AGP Executive Report

Community & Heritage Gigs: Country Coon Prairie Church is hosting a cowboy gospel and folk worship night in an acoustics-loved historic sanctuary, while Belfast’s UNESCO City of Music push rolls into summer with park fun days, kids’ clubs, and live music. Local Festivals & Family Fun: Enniskillen’s Hidden Naggin Pub returns for a bank holiday weekend of live music, dance, and a traditional session. Industry Deals: Warner Music Finland has struck a catalogue and publishing transfer with Mökkitie Records, bringing key artists and staff into Warner’s network; H.O.M.E. also opens a new Liverpool hub for independent music businesses. AI Music Crackdown: Traxsource and TIDAL are adding AI detection and tagging, with rules aimed at blocking royalties and sales for wholly AI-made tracks. New Releases: Omoinotake drops “FLASHBULB” as an anime opening theme ahead of its September album. Pop Culture: Celine Dion releases “Hello, Sorry, Thank You” ahead of her Paris tour. Music & Safety: A 400-person illegal rave in Cambridgeshire leaves one man stabbed and two arrested on bail.

Independence Day Music & Community: Lexington’s Kirkpatrick Memorial Park drew families for food trucks, live music and fireworks for America’s 250th, while Rochester’s 4th of July fireworks will be synced to an official KROC playlist. Patriotic Festival Lineups: Grandview Park’s Saturday in the Park goes all-day with Joe Bonamassa headlining, plus Tech N9ne on the side stage and a first-ever drone show; Fort Rucker’s Freedom Fest and Cisne’s Mary Lou Fest both add live entertainment and fireworks. Christian Music Spotlight: Constanza’s free “Worshipping Together in Summer” brings Christian stars and worship leaders together July 11. Live Music Calendar (Local): Helena’s Last Chance Music Performance Camp showcases student work; Park City Library’s “Music on the Patio” returns with free front-porch concerts. Industry & Tech: Ticket Fuze expands live-music ticketing aimed at lowering fees and speeding payouts; a new survey suggests most listeners can’t tell AI-made songs from human-made tracks. New Releases: Rowena Wise drops “Home In This World,” with Hannah Potter also featured in this week’s discovery playlist.

K-Pop Health Watch: tripleS member Gong YuBin collapsed during MyK FESTA’s finale, with MODHAUS saying she’ll pause activities after medical advice, reigniting debate over grueling schedules. Pop & Royal Spotting: Katy Perry headlined Blenheim Palace’s festival night, with Princess Beatrice and Jedward in the crowd. Madonna’s New Era: Madonna’s Confessions II track “Fragile” revisits the pain of losing her brother Chris Ciccone, saying she still “sees him.” Music Awards Spotlight: Nepal’s Kantipur Radio announced nominees for the July 10 Xtreme Energy Drink Presents National Music Awards across eight categories. Global Music & Community: Salford’s Middlewood Locks Fest returns July 4 with free live music, parades, makers market, and a big light-and-fire finale. Independence Day Soundtracks: Nice, France, marks America’s 250th with a free Promenade du Paillon program featuring jazz, a New Orleans brass band, and dance workshops. Big Prize Talent Hunt: Malawi’s TNM launches a K120m Music Star Search for ages 18–27, with a new Nissan Magnite for the winner. Music as Medicine: FNIH and partners launch a neuroscience initiative funding $100k grants exploring how music-based therapies may help Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and depression. Live Music Calendar: Waco-area concert listings and multiple July 4 weekend shows keep local scenes buzzing.

AI & Creativity: Lisa Coppola’s “Take Me Higher” leans on AI for visuals while keeping the music fully human, as the industry debates where tech belongs. Community & Access: Songbyrd Music House is profiled in Jai Alai IPA’s Raise The Stage series, spotlighting why small venues keep scenes alive. Mental Health Through Music: Berklee professor Ray Seol breaks silence on suicide loss, adding to a week of grief-and-healing music coverage. Local Live Music: Solihull’s free Summer Music Festival drew crowds with pop, opera, and silent disco, while Taconic Music’s July 4 Pops show promises movie-score favorites. Health & Musicians’ Rights: Colorado Symphony rolls out Sensaphonics 3DME in-ear monitoring to protect hearing. New Releases & Comebacks: Kelissa returns after nearly a decade with “The Good Side of Things,” and Young M.A. readies her album “Kween.” Big Cultural Moments: David Bowie’s “On Tour” exhibition heads to Hull, tying local musicians to Ziggy-era history. Grassroots Support: Basseterre High School gets instrument donations, and Music Niagara’s women-in-jazz series lands a provincial seed grant.

