Composer

Robbie Williams on the high price of fame and getting played by monkeys in the new biopic ‘Better Man’

The British pop singer hopes his new biopic will help put him on the map in North America By Nick Krewen Special to the Star December 26, 2024 It took a while, but in September, Robbie Williams finally returned to Toronto. Before performing a short set at the Shangri-La Hotel during the Toronto International Film Festival, the last time the British pop superstar and former Take That member played the city…

Read More

Former ‘Degrassi’ producer on becoming a recording artist at 76 and what Drake’s really like

Stephen Stohn will release The Orange Sessions with his group, GTA Rhythm Section. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star He’s the chancellor of Trent University, an Order of Canada member, a former top entertainment attorney to the stars and has served as executive producer for most of the run of the “Degrassi” TV franchise. And at 76, Stephen Stohn just added a new accomplishment to his impressive résumé: recording artist. As…


Snotty Nose Rez Kids bring their provocative hip hop to the Opera House

The Indigenous rap group are touring to promote their most recent album, Red Future. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star For Snotty Nose Rez Kids, all roads have led to the rap duo’s latest and most powerful album, Red Future. The project — their first for a major label, Sony Canada — finds Darren “Young D” Metz and Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce, of Kitamaat Village in British Columbia, issuing an angry 16-track…


‘Surprise is the essence of music’: Sting still has a few tricks up his sleeve in five-show Toronto stint

By Nick Krewen Special to the Star One amazing evening down … four to go. Rock superstar Sting returned to the familiar and intimate surroundings of Massey Hall Friday night for the first of five concerts in six nights at Toronto’s Grand Old Lady, which — if not unprecedented for the venue — certainly is rare. With his longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and recently recruited Mumford & Sons touring drummer…


Revisiting his brother’s death for a Tragically Hip docuseries was the hardest but also most fulfilling thing Mike Downie has ever done

“It wasn’t uncommon for me to have a good cry,” says Mike Downie about making a documentary about brother Gord Downie and his band. The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal debuts at TIFF on Sept. 5. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star Mike Downie’s labour of love was also his toughest assignment. As the director and producer of the superb four-hour-plus documentary The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal that…