AGP Executive Report

AI Music Shake-Up: HolaTune says it will distribute eligible AI-generated tracks (including Suno/Udio) to major platforms if creators follow copyright and DSP rules, while a separate industry piece frames this week’s Suno/ElevenLabs/UMG moves as an “AI reckoning” that’s reigniting fights over training rights and what listeners can trust. Posthumous Dolly Parton: Dolly Parton’s first posthumous single, “Bound to Ride,” drops two weeks after her death and appears on a Stanley Brothers tribute album releasing Oct. 16. 9/11 Through Song: At Flight 93’s 25th anniversary ceremony, Josh Gallagher’s new “Never Forget” moved the crowd, and multiple 9/11 remembrance events are pairing live music with tributes to first responders. Local Live Music: Newtown Music Festival returns with free rotating sets across Athens, plus community events like Wolf Fest and Monument’s “Pours in the Park” keep the weekend calendar packed. Debut/Release Watch: Hunnyboy shares “Peace of Mind,” Masicka readies “Forever Reign,” and the horror thriller “418” locks a Sept. 18 theatrical release with music by Venky GG.

Independent Music: AIM CEO Gee Davy is pushing the UK government for an “urgent, evidence-led investigation” into the economics of recording and releasing music, even as he praises the new “Turn It Up” Music Plan and the appointment of a government “music champion.” Live Music (Singapore): Music Matters Live returns to CQ @ Clarke Quay for four nights of free shows in October, with 40 acts from 15 countries plus new regional spotlights. Spoken-Word Spotlight (UK): The British Audio Awards 2026 (“Speakies”) will be hosted by Sally Phillips and move to the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, adding new categories for audio storytelling. Pop Culture/TV: Strictly’s new host Emma Willis admits she hasn’t heard of some 2026 celeb contestants, as the BBC tries to broaden appeal to younger viewers. Country Music: Dolly Parton’s first posthumous track, “Bound to Ride,” lands two weeks after her death, recorded for a Stanley Brothers tribute album. K-Pop: 1VERSE turns claw-machine frustration into the electronic pop anthem “LOOP,” its first release since January. K-Pop (comeback): LE SSERAFIM drops single album “Made My Night,” with an Overwatch-linked music video. Anime Music: ONE N’ ONLY performs the opening theme for the live-action “Ao to Midori” series.

Pop Releases: Tinashe drops two new tracks, “Pillow Fight” and “I’d Rather Be Alone,” as previews for her Popstar album, and she’s also set to open for Harry Styles in Phoenix next spring. Tour & Tickets: Victoria Monét announces her Frequency of Love Tour (27 dates starting Oct. 27 in Raleigh), with presales kicking off Sept. 14. Big Album News: Kings of Leon reveal their 10th studio album O My Beloved (Nov. 6) and share the first single, “My Whole World.” Metal Move: Slipknot surprise-releases “Arsenal” and confirms it’s the first release on their own label imprint, (Sic)est Records. AI & Rights: A fresh debate heats up over AI training and royalties, with Google’s latest push framed as a creator-pay problem. Local Music Scene: Boise gets a brand-new Bluebird Days festival in October featuring Passion Pit and more. Industry Chart Watch: Mike D’s solo debut Thank You lands on Billboard’s charts, led by strong vinyl sales. Cultural Spotlight: Lulu unveils the first blue plaque on Glasgow’s music heritage trail.

Apple Watch Series 12: Apple just rolled out “Audio Intelligence” with Live Rewind (a text recap of the last 15 seconds) plus Siri Recap, Sound Recognition, and Music Recognition—beta later in 2026. New Music: Ghana’s PBee drops “Lose My Mind” featuring SIICIE, an Afrobeats love track mixing Ghanaian English and Twi. Big Pop Tease: Shakira and Maluma are back with “Agua,” previewed ahead of a Sept. 17 release. Indie Milestone: Lucy Dacus marks the 10th anniversary of No Burden by announcing she now owns her master recordings. Live/Community: Mojo’s in North Fremantle is revamping into an all-week neighbourhood music bar, while Clarksville’s Reading Park hosts country gospel on Sept. 20. Tech for Creators: Sauceware Audio releases Scorch 2, a rebuilt sample-based synth instrument for rap producers. Country Spotlight: Tami Neilson lands a CMA Awards finalist nod for the Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award.

