AGP Executive Report

Festival Calendar: Chepstow Castle’s Castell Roc kicks off Aug. 13–31 with rock, country, K-pop and major tribute nights, including Hayseed Dixie, Wishbone Ash and a Metallica/Iron Maiden/Black Sabbath-style “Monsters of Roc,” plus Jools Holland to close. Music Heritage & Culture: Mississippi’s MAX names Charlie Patton, Mississippi John Hurt, Bobby Rush, Conway Twitty and the Mississippi Mass Choir to its 2026 Hall of Fame class, with the ceremony set for Jan. 2027. Community Music: The Pink Team Foundation launches “Music Pathways,” taking donations of new or gently used guitars and keyboards to offer free one-on-one lessons in Lafayette. Big-Name Updates: William Orbit, producer behind Madonna’s “Ray of Light” and work with Blur and U2, dies at 69. Global Pop & Streaming: Phoebe Bridgers will debut “Lost Weekend” via phone-free planetarium listening events in 30+ cities, partnering with Spotify. Industry & Awards: BTS declines 2027 Grammy consideration, protesting the new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category. Live Music Disruption: The inaugural LA Jazz Festival is postponed/canceled for safety and permitting costs, with plans shifting to 2027. Local Spotlight: Meridian renames part of 4th Street as “Paul Davis Music Row.”

Global Pop & Events: Spotify’s I-Pop Icons Live returns Aug 21 at Mehboob Studio, Mumbai, spotlighting India’s artist-first pop with Anuv Jain, Harrdy Sandhu, Rashmeet Kaur, Paresh Pahuja and Taaruk Raina. Album News: The Avalanches announce fourth album No Bad Memories (Oct 16) and share “Can’t Get Over Losing You,” while DIIV preview A.G. Cook-produced ZIRP! with “The Fountain.” K-Pop Momentum: MONSTA X confirms a Sept 4 comeback mini album The Phase, and Jungkook’s “Seven” tops 1.3B YouTube Music plays. Industry Deals: Universal Music Korea signs experimental hip-hop artist Hukky Shibaseki to a management deal. Live Music & Community: Rother Valley Waterfront in the UK gets a license for alcohol and live music, and Hard Rock Rising launches in London with a global prize and Coke Studio L.A. Live recording session. Human Stories: A Peshawar musician faces an uncertain future as Pakistan’s deportation push threatens Afghan families.

AI & Music Tools: Tyga admits using Suno for parts of his ’80s-inspired $tarface album, calling it no different than Auto-Tune’s early backlash. AI Legal Pressure: Suno is also pushing back on its “spammy slop” image as AI music disputes and licensing fights keep piling up. New Releases: The Avalanches announce No Bad Memories for Oct. 16, with Portraits of Tracy on the new single “Can’t Get Over Losing You.” Fan-Driven Breakthroughs: Kid Cudi launches a contest to build a new group from a beat he’ll post on SoundCloud, with selected artists recording over it. Community & Culture: SM City Baguio spotlights the Philippine Rondalla Serenata, a visually impaired musicians’ group turning music into livelihood and inclusion. Local Live Music: Oxbow’s Bow Valley Jamboree returns Aug. 8 with local acts plus a Rolling Stones tribute closer. Streaming Milestone: BTS’s ARIRANG hits 4B Spotify streams in 139 days, driven by a growing hip-hop-leaning audience. Music in the Courts: A former Bellevue East music teacher changes his plea to guilty in federal child pornography charges.

Rihanna Update: A$AP Rocky says Rihanna is “in the studio” and “cooking,” reigniting hope for her long-awaited follow-up to Anti. AI vs Music: Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter says he’s “not interested” in AI’s creative use, adding to growing artist pushback. AI Copyright Clash: Suno’s copyright fight is in the spotlight again as legal pressure mounts on AI music tools. Global Jazz Expansion: Blue Note announces its first UK venue in London (Covent Garden) opening Sept. 23 with Robert Glasper and Erykah Badu among the early lineup. Festival Roundup: Ontario’s Boots and Hearts returns this weekend with headliners Jonas Brothers, The Chicks and Rascal Flatts. Local Live Music: Minnesota’s Lakes Area Music Festival continues with Carmen, while community “Music in the Park” events keep popping up across the US. Tragedy: A loud-music dispute in Vikhroli, India allegedly escalated into a double murder, killing a man and his 14-year-old son.

