AGP Executive Report

Live Spotlight: Rosalía returned to Saturday Night Live with two songs from Lux, performing “Reliquia” en pointe. Collaboration Watch: Ghanaian singer Sista Afia is rallying fans to get Stonebwoy’s attention for a feature on her new track “BOSSIT”; no collaboration is confirmed. Chart Success: LE SSERAFIM’s “Made My Night” topped Japan’s Oricon daily singles chart on release, while the single sold about 200,000 copies on its first day in Korea. New Music: Charlotte Cardin released “Memories” in English and bilingual versions ahead of her third album. Cross-Cultural Stage: Qatari composer Nasser Sahim debuted four original works with the Brussels Philharmonic, blending Arab traditions and contemporary orchestral sounds. Industry Watch: Manchester pledged £2 million to support a broader range of local artists, while a US man received an 18-month prison sentence for an $8 million AI-streaming fraud.

Global Collaboration: Qatari composer Nasser Sahim premiered four works with the Brussels Philharmonic, blending Arab musical traditions with contemporary orchestral writing at the orchestra’s season-opening gala. Artist Earnings: Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale says TikTok Live gifts have brought him about $45,000, highlighting a growing income stream for musicians. Milestone: Daryl Hall turns 80 while recovering from a successful kidney transplant; he says he hopes to return to music and his performance series. New Directions: Norwegian artist girl in red has launched a new “girl in blue” era with a single and video, while Dan + Shay say concern about AI’s impact on songwriters helped them find a fresh creative direction. Industry Watch: A man who used AI-generated tracks and bots to fraudulently earn $8 million in royalties was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Concert Safety: Country singer Ella Langley canceled her Tulsa show over a reported security threat. Police said a sweep found no credible danger, but the venue and singer decided not to proceed. Awards: SB19 and BINI lead the 11th PPop Music Awards nominations, including Artist of the Year; winners will be announced Oct. 18. AI and Music: Reekado Banks says AI can make music feel overly polished, though he uses it to research ideas and supports its role in writing and production. Music and Wellbeing: A small Anglia Ruskin University pilot found music therapy was linked to lower immediate cravings among people receiving addiction treatment. New Releases: Asake’s “Oba” video takes fans into a late-night studio session, while Navajo pianist Connor Chee’s new album draws on traditional Diné sandpaintings. Festival Spotlight: Beijing Music Festival opened with Mozart, led by 90-year-old conductor Charles Dutoit, and continues with orchestral, opera and contemporary performances.

Industry Moves: Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino is expected to stay through 2031, while Suno hired former Ticketmaster executive Michael Chua to lead live experiences and Songkick. AI and Streaming: A North Carolina man was sentenced to 18 months for using bots to inflate plays of AI-generated tracks and collect more than $8 million in royalties; he must forfeit the proceeds. Women in Music: The 2026 awards honored artists and executives in London, with Jade receiving Artist Impact and Shirley Manson named Inspirational Artist. Orchestra Labor: Musicians in Ottawa’s National Arts Centre Orchestra voted for a strike mandate, citing pay and work schedules. Charts: Blossoms’ Songs From The Wedding Cake topped the UK albums chart, edging out The Beatles’ Rubber Soul, while Taylor Swift scored her 22nd No. 1 single. Farewell: Pittsburgh rock veteran Donnie Iris announced his retirement from music after recent health issues.

Farewell: Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill is retiring after decades with the band, citing advanced arthritis; Uriah Heep’s Davey Rimmer will take his place. South African Music: President Cyril Ramaphosa approved a special provincial funeral for singer and guitarist Babsy Mlangeni, who died aged 83. Global Reach: Burna Boy will co-host Afro Bank FM, a station featuring African classics and contemporary sounds, in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI. AI and Music: A US man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for an $8 million fake-streaming scheme, as the US Copyright Office opens an inquiry into music streaming fraud. Tribute: Dolly Parton appeared in a recorded message thanking music teachers for inspiring the next generation.

AI & Streaming: A US musician was sentenced to 18 months for an $8 million scheme that generated royalties through billions of fake streams. The US Copyright Office has opened an inquiry into streaming fraud, while Olivia Rodrigo has voiced firm limits on AI use in music. Industry Moves: Beatport secured growth investment to expand its electronic music platform, and Kakao Entertainment teamed up with Atlantic Music Group on a global K-pop partnership. New Music: Aotearoa singer-songwriter Louis Baker released soul-blues single “Trouble”; Orbit Culture shared a new version of “The Path I Walk” featuring cellist Tina Guo, and Sampa The Great returned with “Location,” a preview of her upcoming album. Awards & Recognition: Welsh artist Dafydd Owain won the 2026 Welsh Music Prize, and Billboard Latin Music Awards organizers announced this year’s performers and presenters. Music Spaces: Cardiff opened a new hub with 11 rehearsal and creative spaces for local musicians.