Slipknot Returns: Slipknot dropped “Arsenal,” their first true new song since 2022, with drummer Eloy Casagrande onboard and Sid Wilson/Craig Jones out; the M. Shawn Crahan-directed video stars Jackson White, and fans are split between hype and “underwhelming” takes. New Music Releases: Sylvie (Ben Schwab) announces full-length New Season with lead single “Rina” featuring Alex Amen; Mynolia readies debut album Salt Around My Bed with “Holy Line”; Josh Johnson teases solo LP Animative (out Oct. 23) via horn-led instrumental “Reece.” Live & Local: Donnie Iris headlines a preview opening for Pittsburgh’s new venue The Wylie; Grove City’s historical society kicks off a WWII “Big Band Era” speaker night; Machicomoco State Park hosts free “Music in the Park” with the Tom Euler Trio Sept. 19. Music Tech Buzz: Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 add “Live Rewind” (15 seconds of conversation as text) plus new heart-rate sensing and readiness scores. Remembering 9/11: A reflective piece marks 25 years since the attacks, focusing on what it felt like to witness it firsthand.

New Music Spotlight: Carly Pearce and Riley Green team up on the duet “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” sharing behind-the-scenes from the video shoot and teasing the song’s serious vibe with “very unserious people.” Chart Watch: Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” rockets back to No. 1 on U.S. country radio, her first on the format in 13 years, and tied to the Toy Story 5 soundtrack. K-Pop Live: Stray Kids launch the “Straycity” festival in Bogota before stops in Buenos Aires and Mexico City, with the group headlining each date. Indie/Global Releases: SAYELA drops “Say My Name Slow,” while D.D. MEC releases Francophone album “À Ma Façon” with multiple music videos, and Sibafo follows with “When Did I Become the Stranger?” plus an official visual. Live Music Culture: Busan orders a small venue, Obangarde, to suspend operations after audiences stood and danced—sparking calls to rethink rules for small performance spaces. Tech for Music Lovers: Marantz announces the compact MCR 60n system with CD, streaming, Phono MM, and HDMI eARC.

AI in Music Tech: fal says its H3 Max Turbo can generate 5-second video with synchronized audio faster than it plays—posting measured generation times to prove “real-time” speed. Metal & Visuals: At The Gates released an animated album film for “The Ghost of a Future Past,” continuing the posthumous tribute to late vocalist Tomas Lindberg. Hardcore Controversy: Southpaw FLHC vows to keep going after label fallout tied to racism accusations, shifting focus to writing for a 2027 album. Pop Video Buzz: Raye drops the “Joy.” official video, featuring her sisters and a London “Joymobile” stunt tied to Lime bikes. Local Live Music: Bluegrass on the Snake returns Sept. 11–13 in Rigby with workshops and a headliner set by Jake Workman. Community Music: CAFAC pushes the Chinese American Music Festival toward 2027 with more exchange, youth development, and cross-cultural programming. Streaming/Format Trends: CDs are back in a big way, with Luminate reporting CD sales growth outpacing vinyl. Music Business/Radio: KWBU and Texas Music Café launch the “Texas Music Café Radio Hour” to spotlight Texas artists and archives. Gaming Crossover: A fan-made Broncos fight song gets picked up for Madden NFL 27.

SZA: The singer says new music is coming this winter, teasing unreleased audio on Instagram and giving fans their clearest timeline yet. SB19: Josh Cullen hints at a new solo release with a cryptic “#JoshCullen” teaser, following fellow members’ solo rollouts. EU Music Business: New EU rules aimed at “greenwashing” are set to start applying Sept. 27, pushing clearer, certified sustainability claims for anyone selling to EU listeners. Live Music Mental Health: The Music Industry Therapist Collective’s Pay It Forward fund (backed by Radiohead’s Philip Selway, Live Nation, AEG and others) raises £272k to support smaller touring teams. Ice Spice: She’s launching a new vanilla-forward fragrance, In Ha Mood, tied to her song and childhood memories. Chart/Legacy: Bananarama’s 40th anniversary reissue of True Confessions hits No.6—now their highest-charting studio album ever. Community & Culture: A Cyprus first-time collaboration show brings Blockhead, ProleteR and Arms and Sleepers together for a new single made for the tour. Remembering: Georgia renames Stephen Foster State Park to Okefenokee, citing the racist minstrel legacy behind the old name. Tragedy in Music: Rahul Gandhi and the North-East community demand swift justice after Manipuri musician Vikram Singh was allegedly beaten to death in Delhi over noise complaints.

