So impressed with my Billboard Canada colleagues and their spectacular Women In Music celebration Wednesday night at Rebel. Superb broadcast level production, massive positive vibe, inspiring night for all who attended. So much talent in this country.

Just did sit down interview with @jeremyallenwhitebr.bsky.social and director Scott Cooper about their excellent new film “Deliver Me From Nowhere”. Cool to do it at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, The Boss’s favourite. @nextmagazine.bsky.social feature coming soon.

Greetings from Asbury Park — working on something big.

Really enjoyed speaking wth Scarlett Johansson about her directorial debut helming the excellent new film "Eleanor the Great", Check out my @nextmagazine.bsky.social feature here. nextmag.ca/first-time-d...

Absolutely loved Paul Thomas Anderson's latest, "One Battle After Another". Superb filmmaking that justifies its massive run time of almost three hours. My 5-N @nextmagazine.bsky.social review here: nextmag.ca/review-phill...

They're turning people away at packed Toronto launch event for @avilewis.ca for NDP leader campaign tonight at Tranzac club. Very encouraging. I've known and respected Avi for decades and he would make an excellent prime minister. An accomplished communicator with exciting ideas, how's his French?

Ashamed to see my country follow Trump and America down road of authoritarianism by banning Kneecap. How about REALLY banning weapons sales to Israel and letting free speech thrive in Canada. Let Kneecap speak.

Yves Jarvis picked up top prize @polarismusicprize Tuesday night at @masseyhall in a show with great music and terrible pacing despite a great host @haviahmighty. As Polaris reaches out to become a public celebration, it must tighten up the pacing. My 4-N review here: nextmag.ca/review-yves-...

Time to cancel Disney+. Dark days in America. This is what fascism looks like.

Can’t wait to finish the so-far-disappointing new series The Paper so I can cancel atrocious Slack-TV. So many ads may as well be broadcast. Horrible service.

Lady Gaga's's first of three nights @scotiabank-arena.bsky.social was a flame and fun-filled dance party packed with jaw-dropping spectacle. Check out my 4-N @nextmagazine.bsky.social review here: nextmag.ca/review-lady-...

Wanted to love the new Spinal Tap, I could watch Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel endlessly but sequel "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" relies too much on stunt-casting cameos and not enough Tap idiocy. My 3-N @nextmagazine.bsky.social review nextmag.ca/review-lates...

Taking a one night break from TIFFing for first of three nights of Lady Gaga — though she’s pretty cinematic herself. Review tomorrow @nextmagazine.bsky.social

As John Tory contemplates rising from the political dead a reminder he took $100k a year from Rogers while mayor yet he couldn’t get WiFi on subway. Olivia Chow not on payroll of said company got Rogers and others to supply subway six weeks after election. And where is Smart Track? Chow gets it done

Conflicted @tiffnet.bsky.social, want to see more stuff, interview more people but also am eager to write up what I already have. Best problem. Will do both of course.

@nextmagazine.bsky.social’s first @tiffnet.bsky.social rave review, 5-Ns for hilarious faux rockumentary “Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie” from “ Blackberry” writer director Matt Johnson and co-writer/actor Jay McCarrol. My review here. nextmag.ca/tiff-reviews...

Bought some vinyl today and got the mutter of approval from the sales clerk for my purchase. You don’t get that on streaming.

Those machines making all the noise over Toronto right now aren’t used to deliver ice cream. They have one purpose, with a handful of exceptions, destruction and death. So sad that we still use brilliant technology so shamefully. And why are we showcasing it as something to be proud of?

I loved Oasis at Rogers Stadium in Downsview last night. They're still the best rock and roll band in the world. My 5-N review here: nextmag.ca/review-oasis...

@bluerodeo.bsky.social last night, Oasis tonight, what a great weekend in Toronto. Watch for Oasis review @nextmagazine.bsky.social

Spent last two weekends meeting with American friends who are part of the resistance in independent media and film. They face huge obstacles but are determined and gaining support. Proud of their resolve.

They’re opening the Dome at The Weeknd. Going to be epic I think .

Walking through pleasantly jammed Withrow Park, Farmers’ Market, some live music, guy plays “Ahead By A Century” steps from where Gord Downie and family once lived. I wonder if he knows. Sweet and sad, I miss Gord often but especially strolling through the Hood we once walked together.

Need a break from all the bad news? Fantastic Four: First Steps is the best superhero movie in years -- a great escape filled with wonder and fun, great performances and super cool retro-futuristic art direction. The film opens today. My 5-N NEXT review here: nextmag.ca/review-the-f...

Well, they are guilty of being scumbags. Disgraceful verdict. What woman would dare turn to the legal system for justice? System is stacked against them. If any team signs these rats, they are endorsing violence against women. These men cannot be allowed to escape their shameful actions.

Didn’t love new @superman, same old tedious CGI punch outs that infest many comic book movies. @rachelbrosnahan is awesome as Louis Lane but not enough of her. Man of Steel spends much of film getting ass kicked, not enough time flying, doing cool stuff. My 2-N review: nextmag.ca/review-even-...