Industry & AI: A North Carolina man received 18 months in prison for using bots and AI-generated tracks to steal more than $8 million in streaming royalties. The U.S. Copyright Office has also opened an inquiry into streaming fraud. K-pop: Kakao Entertainment and Atlantic Music Group have formed a partnership to develop K-pop artists from early stages and build global careers. Live music: Aerosmith announced two Hollywood Bowl shows with star-studded lineups, their first performances since Steven Tyler’s vocal injury halted their farewell tour. Awards: Welsh singer-songwriter Dafydd Owain won the 2026 Welsh Music Prize for Ymarfer Byw, while pianist Alexander Malofeev took Young Artist of the Year at the Gramophone Awards. Creator support: The NMPA’s SONGS Foundation is giving $50,000 to expand access to therapy for songwriters and composers. Market outlook: UK recorded-music growth slowed sharply in the third quarter, with streaming barely rising and vinyl remaining a bright spot.

K-pop Expansion: Kakao Entertainment and Warner Music Group’s Atlantic Music Group will develop overseas plans for K-pop artists from the earliest stages, combining production, distribution and promotion. Music Industry: A North Carolina man was sentenced to 18 months for using bot streams to fraudulently claim about $8 million in royalties; the U.S. Copyright Office has also opened an inquiry into streaming fraud. Festival News: Florida’s Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival is on indefinite pause as organizers cite rising costs and plan to rework the event. Awards: Drake reportedly submitted no music for 2027 Grammy consideration, continuing his on-and-off relationship with the Recording Academy. New Experiences: Spotify is expanding its Music Quiz to more than 2,000 artists for Premium listeners in 11 countries, while Disney’s Believe cruise ship will debut the first stage musical based on “Encanto” when it sails in 2027. Texas Music: Fredericksburg is the state’s 100th Music Friendly Texas community, a program aimed at growing music-related jobs and local economies.

AI Royalty Fraud: A US man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for using 10,000 bots to stream AI-generated songs and steal $8 million in royalties. Filipino Music Awards: BINI won Artist and Tour of the Year, while SB19 took three awards; Regine Velasquez received a lifetime achievement honor and Francis M was recognized posthumously. AI Deepfakes: Sony Music is seeking the removal of more than 260,000 AI-generated tracks that imitate artists. Venue Fight: Birmingham’s Digbeth Music Venues Alliance is rallying audiences as a proposed rail project threatens local clubs and live-music spaces. Music Education: King Charles, Elton John and Apple CEO Tim Cook launched a creative-skills programme for young people, beginning with a music workshop. Peace Through Music: Houston singer Mahalakshmi Krishnan released “Colors of Peace,” launching a campaign promoting compassion and unity.

Music & Brain Health Study: University of Maine researchers are testing whether music listening or learning recorder can help older adults maintain cognitive function, enrolling 48 participants with normal cognition or mild cognitive impairment. Guinness Record Bands: In Falcón, Venezuela, marching bands trained at Dabajuro Airport to refine technique and sound on the road to a Guinness World Records bid. Education Funding Push: Music Impact Coalition (MIC) is launching a North Carolina pilot reaching 226,000+ students across eight districts with $3M+ in grants, backed by major music and arts foundations. Live Music & Community: Iowa City guides EDM fans to venues like Elray’s Live and Dive; Truth or Consequences’ Levitt-style AMP series keeps building a “music desert” bridge with free park shows. Major Touring & Theater: “Mamma Mia!” returns to Montreal; “The Outsiders” tour keeps the score praised but some performances criticized; Phil Collins’ live docu-concert lands in Texas. AI & Fraud: An AI streaming fraudster tied to $8M in fake plays was sentenced to 18 months. Pop Culture & Politics: Jack White again blasts Trump over comments about Iran “taking out” L.A. and San Diego.

Peace Through Art: Black Sea musicians urged artists to actively back peace and a stronger democratic society, saying art can break prejudices and help people stand “shoulder to shoulder.” Community Music Events: Menno Band Day brought 17 marching bands for a parade, drum battle and awards, while Tunesmith Night kicks off its 21st season with an Oct. 10 songwriter showcase. Big-Stage News: Rod Stewart announced a Reading stop for what may be his last rock ‘n’ roll tour, and Roger Waters will direct “Legacy – A Pink Floyd Show” in 2027 with his son as musical director. Latin Music Week: Billboard Latin Music Week 2026 added Rubén Blades, Anthony Ramos, Lenny Tavárez and Tito Nieves, expanding an already packed lineup. Music + Tech/Policy: Sony Music requested removal of 260,000+ AI deepfake tracks, as AI disruption keeps hitting the industry. Global Listening Trends: Vietnam ranks among the world’s top online music markets, with most users streaming weekly. Local Culture & Safety: San Antonio’s PicaPica Plaza “cruising” tradition is drawing safety concerns and more arrests.

