AGP Executive Report

Festival Spotlight: L.A.B’s 8TH WONDER Festival is landing in Rotorua in January with family-first, affordable tickets (including free under-fives) aimed at widening access to live music. Live Music + Community: Belfast’s céilí revival gets a spotlight through Ronán Eastwood, keeping set-dancing alive after decades of cultural disruption. New Releases: Madonna’s Confessions II drops as Billboard’s Friday Music Guide pick, alongside Sienna Spiro’s debut Visitor and Riley Green’s latest collab. Local Scene Watch: A Sydney booking agency apologized after an AI-generated artist was unknowingly included in a live lineup, sparking backlash from musicians. New Music Venue/Events: Rotorua and beyond—plus a reminder that live music is still being built into everyday spaces, from farmers markets with music to new community gatherings. Country: Ella Langley heads to West Virginia on Sept. 12 after a huge ACM Awards haul.

Country Spotlight: Ella Langley is hitting West Virginia on Sept. 12 at the Charleston Coliseum as her Dandelion Tour keeps rolling after a massive 2026 ACM Awards haul. New Music Drops: Jorja Smith announces her What Are the Odds LP for Aug. 21 and shares “Alive” with WizKid, while Belfast duo Chalk unleashes the dance-punk single “Get Fucked.” Big Pop Moment: Madonna’s Confessions II is landing with pointed jabs at ex Sean Penn in the track “Bizarre.” Tech x Music: Georgia Tech’s Spherephones turn nearby robot movement into warning sounds inspired by horror-movie suspense. Global Stage: Canada officially joins Eurovision in 2027, and Bryan Adams fires back at Trump with “51st State” for Canada Day. Local Live Scene: Redditch’s Bass Assembly says noise complaints forced a venue change, and Emporia’s First Friday Art Walk returns July 3 with live music and a new installation.

Country Spotlight: Ella Langley is bringing her Dandelion Tour to West Virginia with a Sept. 12 stop at the Charleston Coliseum. Club & Festival Buzz: Berlin’s FOUND just opened in a former brewery with an 8,500-capacity launch, while The Warehouse Project announced a 20th anniversary season with KI/KI, Keinemusik’s Rampa, Solomun, Overmono and more. Live Music Planning: Brentford FC wants to host up to six live music events a year at Gtech Community Stadium, but local opposition could make approvals tough. New Releases & Soundtracks: Yulgang: Next drops the “RISE AGAIN” OST track, and Nikke adds “Cinderella: Crystal Wave” plus a new full-voice story event, “WAVE TO YOU.” Music Meets Science: FNIH launches a Music as Medicine neuroscience initiative with grants aimed at therapies for conditions like Alzheimer’s and depression. Global Pop Culture: Le Sserafim becomes the first K-pop girl group booked for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

Pop Culture & Music: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly planning wedding celebrations at Madison Square Garden this week, with major NYPD security and a view-blocking tent plan in place. New Releases: Disney drops the first look at “Camp Rock 3,” premiering Aug. 13 on Disney Channel and Aug. 14 on Disney+, plus a new single performance titled “One Beat Away.” Big Music Deals: Snow Patrol signs a new global recording deal with BMG and teams up with Kylie Minogue on “These Alarms,” out July 1. Artist Spotlight: Sony Music Masterworks signs Emily Bear, with a label debut in the works and Blue Note live dates in September and November. Streaming & Pricing: Tidal raises its monthly price starting Aug. 3 (UK to £12.99), citing support for artists and rightsholders. Tech Meets Music: Sony confirms PlayStation will stop physical disc production for new games from Jan. 2028, pushing more digital-only releases. Canada Day Protest Pop: Bryan Adams releases “51st State,” a Trump-aimed anthem timed for Canada Day.

