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My Next Read: “Farewell Yellow Brick Road: Memories of My Life on Tour” by Elton John
In this lavish retrospective authored by the icon himself, Elton John shares his fondest memories, most unforgettable moments, and previously untold stories from his record-breaking final tour.
Farewell Yellow Brick Road is a full-color celebration of Elton John’s record-breaking, globe-spanning farewell tour—from Allentown to Auckland, from Sydney to San Francisco. Featured concerts include Elton’s dazzling performances at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium in November 2022, the finale of which streamed live on Disney+. Fans will be treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse into every aspect of these spectacular shows, including Elton’s legendary touring wardrobe by Gucci, the set design, official photography, and more.
As the tour weaves across the world, Elton reaches back in time to reflect on key moments from his life on the road and to reminisce about the beginning of his career while sharing never-before-seen images and memorabilia. A poignant foreword by David Furnish, Elton’s husband and manager, as well as the tour’s creative director, rounds out this incredible insider’s look. Join Elton on his remarkable, career-affirming farewell.
National Music Centre Launches Exhibition Dedicated to Hip-Hop Pioneer Maestro Fresh Wes on May 15
On May 15, the National Music Centre will launch a new temporary exhibition at Studio Bell in partnership with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, honouring 2024 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Maestro Fresh Wes.
Toronto-born Wes Williams, known as Maestro Fresh Wes, revolutionized the country’s music scene through hip-hop after the release of his groundbreaking 1989 track, “Let Your Backbone Slide,” off his debut album, Symphony in Effect. As the first Canadian rap artist to achieve gold and platinum status in the country and the first to break into the Billboard Top 40, he paved the way for future hip-hop artists in Canada. With multiple JUNO Award wins, including the first-ever JUNO Award in the Best Rap Recording category in 1991, and an induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, he officially joined the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2024, becoming the first hip-hop artist to be inducted into both halls.
“It’s an honour to see my journey celebrated at the National Music Centre,” said Maestro Fresh Wes. “I hope this exhibition inspires future generations to not just make records but make history.”
Hailed as the “Godfather of Canadian hip-hop,” this new temporary exhibition will celebrate his pioneering 40-year career with an immersive video experience and stage outfits he wore during The 2024 JUNO Awards Broadcast in Halifax earlier this year.
“Canadian hip-hop artists like Drake dominate the global charts today, but it all started with Maestro Fresh Wes and the impact he made in Canada,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO, NMC. “Having just celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, we’re proud to share the story of one of Canada’s most important figures in the genre with this latest exhibition.”
“We’re still reliving Maestro’s unforgettable performance during The 2024 JUNO Awards Broadcast, where he brought the house down with a medley of his hit songs,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards. “Maestro played a monumental role in building the hip-hop scene in Canada, and this exhibition is an important piece in honouring the story of where it all began.”
The new exhibition, Milestone: Maestro Fresh Wes, is accessible with paid admission to Studio Bell and will run from May 15, 2024, until February 2025.
Regular admission to Studio Bell is $24.50 for adults, $19.50 for students/seniors (65+), $16.50 for children (3-12 years of age), and free for children under 3 years of age. Admission for NMC Members is free. To become an NMC Member, visit studiobell.ca/become-a-member. Studio Bell is open seven days a week, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and tickets for the exhibition can be purchased at studiobell.ca/general-admission.
Busy Philipps Shines Spotlight on ADHD in Women and Shares her Qelbree Story
Actress, author, podcaster, and mother of two, Busy Philipps is teaming up with Supernus Pharmaceuticals to share her personal journey with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses in adults – as well as her experience with Qelbree (viloxazine extended-release capsules), a non-stimulant medication for the treatment of ADHD.
Busy has been vocal about her personal experience living with ADHD for years, but now she is revealing what it means to be a woman navigating ADHD and wants other women who may be struggling to know they are not alone. Boys are two times more likely than girls to be diagnosed.4 While boys’ symptoms often fit the stereotypical ideas of hyperactive ADHD, girls’ inattentive symptoms are often overlooked. As a result, ADHD often goes undiagnosed in young girls, leading to more adult females being undiagnosed and therefore untreated – a sentiment reflective of Busy’s own experience.
“As women, we tend to mask or overcompensate for our ADHD symptoms and end up working harder to get things done. With the right medication, there’s a sense of relief for women with ADHD – you’re suddenly able to take a deep breath,” says Busy. “Since I started treatment with Qelbree, I have been able to better manage my ADHD symptoms and understand what to prioritize versus what can be put on the backburner. I’m excited to collaborate with Supernus as a woman navigating ADHD and shed light on the importance of finding the right treatment by empowering others facing similar challenges.”
The partnership comes just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, an important moment to raise awareness around mental health conditions and overall wellness – including approximately 10 million adults living with ADHD in the United States.3
“Supernus seeks to encourage and lift up those living with ADHD to talk to their doctor about managing and treating their condition, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month,” says Jack A. Khattar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Supernus Pharmaceuticals. “We’re excited to see that more women with ADHD, including Busy, are able to manage their ADHD symptoms with the help of Qelbree.”
