Want to see Walk Off The Earth perform in Toronto on Sept. 20?ANDPOPis teaming up with Sony Music Canada to give one lucky winner and a guest tickets to see the group at the Danforth Music Hall.

Here’s what you have to do:

Fill out the form below! It’s that simple. The contest is open to anyone in Canada (excluding Quebec) and will run from today (Sept. 7) until Tuesday, Sept. 18.

Make sure to like our Facebook page (it’s required) and remember, only ONE ENTRY per person.

Good luck!

Selena Gomez provided my favourite insight during the Q&A portion of TIFF’s Spring Breakers premiere. She said: “It’s really hard to find a teen movie that tells the truth and shows what’s raw and real.”

I can’t say I personally know anyone my age that funds their hedonist exploits by robbing and threatening to blow the f*cking heads off customers at fast food joints with booze-filled water guns. But director Harmony Korine is painting a broader portrait of a selfish, Jersey Shore-loving generation that becomes young, wild and free completely disillusioned during their “break from reality.” And we sure as hell all know college kids like that.

Plot

Faith (Selena Gomez) is a Jesus-thumping undergrad who is disillusioned by the banality of her life. She eagerly follows her childhood friends, played by Hudgens, Pretty Little Liars’ Ashley Benson and Korines’ wife Rachel, on their illegally funded spring break vacation to Florida.

While Faith is encouraged by her “spiritual retreat” — even wishing to make her pause from reality infinite — her fun is over when the ladies land in jail and meet a cornrowed hustler named Alien (James Franco). Just as Faith’s spring break vacation ends, it just gets started for her thrill-seeking friends.

Three things I loved

The cast

The film isn’t for the faint of heart, nor is it necessarily for Gomez and Hudgens’ fans. The Disney stars smoke bongs and dance alongside breast-baring partiers during their violent and sexual retreat. Teen idol haters might be pleasantly surprised by all the actresses’ adaptability, particularly during some raunchy scenes with Benson, Hudgens and Franco, that couldn’t have been comfortable to shoot… for the girls anyway.

Direction (and see photos from the premiere below)

Read more…

It’s pretty safe to say that Rita Ora doesn’t need the most expensive item in the store to complete her look. She insists it doesn’t matter where it’s from, as long as it looks good! Rita sat down with @Jordans_life to describe her own sense of style in three words and dish on how she can tell a lot about a person by the way they dress. She also shares her love for the city of Toronto (because duh).

Watch here:

Catch up with Part 1 and Part 2 of the interview here!

It’s pretty clear Drake has been spending quality time in his home city of Toronto for the summer.  If he’s not chilling out at Yorkville or preparing for the third annual OVO Festival (which also features the likes of A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz and The Weeknd), he’s now trying to finish high school after dropping out at age 15.

“I’m actually spending my summer graduating high school,” he said in an interview with Now Toronto. “That’s my main focus after OVO Fest. I only have one credit left, and I’m really excited about that.”

Drake of course, was filming Degrassi: The Next Generation during his high school years. He has said in the past that he wants to one day show his mother his high school diploma.

Good on him!  It’s nice to see  to him realizing the importance of having an education. And seeing that he’s doing it to make his mom proud, that just warms my heart.

But on another note, the rapper was spotted this week getting a Freshly Squeezed at Scarborough Town Centre. Considering that most of my peers gathered at that same mall after school everyday, looks like Drake’s already fitting in with everyone!

In the world of celebrity news, there’s no shortage of hits and misses. This week, John Mayer is creepy and hits on Jennifer Lawrence and Justin Bieber feels “disrespected” by fans.

HIT: Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are invading your magazine stand

Garfield is on Nylon Guys, British GQ, i-D and VMan, while Stone has New York Magazine and Vogue, with an extensive spread. They also look adorable together on Teen Vogue. The Teen Vogue interview is a good read as two banter with each other, Stone talks about the stupid questions she gets, and Garfield reveals his man-crush on Ryan Gosling. I may or may not rush into my local Chapters, place all the magazines together, and label that section “OTP.”

MISS: Justin Bieber is rude to fans as he waits for Selena Gomez

While JBiebs’ star shone at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York, the media blew up a scuffle he had with some fans at the airport. Apparently, Bieber was bothered by the number of fans who were asking for his autograph as he waited for Selena Gomez. “I’ve had a long day, I flew in,” said Bieber. “I don’t have to be nicer about it. You guys are in my face.” Bieber was probably having an off day and you have to admit, it must be frustrating to have no privacy. Everybody has those days once in a while!

HIT: Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” wakes a girl from a coma Read more…

A person has been killed and several injured as a result of a massive stage collapse in Toronto just an hour before Radiohead’s sold-out show in Downsview Park.

