In Canada, BTS' J-Hope and RM Attend Drake's Toronto Concert; Neil Peart Doc Premiering at TIFF
J-Hope and RM, two members of the globally successful K-pop group BTS, enjoyed a night out in Toronto on August 12th, attending a blockbuster summer concert featuring Chris Brown and Usher at Rogers Stadium. The K-pop singers were seen dancing along and hyped up to the iconic tracks of the R&B legends' hit-filled setlist, including Usher's 2000s classic "Yeah" and Brown's "Look At Me Now." They also met Brown and Usher backstage, who shared photos with the BTS members on Instagram.
The visit has caused a mixed reaction among BTS fans. While some praised the members for attending the show, others criticized it due to Brown's history of legal issues, notably his 2008 felony arrest for assaulting Rihanna. This has sparked debates about the group's choices and the potential implications of their actions.
BTS is gearing up for their grand return to the Canadian stage for the first time in almost a decade, playing two nights at Rogers Stadium on August 22nd and 23rd. The city of Toronto has gone all out for the occasion, renaming a stretch of Yonge Street to BTS Boulevard for a month and hosting the Korean Festival at Mel Lastman Square, the largest Korean cultural event in the country.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is also celebrating a Canadian rock music legend with the world premiere of the documentary "Neil Peart: No One's Disciple." The film honors the late musician's life, legacy, upbringing, and illustrious career as part of the iconic band Rush. The documentary will be shown at the Princess of Wales Theatre on September 16th, followed by additional screenings and a wide release on CBC on September 23rd.
Additionally, TIFF will feature music-related films, including a documentary about K-pop superstar LISA and a film exploring the career of an Our Lady Peace superfan. The festival runs from September 10th to 20th.
In other news, music streaming growth has slowed in Quebec, with a 3% increase in 2025 compared to 12% in 2024 and 16% in 2023. Despite francophone music being one of the most popular categories on Spotify, only 7.1% of listeners streamed music by Quebec artists in 2025. Researchers also noted the dominance of Quebec artists in physical and digital album sales, despite overall album sales declining for the fourth year in a row.
