The highly anticipated Billboard Summit is set to make its debut in Canada, featuring a global music icon who has left an indelible mark in the country’s cultural landscape.
Diljit Dosanjh, a powerhouse in the music industry, will grace the event as a distinguished speaker. This momentous occasion will take place at NXNE in Toronto’s renowned TIFF Lightbox on June 11, 2025, promising an enriching experience for attendees.
Last year, the record-breaking artist made headlines with his Dil-Luminati tour, which featured sold-out stadium concerts at Vancouver’s BC Place and Toronto’s Rogers Centre. These events marked the largest Punjabi music gatherings outside of India, showcasing Dosanjh’s commitment to promoting Punjabi culture globally. His recent appearance at the Met Gala further emphasized his role in elevating Punjabi fashion on international platforms.
During the summit, Dosanjh will engage in a captivating interview with the influential Panos A. Panay, the president of the prestigious Recording Academy, which is responsible for the Grammy Awards. This conversation promises to offer insights into the evolving landscape of the music industry.
Billboard Canada has already revealed two major artists set to perform on The Stage at NXNE.
Daniel Caesar is making his return to the venue where he first headlined, the iconic Mod Club in Toronto, on June 14, an event fans eagerly anticipate.
The beloved venue will revert to its original name of The Mod Club, after being rebranded as Axis Club by its owner, Live Nation, for the first time since 2021. This change marks a nostalgic moment for many local music enthusiasts.
When Daniel Caesar first graced the stage at this venue, he was an emerging artist with a beautiful voice, gaining traction with his EP Pilgrim’s Paradise. At that time, he was still a year away from releasing his critically acclaimed debut album, Freudian, which would later solidify his place in the music industry.
By 2023, Daniel Caesar has ascended to performing in grand arenas, including the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York and the Scotiabank Arena back home in Toronto. This upcoming performance at The Mod Club offers a unique, intimate experience for his long-time fans, allowing them to connect with him on a personal level. Just a year after his Mod Club show in 2017, he performed at NXNE, transitioning from an up-and-coming talent to a headlining artist as the festival celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Following the last guests’ departure from a special DJ set on June 12, The Beaches will host a concert at a well-known venue in Toronto on June 15, elevating the excitement for fans.
This summer is particularly significant for the breakout Canadian band, having recently performed at Coachella and gearing up for another major set at Osheaga in Montreal. Their new album, No Hard Feelings, is scheduled for release on August 29 under AWAL.
The Beaches have also just announced the Canadian dates for their No Hard Feelings Tour, which includes an exciting homecoming show at Scotiabank Arena on November 6. Their special Billboard Canada Live performance will be an intimate opportunity for fans to experience the band up close at a surprise venue. – Richard Trapunski
New Regulations in Quebec to Enhance French-Language Content on Streaming Platforms
Quebec is preparing to enforce stricter language regulations concerning streaming services, which could significantly impact the availability of French-language content.
On May 21, Quebec Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe introduced a new bill aimed at increasing the amount of French-language content available on major streaming platforms. This initiative seeks to enhance the discoverability and accessibility of local content by establishing specific quotas. The bill targets platforms that distribute media like music, television shows, videos, and audiobooks, affecting major players such as Netflix and Spotify.
Lacombe’s goal is to elevate French-language and Quebecois content to prominence on these platforms, highlighting that such content is not always easily accessible. He noted that the consumption of local and French-language content currently stands at only 8.5% of the music streamed in Quebec, indicating a pressing need for change.
According to the proposed bill, streaming platforms will be required to set their default interfaces in French within the province. This mandate will also extend to platforms that produce original French-language content. Non-compliance could result in financial penalties, but Lacombe stated that businesses unable to meet the requirements due to their operational models could negotiate alternative agreements with the Quebec government.
The legislation specifies that the Quebec government must determine content proportions or quotas regarding how much French-language content needs to be created or showcased on these platforms, although specific numbers have yet to be disclosed.
Officially titled Bill 109 — “An Act to affirm the cultural sovereignty of Quebec and to enact the Act respecting the discoverability of French-language cultural content in the digital environment” — this legislation will align closely with existing Quebec laws and institutions. All affected platforms will need to register with the Minister of Culture and Communications, and the bill will amend the right to access French-language cultural content as outlined in the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms.
While Quebec moves towards tighter regulations, streaming platforms have already voiced opposition to existing content policies, arguing that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) should not impose content obligations on them. A CRTC hearing is currently underway from May 14 to 27 to redefine what constitutes Canadian Content (CanCon), including potential new regulations.
Major companies have been actively pushing back against the CRTC’s enforcement of the Online Streaming Act during the hearing, which includes proposals requiring large foreign streaming companies to invest in Canadian Content funds. – Stefano Rebuli
