AGP Executive Report

AI & Labels: Universal Music Group is teaming with ElevenLabs to launch an AI music creation platform using licensed UMG catalog, with “artist participation” at the center—arriving amid ongoing legal fights over AI use of recordings. Major Courtroom Win: A Los Angeles federal jury acquitted Grammy-winning rapper Lil Durk of murder-for-hire charges tied to a 2022 plot, though other defendants faced different outcomes. Coastal Disruption: California’s Ocean Way Festival—set to feature The Killers, Olivia Dean and Jack White—was canceled after Hurricane Marie-driven surf and runoff eroded the Santa Monica beach site. Music on Screen: Russell Crowe premiered his documentary What Love Builds at Venice, blending decades of concert footage with his long-running passion for music. Global Scene-Building: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith pitched Calgary as “Nashville North,” aiming to transfer music-industry know-how and partnerships. Local Live Music: Bluegrass and jazz series keep rolling—Vero Beach’s Heritage Bluegrass returns and West Stockbridge’s Jazz Series books Hot Club of New England.

Malaysia Day Musical: Sarawak’s Sarawak State Legislative Assembly will host “Malaysia Madani Kesejahteraan Dinikmati,” an 18-minute stage work built around patriotism, unity, and sacrifices, using acting, singing, music, dance, and multiple ethnic languages. 9/11 Music Memory: A new roundup revisits how the Twin Towers appeared across decades of music videos—from Madonna and Prince to AC/DC and R.E.M.—showing how pop culture framed the skyline before 2001. Rock Releases: Slipknot guitarist Jim Root says “Arsenal” is not the lead single for the next album, just the first track they could finish; Kings of Leon drops “My Whole World,” previewing “O My Beloved” on Nov. 6. Pop & Streaming: Shygirl announces second album “Swallow!” (Nov. 6) with “Lucky [Hymn]”; Spotify rolls out a new Running Mode in Fitness. Industry Business: Warner Music Japan names Eitaro Shibasaki CBO, tasked with growth in Japan’s digital market. Live & Local: New Orleans’ NOLAxNOLA returns with 300+ shows and $1.05M+ distributed since 2021.

Local Music Justice: A man convicted of second-degree theft in the “Music on the Avenue” guitar case, following a June 25 concert incident. Community Arts & Education: We R Able’s Fall Arts Kick-Off brings food, music, and visual arts to the Chisago County Senior Center (Sept. 17). Indie Spotlight: Julien Baker returns to solo performance with a surprise set at Third Man Records, debuting unreleased “Lathe.” Electronic Festival Buzz: Tomorrowland expands its Shanghai edition into the upgraded Hero Dome with an underwater-themed “Planaxis” experience (Oct. 17-18). Classical Season Watch: Sydney Symphony Orchestra announces a spring slate at the Opera House, while Macao Orchestra opens its season with Eric Lu in a “Forever Beethoven” program. Big Pop Release: Adéla’s debut album “PRIMA” leans into pop stardom themes under a major-label push. Hip-Hop Education: The Bronx School of Hip-Hop welcomes its first freshman class, teaching school subjects through the five elements of hip-hop. Industry & Culture: Snoop Dogg will host the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. 9/11 Through Theater: Billings Studio Theatre stages “Come From Away,” retelling the Gander grounding story.

Music Education & Community: A new Peninsula Music co-operative in Wirral and Cheshire, backed by the Musicians’ Union, is bringing independent tutors together after local service changes left some teachers jobless. Festival & Live Culture: Cochrane Culture Days returns Sept. 12-13 with music, dance and art, while Geneva’s debut Seneca Sounds (Sept. 12) and Princeton’s free Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival (Sept. 10-13) expand the global festival circuit. Album & Release News: Sampa The Great announces “Nu Zamrock” (Oct. 30) with “Simon Says,” and Against The Current sets “Till Death & Back” for Oct. 30 with “Protégé.” Industry Tech: Auddia’s Discovr Radio partners with UK Music Video Marketplace to pair independent artists with professionally produced 4K videos plus guaranteed AM/FM radio placements. Pop & Celebrity: Rosé previews “New Trick” via Apple’s Shot on iPhone campaign (Sept. 17). Music Business/Legal: Suno’s latest model push continues amid licensing and label partnership talk. Remembering: Irish uilleann piper Paddy Keenan dies at 76.

