AGP Executive Report

Festival Spotlight: Kishi Bashi is set to join the inaugural SilverVox Film + Music Festival, with the genre-bending violinist/filmmaker landing June 18–21 in Frederick. Kids & Community Music: Addie’s Arts and Music Festival for Children returns Aug. 11 with workshops, youth performances, and live entertainment. New Releases on Video: Kendra Erika drops “Catch Me,” while Brandon Sandefur premieres “Lying Down,” both leaning into big, cinematic storytelling. Live Music Buzz: Take That manager Chris Dempsey talks the “truly iconic” return of Circus Live for Summer 2026, and Luke Combs makes a surprise Nashville stage appearance with Alex Warren. Industry & Policy: UK politicians are pushing for a fresh competition probe into Live Nation’s dominance, citing a “climate of fear” in submissions. Streaming Moves: Spotify expands beyond music with narrated magazine articles, while also facing backlash over a paid Premium AI remix tool. Loss: Jazz legend Sonny Rollins has died at 95.

American Music Awards: BTS made a statement at the 52nd AMAs in Las Vegas—Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer for “SWIM,” and Best Male K-Pop Artist—while KATSEYE piled up wins and Queen Latifah hosted a big ’90s-leaning night. North America Industry Moves: Blackstar named Ed Watson artist strategy director to deepen US/Canada campaign work, while Spotify keeps pushing “artist-first” AI with Julian Parker joining its team. AI & Streaming Expansion: Spotify also rolled out $1.99 narrated magazine articles for non-Premium users and Premium subscribers, adding major outlets like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork to the app. Live Music on the Ground: A waterfront hangar at Canada’s Bushplane Heritage Centre becomes a one-night concert venue for Cory Marks on June 11; Park City logged multiple “disturbing the peace” noise complaints; and local calendars keep filling in with new shows and festivals. Community & Loss: Port Arthur ISD mourned music teacher Marlon Sanders, and Phoenix punk drummer Cassie Jalilie died at 36.

American Music Awards: BTS roared back to the top at the 52nd AMAs in Las Vegas, winning Artist of the Year for a second time, plus Song of the Summer for “Swim” and Best Male K-Pop Artist—while Taylor Swift left empty-handed despite leading nominations. K-pop & pop crossovers: K-pop’s momentum kept building, with fictional Netflix girl group Huntrix taking Song of the Year for “Golden,” and KATSEYE grabbing New Artist of the Year. Afrobeats spotlight: Tyla added two wins—Social Song of the Year for “CHANEL” and Favourite Afrobeats Artist. Music industry moves: Laylo expanded across the UK and Europe, appointing Taz Sharp to drive artists and events. Local scenes: San Diego’s Women in Music SD launches a monthly series to widen access for women in music. Loss: Jazz legend Sonny Rollins (“Saxophone Colossus”) died at 95 in Woodstock, NY.

American Music Awards Tonight: Queen Latifah returns to host the 52nd AMAs live from Las Vegas (8 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+), with Taylor Swift leading nominations (8) and BTS set to appear—plus performances from Billy Idol, Keith Urban, Karol G, The Pussycat Dolls with Busta Rhymes, Teddy Swims, Twenty One Pilots and more. Artist Hiatus: Country singer Jake Worthington (The Voice alum) announces he’s stepping away from the spotlight to focus on his wife and daughter and “work on myself.” Music Under Pressure: RAYE says she pushed herself to her “limit” during the making of This Music May Contain Hope, hoping her release brings more balance. AI in the Studio: Jax Jones backs AI as a useful tool for making music faster, even as the debate rages. Community & Classics: Santa Monica College Jazz Ensemble marks Miles Davis and John Coltrane centennials with a June 1 concert, while Levitt VIBE’s free Buffalo series runs Mondays in July-August. Indie Spotlight: Offshore Music celebrates its 10th year with a five-episode docuseries premiering May 31.

Broadway Spotlight: Arizona Broadway Theatre is staging “The Cher Show” through May 31, with Lynzee Foreman stepping into the “Lady” role and a rotating Cher cast covering Babe, Lady and Star eras. Local Redevelopment: Norwich’s former Blueberry Music House is up for sale after approval to demolish it and replace it with 15 flats. Community Music: A Navy jazz band brought New Orleans-style brass to Harrisburg’s Artsfest, while Harrogate pupils explored Punjabi music via Punjabi Roots Academy workshops. Star Talk: Barry Manilow says he doesn’t see himself as a singer—more a musician—and Anoushka Shankar opens up about trauma after a fan lifted her without consent. Tech & Platforms: YouTube adds a new “unique reach” metric, and TikTok extends its Universal Music Group deal with added AI protections. Safety Watch: Police investigated a reported shooting near a music event in SE Portland.