Community Spotlight: The Columbia County Jewish Festival is back for its second year on July 26 (1–3 p.m.) at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park in Hudson, with free admission, live Jewish music, kosher food, and family activities. STEM x Sound: New Acropolis Mumbai’s Day of the Arts explored how math patterns shape music and nature, with interactive exhibits and a live performance after 200+ attendees gathered. Music Education Expansion: Singapore’s Aureus Academy says it will open its first U.S. outlets in the Greater Dallas–Fort Worth area, aiming for up to three centers by Q1 2027, backed by a proprietary S$15M curriculum. K-pop Crossover: AtHeart drops “Say It,” built around an interpolation of The Cardigans’ “Lovefool,” as the original hits its 30th anniversary. Global Artist News: Aoora won “Iconic Spiritual Song of the Year” in India for “Shiva Shivam,” which has topped 14M YouTube views. Tech Meets Entertainment: UBTECH unveiled its Human-Robot Symbiosis push and new UWorld U1 humanoid robot lineup in Shenzhen, with cumulative orders reported above 13,361 units. Live Music & Travel: Scoot launched a Spider-Man-themed aircraft experience tied to the new movie, with onboard music and themed inflight activities on select routes.

New Music Drops: Peter Gabriel released “I Belong to the Sky,” the latest full-moon single from his upcoming album o/i, with the full project due by end of 2026. Indie-Rock News: Bloc Party shared “Love Bombs,” the second preview of Anatomy of a Brief Romance, plus tour plans including a co-headline run with Interpol. Alt-Rock Album Update: Dinosaur Jr. announced There Near (out Aug. 28) and previewed the record’s direction with a new single. Local Live Music: ChoirFest26 returns as a free family choir showcase at Runcorn Hill bandstand on July 5. Community Festivals: Morocco’s Gnaoua and World Music Festival kicked off in Essaouira, spotlighting Gnaoua roots and cultural exchange. Music + Culture in the Classroom: Odisha’s new textbooks sparked backlash after Bollywood-folk song lyrics like “Nimbooda” appeared in English materials. Music Tech/Policy: Tidal says it will strip royalties from AI-generated music and tag/block tracks it catches. Touring/Events: ZZ Top and Cheap Trick extended their 2026 co-headlining run with updated dates.

K-pop & Pop Releases: Tomorrow X Together will drop Japan’s fifth single, “Setsuna Hanabi,” on Aug. 19, with a Tokyo live showcase the same day. Album Spotlight: Singaporean singer Regina Song’s sophomore album everland lands June 26, leaning into a Wonderland-style pop universe of love, chaos, and growing up. Tour/Live Updates: Ariana Grande’s TD Garden dates in Boston were reshuffled for production safety—July 22 to July 23, July 24 to July 26—while other shows stand. Alt/Indie Culture: Gorillaz’ immersive House Of Kong exhibition hits New York Sept. 1–28, following its London run celebrating the band’s 25-year history. Local Music Education: East Riding Music Service marks 30 years, now supporting 13 ensembles and weekly lessons for 5,000+ pupils. Music + Big Causes: Em The Master’s “Don’t Stop Now” was chosen as the UN anthem for the High Seas Treaty. Industry/Legal: UMG is accused in court of wrongly assuming it still owned distribution rights to an Argentine singer’s music after a deal ended.

New Music & Releases: Rolling Stones drop “Jealous Lover,” the latest taste of forthcoming album Foreign Tongues (July 10), with Kylie Minogue and Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody also teaming up on “These Alarms” (July 1). Country Spotlight: Gabby Barrett unveils faith-fueled ballad “In On It,” while Kaylee Bell releases “Once In A Lifetime” live-video from her sold-out hometown stadium show. Big Album News: Davido announces ORIADÉ for July 31, marking 15 years in music, and Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody joins Kylie on the new single. AI in Music: TIDAL says fully AI-generated tracks won’t be monetized and will be tagged with an “AI” badge, as it cracks down on impersonation. Live & Community: Eaux Claires returns after eight years in Carson Park with “Bon Dylan” (Justin Vernon) and a stacked lineup, plus summer festival picks for northern Illinois. Industry Moments: Alicia Keys delivers a tearful tribute at Clive Davis’ funeral, recalling how he believed in her early.