Mind-Blowing Footage From A Drome At The Last Vegas Phish Concert
Filmmaker Jay Christensen, founder of JayByrd Films, skillfully captured mesmerizing drone footage of The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, offering viewers a unique perspective both inside and outside the venue during a Phish concert. The combination of the concert’s vibrant energy and the immersive fly-by tour resulted in an experience that can only be described as truly psychedelic.
Whoa. ‘The Simpsons’ Theme Is Performed By Beatboxers
French beatbox and acapela group Berywam showcases their exceptional talent by performing the iconic theme from The Simpsons, complete with all of the intricate sound effects
Shenseea Announces Highly Anticipated Sophomore Album ‘Never Gets Late Here’
GRAMMY-nominated, chart-topping Jamaican artist, Shenseea has announced the arrival of her sophomore album, Never Gets Late Here, to be released on May 24.
Executive produced by chart topping hip hop producer London on Da Track, the album will be a kaleidoscope of rhythms and genre crossing music further reinforcing Shenseea’s signature sound established on her debut project, critically acclaimed album titled ALPHA (2022, Rich Immigrants/Interscope Records/Universal Music Canada). Blending deejaying and dancehall patterns with hip hop, R&B and pop elements has cemented Shenseea’s presence as one of music’s versatile young acts.
Shenseea has solidified her place as one of music’s most in-demand rising stars. Revered for her confident, slick-tongued patois rhymes and energetic pop hits, Shenseea’s skills as a singer, rapper and songwriter have earned her stamps of approval from The New York Times, The Guardian, Billboard and more. After releasing her Vybz Kartel-assisted debut single “Loodi” in 2016, and a stint on Sean Paul’s 2017 European tour, Shenseea joined Rich Immigrants/Interscope Records in 2019. She kept the energy high by releasing one-off tracks including her debut label single “Blessed” featuring Tyga which boasts millions of plays across DSPs and YouTube. In 2022, she released her highly anticipated debut album, Alpha, which debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Reggae Album chart, making Shenseea the first Jamaican artist to see such success on the Billboard charts in the last 17 years. Stacked with features including Megan Thee Stallion, 21 Savage, Tyga, Sean Paul, and Offset, the album seamlessly showcases a variety of Shenseea’s favourite genres, R&B, pop, reggae, dancehall, & rap. Following the release, Shenseea earned her first GRAMMY nomination and made her late-night TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a performance of “Deserve It”.
The announcement of Shenseea’s new album comes soon after the release of “Neva Neva” — a reggae tinged summer offering — that will appear on the album alongside previous releases “Hit & Run” featuring Masicka and Di Genius as well as “Die For You” produced by Rvssian.
The album’s special guests also represent different regional sounds including artists such as Afrobeats artist Wizkid, GRAMMY-nominated artist and Boston rapper-artist Coi Leray, Latin pop songstress Anitta as well as home grown talent Masicka and Di Genius from Jamaica. Across the fourteen tracks, Shenseea proves the strength of her songwriting and ability to create pockets of infectious melodies resulting in a truly unique body of work. For full tracklisting please see below:
Shenseea — Never Gets Late Here Album Tracklist:
Face Lift (Intro)
Hit & Run ft. Masicka & Di Genius
Tap Out
Neva Neva
Die For You
Keep A Place
Dolla
Loyalty
Flava ft. Coi Leray
NaNa
Red Flag ft. Anitta
Stars
Heaven On Earth
Work Me Out ft. Wizkid
HADESTOWN Begins Performances May 15, 2024 at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre
After a sold-out 7-week run from July 5 – August 20, 2023, Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards including Best New Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, returns to Toronto in 2 weeks.
Hadestown begins performances May 15, 2024 for a limited 2-week run through May 26, 2024 at Toronto’s CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre.
Tickets for Hadestown are available to purchase at mirvish.com or by calling 1.800.461.3333.
The North American touring production of Hadestown stars Amaya Braganza as Eurydice, Lana Gordon as Persephone, John Krause as Orpheus, Will Mann as Hermes, and Matthew Patrick Quinn as Hades.
The Fates are played by Marla Louissaint, Lizzie Markson, and Hannah Schreer. The Workers Chorus features Sevon Askew, Jamal Lee Harris, Cate Hayman, Quiana Onrae’l Holmes, and Daniel Tracht. Swings for the tour include Ian Coulter-Buford, KC Dela Cruz, Timothy H. Lee, and Cecilia Trippiedi.
The acclaimed new musical is by celebrated singer-songwriter and Tony Award winner Anaïs Mitchell and developed with innovative director and Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin. Hadestown marks the first time in over a decade that a woman has been the solo author of a musical: writing the music, lyrics, and book, and is the fourth time in Broadway history a woman has accomplished this creative feat.
The show opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway (219 West 48th Street, New York) on April 17, 2019, where it played sold out houses nightly before performances were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hadestown resumed performances September 2, 2021 as one of the first musicals to reopen on Broadway where it continues to play today. The North American Tour opened at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC on October 15, 2021.