@therealmariskahargitay has created a remarkable doc that could be called “Searching for the truth about my mother” as she explores legacy of the parent she barely knew, “ Blonde Bombshell” Jayne Mansfield. Highly recommended. Check out my 5-N @nextmagcanada review here: nextmag.ca/review-law-a...

The new doc on disgraced, disastrous and sadly addicted mayor Rob Ford, “Train wreck: Mayor of Mayhem” is a superficial even exploitative look at Toronto’s international embarrassment. No insights just pratfalls, scandal and shame. My 2-N @nextmagcanada review here: nextmag.ca/review-train...

"F-1: The Movie" is a celebration of star power and motor power and doesn't let a corny plot get in the way of saluting both. The film is a tribute to Brad Pitt and sleek cars with an incidental storyline. Opens this week, my 3-N review. nextmag.ca/review-f-1-t...

Jim Cuddy wrote a very cool review on one of this week's Paul Simon shows @masseyhall.bsky.social

Beaches just announced a Scotiabank Arena show in November. Congrats! That’s their next Toronto gig after their NXNE secret show June 15 in an intimate venue.

And now Daniel Caesar returns to play @notthebobbyorr.bsky.social Sat. June 14 at the renamed Mod Club. Daniel first played the fest in 2017 to a sparse crowd. Limited number of NXNE passes get in but get there early! Limited tickets also on sale.

Excited to present @thebeaches.bsky.social “secret show” @northby.bsky.social on June 15. Admission by mailing list or with NXNE pass — but get there early! Venue reveal Wednesday plus another massive artist announcement.

Solid new writer at @nextmagazine.bsky.social Divine Angubua has a fascinating, fresh take on new Disney live action remake of Lilo and Stitch which they say preemptively caters to the homogenized Trump agenda. Our 1-N review here: nextmag.ca/review-new-l...

Time for Bryan Adams to stop slagging essential CanCon regulations that help Canadian musicians, He was at it again at a conference in Toronto earlier this month. My defense pf CanCon. nextmag.ca/bryan-adams-...

Had a great conversation with Andor stars Genevieve O'Reilly (Mon Mothma) and Stellan Skarsgård (Luthen Rael) who say Star Wars has always been political. They dub the clever series Star Wars "for grown ups". Check out my @nextmagazine.bsky.social in person interview here: nextmag.ca/andor-stars-...

Conservative election prayer seems to be "And the Old White People shall save us" with another campaign ad of elderly white folks fretting about the future. Looks like they're desperately trying to lock in their base and giving up on getting new voters.

New Conservative TV ads look like parodies. Two old white guys leisurely golfing musing on the need for “change”. Hilarious. For the next one, they should have the two ruling class dudes wear top hats and smoke cigars.

@northby.bsky.social full festival lineup goes live on Friday but get a sneak peak now at @nextmagazine.bsky.social . events.nextmag.ca/lists/2004

Saw a great "new" artist Goldie Boutilier @horseshoetavern.bsky.social Wednesday night and she was dripping in star power. Check out my 4-N @nextmagazine.bsky.social review. nextmag.ca/review-styli...

This was a fun day. Loved being on Mike’s excellent show.

I'm so happy with the return of T. O. Music Notes, so much going on in this city's amazing live music scene, despite the bleak picture so many want to paint. Get all the latest live music news here: nextmag.ca/t-o-music-no...

More big @northby.bsky.social lineup announcements coming this week.

Major Toronto music news as @northby.bsky.social is coming back to @sankofasquare.bsky.social with our 30th Birthday Party at Yonge & Dundas Thurs., June 12 with a massive headliner. Also just announced our first 100+ amazing emerging acts. NXNE is June 11-15. nextmag.ca/nxne-returni...

Huge @northby.bsky.social announcements coming at 10 am ET. Can’t wait to share.

Im so pleased to bring back T. O. Music Notes, once a mainstay of @nowtoronto.bsky.social and now a regular feature of NEXT. So much exciting news in our local music scene, I'm thrilled to help get the important word out. Got a tip? Please send it to: [email protected]

We love The White Lotus but Season 3, which debuts tonight is kind of -- sleepy. We're all for the slow boil but, set in a wellness spa in Thailand, three episodes in and still not a to love. Our review here: nextmag.ca/review-new-w...

I highly recommend subscribing to @nextmagazine.bsky.social's free events newsletters -- never miss a thing and aways know what's NEXT in Toronto. Weekend Best Bets every Thursday, Just Announced Concerts every Wednesday plus more essential information. All free. nextmag.ca/newsletter-s...

Bob Marley birthday weekend is a good time to revisit my travels through Marley's Kingston including the home where he was almost killed and then, an amazing tour through the streets of Trench Town where he grew up, Including "that government yard". nextmag.ca/walking-in-b...

Fun to see the NOW Mag on the set of opening night of CanStage’s excellent remount of Kim’s Convenience. Fondly reminded of Jon Kaplan raving to the editorial team when it was just a Fringe show. Happy he got us to put it on the cover 16 years ago. It still resonates. @nextmagazine.bsky. Review soon