Cultural Revival: Kuwait’s Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center has restarted its iconic garden fountain, now running daily with dancing water timed to national, Arabic and international music plus laser shows. Community Music-Making: Clent Connect in Clent hosts a free May 30 music-making morning and a DKMS stem-cell registration drive, with hands-on sessions for all ages. Big Stage Country: Theatre Royal Winchester brings “Made in Tennessee: A Night of Country Music” on June 7, featuring Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and more. Global Pop Momentum: LE SSERAFIM’s “BOOMPALA” lands on Apple Music’s Global chart and hits major country rankings, while Local Live Music: Rapid City welcomes Riverdance’s 30th anniversary tour on May 26. Classical Spotlight: St. Augustine Music Festival marks 20 years with six free downtown performances in late June.

Live Music Industry Pressure: UK MPs are pushing the CMA to investigate Live Nation/Ticketmaster after a report found the company controlled 58% of primary tickets (rising to 66% with affiliates) and warned of a “climate of fear,” with sources asking for anonymity. Festival & Tour Momentum: Stray Kids announces STRAYCITY—a new Latin America festival hitting Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico starting in September—while Killaloe Music Festival lines up big names like Rhiannon Giddens for candlelit cathedral shows. Global Pop Hits: Shakira drops the FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem video “Dai Dai,” and The Veronicas re-record “Untouched” for Heated Rivalry fans. Local Scene, Tonight: Lake of the Ozarks venues keep the weekend rolling with back-to-back live sets at Jolly Rogers, Paradise, Blue Cat Lounge, Shady Gators, and more. Community & Music Access: Estes Park School District earns a national music education award, spotlighting sustained support for K-12 programs.

Caribana 2026 in Barbuda: The regional festival kicked off Thursday night with a parade, opening ceremony performances, and Kids Fest—then rolled into major calypso and soca showdowns as crowds poured in across the May 21–25 run. Community Music on the Move: Alberta’s Otipemisiwak Métis Government brought its Kitchen Party Tour to High River with live fiddling, dancing, and intergenerational connection. Big-Stage Pop Moments: Shakira dropped the FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem “Dai Dai” video featuring football stars, while BottleRock Napa Day 1 lit up with Lorde’s emotional headline and Lil Wayne’s high-voltage set. Industry & Culture: PNG’s 20th YUMI FM PNG Musik Awards launched a milestone celebration of local talent, and Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation honored award and residency winners. K-pop Spotlight: CORTIS grabbed another “Show! Music Core” trophy for “REDRED,” and BTOB’s Lee Changsub detailed an 110 million KRW embezzlement case tied to his music academy.

Musical Theatre Buzz: Carole King’s Beautiful is still drawing big reactions in Houston, with Kyra Kennedy landing the role after a decade-long chase. Techno Loss: Scottish techno stalwart Harvey McKay has died, with Drumcode and others mourning his distinctive Drumcode-era sound. Club Milestone: Manchester’s The Warehouse Project is gearing up for its 20th birthday with a new film, exhibition, podcast and print magazine for WHP26. Global Pop Moment: FIFA World Cup 2026’s official album gets a star-studded boost as LISA, Anitta and Rema team up on “Goals,” performed live at the June 12 opening ceremony. Live Music Under Pressure: Tehran’s venues are slowly reopening for audiences after a fragile ceasefire, with a major museum concert drawing 300+ people. Local Community Picks: West Seattle Summer Fest returns July 10–12 with a zero-waste push, while Limerick Summer Proms brings Irish orchestras and Defence Forces bands to University Concert Hall June 19–21. AI Copyright Fight: Major labels are pushing to expand a lawsuit over alleged AI training use of recordings.

New Single Drop: Olivia Rodrigo just released “The Cure,” the second single from her upcoming album, with a video that leans hard into heartbreak and emotional unraveling. Industry & AI: Spotify is pushing deeper into AI-driven creation and discovery, while UMG and TikTok unveiled a new multi-year licensing deal that also extends AI protections for artists and songwriters. Big Legal Fight: The owner of the “Peanuts” music is back in court, suing multiple companies and the U.S. government over alleged illegal use of its catchy tunes—while CBS is also getting dragged into the fallout. Artist Moves: Ed Sheeran says he’s leaving Warner Music after 15 years. Live & Local: West Seattle Summer Fest 2026 locked in its lineup, and Lynnwood’s free Summer Sounds series returns with themed nights and local vendors. Awards & Culture: Cape Breton artists swept the East Coast Music Awards, led by Goldie Boutilier.

New Releases: No Cure drops “Convulsing In The Dark” ahead of the July 10 album It Is Going To Get Dark, while Gradience leans into early-2000s MySpace nostalgia with “Deathwish.” Pop Spotlight: Olivia Rodrigo unveils “The Cure” with a Petra Collins-directed video, and Charli xcx keeps teasing her SS26 era. Live & Local: Memorial Day weekend is packed—Craig Fletcher steps in at Gina’s Good Life Music & Lounge, and Jackson Dean headlines a homecoming benefit at Arundel High. Classical & Community: Brevard Music Center marks its 90th summer season, and Musical Life winners debut at Carnegie Hall May 28. Industry Watch: Spotify and Universal Music push further into AI remixing/remastering access, while Tinie Tempah warns working-class artists could get squeezed out without small-venue support. On the Move: Ed O’Brien emerges from Radiohead shadow with Blue Morpho, and The Darkness releases the Masters of the Universe theme “Masters of the Universe.”