LGBTQ+ Film + Live Music: “America You Kill Me” gets a special screening in Willimantic, followed by blues performances from Jeffrey Montgomery’s brother James and guests, with proceeds backing the town’s Pride Party. School Musical Staffing: Watertown Unified is asking staff and community members to direct or support its spring high school musical, covering music, choreography, tech, sets and costumes. Theater Satire Review: “Slam Frank” opens off-Broadway at the Orpheum, reworking Anne Frank’s story into a sharper, satirical “what if” about identity and privilege. Ghanaian DJ Spotlight: Lasmid calls for more recognition of Ghanaian DJs’ role in breaking artists and songs, pointing to the long-running Guinness Ghana DJ Awards. Community Concerts: Mt. Carmel’s Music at the Park continues with Black Water Revival’s Doobie Brothers tribute (free). Broadway Fundraiser: Friends of the Forum hosts a “The Bodyguard” premiere fundraiser to upgrade the historic Forum Theatre’s hearing loop system. Local Music Education: WVU alum Scott Simons returns for industry lectures and masterclasses. Indie Music Night: Fruit Bats bring their East Bay debut to UC Theatre with a high-energy crowd.

Stadium-Scale Tour: Arijit Singh announces his biggest-ever India tour for 2027, hitting nine cities from January to May with multi-tier staging and 360-degree spatial audio. New Music Video: Starset drops the “t r a n s f u s 1 0 n” video, continuing its sci-fi rock run with emotionally heavy new tracks. Music Tech for Creators: Pure BPM releases Clip Builder 2.0, adding prompt-based, audio-reactive animation made for Spotify Canvas and vertical socials. Visuals & Awards: The UK Music Video Awards 2026 nominations are out, with Irish acts KNEECAP, Makeshift Art Bar, Kettama and Gurriers leading the shortlist ahead of the November 4 ceremony in London. Album Announcement: Bróna McVittie sets Oct. 16 for Supernatural, translating her folklore anthology into electronic-and-traditional songs. Global Industry Hub: Greece confirms its WOMEX 2026 delegation in Las Palmas, with showcase acts Kadinelia and Alkyone. Community & Access: Young Musicians Unite expands free music education to 131 Miami schools, reaching more than 20,000 students.

Local Heritage Book Launch: Bicol University professor Ramil “Plok” Chavenia released “Bicol Folksongs,” a decade-in-the-making collection of 11 choral arrangements meant to keep lesser-known Bicol folk songs alive in schools and choirs. Devotional Tradition Returns: In Ahmedabad, “betha garba” is being rediscovered through intimate, music-led garba jams that keep devotion at the center. Festival Energy, Local Scenes: Penn State’s Mojofest Happy Valley came back to Tussey Mountain with eight hours of bands and DJs, while Calvert City’s River Folk Festival put bluegrass in the spotlight. Big-Name Music Moments: Shakira’s Oct. 3 Madrid concert set an Amazon Music livestream record for a female artist, and Billy Joel announced a 50th anniversary “Turnstiles” box set for Dec. 11. Live Music for Communities: Nashville Symphony’s 2026-27 season is resuming after an Oracle $10M donation, and Johns Creek’s free World Music Ensemble debuts Oct. 10. Music + Culture Events: Central American Centroamericanto Fest returns in Austin, and Danbury hosts the Irish harp/English guitar duo Maire Ni Chathasaigh & Chris Newman Oct. 11.

Live Music & Festivals: Glastonbury 2027 ticket sales kick off Sunday (Oct 4) with general admission going on sale at 9am after Thursday’s sellout of ticket/coach packages, with organisers confirming all three Pyramid Stage headliners are already booked. Big-Stage Metal: Metallica’s Sphere residency continues with night two pulling deep cuts like “Devil’s Dance” and “The Outlaw Torn,” while the venue’s HOLOPLOT acoustics keep the band’s punchy intimacy intact. UK Touring: Richard Hawley announces two Sheffield City Hall homecoming shows on Dec 17-18, promising rarities and possible new debuts. Community Through Music: Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival returns Nov 6-15 with “New World Music: Centuries of Sound,” mixing concerts, lectures and free/low-cost events across multiple neighbourhood venues. Music for Social Change: Bangladesh artists Emon Chowdhury, Aly Hasan and Aleya Begum release “Koinya” to challenge child marriage as part of the “Child, Not Bride” campaign. Cultural Heritage: Qatar’s “Little Naham” trains children in maritime nahma rhythms and sea-singer roles tied to pearl-diving traditions.

Live Music & Local Culture: Texarkana’s Third Annual Oktoberfest drew about 2,000 last year and returned with German-flair food, culture, and live music at Front Street Plaza. Theater on Tour: The Addams Family Musical heads to Guam (Oct. 28–Nov. 1), while Canmore’s Carter-Ryan Theatre runs original tap show Ain’t We Got Fun? through Nov. 1. Big-Name Releases: The Beatles’ Rubber Soul 60th Anniversary special editions land with new Giles Martin stereo remixes and a Dolby Atmos Blu-ray mix. Global Music Business: Amazon Music says Latin music is still in its early streaming growth phase in Latin America, with more platforms expected to push songs onto global charts. K-Pop Buzz: T.O.P and Nana confirm they’re dating after meeting on a music video set. Classical & Community: Seoul Arts Center plans a 60-member youth orchestra with a 5 billion won budget to give young musicians jobs and a stage. Music History: Vermont Historical Society acquires Big Heavy World’s Vermont music archive, preserving decades of recordings, posters, and radio material.