AI & Music Business: Suno unveiled its new v6 AI music model with Warner Music Group, BMG and Believe support, reigniting the debate over licensed training vs. copyright fallout. Rights & Trust Infrastructure: A separate industry take argues the real AI bottleneck is not models, but the systems that carry rights, attribution and creator intent end-to-end. Local 9/11 Commemoration: Sarasota Orchestra and Van Wezel are staging “Summon the Heroes,” with proceeds supporting local first responders. Gospel Spotlight: Dorcas Moyo announced a star-studded launch for “Korona Yeimvi,” headlined by Fungisai Zvakavapano, Feli Nandi, Alick Macheso and Leonard Zhakata. Pop Culture Crossover: ROSÉ teases “new trick” via Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign, with a video shot on iPhone 18 Pro. Live Music Calendar: Paul Oakenfold lands in Victoria Oct. 18; Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to Mohegan Arena Nov. 24. Community Care Through Music: Monmouth Music for Memories is creating personalised dementia playlists for residents using tailored headsets and speakers.

AI & Licensing: Suno is rolling out its v6 AI music models with Warner Music Group, BMG and Believe, and says it will retire older models tied to earlier training disputes. Streaming Economy: An IFPI report says EU recorded-music revenue rose 5.1% in 2025 to €6bn, driven mainly by streaming subscriber growth. Live Film-to-Stage: “Interstellar Live” lands at London’s O2 next spring with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing Hans Zimmer’s score. Country Spotlight: Canada’s James Barker Band will host the CCMA Awards broadcast and also perform at the Sept. 19 ceremony. Local & Community Music: Kensington Market Jazz Festival returns in Toronto (Sept. 18–20) with free and donation-based shows. Music, Safety & Identity: A Manipur musician’s death in Delhi sparks renewed outrage over Northeast discrimination, with arrests reported. Health & Care: Children’s Health Ireland highlights music therapy as part of palliative care support beyond end-of-life. Cultural Heritage Debate: A Swiss festival faces criticism over alleged “whitewashing” of Azerbaijan’s role in ethnic cleansing.

Music Education & Community: Georgia will distribute “Every Amazing Song” to all Pre-K classrooms during Georgia Pre-K Week, using rhythm and instrument play to spark early reading. Local School Support: Tri-County Jr./Sr. High in Indiana received a $1,883 grant to boost grades 6–12 music instruction with home practice tools and feedback. Mental Health Through Sound: Wisconsin marks 988 Day with music therapy that helps clients express feelings and connect to memories. New Orleans Spotlight: The New Orleans Public Library’s Crescent City Sounds is reopening submissions for local artists, with a $300 honorarium for accepted projects. Live Music Events: Pasadena’s candlelit “Mozart vs Beethoven” series returns; Hampton Harvest Festival adds a wine garden and live acoustic sets; and Healdsburg Jazz plans more monthly programming beyond its festivals. Industry & Business: Carlin Music’s former president/CEO Caroline Bienstock dies at 68, while Columbia House is officially going out of business after 71 years. New Releases: Jhené Aiko announces “Westside Whimsy,” arriving Sept. 11, and Making Movies drops a new single ahead of its Oct. 30 album.

Legal & Streaming Rights: SOCAN has sued Suno over alleged copyright infringement, claiming the AI music generator was trained on copyrighted works without permission and can produce outputs “identical or substantially similar,” seeking damages and injunctions. Global Pop Releases: Ariana Grande surprise-released petal (The Complete Live Album), an iTunes-exclusive live set of all 12 tracks from the studio LP. Touring Milestones: Stevie Wonder announced a 3Arena Dublin stop on Nov. 1, 2026 to perform Songs in the Key of Life in full for its 50th anniversary. Live Music & Community: Steven Wilson launched a new Requiem For A Village website with a trailer for his next album. Industry & Tech: Spotify-backed coalition urged the CMA to speed up curbs on app store fees. Tragedy in the Spotlight: In Delhi, Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh died after an alleged assault tied to a noise dispute; seven arrests and a chargesheet timeline of 8–9 days were reported. Classical/Choral: Malaysia and Japan choirs team up in Kuala Lumpur for Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” alongside local tributes. K-pop: Blackpink’s Lisa and Jisoo teased solo video previews for “SaWaDiKa” and “Click.”