Streaming & Film: Mubi is acquiring Cameron Winter’s Carnegie Hall concert film (shot on 35mm/16mm) and will screen it globally in 2027, with premieres lined up for NYFF and BFI London; the companion live album drops Oct. 9. Tech Meets Music: A leak hints Apple Watch Series 12/Ultra 4 upgrades may include a new optical heart-rate sensor and 128GB storage, while Tesla’s Robotaxi account says riders can control climate and music via Grok. Chart Watch: Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” is surging again on Spotify after a TikTok push. Pop Power Moves: Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” hits No. 1 on country radio, and Radiohead announces a big Australia return next May/June. Local Scene & Live: Hickory Music Club kicks off its season Sept. 8; Madison’s Unbroken Circle Music Festival draws big crowds; and ARC Music Fest keeps house/tech energy front and center in Chicago. Viral Sound Stories: Cape Town street-sound project Sayana is already turning everyday beats into a buzz that sounds like a record deal.

Classic FM: Global’s ad-free subscription service, Classic FM Plus, launches via Global Player (from £4.99/month) with ad-free listening across Classic FM, Classic FM Calm and Classic FM Movies. K-pop & K-pop culture: BLACKPINK’s Lisa opens up in her documentary Always LALISA about why idols keep dating private amid paparazzi pressure. New music drops: Jay Park teases a surprise R&B single, “Daddy,” while i-dle leader Soyeon readies her solo album What a Wonderful Life and lead single “I’m Quitting.” Big controversy: Mirzapur: The Movie faces plagiarism claims as Rajasthan artist Rapperiya Baalam says the song “Shoorveer” was used without permission. Milestone: Coke Studio’s “Pasoori” becomes the first Pakistan-made music video to hit 1B YouTube views. Live & community: Derby’s Invention Music Festival lands Sept. 19 across city venues with 40+ acts. Mental health anthem: All We Need Is Love returns for National Suicide Prevention Month, with proceeds backing the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Tech meets music: Aqara unveils new smart lighting at IFA 2026, aiming to compete with Hue and Govee.

New Music: Nadine Lustre teams up with Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.ap for “Donuts,” a bold Taglish pop/rap flex that follows her comeback “Personal.” Awards & Buzz: The Filipino Music Awards 2026 name-checks BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, and Bruno Mars for International Artist, with People’s Choice voting closing Oct. 4. Festival Watch: Macao’s MIMF returns Oct. 2–Nov. 29 with opera, symphonic shows, and “Floating Notes Across the City”; tickets go on sale Sept. 13. Metal News: Godsmack’s Sully Erna says new music is coming by summer 2027 as the band keeps writing after Rocklahoma. Community Music: Esquimalt Ribfest returns Sept. 11–13 with free admission and new drink tokens after a 2025 token scam. In Memoriam: Every Time I Die guitarist/wrestler Andy Williams dies at 48 after collapsing during a match. Local Soundtrack: Wick’s lifeboat choir will sing in “Storm,” a sea-themed storytelling and live-music performance in late October. Album Roundup: Summer 2026 standout releases include Olivia Rodrigo’s “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.”

International Music Awards Buzz: The Filipino Music Awards (Oct. 6, SM Mall of Asia Arena) has dropped its International Artist nominees, with BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and more vying for the People’s Choice category—voting closes Oct. 4. Music + Film Spotlight: Jesse Eisenberg’s “The Debut” is making an Oscar push after writing all seven original songs, with one track performed by Julianne Moore flagged as the frontrunner for Best Original Song. Oasis on Screen: “Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger” premieres in Venice and frames the brothers’ reconciliation as their kids become the “glue.” Live Music & Community: Spokane’s “Stuffed on the Bluff” steps in after “Pig Out in the Park” ended, bringing live music and local food vendors back to the spotlight. New Releases/Plans: Telugu film “Aadarsha Kutumbam” is still targeting an Oct. 2 release, with teaser and first song promised soon. Music as Healing: A Pembrokeshire exhibition pairs original art with clips from an upcoming concept album to explore trauma and recovery. Tech + Streaming: YouTube Music’s AI labeling and recommendation approach is under scrutiny as platforms push for clearer tagging of AI-made tracks.