The show originated as Mitchell’s indie theater project that toured Vermont which she then turned into an acclaimed album. With Chavkin, her artistic collaborator, Hadestown has been transformed into a genre-defying new musical that blends modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz to reimagine a sweeping ancient tale.
Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers, and singers, Hadestown delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience.
Goo Goo Dolls To Drop Limited Edition Crystal Clear Vinyl Release Of ‘Live In Buffalo’ On June 21
On July 4th, 2004, multi-platinum, four-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band Goo Goo Dolls performed a legendary concert in their hometown of Buffalo, NY. Over 60,000 fans attended the show and braved a torrential downpour before and during the band’s performance in front of City Hall. The 19 song set included all their major hits including “Iris,” “Name” and “Slide” as well as a cover of Supertramps’ “Give A Little Bit.” Originally released in November 2004 as a DVD/CD combo, Live In Buffalo will be released on vinyl for the first time on Friday, June 21. Fans can pre-order the limited edition clear vinyl record HERE via Warner Records.
LIVE IN BUFFALO Tracklist
Big Machine
Naked
Slide
Think About Me
Smash
Tucked Away
Black Balloon
Dizzy
Name
Cuz You’re Gone
Sympathy
January Friend
Here Is Gone
What a Scene
Acoustic #3
Two Days in February
Broadway
Iris
Give a Little Bit
Bandcamp Celebrate the 40th Bandcamp Friday with 100% of Sales Revenue Going to its 5 Million Artists
Bandcamp, the world’s largest super fan platform supporting artists, is celebrating its 40th Bandcamp Friday On May 3rd 2024, an industry unique initiative where the platform doesn’t take any revenue share at all, passing all funds along to artists.
Since the inception of Bandcamp Fridays in 2020, the platform has contributed $123 million to artists through this initiative alone, complementing the $1.3 billion generated for artists across all Bandcamp transactions to date. This growth is fueled by a highly dedicated fanbase, growing at a rate of approximately 100,000 per month, whose engagement is not just supporting artists financially but also driving a significant shift in how music ecosystems can operate. Bandcamp’s strategy of fostering deep connections within its community has positioned it as a leader in servicing fan passion as well as the artist.
Bandcamp has created an innovative platform allowing artists to directly sell their music products to fans where an unparalleled 85-100% of revenue goes directly to artists. Superfans, the new VIPs in the music industry, and the Artists they support have collaboratively grown Bandcamp into the music industry’s most precious ecosystem. Championing generous compensation, Bandcamp inspires what it means to truly value artists.
Bandcamp is unique among its peers attributing 100% of its growth to what is effectively a social network that has grown organically without advertising since its inception in 2007. Bandcamp has remained unwaveringly committed to serving as the world’s online record store and music community where passionate fans discover, connect with, and directly support the artists they love.
Bandcamp’s market leading strategy extends beyond financial transactions, fostering a robust ecosystem where the music fan is central to the narrative. “Bandcamp is more than a marketplace; it’s a thriving community where artists and fans converge to celebrate and sustain the art of music,” explained Andrew Jervis, Bandcamp’s Director of Artists and Labels. “This community-driven model not only supports but actively promotes the growth of artists by providing them tools to manage their careers. Artists from virtually every country gain global exposure and connect directly with fans who are eager to support them, not just through purchases but through genuine engagement and feedback. Our platform facilitates these interactions by sharing useful data, enabling fans to express their shared appreciation for music, enabling direct artist-to-fan communications, and through special events like Bandcamp Live and Listening Parties, making it an indispensable hub for music discovery and artist development..”
“Bandcamp’s community is truly unique, fostering a deep sense of engagement between artists and fans,” says Jansport J, an artist thriving on the platform. “Whether it’s releasing a project with fans like Aglana from the UK in mind, knowing that Thomas in New Zealand is eagerly awaiting a pre-order, or anticipating that David in Los Angeles will add my album to his recommended list—these are real interactions that happen on Bandcamp. It’s this direct connection with supportive fans across the globe that makes Bandcamp invaluable to independent artists like myself.”
Bryan Biniak, President of Songtradr, Bandcamp’s parent company, highlighted the progressive impact of Bandcamp’s model on the music industry, noting a strategic shift toward more equitable financial practices. “We’re not standing still. Our ongoing enhancements and investments in Bandcamp are about expanding the platform’s capabilities. We’re introducing more tools for artists and labels to succeed, enhancing discovery, and building community features. Songtradr is actively investing in the community, the product, and new payment solutions to make the platform even stronger. These developments have already led to a 20% increase in artist earnings and a 30% rise in fan engagement, underscoring the economic vitality of the superfan community and setting the stage for even greater growth,” he added.
Bandcamp has curated listening parties to celebrate the 40th Bandcamp Friday, all events start at 11 am PT.
- Blockhead Listening Party on April 29th
- Jasmine Myra Listening Party on April 30th
- Emily Barker Listening Party on May 1st
- John Carpenter Live Interview and Jessica Pratt Listening Party on May 2nd
- Mdou Moctar Listening Party on May 3rd
- 40th Bandcamp Friday on May 3 where 100% of the proceeds go to the artists and labels