Zimbabwe Music Industry: A dispute over alleged “cloning” of a performer’s identity at weddings and gigs spotlights how homage can blur into commercial impersonation. Classical Calendar (Seattle): Fall 2026 programming leans adventurous, from Seattle Symphony’s Yuja Wang-led Prokofiev opener to Strauss “Salome” and other major staged works. Album Drops (Pop): Ellie Goulding releases sixth studio album I Know Too Much, while JISOO’s “Click” tops a Billboard favorite-new-music poll ahead of LISA’s “SaWaDiKa.” Live & Touring: Axwell lands a Bahrain GP weekend concert (Oct. 3), and Jack White announces first South Africa shows in December. Community Music: Everyone Village launches its first West Eugene community music festival Sept. 19, and a UK-style “music for dementia” choir model expands in Victoria, Canada. Industry & Tech: A U.S. judge rejects an appeal in a Spotify bundling fight, while Tencent Music prices a $1B bond offering. Deaths: EMF’s Derry Brownson dies at 55.

AI & Copyright Tensions: A growing wave of AI-generated songs, covers, and videos tied to late basketball player Rene Baterbonia is spreading across social media and streaming platforms, raising new questions about digital remembrance and consent. Live Music & Community: Toronto’s Geary Avenue is set to host “Sound on Geary,” an eight-stage, bar-programmed street festival on Sept. 19, while Central Florida’s “Live + Local Music Season” returns with 100+ events this fall. New Releases: Ellie Goulding readies her sixth album “I Know Too Much,” Carly Rae Jepsen drops double album “Day and Night,” and Chaka Khan unveils “Chakzilla.” Major Pop Milestones: BLACKPINK’s Jisoo’s “CLICK” tops Hanteo’s weekly World and Album charts, and Pakistan’s “Pasoori” becomes the first Pakistani music video to hit 1B YouTube views. Film Music Event: “Interstellar Live” brings the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Hans Zimmer’s score to London’s O2 Arena next spring. Legal Update: “Mirzapur: The Movie” song dispute is addressed after the label says “Shoorveer” was properly licensed for in-film use.

New Country Release: Dustin Lynch announces his next album Clean Slate, due Oct. 30, with 12 tracks including “Made In A Bottle,” “Clean Slate,” and “Home To You” (with MC4D). Global Orchestral Spotlight: Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra launches its Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture series with “Sounds of Mexico” (Sept. 18) and “Sounds of Canada” (Nov. 7). Music Industry Hiring: TBWA\Media Arts Lab names Google music supervisor Anh Do as its first global head of music, aiming to bring music into creative work earlier. Live Music & Community: Sauble Beach Party in Ontario drew 15,000+ tickets over Labor Day with Flo Rida, Simple Plan, and Chris Young; Rock the Vets MusicFest in Wisconsin offers free shows with 100% proceeds for veterans. Tech House & EP Drops: Saoirse releases “Boombox,” while Holly Lester shares EP Open Your Mind. Streaming/Charts: Rod Wave’s Don’t Look Down hits No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Latin Music Awards: Premios Juventud lands in Marbella, spotlighting Aitana, Shakira, Alejandro Fernández, and Romeo Santos/Prince Royce. Music Culture Loss: Montreal concert photographer Susan Moss dies at 58.

Filipino Music Awards: The Filipino Music Awards 2026 announced International Artist nominees ahead of the Oct. 6 ceremony, with BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and others competing; People’s Choice voting runs until Oct. 4. Global Orchestral Exchange: Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will stage “Sounds of Mexico” (Sept. 18) and “Sounds of Canada” (Nov. 7) at Doha’s QNCC as part of the 2026 Years of Culture. Pop & Touring Buzz: Ariana Grande got emotional closing her “Eternal Sunshine” tour, while East 17 will headline the Colne Cricket Club Music Festival on Sept. 19. Music Industry Tech & Ethics: A Gen Z indie persona was exposed as a deception, raising fresh questions about authenticity in music promotion. Local Live Music: Waunakee’s Create Waunakee and South Bend’s YART festival spotlight community arts, while Gospel Jazz in the Park returns in Orangeburg on Sept. 12. Rock Updates: KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer says new music is in the works.