AI & Copyright Clash: Australian authors, songwriters and musicians rally in Canberra urging tougher protections as AI firms push for easier access to local content, reigniting debate over possible copyright carve-outs. Streaming Policy Shift: TIDAL moves to label AI-generated music and cut off royalty payments for AI tracks, adding pressure to how platforms handle synthetic releases. Physical Music Momentum: New BPI/Official Charts data shows physical sales accelerating in H1 2026, with vinyl driving growth and closing fast on CD. Broadway & Musicals: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis bring “Warriors” to Broadway in 2027, while “Bright Star” lands at Hendersonville Theatre this month. Live Music & Community: Roam hires agent Duncan Smith; Bishop Hill Creative Commons launches a Prairie Sound residency; and North Bend’s Haystack Festival returns with 70+ musicians across 18 venues. Pop Culture: Miley Cyrus gets a Barbie celebrating her music legacy, and Olivia Rodrigo announces Daisy Chain Fields, an all-female festival in Irvine. Legal Spotlight: Ricardo Montaner sues UMG over ownership of early album masters, seeking royalties and control.

AI & Streaming Policy: Tidal says it will flag fully AI-generated tracks and cut off royalties for them, while also labeling AI music and removing fraudulent material—another big shake-up in how platforms handle creator pay. Industry Payouts: UK rights org PPL announced a £81.6M Q2 distribution to 140,000+ performers and recording rightsholders, including first-time payments for nearly 4,500. Leadership Moves: Virgin Music Group unveiled a new global and regional leadership team after its Downtown acquisition, aiming to blend local expertise with worldwide services. Local Scene Spotlight: Philadelphia Music Fest marks its 10th year with a mission-first approach—club shows, local venues, and donations to music education. Community Music Events: Boston launches a free World Cup watch party at MGM Music Hall at Fenway; Meridian brings back Third Thursdays and a Full Moon on 5th block party with live bands and local art. Classical & Culture: Jakov Jakoulov premieres “Yiddish Lexicon,” and Park-McCullough’s Music on the Veranda returns with Tony and Judy Seeger. Safety & Disruption: Lowell’s Taffeta Music Hall concert was canceled after an assault outside left three men injured. Tragic Incident: Police in Michigan say a baby’s body was found in a portable toilet at Electric Forest, with an autopsy completed and investigators seeking info.

AI & Streaming Policy: TIDAL says it will add AI music labels and remove fraudulent AI uploads, with tougher enforcement starting July 15. Music Industry Careers: Punch Records and A&R exec Rich Castillo launch the A&R Academy, an eight-week UK talent programme for 10 aspiring A&R professionals starting in September. Global Touring Push: Bring Me The Horizon’s manager says the band is aiming for stadium shows across multiple territories in the next album cycle. New Releases: Everything Is Recorded, Peter Gabriel and .idk. drop “Beyond The Brilliant Haze,” a genre-bending single mixed at Gabriel’s request. Live Music & Community: Girvan’s free “Music on the Prom” returns for 12 Sundays, with Land Energy sponsoring July 5’s Rockabilly set. Music Tech Meets IP: nDreams founder Patrick O’Luanaigh launches Atmospheric to build original IP across games and music. Tragic Festival Incident: Police investigate after a deceased newborn was found in a portable toilet at Michigan’s Electric Forest. Arts Under Pressure: Natalie Bassingthwaighte reacts to Waitress being abruptly axed in Australia, calling it another sign the arts are “dying.” Major Honors: Teyana Taylor leads the 2026 BET Awards with four wins, including Icon of the Year. International Expansion: Virtuoso Music launches in India with a creator-first model across multiple languages. Traditional Music Spotlight: Kyrgyzstan unveils “Heritage of the Nomads” for Sept 1–6 at Issyk-Kul, featuring storytelling and instrumental competitions.

Ukrainian Music in the UK: A Kyiv-born soprano-and-piano duo formed in 2024 will bring Mozart-to-Shamo works to Winchester on July 5, using concerts as a cultural bridge for displaced communities. Community Concerts: West Milford’s America 250 Community Day packed vendors, live music, games and fireworks, while Brookfield’s “Music on Grand” returns with monthly downtown shows. Festival Safety: Michigan State Police confirmed a newborn’s remains were found in a portable restroom at Electric Forest, with investigators asking for public tips. AI vs Royalties: Tidal says it won’t pay royalties for “wholly” AI-generated music and will tag it with an AI badge while blocking monetization. Royalty Court Fight: The UK Court of Appeal upheld a ruling against PRS For Music over “black box” royalty distribution. Live Music Calendar: Innisfil’s free “Music in the Park” series runs Tuesdays in July and August with local lineups. New Release: Centimillimental drops “CO-WRITE,” a collaboration with Korean producer EL CAPITXN. Big Festival News: UK’s State Fayre confirms a 2027 return after its inaugural run drew 50,000 fans.

