In Canada: Tragically Hip Debut Tops Charts, Plus Why Some Taylor Swift Fans ‘Feel Defeated’

One of Canada’s favourite bands is making a resurgence on the charts. 

Following a box set reissue released last week, the Ontario rockers’ 1989 classic debut Up To Here is peaking on a number of different Canadian charts. 

The album, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, hit No. 46 on the Canadian Albums chart, and has also debuted at No. 1 across multiple different categories: Album Sales, Digital Album Sales, Catalog Album Sales, Digital Catalog Album Sales and Alternative Album Sales. 

40 years after the band formed, Canada simply can’t get enough of the Hip. Recent months have seen a well-received coffee table book on the Kingston, Ontario rock heroes, This Is Our Life, followed by a TV documentary series, The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, that has earned positive reviews. Up To Here is the latest in a series of deluxe anniversary reissues of classic Hip albums from the ’80s and ’90s: 1991’s Road Apples, 1992’s Fully Completely and 1998’s Phantom Power.

The new Up To Here anniversary collection includes a remastered version of the original album plus four previously unreleased songs originally considered for the album. Toss in a live recording of a MuchMusic special called Live at Misty Moon (included in both audio and Bluray video form) plus pre-album demos from 1988 and there’s plenty for Hip fanatics.

Meanwhile, as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour continues its two-week run in Toronto, concert opener Gracie Abrams has hit No. 1 on the Canadian Albums chart with The Secret of Us and No. 2 on the Canadian Hot 100 with “That’s So True.” During the third night of the residency, on Saturday Nov. 16, Swift brought Abrams up for a rendition of their duet “Us.” That track re-enters the Canadian Hot 100 this week as well at No. 95, and recently picked up a Grammy nomination for best pop duo/group performance.

Read more on the Canadian charts this week here. –Richard Trapunski

Taylor Swift Fans Share Frustrations Trying to Get Eras Tour Tickets in Toronto

Taylor Swift fans are trying to secure last minute tickets to the Eras Tour dates in Toronto — but many are doing it with a broken heart.

Over the last two weeks, Ticketmaster has released several batches of last-minute tickets for the six Eras Tour dates. While some have been successful in scoring seats through these drops — and are sharing their tips on TikTok — plenty of fans are losing hope.

“I feel defeated,” Taylor Swift fan Rowan McKerihen tells Billboard Canada.

Many fans like her have been playing the same game, anxiously waiting for last-minute drops. In some ways, that experience mirrors the surprise announcements, easter eggs and special editions Taylor Swift has used to build connections with her fans throughout her career. Some psychologists, including Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky at McGill University in Montreal, have compared it to gambling, with “slot machine tactics” and “lottery dynamics.”

Other fans have fallen victim to scams, many on resale sites and on social media. Halton region police reported this week that 40 people shelled out $70K for tickets that didn’t exist. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has said it has received over 200 complaints of Taylor Swift ticket fraud.

Ticketmaster has taken heat for controversial ticketing rollouts in recent years, from tech problems and dynamic pricing during the Oasis sales this fall, to Swifties who launched a lawsuit against the ticketing giant over the Eras Tour sales. The company, which is owned by Live Nation, is also facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged monopolistic practices.

In the midst of the huge demand for tickets, for Taylor Swift and other blockbuster tours like the upcoming Oasis reunion, Ticketmaster has launched an educational campaign to warn of avenues for fraud and demystify the process.

On a media briefing Zoom call in early November, Dan Wall, EVP, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, said many of the complaints that come in about Ticketmaster are based on misperceptions.

Unlike the majority of other major concerts that come through Toronto, Live Nation is not the promoter of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Instead, it is a production of Messina Touring. However, Ticketmaster is the ticket distributor and platform for the event sales.

“What are the things fans care about most? It’s usually about the price and availability of tickets — that there’s not enough tickets to go around, the prices are too high, things like that,” said Wall. “Those are not things that the ticketing company determines. Those are things that are entirely determined by the artist’s team, working with the promoters.”

It’s rare that an artist plays as many stadium dates as Taylor Swift in one market — six concerts over two weekends in Toronto. That creates a larger than usual supply of tickets, but given the enormous popularity of the tour, also a steep demand.

Read more on the hunt here. –Rosie Long Decter

Oak View Group and Live Nation Name Nick DeLuco General Manager of Upcoming Hamilton Arena

Oak View Group and Live Nation Canada are adding key team members for the planned Hamilton Arena.

Nick DeLuco, previously of Oilers Entertainment Group in Edmonton, has been named Senior Vice President and General Manager of the upcoming 18,000-seat arena in Hamilton, Ontario.

He’ll oversee operations and strategic planning for the as-yet-unnamed venue, formerly called the Hamilton FirstOntario Centre and Copps Coliseum. Oak View Group (OVG), in partnership with Live Nation, is undertaking a $280 million renovation on the arena, set to open in late 2025.

DeLuco oversaw events at Edmonton’s major entertainment and sports district, ICE District, including Rogers Place, home of the Edmonton Oilers hockey team. He also brings experience managing the $113 million Avenir Centre in New Brunswick, working on events like Cirque du Soleil and UFC.

OVG is expanding its Canadian presence, and recently became a co-owner of the former Canadian Music Week, now renamed Departure.

The Hamilton General Manager announcement follows the appointment of Alex Patton as Senior Director of Booking at OVG’s Canadian Alliance. Patton will lead booking at the Hamilton Arena, bringing experience from festivals like Boots & Hearts, NXNE and Toronto Jazz Fest.

The hiring announcements indicate the intention for Hamilton Arena to be a major tour stop and events hub. The third biggest city in Ontario, it’s the closest major metropolitan city outside the Greater Toronto Area.

“This is an exciting time for the Hamilton region, and I look forward to working alongside this dedicated team, focused on building a future that enhances the guest experience and uplifts the surrounding community,” says DeLuco in a statement. “Our goal is to elevate the experience for artists, fans and partners as we deliver a premier sports and entertainment destination in southern Ontario.”

Francesca Bodie, Chief Operating Officer at Oak View Group, praises DeLuco’s experience in managing large-scale venues and major renovation projects. The company is promising a major transformation of the Hamilton Arena, including modern upgrades, top-notch acoustics, improved sightlines and various premium and exclusive club, suite and seating options.

“This groundbreaking investment will unlock substantial economic momentum and serve as a key driver for revitalizing Hamilton’s downtown core,” she says. “We’re pleased to have Nick at the forefront of this effort.” -RLD