Streaming Milestone: Spotify says it has hit 300 million paid Premium subscribers, with Q2 revenue up 14% as it pours more money into AI and discovery tools. AI & Rights: Suno loses a pivotal copyright fight in Europe, while Suno’s data breach and new legal battles keep AI music in the spotlight. Catalog Deals: T-Pain defends selling his music catalog for $100M, and the debate over streaming payouts and artist control keeps heating up. Major Artist Moves: Alicia Keys signs with CAA in all areas, and SONA’s Emerging Songwriter Award nominations are now open. Live Music & Culture: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass adds more acts for its Oct. 2-4 run; Manchester Airport hosts an orchestral take on Brian Eno’s Music for Airports; and ÎleSoniq faces backlash over a transparent bag rule. Local Scene: A new discount parking pilot helps musicians on New Orleans’ Frenchmen Street, while community festivals and music-in-the-park events keep rolling across the US and beyond.

Streaming Milestone: Spotify hit 300 million Premium subscribers, with India’s Premium Rewards adding discounts and events. AI & Copyright: A German court ruled Suno broke copyright rules, while South Korea now allows AI-assisted works to be eligible for registration. Industry Tension: BTS withdrew from the 2027 Grammys, sparking debate over a new Best Asian Pop category and talk of major TV-rating and cost impacts. Major Release: Linkin Park announced documentary UNSHATTER (cinema Sept. 30) plus a companion live soundtrack (Sept. 25). Tour News: King Crimson offshoot BEAT set a Fall 2026 US run with a lineup change (Terry Bozio replacing Danny Carey) and deeper-era tracks. Live Music Culture: The House & Garage Orchestra announced a 2027 UK tour; ShuBrew in Zelienople is adding live jazz to Sunday brunch. Country Spotlight: Dan + Shay revealed Young (Aug. 21), teasing a mystery collaboration.

Streaming Milestone: Spotify says it hit 300 million paying Premium subscribers in Q2, with 777 million monthly active users and a record 33.4% gross margin, while warning user growth may slow. AI Music Push: Spotify also doubled down on AI—defending why it doesn’t need deals with every major to launch AI covers/remixes, and expanding its tool via a Merlin licensing agreement for indie labels. Hip-Hop Reunion Tour: Cash Money Records and No Limit Records are reuniting for a 17-city tour, with Houston as the first stop Sept. 11 featuring Master P, Birdman, Juvenile, Mannie Fresh and more. Music Biz & Rights: T-Pain explains selling his catalog for about $100M, arguing streaming devalued artists and that he wanted control of future rights. Local Live Scene: Baton Rouge Symphony kicked off free pop-up concerts for Symphony Week, while KU’s School of Music announced its Sept. 25 Collage Concert at the Lied Center. Community & Culture: Booker Rowe, a trailblazing Black violinist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, died at 85; and Shambhala Festival enforcement reported major numbers of tows and drug-impaired driving files.

Streaming Business: Spotify forecast Q3 profit below Wall Street as user growth slows in Europe and North America, even as Premium hits 300M and the company leans harder into AI features. Creator Tools & Rights: Spotify’s fan-made covers/remix add-on is expanding beyond UMG to Merlin’s independent label members, with participating artists able to opt in for credited, compensated creations. Global Label Moves: Yash Raj Films launches Raah Records, an independent-music incubator for original artists, with its first release “Jaadugari” arriving Aug. 5. Live & Culture: Van Morrison adds 10 UK shows for autumn, kicking off Oct. 8-9 in Liverpool. Community Through Music: A school honoring Lucky Dube opens in Mpumalanga to carry his legacy through performing arts education. Tech & Music Science: Korean researchers report a method to reconstruct melodies from brain activity, pointing toward future help for paralyzed patients. Pop Spotlight: BLACKPINK’s Jennie says she’ll step away from the spotlight after summer commitments and a second solo album. Local Scene: St. Louis’ Free 4 All showcase returns in November with a mostly Saturday lineup.

