Catering to the masses.
What a sold-out show at Bud Stage tells us about the state of classical music.
Good afternoon everyone. I imagine most of you don’t spend much time thinking about the gossip circling the world of classical music, but a sold-out Stjepan Hauser show at Budweiser Stage this week gives me an opportunity to get you up to speed.
Hauser, a classically-trained cellist, did not come to Toronto to perform Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 or Camille Saint-Saës’s The Swan, but Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On, Justin Bieber's Despacito, and roughly ten other songs that are equally embedded in our collective consciousness. This month he’ll go on to perform at the Bell Centre in Montréal and Radio City Music Hall in New York City, before starting the European leg of his tour. As traditional concert halls struggle to fill seats, you’d think this guy would be considered a hero. But actually, quite a lot of people have a problem with him.
That’s because despite being, by all accounts, a gifted classical musician, years ago Hauser turned his attention to pop songs to reach a wider audience. Now he travels the world like a rock star while, at times, performing at the technical level of a fourth grader with a few years worth of music lessons under their belt. The production value, then, relies entirely on showmanship: which in Hauser’s case involves pelvic thrusting to the beat of the music, laying down while playing, and using his bow as a drumstick (though thankfully not all at the same time). In between songs, he uses small towels to wick the sweat off his body and throws them into the crowd. It was crazy.
Lindsay Sterling, a violinist, became one of the highest-paid musicians on YouTube in 2014 by, similarly, blending popular music with stage presence. She performs more shows and has more social media followers than most of her classical counterparts.
The popularity of these artists, along with concert series like Candlelight, which features tributes to popular artists like Taylor Swift, Usher, and Coldplay, suggest that younger audiences enjoy a modern take on classical music. Some see it as a gateway into the genre that didn’t exist before, but classical purists complain their music is being dilated to ensure its survival. Both are right. But as a point to the purists, I’d point out the vastly different levels of patience and focus required to sit though a classical rendition of Love Story and a 30-minute Tchaikovsky concerto.
Today’s newsletter includes: John Tory’s potential run for mayor in 2026, why more brand should invest in print projects, and Calgary’s new office-building-turned-hotel.
Obsessed with this Toronto man who has spent his adult life collecting Apple merchandise. He’s selling some of it this weekend at Curato Gallery.
John Tory is seriously considering a political comeback. The mayoral election isn’t until next fall but Olivia Chow’s approval ratings are slipping and opponents like Marco Mendicino and Brad Bradford are reportedly already getting organized.
Bachelorette parties are asking their followers to buy them drinks.
Calgary completed its first office to hotel project. People have gotten really into the idea of turning empty offices into new housing lately, which Brian Rosen, the CEO of Colliers Canada, told Taylor and I on an episode of Free Lunch is about as easy as turning a bike into a car, when considering building requirements. This is one of 21 office conversion projects that is being financially backed by the city.
I know where I’ll be this Canada Day (Cheese Boutique street party).
CivicAction is calling people who make six figures a year poor again. Survey respondents identified “higher pay” as the number one solution. Really helpful!
The Canada Strong pass is a nice idea. Not much changing for adults beyond the parks and camping discount, but some discounts on galleries, museums, and trail travel for children under 18 are more generous than what Switzerland offers.
MLSE has put out a casting call for a new in-arena host for Leafs games.
Signs that summer is here:
Brands handing out tiny samples. Deodorant sticks. Mystery seltzers.
Slick back buns, light-wash jeans and small sunglasses everywhere.
Boat guys in their full glory at Harbourfront Marina. No shirts, just vibes.
Gen Zs aesthetically “reading” at Trinity Bellwoods. What am I missing?
Issues Magazine Shop launched a creative studio. When I visited the Sezane store in Paris last July, I was blown away by the quality of the city guide included with the purchase of my new cardigan. I remember wishing more brands went out of their way to delight customers in this way, and now they can give it a try. Last fall, Bloomberg ran a great piece about the recent revival of magazines, which talked about how publishing a good one is still “hard, expensive work” but worth it for brands to get in front of the ‘right’ (read: engaged and affluent) audience.
Sezane's Paris City Guide People seem to be really digging the new frozen yogurt shop at Stackt.
The Globe and Mail suggests replacing alcohol with a foot soak. Don’t knock it until you try it! Maybe treat yourself to a ‘fridge cigarette’ while you’re at it.
TikTokers are calling on Blackberry to bring back retro phones. You can still buy old BlackBerrys on eBay, but is there really point unless they bring back BBM?
🥛 Do you have an out-there summer story idea for Milk Bag? Let me know here.
Julianne Costigan, whose styling services start at $19,000 a year, told me there are three Canadian designers we’re all sleeping on. I’ll remind you that earlier this spring, Carly Jordan, another Milk Bag style source, told us all to start tracking down Pucci prints for summer and she couldn’t have been more right.