Country & Pop Releases: Randy Travis is back with his first album of original music in 18 years, built from “vault” recordings reworked with longtime producer Kyle Lehning, with the title track “Same Old Way” out now. Beyoncé: The “B’Day” 20th anniversary deluxe edition drops with remasters, Spanish versions, rare material, and new tracks including collaborations with Maluma and Selena Quintanilla. K-pop Milestone: BABYMONSTER’s YouTube channel has crossed 10 billion cumulative views, with YG framing it as a global fandom flex. Streaming/Tech: Google launched Lyria 3.5 for AI music generation inside Gemini, aiming for more expressive vocals and richer arrangements. Music in Film/TV: Phoebe Bridgers makes her acting debut in Lance Oppenheim’s “Primetime,” and Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back In Anger” documentary is set for a Sept. 11 cinema release. Local Music Culture: Capital Music Week expands to Almonte with a Métis Kitchen Party featuring fiddle, dancers, and Juno-nominated Amanda Rheaume.

Miley Cyrus Album Rollout: Miley Cyrus is back with her lead single “Bass Persuades,” plus a dancefloor-ready video, kicking off her 10th studio album (due Sept. 18). K-pop Solo Spotlight: Jisoo drops “Click,” a futuristic pop single with a Joseph Kahn-directed video and a cyborg-themed storyline. New Music Releases: Burlington’s Lily Seabird unveils fourth album “Lightspheres on Their Way,” while Egyptian artist Yonyo maps a breakup arc on EP “Kalemny,” and Moroccan artist NISY returns with grief-to-rebirth single “TRAUMATISED.” Community Music & Live Events: Walker County Christian Chorus is recruiting singers for Handel’s “Messiah” (Nov. 30, with Alabama Symphony Orchestra accompaniment), and Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series brings Mellow Swells on Sept. 11. Local Scene Watch: Chelmsford’s Intense Records grew from a uni bedroom pop-up into a vinyl staple, fueled by younger collectors. Music Industry/Tech: Google pushes Lyria 3.5 into Gemini as the music model era keeps accelerating.

New Music Friday: This week’s picks spotlight DIIV’s “Kid,” 156/Silence’s “From A Distance” (feat. Alex Reade), and The Bends’ “Sticking To The Plan.” AI & Artist Rights: Korein Tillery filed a lawsuit on behalf of Jason Isbell and others against Suno, alleging name-based music generation that exploits artists’ identities without consent. Pop Star Watch: Miley Cyrus drops “Bass Persuades,” the first single from her Sept. 18 album, with a dancefloor-forward video and Hollywood Bowl dates. Country Charts: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” hits UK No. 1 and matches a huge US Hot 100 run. Legacy News: Prince’s estate faces fresh backlash over claims that the “Timeless” retrospective included altered recordings. Live Music & Community: Corpus Christi’s monthly Art Walk/Music Walk keeps growing, while Jersey’s “Grief Disco” brings dance-music grief support to Our House of Champions. Big Releases: Oak Ridge Boys announce “Buried Treasures” (Oct. 30), and Randy Travis sets “Same Old Way” for Nov. 13.

Miley Cyrus: The pop star just dropped “Bass Persuades,” the lead single from her 10th studio album, and set the record for Sept. 18. She also shared a new video and teased the era with a mononym move to “Miley.” New Music Friday: Billboard’s guide spotlights the week’s biggest arrivals, with Miley’s “Bass Persuades” front and center plus major releases from Beyoncé and ADÉLA. BLACKPINK Solo Run: Lisa and Jisoo both released new solo singles on the same day—Lisa’s “SaWaDiKa” (pre-release for her EP) and Jisoo’s “Click” (ahead of her debut album). Indie/Alt Releases: Juna unveiled breakup track “missing you (all of the time)” ahead of a debut EP, while circle round a sphere shared new single “bury.” Tech + Music: Audacity 4.0 launched with a redesigned interface and new editing tools, a big update for creators. Live/Events: Quiksilver Festival by Swatch returns Sept. 19–27 with ED BANGER curating the music lineup.