AI Licensing Shake-Up: Spotify and UMG just unveiled paid AI cover/remix tools for Premium users, built on “consent, credit, and compensation” so participating artists and songwriters share in the value—while Spotify also rolls out “Reserved” fan ticketing to reward superfans. Policy Push for Working Artists: The “Protect Working Musicians Act” is back in Congress, aiming to let eligible creators collectively negotiate with dominant platforms without antitrust liability. Music Education Spotlight: Reba McEntire was honored at Musicians On Call’s first national celebration, while New York’s Education Through Music gala raised record funds for under-resourced schools. New Releases & Culture: The Coral drops album 388 with “Let The Music Play,” Gregg Allman’s documentary gets a new trailer, and Madonna fires back at Charli xcx’s “dance floor is dead” line. Security Warning: The FBI flags rising cybercrime and scams targeting music industry workers and fans, including romance and fake ticket schemes.

Plagiarism Fallout: Pritam Chakraborty is firing back hard after online claims that his “Cocktail 2” track “Mashooqa” copies a 1993 Italian song, calling critics “self-appointed music detectives” and “unpaid PR.” Legal Pressure: In a separate copyright fight, the “Peanuts” music catalog owner has filed four lawsuits against the U.S. Department of the Interior and other companies over alleged unauthorized use of Vince Guaraldi tunes. Partnerships & Publishing: Virgin Music Group links up with Chess Club Records for global distribution, while Material Music launches a publishing arm with Downtown Music Publishing and Transgressive signs rock trio HotWax. Live & Local: Memorial Day weekend is packed—from Palatka’s Blue Crab Festival fireworks and live music to Cebu’s “Hook Up The Musical” restaging that tackles HIV and taboo topics through an all-Cebuano team. Big Stage Buzz: BTS is set for a special appearance at the 2026 American Music Awards.

HIV Awareness Through Musical Theatre: Cebu’s “Hook Up The Musical” returns June 13 at Sky Hall Seaside Cebu, using an all-Cebuano cast to tackle sex, stigma, and the rise of HIV cases among young people in Central Visayas. New Music in the Spotlight: Duran Duran kicked off a Las Vegas run at Fontainebleau, teasing “Free to Love” and sharing a new single message to a sold-out crowd. Chart Watch: Drake’s “Iceman” is reported at No.1 in midweek UK sales flashes, ahead of Michael Jackson’s “The Essential.” Industry Moves: Sony Music Publishing promoted ZaZa Kazadi to senior director A&R for the UK & Europe, expanding focus on hip-hop, rap, R&B and Afro. Local Music Education: Utah County’s LVBL partnership brings a next-gen racquet club with live DJ programming, while Mukwonago Area School Board approved a 2027-28 music framework shifting orchestra to grade 5 and band/choir to grade 6. Community & Live Events: Knights Ferry’s KFAM Mini Festival runs June 5–7 with music and art across town, and Madison’s Brat Fest returns Memorial Day weekend with free live sets and fireworks.

Royalties Clash: George Clinton has sued Universal Music Group for $1.1M, alleging UMG froze 100% of his royalties for years over a dispute tied to Bernie Worrell. Live Music Greenlight: A heated entertainment license fight in Wareham, Massachusetts ended with Pour Farm Tavern getting approval to host indoor and limited outdoor live music under strict notice rules around nearby funeral services. UK Ticket-Tout Pressure: The UK government is accused of “diverting” grassroots ticket levy money to the Treasury via VAT, while a proposed ticket tout ban has been deprioritised in the 2026 King’s Speech. Scene & Releases: Club Unity launches from The Prodigy’s Maxim; Detroit officially declares Detroit Techno Week; and Mixmag spotlights fresh drops from Overmono, Eartheater and Jacques Greene. Festival Reality Checks: EDC Las Vegas saw temporary stage closures due to severe weather.

Royal Music Diplomacy: King Charles III visited Belfast, sampling Irish culture and pushing for a “royal hip-hop lesson” during a Northern Ireland stop that also included meetings with Michelle O’Neill and youth groups. Streaming Mega-Move: Disney+ will livestream Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits in 2026, expanding festival access internationally with live sets, backstage footage, and interviews. Big-City Fundraising: Education Through Music’s 35th anniversary gala in NYC hit record fundraising, backing music education across 51 under-resourced schools. Festival Fever: Highland Park’s Arroyo Secodelic returns with 65 bands across seven stages, while Portland’s Rockstar Energy Open skate+music event is set for Aug. 14–16. Industry Watch: Texas is pressing “payola” claims into streaming, sending civil demands to major platforms over alleged undisclosed paid influence. Local Live Calendar: Millsboro’s Tuesday-night free concerts at Cupola Park kick off again, and Hagerstown’s Live at Hub City Vinyl books five late-May shows.