Live-Music Revival: Vail is weighing a future replacement for the lost 8150 scene, with plans for up to two year-round indoor venues as Dobson Arena ramps up. Local Culture & Craft: West Virginia’s Mountain State Art and Craft Fair returns for its 63rd year with expanded entertainment and 100+ juried makers. New Releases (Faith/Pop): Geneva Martin pairs her memoir Surrendered in Silence with companion song “You Stayed,” while Phoebe Bridgers drops “Lost Boys” ahead of Lost Weekend. K-Pop TV & Comebacks: SBS’s Inkigayo keeps serving weekly performances and backstage access, with fresh MC lineup details. EDM in Asia: Manila’s &Friends Festival 2026 draws 12,000+ fans with Galantis, Porter Robinson, Subtronics and Yellow Claw. Big-Stage Moments: PinkPantheress leans into 2000s nostalgia on tour, and Machel Montano returns to Kitts Music Festival with a Brandon collab. Viral Music Buzz: Alia Bhatt and Sharvari tease unreleased “Massacre” from Alpha via Instagram Live, sparking calls for the full track. Festival Tragedy: Police investigate a newborn found dead in a portable restroom at Electric Forest. Industry/Tech: Casio’s ABL-100 Vintage gets new navy/grey Bluetooth step-tracker variants.

Festival Countdown: Treefort Music Fest 13 is weeks away in Boise (March 26–30) with 400+ bands across downtown venues and a Mainstage at Julia Davis Park, plus ticketed “forts” and interactive extras. Local Spotlight: Bay Area brothers Ray and Paul Holmberg (now 23 and 20) return to Boise for one night, opening for The Moss at Treefort Music Hall. Live Report: Khruangbin’s Boise stop at Outlaw Field delivered a hypnotic, persona-driven set, with John Carroll Kirby and Logan Hone kicking things off. New Release/Performance: Landry Butler will debut a new spoken-word performance at Nashville’s Kindling Arts Festival (July 23–26), themed around “Utopias” and the marketing of wellness. Chart/Legacy Moments: Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” re-enters Billboard global charts after a Knicks celebration, while Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” finally tops the R&B Digital Song Sales chart. Gospel: The Family reunites for “Believe,” from its upcoming Together Forever album (Oct. 3). Tour Buzz: Usher and Chris Brown kicked off the Raymond & Brown Tour in Denver with a hit-heavy, act-based show.

Awards Buzz: APRA AMCOS, Recorded Music NZ and NZ On Air named the 2026 Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards winners, with Spellodies taking multiple Tūī wins including Best Children’s Music Artist and Best Children’s Song categories. Trademark Watch: Seiko has filed “Queen Seiko” trademarks across Japan, the US and South America, fueling talk of a 1962 women’s line revival after King Seiko’s comeback. New Music Releases: The Killers’ Brandon Flowers announces solo album TRASHER (Aug. 21) and shares lead single “Plans,” while BLACKPINK lands a new Netflix documentary spotlighting the group’s global rise. K-pop Updates: SEVENTEEN subunit V8 teases “singasong,” TXT’s Yeonjun readies NO LABELS: PART 02 (July 10), and ILLIT drops a concept film for Japan single “I Got Your Back.” Live Music & Scenes: Treefort coverage spotlights high-energy sets like Gelli Haha’s trampoline-fueled performance, plus local series news from Boone’s Roots In The Garden and Todd’s Summer Music Series. Community Music: Sooke’s The Music Room officially opens with a ribbon-cutting and live music, and record-store owners say vinyl is pulling in a younger crowd.

World Cup Pressure Meets Music Culture: England fans flood New York for the Panama clash, turning bars and the stadium into a singalong scene. Classical Music, New Model: UW bands director Matthew Schlomer’s Sound Garden Project partners with New York’s Concert Artists Guild to train “citizen artists” through community residencies. Mandopop Spotlight: Jolin Tsai wins album of the year at Taiwan’s Golden Melody Awards for “Pleasure.” New Releases: Marshmello and Kelsea Ballerini team up on “Another Drink,” while Phoebe Bridgers’ “Lost Boys” drops with a star-studded credit list. Local Music Events: Minneapolis’ Taste of Minnesota returns July 3–4 with indie, punk, hip-hop and more; St. Kitts Music Festival wraps out the week with Boyz II Men, Fantasia and Steel Pulse. Tech for Listening: Canvas unveils the Canvas L “audiophile” soundbar with 1,500W power. Pride Playlist: Spotify updates its Pride Soundtrack with 150 tracks over 11.5 hours.