Festival Safety Tragedy: Michigan State Police are investigating after a newborn’s body was found in a portable toilet at Electric Forest in Rothbury, with officials asking anyone who saw anything unusual to come forward. AI & Artist Rights: Tanzanian artistes and producers are warning that careless use of AI music tools could let platforms replicate voices without consent, even as some say AI can help independents make demos. Local Music Under Pressure: Map Café Studio in Kentish Town faces closure over a licensing and planning dispute tied to late alcohol sales and noise complaints. Industry Training Boost: The Music Managers Forum and YouTube Music launch MMF Hyperdrive, a four-month programme to fast-track music managers’ careers. New Releases: Kiwi country singer Kaylee Bell drops a live video for “Once In A Lifetime,” while Australian acts Ron E Buckpitt (“Which Part of Heaven”) and SHUTchaDOWN (“My Whole Team”) share new singles. Live Music Calendar: Boise’s The Record Exchange books Donnie Emerson for an in-store “Dreamin’ Wild” performance; Preston’s RockPrest 2026 returns with major tribute sets.

Music in Education & Therapy: Appalachian State is rolling out a clinical music-therapy partnership inside a preschool language classroom to boost engagement and language retention for kids with delays, including autism. Caribbean Festival Buzz: St. Kitts Music Festival wrapped after three days in Basseterre, with PM Drew saying it drew 5,000+ overseas visitors and delivered a full mix of soca, calypso and Bouyon. Community & Civic Soundtracks: Le Mars Municipal Band marks America’s 250th with a free July 4 Independence Day concert at Foster Park, while Syracuse’s SC250 celebration keeps rolling with classic cars, blues and downtown community booths. Industry & People: North Carolina music executive Eddie Ray, a pioneering Black label leader, died at 99. Local Spotlight: Oldham performer Abbie Kay Ashworth lands a starring role in Myles Smith’s “Hold Me In The Dark” short film with Stephen Graham. Safety & Tragedy: Police in Michigan say a newborn’s body was found in a restroom at Electric Forest; no public threat reported. Music Culture Moment: Medellín inspired Jamaican rapper Jakal’s “Sicarios” video and next direction.

Music & Community: Rwanda’s Inyambo royal cows are being celebrated with poetry, music and cultural rituals, keeping palace heritage alive. Festival Spotlight: Dizzee Rascal and Faithless team up for Watford’s Great Fete (Aug 8-9), while Glasgow’s Recovery Connects (July 5) goes alcohol-free with Pete Doherty headlining. Tragedy & Justice: Two Nottinghamshire bouncers were jailed for killing a “friendly” musician, Jamie Kelly, after a bar altercation. Local Music Education: Minnesota’s WHA students hit major wins at the state ensemble contest, including a rare perfect score in vocals. Accessibility in Performance: Wrexham’s Dynamic Signing Sensation choir (sign-language, disabilities) headlines a July 8 gala concert. Country Music: Alan Jackson ends his touring career with a final Nashville stadium show, but says he’ll keep making music. Arts & Culture: Treefort Music Fest returns with a second wave of 2025 artists and big pass updates. Music & Tech Debate: Jamendo sues Nvidia over alleged misuse of music in AI training, as AI-generated music sparks fresh questions. Live Music Licensing: Bournemouth plans face a licensing review for a venue seeking alcohol plus live music. World Cup Soundtrack: FIFA’s in-stadium music picks are mapped by match moments, with viral fan singalongs driving engagement.

Live Music & Theater: Northwest Stories debuted “Eternities — The Story Concert,” blending live music with actors for a grief-and-reunion narrative at Boise’s Egyptian Theatre. Civic Music & Protest: The Bruce Springsteen Center opened “Chimes of Freedom: Protest, Patriotism, and the Power of Song,” tracing how American music shapes civic life. Festival Ticketing: Treefort Music Fest’s “Locals Only” sale at Record Exchange is set for Sept. 13, with in-person purchase rules and tiered pricing. Community Concerts: Waverly’s Kohlmann Park hosts a free Stars & Stripes jazz-and-big-band show; Lafayette’s Moncus Park celebrates National Food Truck Day with live music. Music Education: Island Music launched a string instrument education project via a UT Butler residency partnership; Interlochen Public Radio’s Sound Garden Project partners with Concert Artists Guild to mentor emerging classical “citizen artists.” Industry & Tech: Filipino artists react to AI training on songs, while Jose Mari Chan clarified royalties relate only to physical formats. New Releases: BR33Z WORLD released “CALL ME RIGHT BACK” with a cinematic phone-booth concept video. Policy & Sound: Calgary’s Cowboys Music Festival reached a noise compromise, with shows ending at midnight.

