 | Saturday, May 17, 2025 | |  | Saturday, May 17, 2025 | |  | A noted cinephile, the Weeknd’s love of movies and TV has played a big part in his songs and visual works.
“Before I ever thought of making music, I wanted to make films. I was writing screenplays and short stories before I ever wrote a full song,” he said. “David Lynch, alongside David Cronenberg, Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese, play a huge part in my brand, my looks, my sound and my aesthetic.”
For Weeknd fans: how many cinematic references of his can you name off the top of your head? Let this cut of three of his videos jog your memory, before you dive into our piece on 15 of his best film references.
We’re also working hard to whittle down our list of 2025 songs of the summer. What’s been bringing you the perfect amount of sunshine on your playlist lately? | | | | | | | | | |  | | | Early on in Alessia Cara’s career, Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac helped her feel more comfortable being herself — even if that felt a little "messy." | | | | | | | | | |  | | | Every summer needs a love song that crosses borders, and the new track by WizTheMC with Tyla and bees & honey just might be the one. Listen to it plus new music from Bambii, Chris LaRocca, Beauts and 80purppp on this week’s list of must-hear songs. | | | | | | | | | |  | | | “In classic Neil Young form: ‘Neil’s not feeling it today,’” explained director Cameron Crowe, of learning that Young wouldn’t be making his acting debut. | | | | | | | | | |  | | | "I was obsessed with Olivia since I was three," Alanis Morissette said to the audience. "I saw her movie [Grease] in French in Avignon, France, and I was instantly besotted and my whole life's trajectory changed. Using a nail polish bottle as a microphone." | | | | | | | | | |  | | | The 2025 East Coast Music Awards took place in St. John's last weekend, after months of protest and calls to action within the local music community.
Nova Scotia rapper Classified led the winners by taking home five of the eight awards he was nominated for, while P.E.I. folk group Vishtèn nabbed three awards, and Newfoundland's own Kellie Loder tied with Nova Scotia's Maggie Andrew for two apiece. | | | | | | | | | |  | | | It's a social affair on Saturday Night Jazz with tea for two and dinner for one from Samara Joy, Branford Marsalis and Champian Fulton. We also celebrate a couple of jazz birthdays including those of Canadian guitarist Lorne Lofsky and Fred Astaire, who were born this month in 1954 and 1899, respectively. | | | | | | | | | |  | | | On March 4, 1991, a young Calgarian with his dad's Dictaphone headed to the Westward Club, now the location of Hotel Arts, where a Seattle grunge band was scheduled to play. Jason Pay, who had just turned 18, had no way of knowing that the band — Nirvana — was only months away from skyrocketing to fame with one of the best-selling albums of all time, Nevermind. | | | | | | | | | |  | | | Lorde, who typically releases albums every four years, is right on schedule as she returns this spring with her fourth — the first single, the synth-driven What Was That, blasts into the Top 20 this week. From the other side of the planet, on the Isle of Wight, comes the return of Wet Leg with the equally punchy Catch These Fists. Our Canadian entries this week include the first solo single in 15 years from Stars co-lead singer Amy Millan, and the debut single from Logan Richard, a highly touted, Bahamas-endorsed singer-songwriter from Charlottetown. | | | | | | | Thanks so much for joining us for this issue of Listen Up! If you loved it, feel free to let us know at listenup@cbc.ca — and use the same email if you have questions or suggestions. Please share it with your friends, family and even enemies via cbc.ca/listenup. | | | |
