AGP Executive Report

Industry Earnings: Universal Music Group reported Q3 revenue of $3.90 billion, up 11.7% year over year, as subscription streaming regained momentum. AI and Rights: Spotify is targeting an early-2027 launch for a paid AI remix tool, reportedly priced at $4–$5 a month; meanwhile, Suno is challenging major labels’ use of catalogs in AI negotiations, and Elvis’s estate is suing Anthropic. Live Music: The Association for Electronic Music released a free guide for independent promoters, covering safety, accessibility, ethical bookings and event planning. Minneapolis DJ school Slam Academy will close after misconduct concerns resurfaced. Artists: Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh and reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee joined forces on “Pokito,” while Raye will compose music and voice a character in Benny Safdie’s film Lizard Music. Remembering: House music pioneer Cevin Fisher has died at 63; Irish traditional music great Dónal Lunny, 79, was laid to rest, with family urging fans worldwide to share music in his memory.

Streaming & AI: Spotify is targeting an early 2027 launch for a licensed AI remix service, with royalties from approved remixes flowing to original artists and songwriters. Talks with Sony and Warner are ongoing. Meanwhile, Universal Music Group reported third-quarter revenue growth of 11.7%, driven in part by streaming and its Downtown acquisition, while CEO Lucian Grainge called for changes to streaming agreements. New Releases: Nickelback’s 11th album, Everything Under The Sun, and new records from Queens of the Stone Age and Radio Free Alice arrive Friday. JISOO also unveiled solo single “ADDICTED,” while Tomorrow X Together revealed the tracklist for its upcoming mini-album Perfect Storm. Music Discovery: Canada’s CRTC launched a free database to help broadcasters and listeners identify Canadian music, with French, Indigenous and third-language selections set to be added.

Industry & Earnings: Universal Music Group reported Q3 revenue of $3.9 billion, up 11.7% year over year, as subscription streaming regained momentum. CEO Lucian Grainge said DSP deal structures need to change amid AI’s growth. Streaming & Distribution: YouTube Music and Premium passed 150 million subscribers worldwide, while Create Music Group took a minority stake in distributor DistroKid. New Releases: U2’s Carnaval De Luz is due Nov. 13, ahead of an exclusive BBC concert on Nov. 3. Justice’s Grand Theft Auto VI score follows Dec. 11, bringing another major music-and-gaming release.

Charts & Releases: Fontaines D.C.’s Dopamine Chamber debuted at No. 1 on three Billboard album charts. U2 will play an intimate BBC show ahead of its new album, while Bono says the band’s forced iTunes giveaway “went too far.” Streaming & Rights: YouTube Music and Premium subscribers topped 150 million globally. PRS for Music and Soundtrack are partnering to improve royalty reporting from music played in 7,000 UK businesses. Industry Deals: Create Music Group bought a minority stake in DistroKid, while Warner Music promoted Roberto Andrade Dirak to lead Warner Music Latina and A&R for Latin America. AI & Artists: Anthropic and Suno face a lawsuit alleging their AI systems trained on music without permission. South Africa’s SAMRO is taking steps to protect artists’ rights as AI-generated music grows. Festivals & Live Music: Cape Town’s jazz festival will expand across the city in March 2027; meanwhile, Australia’s Hypersonic festival has cancelled its Melbourne and Sydney shows. U.K. music groups welcomed new venue tax relief but called for further support. K-pop: BLACKPINK’s four members were named recipients of South Korea’s Jade Crown Order of Cultural Merit, as Jisoo prepares a new solo single and album.

Industry Deals: Create Music Group has taken a minority stake in DistroKid, adding to a wave of investment and consolidation across independent music. Warner Music Group promoted Roberto Andrade Dirak to lead Warner Music Latina and A&R in Latin America. Streaming & Royalties: YouTube says Premium and Music subscriptions have passed 150 million. In the UK, PRS for Music’s new Soundtrack deal will track music played in 7,000 businesses to improve royalty payments. AI & Copyright: Anthropic and Suno face a lawsuit alleging they used artists’ music to train AI systems, as the industry’s fight over consent and compensation grows. Live Music: Australia’s Hypersonic festival has cancelled its Sydney and Melbourne events weeks before they were due to take place; a separate report says Boston Calling may not return. Global Spotlight: Jay-Z is confirmed as Apple Music’s Super Bowl LXI halftime headliner, while Wizkid has become the first African artist to surpass 12 billion Spotify streams.