While no band members were believed to be on the stage at the time, concert crew were working in the area at the time.

As a result of the incident, Radiohead cancelled their performance.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Radiohead show at Downsview Park tonight has been cancelled,” the band said on Twitter. “Fans are advised not to make their way to the venue.”

This is truly an unfortunate situation. My thoughts go out to anyone affected by the incident.

Why does everyone insist on declaring their allegiance to either The Wanted or One Direction like it’s a pivotal rule of fandom? Can’t opposing boy bands and their fans just chill out, have dance offs to weird mashups and reward each other with dimpled smiles and pats on the back when one band is successful? Apparently, NOPE.

During an interview with Much Music, the guys of One Direction were asked to clear up a rumour that’s on everyone’s mind. Are they collaborating with arch nemesis The Wanted?

Well, that’s a tricky question. Three of the guys said it was real while one said it was a rumour. So we’re not really sure what the actual answer is. Though personally, I’d love it if The Wanted popped out of the fog during one of 1D’s concerts and started some epic boy band duet.

Another question that’s on our minds: if you guys really don’t have a problem with each other, why don’t you hang out so the media can squash the rumour? Well, I can think of a million reasons: the dudes are all so busy travelling, touring, recording and aswering questions about opposing boy bands. Louis recommended the interviewer go ask The Wanted why they haven’t hung out but apparently their management FORBIDS interviewers from asking about that no-no topic.

I still feel like I’m missing part of the puzzle. Either that, or the guys are just so tired of questions about The Wanted that there’s nothing left to say.

Watch it here: 

There are a few benefits of being the opening act on One Direction’s sold out North American tour, like Olly Murs. As if it’s not cool enough that the fellow Brit and X Factor alum is stealing the hearts of 1D’s INSANE fan base, he got to have a backstage, impromptu jam sesh with cutie Niall Horan.

Our heart was already exploding for his a capella version of “Heart Skips A Beat” but then the camera panned to Niall Horan with a guitar. Sitting on a toilet.

Like this: 

“Heart Skips A Beat” is Murs’ debut single and he doesn’t need any help from 1D to convince us he’s talented. The guys filmed the performance backstage at a recent gig in Toronto and posted it online later.

Watch it here:

I’m a huge fan of The Wanted, so when I was searching for their song “Glad You Came” on YouTube and came across this Toronto cover project called Virginia to Vegas, it was a total win. Virginia to Vegas is headed by DJ Baker, a singer and songwriter, trying to make a name for himself in the Canadian music industry. Below is his newest cover of UK bad boys’ “Glad You Came,” sung in an old school, classy way. Baker has also covered Justin Bieber’s new single “Boyfriend,” Coldplay’s “Paradise” and Chris Brown ft. Justin Bieber’s “Next 2 You.” His YouTube channel already has a little over 100,000 views and counting. I see big things coming for this guy! Oh and did I mention I dig his hipster style?

Abandon All Ships dropped the video for “Infamous,” the long-awaited lead single from their forthcoming album. The song, which was produced by The Spool Factory, includes a mix of fierce vocals from Angelo Aita and a softer touch from Martin Broda. Plus, A-Game adds a hip hop sample in the middle.

The video is very “Toronto,” starting off with shots of the TTC, Aita’s Canadian varsity jacket, the CN Tower, the Sky Dome Rogers Centre and finally (take a breath) a Blue Jays hat. It’s like a Where’s Waldo of Toronto landmarks.

After hitting The Big Slice Restaurant for pizza, the guys drive around and eventually end up back at home for wine and dinner. Finally, the head to their local barbershop (the photo suggests they’re longtime customers) to get a groom-up. The whole video is like an ode to their hometown.

Watch the video here: 

Today andPOP presents our very own special report in honour of CBC’s unnecessary wedding coverage of two local reporters. We investigate what colleague Jordan Darville ate for lunch. Groundbreaking. Then we have a heated discussion about whether cats or dogs are better.

Meeting The Hunger Games’ Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson causes uncontrollable squealing and increased eyelash batting for most fangirls. When I interviewed the hotties for my first red carpet event (ever!) I had a total teen girl moment. Here’s our behind the scenes look at the red carpet event.

Hanson was one of the staples of the 90s, so we looked back at some other 1990s nostalgia. Remember Microsoft Encarta? Remember Oregon Trail? We also talked about the loudest concert ever which was a Hanson concert in Toronto.

If Batman had a night out in Toronto he’d be able to crack all kinds of mysteries. But opening an original, non-spicy, beef jerky stick might be a little tough for him. This seems to be the case when Batman went on the prowl for drugs in Toronto yesterday, scouring the subways, coffee shops and streets in his pursuit.