New Music Drops: The Rolling Stones released two new tracks from upcoming album Foreign Tongues—“Jealous Lover” (with Robert Smith of The Cure) and “Divine Intervention,” with the July 10 release date and guest spots including Paul McCartney and Chad Smith. J-Pop Spotlight: YOASOBI’s THE BOOK for,, is out now, featuring “Orion” tied to Overwatch, plus an Overwatch Edition vinyl and in-game rewards starting June 30. Local Live Music: Cedar Rapids launched Make Music Day with 30+ artists across 18 venues, while Iowa’s Hinterland festival keeps expanding its permanent infrastructure ahead of July 30–Aug. 2. Community & Culture: The inaugural Blue Ridge Fiddle & Fork Festival (June 12–14) pairs regional music with foodways at Blue Ridge Music Center and The Bluffs. Anime/Pop Crossover: MIRESI: Invisible Future shared a new Anime Expo 2026 promo and opened a Partner Creator program. Festival Feature: Nelsonville Music Festival hit its 20th year, with Space Kid making their stage debut.

Big Festival News: BTS, Cardi B, Lainey Wilson, Muse, Snoop Dogg and more are set for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas (Sept. 18-19), with Weezer, Goo Goo Dolls and Kenny Chesney also on the bill. New Music (Sombr): Sombr drops “My Body Isn’t Ready,” calling it both metaphor and literal body-struggle confession, with Inde Navarrette and Josh Heuston starring in the video. New Music (Gracie Abrams): Gracie Abrams releases “Look at My Life” ahead of her July 17 album Daughter from Hell. Rock/Metal Watch: Bring Me The Horizon shares “Dehumanized,” the only new track on their Count Your Blessings re-record release coming July 10. Local Live Music: Hillbilly Havoc kicks off Miami’s Music in the Park season, with more free shows scheduled through August. Community & Culture: Dallas hosts a free Arts District night of live performances and visual art, plus a preview of the 2026-27 Broadway at the Center season. Industry/Legal: Filscap reminds businesses they need public performance licenses to legally play copyrighted music. Awards: Moira Dela Torre, James Reid, Maki and Ben&Ben dominate the 17th Star Awards for Music.

Controversy Watch: A three-day metal festival in Garfield was canceled after police and neighbors raised concerns that some booked acts had ties to white supremacist and antisemitic groups; the venue said it would review its rental policies while the promoter moved the event to an undisclosed NJ location. New Music Friday: Steve Lacy and SZA drop “Is It Cool?” ahead of Lacy’s July 17 album Oh Yeah?, while Phoebe Bridgers teases her upcoming Lost Weekend with “Lost Boys” and sombr follows up with “My Body Isn’t Ready.” Tour News: Ella Langley extends her sold-out “Dandelion Tour” with 21 new dates, including Red Rocks and the Greek Theatre. Pop Power: Katy Perry unleashes “Watch It Burn,” a fiery breakup anthem with a new video. Global Spotlight: Burna Boy sets a new record with nine entries on the Billboard Hot 100, boosted by FIFA World Cup collab “Dai Dai.” Live & Local: Public Disco brings its decade of pop-up dance parties to North Vancouver Shipyards on Oct. 3.

Pop Milestone: Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” turns 30, still the ultimate “girl power” anthem after topping charts worldwide when it dropped June 26, 1996. Streaming Money Fight: A new law-firm calculator claims Spotify takes a bigger cut than labels expect (and says Amazon Music pays itself nothing “off the top”), reigniting debate over who gets what from streams. Tour Buzz: Canadian band Music Travel Love is back in the Philippines for a three-city run starting June 26, with a setlist built from “number one” hits. New Music Releases: Yard Act shares “New Beginnings” ahead of their July 17 album; Miranda Lambert announces autumn LP “Crisco” (Oct. 2) and drops “Till The Going’s Gone” tomorrow. Live & Local: Nicosia’s Municipal Theatre launches a free last-Sunday series starting June 28 with “Jazz on the Side.” Eurovision Door Opens: Canada becomes a full EBU member, making it eligible for Eurovision 2027. Ticketmaster Drama: Ella Langley’s Dandelion Tour presale hit Ticketmaster crashes, forcing a pause while fans stayed in the queue. Chart/Global Pop: Pakistani star Asim Azhar’s “Aarzu” lands high on Asian and Billboard global charts.