AI in Classical: Bayreuth Festival’s AI-assisted staging of Wagner’s “Götterdämmerung” sparked heavy boos, with audiences reacting to reused scenes and historical imagery amid budget-driven changes. Streaming & Tech: Spotify is set to address “retention” and “monetization” in its earnings call, while traders expect it to downplay partner Peloton in the fitness push. K-Pop Releases: Red Velvet returns as a full group with mini album “Velvet Summer,” led by “Surfin’ Boy,” while A.C.E’s JUNHEE gears up for “LOVE METHOD” on Aug. 7. Music Business Moves: BMG acquires Andrew Stockdale’s Wolfmother publishing and recorded royalties, extending its long-running partnership. Local Industry Shock: Inland Empire’s KCAL-FM cuts its on-air staff and shifts to automated “All Music, All the Time” classic rock. Community & Live Music: Fort Wayne’s Century Music Hall closes, citing rising costs and violence; meanwhile, Wayzata’s “Music by the Lake” continues with local sets. Pop Culture: Britney Spears posts that she’s been replaying Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” and earlier “Naughty” era tracks.

Awards & Culture Debate: BTS says it won’t submit music for 2027 Grammys, sparking fresh arguments about whether race- and region-based categories help or hurt fair judging. Artist Rights & Royalties: Sonu Nigam claims major labels including T-Series and Zee Music stopped working with him after he pushed on copyright and singer royalty rights—though he says ties are improving now. Pop Star Health & Scrutiny: Ariana Grande withdraws from London’s “Sunday in the Park with George” and plans to step back from public life after “endless” scrutiny tied to her “Petal” era. Music Tech & Discovery: Spotify rolls out “User Notes” and “Running Mode,” aiming to make playlists more personal and better matched to workouts. Industry Business Moves: Universal Music will partner with Excel Music after UMG takes a 30% stake, boosting global distribution for the new label. Live Music & Community: Free Sunday park sessions return in Romford, while the BUF pub closes for good after a final music-filled weekend. Global Jazz Spotlight: Festivals keep rolling—Bansko Jazz Festival continues with Morgan James and Blagoev Dixieland Jazztet, and “Jazz Across Continents” celebrates jazz as a universal language in Abuja.

Ariana Grande Steps Back: The singer has withdrawn from London’s West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George after her “Eternal Sunshine” tour ends, citing a “step back” from visibility amid intense public scrutiny. Pop Culture & Pride: Madonna closed Amsterdam’s World Pride Music Festival with a late-night set, joined by Kylie Minogue for a new remix of “Love Sensation.” New Music Releases: Phoebe Bridgers shared the tracklist for Lost Weekend (Aug. 14), while Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin announced his solo album The Sea Has No Mercy (Oct. 23). Music Business: 2 The Bridge Talent LLC relaunched as a boutique booking and artist development agency for jazz, blues, fusion, roots and more. Community & Safety: A man died after being pinned under a vehicle near Toronto’s VELD Music Festival; police are asking for dashcam and security footage. Loss in Folk & Global Scenes: Greek folk icon Lakis Chalkias died at 82, and Nigerian juju/highlife star St Janet passed after a brief illness.

Royalties Fight: Sonu Nigam says major labels (including T-Series and Zee Music) “banned” him after he pushed for singers’ copyright and royalty rights, but claims the industry has since shifted and is now paying royalties. Streaming Business: Universal Music Group lost nearly €9B in market value after results, even as streaming and subscription growth stayed strong—fueling debate on what Wall Street expects next. New Releases: Karol G announced her album No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto for Aug. 7, while THUNDER BAE shared the video for “Gay Alice In Wonderland.” Global Music Loss: Nigeria’s Juju/Highlife scene mourns St. Janet (Iyun Janet Ajilore), who died after a brief illness. Live Music & Safety: Kendal Calling saw a fatal medical incident involving a 17-year-old, and London’s music event “stampede” reports injuries. Stage Adaptations: Pavement is set to launch a jukebox stage musical, Slanted! Enchanted!