Batman meets tons of people on his adventure, including legitimate policemen who he insists on ticketing and a random streeter who takes him out to party. His real name is Alex Brovedani, and he’s a stand-up comedian who grew up in Woodbridge, Ontario. He first wore batman’s cape on Halloween and has since taken to the streets with his deep, throaty voice.

Brovedani does a perfect impersonation, though his slow run gives him away. If you, like me, are totally impressed by Batman you can follow him at @TorontoBatman.

The City of Toronto is pissed off at one of their own. Drake used a billboard in the city to promote his album “Take Care.” However, the city argues there is a trademark infringement over the word “Toronto,” which is spelt in a font distinctively used by the city.

The sign has been up for a couple of months, but only recently has it been brought to the attention of Toronto officials. The city believes it looks like an official “Welcome” sign.

“We would suggest that the treatment of the word Toronto used on the billboard is very similar to the wordmark that forms part of the Toronto logo,” city spokesperson Francine Antonio-Forte told the Toronto Star. “The similarity of the wordmarks, in conjunction with other creative elements used for the billboard, may cause some confusion about the source of the information.” There’s been no word as to whether Toronto officials will take legal action against their pride and joy. “While the city is proud of its local and international talent, we have a general practice of reviewing and addressing reported or known cases related to the possible misuse of the Toronto logo,” Antonio-Forte added.

If the city was smart, they would leave Drake alone. The rapper has put Toronto and Canadian hip-hop on the map, and the rapper proudly represents the city. Hopefully they just give him a warning.

Drake released the latest video from “Take Care” with the single “Headlines.” The video features Toronto landmarks like The Rogers Centre (home of the Blue Jays) and also shows the CN Tower.

While Drake is rapping on the field of The Rogers Centre, the words “Take Care” are lit up on the Jumbotron behind him.

Drizzy was also inducted to the Canadian Walk of Fame. The organization said, “At 24 years of age, Drake has already achieved what has taken others a lifetime to do. He is kind, smart, talented, philanthropic, and driven. He is an inspiring example to all, and we are proud to recognize him this year as our young Canadian making a positive impact.”

October is turning out to be a big month for Drake!

If you’re a star as big as Katy Perry, perhaps you’ll have enough power to close down a whole street.

Well actually, that’s what happened.

In a city like Toronto where mayor Rob Ford considers moving charity events and marathons off the streets because they’re an inconvenience to drivers, Yonge St., one of the city’s main downtown streets, closed for six hours just so the popstar could promote her new perfume, Purr.

Appearing almost an hour and a half late, Perry showed up for about 30 minutes of the closure.  Yonge St., from Edward to Richmond Sts, was almost empty for a large part of the time.

“It doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense,” said Councillor Doug Holyday, according to an interview with the Toronto Star. “You wonder why it couldn’t have been held somewhere where it wouldn’t block off the street.”

“We’ve got places where some of these sizable events can be held,” he continued, mentioning Nathan Phillips and Yonge-Dundas squares as other options.

Sears, the perfume’s retailer, anticipated 3,000 to 7,000 fans to fill the streets, according to Vincent Power, director of corporate communications.

But with rough estimates from Toronto police and Eaton Centre security, the closure only drew about 1,500.

So a bit of an exaggeration?

I would think so.

I’m actually a bit disappointed with how this was handled. Six hours really was not necessary and most of the people there were probably just passing by and curious as to what was happening.

I’m a fan of Katy but being almost an hour and a half late was not very cool to the fans who had to wait in the sweltering heat.

And besides, six hours of road closures?  That’s too extreme.

Just a few days after the Season 4 So You Think You Can Dance Canada premier, fans all over the country are geared up to embark on this year’s journey to find Canada’s next favourite dancer. Following a number of young hopefuls during the ups and downs of a difficult on air dancing competition, the new season and its judges promise to be bigger and better than any season prior. As judge Tré Armstrong reveals, viewers will be treated to sexy dancing and a lot of talent as early on as the first three minutes of the season.

“I’m anxious and nervous and excited and overwhelmed at the same time to see the show tonight,” Armstrong told andPOP on Monday, a mere few hours before the premier. “[It’s the] best season yet for sure.”

However, it’s definitely not all fun and games for the contestants. As every other season, this time around each competitor who the judges are unconvinced should proceed to Finals Week in Toronto must come face to face with their worst nightmare – a little thing called “Blake Boot Camp.”

“It’s definitely the first moment where their eyes really kind of start to bulge out of their heads and say wow, okay, I didn’t know how hard this is going to be,” says Armstrong’s co-judge and choreographer, Blake McGrath. “We do that to prepare them for the shows. It’s a really gruelling process.” The experience, which McGrath titles interesting, fun, and crazy, definitely takes its toll on the contestants’ nerves. “I think people throw up this year, actually,” the judge reveals.

Read more…