows, The Big Bang Theory, which is syndicated in over 80 countries around the world. The band just completed extensive Canadian and U.K. tours, and are about to embark on an almost 40-date tour of the U.S. on June 1.
Additionally, Barenaked Ladies have been recognized for the philanthropic efforts, including their If I Had A Million Flavours ice cream with Ben & Jerry that has resulted in over $125K donated to ABC Life Literacy Canada, and more recently Plus1 donating a dollar from every ticket on their 37-date Canadian tour to MusiCounts.
This new exhibition, called Milestones: Barenaked Ladies, will capture the band’s career trajectory—from their first concert as teenagers at Toronto City Hall, to making history as the best-selling independent artists in Canadian history, their international breakthrough in the U.S., to the present day with their induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and their undeniable power as a live act for nearly 30 years and counting.
“It’s still hard to get our heads around,” said Ed Robertson about the band’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame yesterday during a plaque ceremony at Studio Bell. “We’re the band that makes fun of the bands in the Hall of Fame.”
After 20 years with the band, former member Steven Page continues his successful solo career with a new album set for release later this year, along with tours of Eastern Canada and the U.K. this summer and extensive U.S. dates in the fall. “I hope our fans enjoy this exhibition as much as I’ve enjoyed looking back on the early days of our career,” said former member Steven Page. “I’m incredibly proud of all we accomplished together and I’m excited to celebrate it with this exhibit.”
The exhibition features treasures from the band’s founders, Ed Robertson and Steven Page, including early songbooks and lyric sheets, an acoustic guitar used by Robertson in the music video for “Falling for the First Time,” and Page’s 8-track cassette recorder used to make early demo tapes for “Jane” and “Old Apartment.” The exhibition will also include an assortment of memorabilia from members of Barenaked Ladies and Page, such as behind-the-scenes photos from the band’s formative years, press clippings, album artwork, and awards.
Milestones: Barenaked Ladies is accessible with paid admission to Studio Bell and will run from May 17, 2018 until February 2019.