Royalties: PRS for Music will use track-level listening data from Soundtrack’s platform across about 7,000 UK businesses to improve royalty payments, starting in December. AI Copyright: Anthropic and Suno face lawsuits alleging they used songs by artists including Madonna, Johnny Cash and Joni Mitchell to train AI systems. Streaming: Spotify won permanent dismissal of a lawsuit alleging it ignored fraudulent Drake streams, while a separate licensing dispute could carry a $619 million bill if the industry’s Mechanical Licensing Collective prevails. Live Music: Jay-Z will headline the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show, marking a major return to the global stage. Global Reach: Wizkid became the first African artist to surpass 12 billion Spotify streams. Artist Contest: Timbaland’s $100,000 talent search is drawing backlash from a contestant who questions paid voting and alleges the competition’s rules were not followed.

Super Bowl Spotlight: Jay-Z will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LXI halftime show in 2027, adding another major stage to Roc Nation’s NFL partnership. Awards Impact: Raye’s Mercury Prize win sent This Music May Contain Hope climbing from No. 88 to No. 11 in the UK midweek chart, with sales up 274.7%. Global Streaming: Wizkid became the first African artist to reach 12 billion Spotify streams, marking a major milestone for Afrobeats’ international reach. Music Rights: A federal judge permanently dismissed rapper RBX’s suit accusing Spotify of failing to stop bot-driven streams. Separately, Elvis Presley’s music-rights owners are suing Anthropic over alleged unauthorized use of songs. Immersive Shows: A David Bowie estate-backed production built from unseen 35mm footage of his 1978 tour will premiere in Berlin in February before a planned global tour. Industry Ahead: FastForward’s 2027 London conference will tackle AI’s impact on creators, sustainable careers and independence in music.

Super Bowl Spotlight: Jay-Z will headline the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show, in a partnership with Apple Music and Roc Nation. Artist Milestones: Wizkid has become the first African artist to surpass 12 billion Spotify streams across solo releases, collaborations and guest appearances. AI and Copyright: Chicago musicians are calling for a two-day streaming boycott over AI, while Elvis Presley’s music-rights owners are suing Anthropic over alleged unauthorized use of his songs. Music Business: Universal Music Group has reportedly discussed going private with buyout firms. Tour News: Amy Winehouse’s original band will reunite for a 2027 North American tour celebrating Back to Black, with the album performed in full. Industry Recognition: Taylor Swift was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and praised the city’s music community. In Memoriam: Pittsburgh rock icon Donnie Iris, known for “Ah! Leah!,” has died at 83.

Industry & AI: Elvis Presley’s rights holders sued Anthropic, alleging the company used his music to train its AI. Universal Music Group also reportedly discussed a potential buyout with private-equity firms. Orchestra Crisis: Phoenix Symphony suspended the rest of its season after Nov. 1 and laid off all 66 musicians; players are demanding financial transparency and a plan to keep the orchestra going. Artist News: Rock veteran Donnie Iris, known for “Ah! Leah!” and “The Rapper,” died at 83. Chris Brown received an eight-month UK prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, over a nightclub attack on producer Abraham Diaw. Streaming & Live: Wizkid became the first African artist to surpass 12 billion Spotify streams across all credits. Sam Fender removed premium front-standing tickets from his tour after criticizing inflated prices, while Abu Dhabi announced a free youth orchestra institution set to open in 2027.

Artist Accountability: Chris Brown received an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, over a 2023 London nightclub attack, avoiding jail time. AI & Music Rights: Elvis Presley’s rights holders sued Anthropic, alleging it used 274 songs without permission to train its AI models. Streaming: Spotify is requiring Family Plan members to verify they live at the same address; users who miss the verification deadline risk losing plan access. Heritage & Innovation: Malaysian musician Belle Sisoski is bringing the endangered Lun Bawang instrument tapi’ to a global audience, blending its sound with electronic music. Orchestral Funding: Phoenix Symphony has suspended its season amid financial strain, while musicians are demanding transparency. Live Music: A festival in Malaysia plans a 500-musician performance in November, aiming to set an Asian Book of Records mark and promote local heritage.