AI Music Policy Clash: Tidal says AI tracks can stream only if clearly labeled and not monetized, while YouTube Music’s approach is still murkier—fueling fresh debate over what counts as “real” music. Tech Meets Music Creation: Google expands Gemini with Lyria 3.5 for full song generation in Gemini, and GitHub rolls out HydraFusion in Copilot CLI to route tasks across multiple models. Streaming & Discovery: YouTube Music is also getting heat for recommending songs users don’t want, and Spotify’s “Songs of Summer” spotlights what’s driving listening habits. Artist News: Dancehall newcomer Malie Donn’s debut The Golden Child hits No. 2 on Apple Music Reggae; country veteran Dustin Lynch announces Clean Slate; Randy Travis readies a new album from “vault” recordings; and jazz singer Cassandra Wilson dies at 70. Live Music & Community: Levitt AMP returns with free Fort Smith concerts; WorldFest fills Louisville with global stages; and Pride in the Park brings music and vendors to Riverside Park.

AI & Artist Rights: Suno pulled a Mary J. Blige ad after backlash, saying it ended the campaign once it learned the deal was made by someone posing as her official representative. Pop Releases: Miley Cyrus kicked off her 10th studio album era with lead single “Bass Persuades,” plus a dance-floor-themed video. K-Pop Streaming: BTS hit a major Spotify milestone in 2026, becoming the first Asian act with 149 songs surpassing 100M streams and reaching 8.68B total streams this year. Chart Moment: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” keeps dominating, extending its record run at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Music Loss: Jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson, Grammy winner and Pulitzer-winning “Blood on the Fields” star, died at 70. Local Music & Culture: St Paul’s Cathedral partnered with fabric to bring contemporary music events to the venue; in Waterford, musicians can apply for a national instrument collection scheme. Community & Safety: Pune’s loud-DJ debate heats up as opposition groups push for action ahead of Ganesh festival.

Anniversary Spotlight: Jay-Z marked 30 years in music with a London stadium show, serenading Beyoncé on her 45th birthday and bringing out the Fugees, Idris Elba and Giggs. Global Streaming Growth: Spotify’s Loud & Clear report says Indian music is surging overseas, with Telugu royalties up 120%+ and Haryanvi streams rising nearly sevenfold since 2023. AI & Rights Tension: Suno removed a controversial Mary J. Blige ad after backlash, while lawsuits and broader concerns keep AI-generated music in the spotlight. Community & Culture: Tumbleweed Music Festival returns for its 30th year at Howard Amon Park with mostly free acoustic programming, and Music in the Park ends with a free first-responder concert in Kendall Yards. Local Music News: Wild Geese Books reopens a Main Street shop continuing vinyl and used-record sales. Safety & Accountability: A Verona music teacher was arrested over alleged inappropriate conduct with a former student. Tragedy in Music: Keyboardist Jonathan Meléndez and family were found shot dead in Mexico; two suspects were arrested.

Pop Releases: Miley Cyrus drops “Bass Persuades” ahead of her 10th studio album (Sept. 18), sharing the title track and video plus Hollywood Bowl dates. Pop Milestone: Beyoncé marks her 45th birthday with a 20th-anniversary deluxe B’Day edition featuring Latin collaborations and a posthumous Selena track. New Music Calendar: Laurence Baer and Darren Holden release co-write “Baby’s Baby Bump” (Sept. 11) as the next chapter of Baer’s Across Light series. AI & Music Rights: Suno pulls a Mary J. Blige ad after backlash, saying Blige’s team wasn’t properly involved and she was uncomfortable. Industry Labor: Cleveland Orchestra musicians vote to authorize a strike if talks fail, citing pay and health-care costs. Global Spotlight: Pet Shop Boys announce “A Man From The Future,” an Alan Turing musical-memoir album arriving Oct. 9. Live Music & Community: Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival unveils its 20th-anniversary lineup; Local Note opens a jazz-only listening club in Evanston.