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Spotify Wrapped a boost for Canadian musicians
The Spotify Wrapped social media trend is helping some Canadian musicians receive a boost, by reminding fans of the tunes they loved that year.
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Cadence Weapon says that going on tour ‘isn’t worth it’ anymore
The Edmonton-born, Hamilton-based rapper says that artists are risking their health and finances when they go on tour, as inflation and COVID-19 pummel musicians’ livelihoods.
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Toronto’s Kensington Sound recording studio celebrates 50 years in business
A Toronto recording studio that has hosted clients ranging from Murray McLauchlan to Sharon, Lois & Bram is marking its 50th anniversary this year in iconic Kensington Market. The owner reflects on the studio's history and how the...
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Bogota breaks world record for biggest concert performed
Approximately 16,000 musicians and singers gathered in Bogota, Colombia, to play various songs and break the record for the world's biggest concert. The event honoured the final report into human rights abuses during Colombia's 58-year...
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Shawn Mendes ends world tour to prioritize his mental health
Canadian pop star Shawn Mendes announces he’s cancelling the rest of his world tour to focus on his mental health. Some fans and advocates are applauding the move, calling him courageous for putting his well-being first.
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Music of resistance: Luhansk Philharmonic Orchestra plays on in Lviv
A war-time performance. How the Luhansk Philharmonic orchestra has managed to reunite within Ukraine.
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Pianity Raises $6.5 Million in Seed-Round Funding to Create the Next Generation of Music Platforms That Leverages NFTs
Music-focused NFT platform Pianity raising $6.5 million in a seed funding round. Pianity has developed a marketplace that allows musicians to sell their tracks as limited edition NFTs. Since its launch last year, the company says it has...
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Why big-name musicians are selling their catalogues
Musicians such as Bob Dylan and Neil Young are cashing in on their catalogues for millions of dollars. Some of the reasons behind these sales include a U.S. tax loophole, pandemic restrictions and streaming fads.
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Venezuelans migrants in Peru struggle, lack healthcare
Performing music at night, cleaning tyres by day. The challenges facing Venezuelans, now living in Peru.
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South Africa: Renowned festival disrupted for second time by COVID
Musicians and dancers, some of whom have been involved in the celebrations since they were children, have continued to practise whenever COVID restrictions are eased.
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Congoloese rumba 'cha-chas' into UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list
The Democratic Republic of Congo has delighted in the addition of its traditional dance to the United Nations' cultural summit's list of intangible cultural heritage list, made for expressions, knowledge, and skills.
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South African jazz: Music of struggle against racism continues
Musicians in South Africa are on a mission to revive Jazz culture.
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Budapest's world-famous orchestra swap concert halls for bar stools in mini-concerts
Members of Iván Fischer's ensemble perform masterpieces by Bach, Gershwin and Ferenc Liszt in bars and pubs across the capital.
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Jordan's national orchestra: Lack of funding drives musicians abroad
Jordan's only orchestra is running out of money and struggling to survive
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New Zealand band plays to 50,000 fans with no COVID measures
COVID-free New Zealand stages the world's largest concert since the pandemic began.
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Berlin’s musicians keep music alive in the pandemic
With the pandemic making it harder to perform, we find out how Berlin's musicians are adapting to the times.
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US musicians find safe way to play to live audiences
Concerts and other performances are largely forbidden due to the coronavirus pandemic, but some musicians have found a safe way to play for a live audience that does not involve an internet connection.
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Iraq: Artists, musicians stir cultural revival after ISIL
Almost four years after ISIL was driven out of Mosul, their work is a testament to the people's wish to return to normality, but also to document the impact that the war has left on society.
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Protests turn violent in Spain over arrest of rapper Pablo Hasel
Hundreds of people have protested in Spain for a second night, calling for police to release Catalan rapper Pablo Hasel.
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Chile: Portillo Music Festival goes virtual amid COVID-19
The show must go on. The music festival in Chile that would not be silenced by the coronavirus pandemic.
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COVID-19 exhibit highlights Libya's struggles
Exhibition entitled Persistence highlights the COVID-19 pandemic in a country already torn apart by years of conflict.
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Emerging from lockdown - Dubai’s new music scene hits all the right notes
Dubai's thriving music scene is bouncing back after lockdown, albeit with responsible social distancing in place. Some of its leading lights - and a literal Legend - tell Focus how important that scene is.
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Musicians explore ways to hold concerts amid COVID-19
Musicians look at ways to hold live events, like drive-in concerts, to keep working and entertain fans during the age of COVID-19.
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Musicians perform a virtual gala in COVID-19 lockdown
Leader of the Metropolitan Opera and Philadelphia Orchestra used his time in isolation to achieve an artistic triumph that touched thousands.