Symphony Crisis: Phoenix Symphony has suspended its season as rising costs drain reserves. The board says restricted donations cannot cover daily bills, while musicians are calling for financial transparency. AI and Music Rights: Elvis Presley’s rights holders sued Anthropic, alleging the company used lyrics from 274 songs to train its AI models without permission; Anthropic says it will defend itself. Streaming: Spotify reported 306 million paid subscribers in the third quarter and says it removed more than 50 million AI-made tracks from recommendations. Caribbean Music: The 2026 Caribbean Music Awards broadcast premiered Sunday, celebrating the region’s sounds in Trinidad and Tobago; soca artist Lady Lava led the winners with four awards. Artist Treatment: Singer Shilpa Rao said her set was cut short at Mumbai’s Bollywood Music Project, prompting criticism from artists’ groups and an apology from organizers.

Artist Treatment: Shilpa Rao’s set at Mumbai’s Bollywood Music Project was cut short, prompting an apology from organisers and condemnation from India’s AICWA, which offered legal support and warned artists could boycott future shows. New Releases: John Legend’s 16-track Muse, shaped by Pharrell Williams, arrives Friday; Lil Baby’s Fresh, featuring Future and Young Thug, is due Nov. 6. Streaming Business: Spotify added 6 million paid subscribers in the third quarter, reaching 306 million, and forecast higher profits as it leans into AI. AI & Rights: Anthropic is facing a lawsuit over alleged use of Elvis Presley music to train AI models. Milestones: BTS’s “Swim” became the first song released in 2026 to surpass 1 billion Spotify streams, while RAYE won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope. Festival Advocacy: Zanzibar’s Sauti za Busara will partner with UNICEF for its 2027 edition, using music to spotlight children’s rights.

Festival Watch: Glastonbury is reportedly lining up Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and Sam Fender to headline next year, signalling a tilt toward younger stars. AI and Streaming: Sennheiser’s chief says AI can assist musicians but cannot create original work; Spotify says it removed about 50 million AI-generated tracks over the past year. Local Music, Global Platforms: APRA AMCOS reported record revenue of A$857.4 million, but New Zealand artists made up just 4% of music streamed in the country and 1.7% of user-generated content consumption. Milestones: Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut turned 20, while BTS’s “Swim” became the first 2026 release to pass one billion Spotify streams. Awards and Legacy: RAYE won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope. Irish music pioneer Dónal Lunny has died aged 79.

Awards and Milestones: RAYE won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope. BTS’s “SWIM” became the first song released in 2026 to pass one billion Spotify streams. Industry Moves: Warner Records has launched a joint venture with producer Tony Berg, while Seeker Music acquired JoJo’s original and re-recorded first two albums. A Chris Brown producer is suing Sony Music, alleging it stalled a royalties sale and underpaid him. Streaming: Spotify is tightening Family Plan checks, giving users seven days to verify they live at the same address. In Memoriam: Irish traditional music giant Dónal Lunny, whose work helped shape Planxty, the Bothy Band and Moving Hearts, has died aged 79. Country star John Anderson, known for “Swingin’,” has died at 71.

Awards: Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope, beating a field that included Paul McCartney. Streaming: Spotify is tightening family-plan address checks, giving users seven days to verify they live together; the company also reported stronger ad growth, while Latin America became its second-largest subscriber market. Industry Moves: UMG licensed gaming-focused AI music platform Tyger, Warner Records launched a joint venture with producer Tony Berg, and Seeker Music acquired JoJo’s first two albums in original and re-recorded versions. New Music: John Legend released Muse, his first full album with Pharrell Williams, embracing a more conversational vocal style. Tony Iommi also returned with his first solo album in more than two decades. Rights: A former Eminem employee pleaded guilty to selling the rapper’s unreleased music. Remembering: Irish traditional music pioneer Dónal Lunny has died aged 79.

Awards: Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope, beating 11 other acts, including Paul McCartney. Streaming: Spotify reported 306 million paying subscribers in Q3 and forecast stronger profits, while asking some Family-plan members to verify they live with the account manager or risk losing access for a year. Industry & AI: Universal Music Group is cutting jobs as Def Jam chief Tunji Balogun exits; separately, Reservoir sued Suno and Anthropic, alleging their AI tools were trained on its catalog. New Music: John Mayer returned with “Tom and Jerry,” his first new music in five years, and partnered with Mercury Records through his own Sob Rock Records label. Latin Music: Fuerza Regida took home major honors at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, where Rosalía received the Hall of Fame Award. Remembering: Country singer John Anderson, known for hits including “Swingin’” and “Seminole Wind,” has died at 71.