Billboard Canada Women in Music Sets Return, Opens Nominations

One of Canada’s most electrifying nights in music is back — even bigger than last year.

Billboard Canada Women in Music will return on Oct. 1 in Toronto.

After expanding to Canada for the first time last year, the star-studded celebration of the music industry’s most impactful and trailblazing women will make its anticipated return.

This year’s honourees will follow in the footsteps of Icon Award winner Alanis Morissette, Rising Star LU KALA, Trailblazer Jessie Reyez and many more. Check out the highlights of last year’s Billboard Canada Women in Music here.

It’s an accolade with global resonance. After a beautiful acceptance speech and performance at the event in Toronto last year, Cardin went to Billboard Women in Music in Los Angeles to represent Canada as Global Woman of the Year.

This year’s honourees and performers will be announced throughout September, leading up to the celebration event. Expect an inspiring lineup of individuals making significant waves and driving progress within the Canadian music landscape. The celebration will be open to both the industry and the public. 

“We’re proud to honour the game-changing talent, creativity, and leadership shaping Canadian music,” says Elizabeth Crisante, Chief Commercial Officer of Billboard Canada. “Last year showed us the power of bringing the music community together to celebrate incredible women and gender-diverse leaders in the industry. This year, we’re building on that momentum and making space for even more voices to be heard.”

Nominations are open for Billboard Canada Women in Music 2025. To apply, fill out this submission form.

Applicants are encouraged to fill out the form for themselves, for their peers, for employees at their organization, or for anyone they think is worthy of recognition.

Read more here. – Richard Trapunski

Shubh Cancels North American Tour Due to Air Canada Strike

Shubh has cancelled his debut headline North American tour.

The Brampton-based Punjabi star was set to begin his Supreme Tour in Oakland on Friday (August 22), followed by dates at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena on August 23, at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on September 5 and at Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center on September 7.

However, he says, due to the Air Canada flight attendants’ strike, which was settled this week, many members of the production and stage crew were unable to travel to California in time for the shows. That caused production and equipment transportation delays.

“Due to production delays and travel disruptions of key crew caused by the recent airline strikes, we’ve had to cancel the North American shows,” says Shubh in a statement shared with Billboard Canada and posted on the @shubhaccess Instagram account. “My deepest apologies to everyone who was excited and ready for this.

“My team and I have been working tirelessly for months to bring you an incredible show, and I’m truly disappointed we won’t be able to share it with you at this time. To all my fans who were ready to go, thank you for your constant support. It’s your energy that keeps me going, and I promise I’ll be back soon. All ticket buyers will receive a refund.

“I appreciate your understanding, and I can’t wait to see you all very, very soon.

“Love,
Shubh”

In his young career, Shubh has had major chart success, with multiple entries on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and Canadian Albums chart as well as Indian, New Zealand and UK charts. However, he has only played a handful of shows in the UK, Australia and New Zealand (a planned 2023 tour of India was also cancelled after backlash against a social media post he said was politically misinterpreted).

In June, Shubh did his first-ever interview in a cover story for Billboard Canada. In the story, he talked about his anticipation for his first North American tour, especially at his hometown Scotiabank Arena in Toronto where many of his influences, including Eminem and Drake, had performed.

“I’m building something really special,” he said, adding that he had put major thought into staging and production design. “It’s never been done before in our scene.”

Now, his manager Shivam Malhotra shares, he’s channeling that vision into his next live show.

“We’re super excited to bring the new Shubh live experience for the first time at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on October 5,” Malhotra tells Billboard Canada. “All our energy is going into ensuring we pull off the best show ever in Dubai.”

Ticket-holders for the Canada and U.S. shows will receive a full refund.

Read more here. – RT

Great Big Sea’s Bob Hallett Named Executive Director of East Coast Music Association

After a year of controversy over its leadership, the East Coast Music Association (ECMA) has hired a new executive director.

The CMA has named Great Big Sea’s Bob Hallett as the organization’s executive director, effective August 25.

While Hallett is best known as a founding member of the award-winning rock band Great Big Sea, his longstanding career spans music performance, venue revitalization, nonprofit leadership, artist management and large-scale event production. From 2013 to 2015, he sat on ECMA’s board of directors.

“We are confident that Bob’s operational expertise, creative leadership and passion for East Coast music make him the right person to bring our mission and strategy to life, said Michelle Eagles, ECMA board chair, in a news release. “He understands the complexities of our sector and brings a solutions-oriented approach rooted in experience, collaboration, and care for the community.”

Hallett’s appointment comes five months after several artists boycotted the association’s awards show and conference amid controversy over the firing of its previous CEO Blanche Israël, calling for transparency about governance and the nomination processes.

In March, the organization published a six-point action plan, and Hallett’s new role was the result of “extensive consultation with members, artists, partners and industry representatives,” according to Eagles. The search process was led by the human resources consulting firm KBRS.

“It’s an honour to step into this role,” said Hallett. “ECMA is a cornerstone of the East Coast music industry, and I look forward to building on its legacy while helping shape its future. That means listening, learning, and working in partnership with artists and communities from every background and experience.”

In the coming months, the organization will continue its ongoing strategic plan and prepare for next year’s East Coast Music Awards Festival and Conference in Sydney, Cape Breton.

Read more here. – Heather Taylor-Singh