Royalties Clarified: Jose Mari Chan says he wasn’t getting checks only from declining physical sales (CDs/cassettes/vinyl), after his comments about “nobody buys records” sparked backlash. Local Stages, Big Stories: Theatre By The Sea’s “Grease: The Musical” leans on scenic design to sell the 1950s world, while Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre puts a modern spin on Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Trial by Jury.” New Music Drops: Ice Nine Kills teams up with “Dead by Daylight” for “Play Dead,” and Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland confirms the band is writing new songs for later this year. Touring & Tickets: Joywave brings “Here to Perform” to Boise; Treefort offers a “Locals Only” pass sale in Nampa; Khruangbin lands at Boise’s Outlaw Field. Community Music Calendar: Early Music Festival wraps in Port Townsend; free summer concert series continue in Sequim and Port Angeles; Tahoe Arts Project’s “Music on the Beach” is set for Aug. 20. Festival Buzz: Rossendale launches Gather@ across venues June 26-28 with a female-led lineup.

Global Festival Buzz: Sarawak’s Rainforest World Music Festival is drawing huge crowds at its 2026 opening, with officials already looking ahead to a bigger 30th edition next year. Awards & Breakthroughs: The 17th PMPC Star Awards for Music crowned James Reid, Moira Dela Torre, Ben&Ben and others, while UK streaming star Myles Smith landed a massive No.2 debut with My Mess, My Heart, My Life. UK Industry Leadership: UK Music appointed Arit Eminue to chair its Diversity Taskforce, continuing work tied to the Black Music Means Business report. New Releases: Steve Lacy and SZA team up on “is it cool?” and Quavo’s “HAVVIN” hits streaming, alongside fresh tracks from Remy Ma, Russ, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ravyn Lenae and Lucky Daye. Music Education & Community: PSJA ISD earned a 12th straight NAMM Foundation BCME award; Cannon Music Camp welcomed 180 high school musicians with free public concerts. Theater & Stage: Broadway’s 2027 The Warriors musical is set with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis. Human Stories: Eddie Vedder gifted a young fan a guitar at the Obama Presidential Center opening, and Noah Kahan urged fans to stop stealing a street sign referenced in his song.

Music Industry Awards: The 17th PMPC Star Awards for Music crowned James Reid (Album of the Year for “jgh”), Maki (Song of the Year for “Dilaw”), Moira Dela Torre and TJ Monterde as top recording artists, with Ben&Ben winning Group/Duo Artist of the Year. Grassroots Live Music: The Independent revives its Main Stage initiative with the Music Venue Trust, spotlighting emerging artists and eight grassroots venues across the UK this summer. Streaming & Sustainability: Music Climate Pact and Deezer released “Sound Choices,” a guide with 10 tips to cut streaming’s environmental impact. AI & Gender Debate: Sienna Spiro blasted unequal treatment behind the scenes and called AI music “shit,” while multiple stories also spotlight industry tensions around AI. Local Culture & Community: Cotati’s free music festival drew big crowds, and South Wairarapa narrowly approved $11,000 for Wellington’s National Music Centre. New Releases/Visuals: Katy Perry unveiled “Watch It Burn,” a horror-tinged video built around pain and release. Health Through Music: A stroke recovery story highlights how singing and rhythm can help rewire the brain.

AI & Music Rights: Australian songwriter Paul Dempsey says AI dataset scraping is stripping artists of fair negotiation power after a tool revealed his catalog and Something For Kate’s work were used without consent. Streaming Economics: A law firm’s royalty calculator claims Spotify takes a bigger gross cut than long assumed, while Amazon Music is said to pay itself nothing “off the top,” reshaping how people think about payouts. Music in the Public Eye: The Rolling Stones drop two new tracks featuring The Cure’s Robert Smith, with “Jealous Lover” backed by a video starring Anya Taylor-Joy. Festivals & Live Events: Germany’s Fusion Festival was briefly halted by fires near the grounds before resuming; in the UK, Cardiff music fans allege Palestine T-shirt targeting by event security. Classical Spotlight: San Diego Symphony announces “Shostakovich Symphony No. 7” on Delos with Apple Music Classical exclusivity. Community & Access: Selma’s free Levitt AMP series kicks off July 25, and West Seattle families get pay-what-you-can summer music camps via Mode. Industry & Culture: Latin Music Month returns to Los Angeles for an expanded two-day conference Sept. 30–Oct. 1.