NOW’s most-read Music articles of 2011.
1. The Weeknd’s perfect premiere
The Weeknd’s premiere at the Mod Club back in July was easily the year’s most anticipated show. For one night Toronto was turned into the centre of the R&B universe, and although flyers for the show advised “no media,” NOW was there to capture every ecstatic note. Five Ns out of five.
2. Lana del Rey
This rookie pop star was perhaps 2011’s most divisive debut. Sure she had a great single with Video Games, but her critics say her image is fake, her gorgeous lips are artificially inflated, and her songs (the good ones at least) aren’t her own. We asked her how she’s dealing with the pressure.
3. Kanye West gets the Arcade Fire thing now
This year Kanye West enhanced his reputation for overreacting to award ceremonies. When Arcade Fire beat out favourites like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry to the Grammy Award for the Album of the Year, Kanye’s reaction was, well, animated? Back in 2007, he made comments that were less than enthusiastic about the band.
4. R.I.P. Alexisonfire
Nobody likes a bad breakup, and when it comes to a great band it’s even harder to digest. After a solid 10 years of success, Alexisonfire called it a day largely thanks to Dallas Green’s side project, City and Colour, eclipsing the band. The split was not amicable.
5. Bon Iver
Justin Vernon has left his heart in his hometown. In this telling cover feature the indie-folk icon explores his notoriously reclusive personality, his accomplishments and where he finds his inspiration.
6. Chris Brown threatens female rapper on Twitter
Chris Brown threatens to beat up a woman on Twitter, showing he learned absolutely nothing from the 2009 Rihanna abuse scandal that almost (should have?) ended his career.
7. Teen age waste land
Toronto’s music scene is neglecting an entire generation. All-age venues in the city are virtually non-existent. Are teens supposed to rely on fake IDs to have a little fun in this town? This feature stands up for the tweens.
8. Ryan Adams – Ashes & Fire
NOW’s Joshua Errett draws some fire from Ryan Adams’s notoriously loyal fans with a review that says what critics have been saying for years: Adams is good when he’s good, and terrible when he’s bad.
9. Katy Perry power
Katy Perry’s got little girls all over the world trapped under her spell. Their fathers meanwhile, are just trying to snap a photo of all the side boob on stage. Check out our review of the twisted campiness that was Perry’s two-night stay at the Air Canada Centre.
10. Skrillex
Back in February, Skrillex was new and making a name for himself. Now he’s a hot commodity, making his way through the music industry as a pioneer with his unique take on electro house and dubstep inspired sounds. Time flies.