Local Jazz Community: Salida’s “Jazz Musicians Wanted” keeps monthly jam sessions at Salida SteamPlant growing, with players of any instrument invited to form ensembles and jam together. Heritage & Storytelling: DeKalb County’s free Aug. 6 “Abraham Lincoln in Song” tribute uses folk music to trace Lincoln’s life for the U.S. 250th anniversary. West Virginia Live Music: The West Virginia State Water Festival runs with a grand parade, vendors, and downtown live music, while Shinnston’s Shindy Music Festival spotlights local West Virginia artists and family-friendly crafts. New Releases: Red Dirt standout Wyatt Flores returns to Oklahoma for his album “Scared of Heights,” and Ghanaian artist Kwabena Moe drops “Freedom,” a migration-and-hope project. Tech Meets Tradition: Radio Kuwait says it’s using AI to rework Kuwaiti folk styles with orchestral arrangements for global audiences. Jazz Loss: Chicago jazz vocalist/producer Geraldine de Haas dies at 91, credited with major festival-shaping work. Upcoming Pop/Group News: ARTMS reveals the track list for mini album “Hyper-Ego,” due Aug. 7.

New Music Releases: Ariana Grande dropped her 8th studio album petal, with the lead single “hate that i made you love me” hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a full tracklist now out. Pop & Indie Spotlight: Ellie Goulding released new single “4 Seasons,” previewing her 6th album I Know Too Much (out 4 September). Rock & Metal Updates: Slash says his next album with Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators is finished and lands in February 2027; Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron confirms the band is mixing its final eight-song album built on Chris Cornell vocals; Sigh shared “Unputenpu” featuring Mikael Åkerfeldt ahead of Goh-ka (Sept. 4). Festival & Live Music: LA Jazz Festival updated its 2026 schedule with free events and main shows Aug. 22-23 at Dockweiler Beach; Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra returns to Lollapalooza with an orchestral set featuring poets and student performers. Local Scene & Policy: Albanian police are cracking down on excessive music after 8pm during tourist season. Artist Stories: Aima Baig’s debut album Guriya is a grief-and-healing tribute to her late mother; Davido says he doesn’t want his kids to pursue music, but won’t block them if they’re serious.

Warner Music Group Leadership Shake-Up: Armin Zerza has stepped down as WMG CFO & COO for personal reasons, with Lou Dickler named acting CFO while Warner Records COO Tom Corson is promoted to COO of the whole company. Major Pop Release: Selena Gomez and Becky G join Benny Blanco on “Te Olvido (La La),” a cumbia-leaning single with a new video, previewing Blanco’s Spanish-inspired Hermoso (Aug. 14). Latin Album Spotlight: Karol G announces her new album No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto for Aug. 7, teasing a more intimate, moodier era. Festival Futures: Atlanta’s ONE Musicfest will pause in 2026 and return in 2027 with a “reimagined” experience, while Berks Jazz Fest is also entering a new era under a new management organization. AI & Copyright: A German court rules Suno broke copyright, adding pressure as the AI music platform prepares to appeal. Live Music & Community: A new “Wall Street Wednesdays” series launches in Spartanburg to boost downtown foot traffic, and local groups keep rolling with benefit concerts and summer series across the U.S. Global Stage Incident: Massive Attack members were barred from Singapore after displaying a Palestinian flag, with authorities citing license and political-sensitivity rules.

Streaming & Product Tools: Spotify is rolling out “User Notes” so listeners can attach personal context to songs, plus “Running Mode” for Premium users—more ways to personalize discovery and keep people engaged. Pop Album Buzz: Ariana Grande’s “petal” is out, with critics calling it “unfiltered rage” and an “old-fashioned triumph,” while Charli XCX’s “Music, Fashion, Film” debuts at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Industry & AI: RHEI publicly launches “Made for Music,” an agentic AI platform aimed at helping artists and labels plan, package, distribute, and promote releases at scale. Awards Controversy: BTS won’t submit for the 2027 Grammys, sparking debate over the new “Asian pop” category; fans push their “Aliens” B-side to No. 1 across iTunes regions. Live & Community: Levitt at the Falls expands year-round programming, and North City Jazz Walk tickets are on sale for Aug. 11. Local Scenes: Iloilo metal band Sentient Void represents the Philippines at Wacken Metal Battle 2026 in Germany.