AGP Executive Report

Songwriting Milestone: Taylor Swift will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as the youngest woman ever, adding to her record-breaking run. Global Pop Spotlight: Tyla is set to sing South Africa’s national anthem at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony, after her breakout “Water” and multiple major awards. World Cup Music Moment: Shakira and Burna Boy headline Mexico’s opening ceremony, performing the official song “Dai Dai,” with a stacked lineup including J Balvin, Belinda, and Los Ángeles Azules. Stage + Sound Mashup: Radiohead’s Thom Yorke is co-creating “Hamlet Hail To The Thief,” bringing Shakespeare and live album performance to London’s Barbican this fall. Industry Expansion: UMG is launching Def Jam Recordings North Africa in Morocco, aiming to spotlight new talent across the Maghreb. Local Live Music: Cawston Music Festival returns with choir, organ recitals, and East Anglian folk, while BST Hyde Park gets a capacity boost for bigger summer crowds. Legal/Personal Update: Ruger says his music hiatus is tied to a legal battle with an ex-girlfriend, with a return planned for August.

Pop Culture Moment: Taylor Swift hit the “Toy Story 5” world premiere at Dolby Theatre with a live performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (duet with Randy Newman) plus her new song “I Knew It, I Knew You,” turning a movie night into a full-on music event. Local Spotlight: Michigan rock trio Checkered Lilies (three sisters) are gearing up for their debut single “Abandon Ship” and a June 27 release party at The Stray in Grand Rapids. Irish Indie Milestone: Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford marks 10 years with the “Still at the Feckin Music” tour, including a Dolan’s show June 11 and new material from an upcoming album. AI + Music Business: Warner Music Group is acquiring Sureel AI, aiming to track AI use of music and protect rights-holders as AI-generated works grow. New Music Video: KATSEYE, LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT drop “Iconic by Mistake,” a troll-proof anthem built around big, cinematic chaos. Community & Live Music: Waterfall Sessions returns June 13 in the Hudson Valley, and Wausau students head to Japan as musical ambassadors.

Pop Culture Crossover: Taylor Swift turned the “Toy Story 5” premiere into a live concert, performing “I Knew It, I Knew You” and duetting with Randy Newman on “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” at the Dolby Theatre. Social Media & Release Strategy: Pixie Lott says she uses fan reactions online to help decide what to release next, aiming to avoid another decade-long gap. Live Music, Up Close: Dermot Kennedy proved arena scale can still feel intimate in Leeds, leaning on sincerity and a stripped-back “MTV Unplugged” moment. Theatre & Community Recovery: A musical revue is set to raise disaster relief funds for theatres still recovering after Hurricane Helene. World Cup Soundtrack: Tyla will perform at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening in Mexico City and sing South Africa’s anthem; Shakira and Katy Perry are also confirmed for the multi-country opening celebrations. Industry Watch: Thomas Bangalter says Daft Punk won’t reunite for a comeback show. Touring & Tickets: Charli xcx announced North American arena dates for her “Music, Fashion, Film” tour with underscores as support. Artist Safety & Conduct: A model’s lawsuit alleges Kanye West choked her during a 2010 music video shoot, with West’s camp calling it “art.”

AI Music Legal Battle: Google argues YouTube’s terms give it a broad right to train AI on music uploaded by users, as indie artists push back in a copyright fight. Artist Support & Distribution: Barcelona’s El Grande Music World launches an all-in-one platform bundling distribution, playlist pitching, press, networking, and release planning for independent musicians. New Label Signing: Melbourne band Wayside becomes the first Australian act on Will Yip’s Memory Music, releasing the new single “Invisible Strings.” Local Live Music (Toronto): Toronto’s free “Play the Parks” returns for a 14th season with genre-hopping lineups across downtown Yonge locations. Community Concerts (Indiana/Ohio/Illinois): The Isaacs play a free Mountain Grove square concert Sept. 12; Blairsville’s chamber festival brings world-class string players June 19–28; Wheaton Municipal Band kicks off its 97th free summer concert season June 11. Big-Name Spotlight: Madonna drops a provocative 10-minute video for her upcoming album, sparking major online buzz.

Music Comeback Buzz: Welsh pop star Duffy (Aimee Anne Duffy) teased a secret, intimate London gig on July 5—her first UK live appearance since 2010—plus a new Disney+ documentary revisiting her rise and trauma. Local Live-Music Calendar: The Sibyl Center in Stanley announced a big summer/fall lineup, including Suzy Bogguss (July 11) and Darryl Worley (Oct. 24). New Releases: Lana Crow dropped “Out of This World,” a parenthood-focused single produced by Grammy winner Tristan Boston. Festival Fever: Radio 2 in the Park heads to Stirling in September with Chaka Khan and Simple Minds as headliners. Big-Name News: Soft Cell confirmed details of their final album, Danceteria, due Sept. 25. Industry Problem: Stick Figure says AI bootleggers used a manipulated version of its track to go viral—sparking a fresh fight over credit and royalties. Tragedy: British-Nigerian singer Talay Riley (35) was fatally stabbed in London; police arrested three suspects. Loss in Music: Veteran Filipino musician Abraham “Bing” Austria died at 62 after battling sepsis.

AI & Music Rights: The AFM says major labels (UMG/Warner) settled with AI firms like Udio and Suno without sharing money with the musicians whose work fed the models, sparking a new lawsuit. Big Stage, Big Wins: Broadway’s 2026 Tony Awards crowned Schmigadoon! as Best Musical and Liberation as Best Play, with Oregon ties and standout performances also taking center stage. New Releases: Athens band Deaf Radio drops “No Place Like Home,” leaning into post-punk grit with a bigger, cinematic sound. Artist Spotlight: Norwegian alt-pop breakout MIIA returns with “Necessary Evil,” a darker, club-driven reinvention. Local Music & Community: Turkey Run’s “Music in the Park” is back thanks to donations honoring Todd Crosby, while Appleton’s Street Music Week raises funds for a student mural program. Tragedy in the Spotlight: Grammy-winning songwriter Talay Riley was killed in a London stabbing, prompting tributes from Stormzy, Wretch 32, and others. Classical Leadership: New World Symphony extended Stéphane Denève’s artistic directorship through the 2031–32 season.

Broadway Buzz: “Schmigadoon!” dominated the 2026 Tony Awards, winning Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations, with Pink hosting and John Lithgow making history as the oldest competitive acting winner. Music Tech & Marketing: AI video creation is speeding up music promotion, letting artists generate visuals fast—but it’s also raising big questions about creativity and authenticity. Tragic Loss: Grammy-winning songwriter Talay Riley (Mark Orabiyi) was stabbed to death in East London; tributes poured in from Stormzy, Craig David, Wretch 32 and others as police investigate. Local & Live Scene: A Salisbury choir concert spotlights “The Resurrection” with Nova Foresta Philharmonic and soloists, while Tampa’s Sunstate Orchestral Program mourns music teachers forced to leave the U.S. Freedom Through Art: South African artist Muzi Mazibuko links “freedom” to self-expression and language in his electronic album Electric ZuluLand. Festival Update: Chelmsford’s Street Eats ’n’ Beats is paused due to low ticket sales and rising costs, with a bigger return planned for 2027. New Releases: Samuel drops “Samuelito,” blending Latin, reggaeton and K-pop-flavored performance energy.

New Single Spotlight: Lun Bawang Tapi’ player Rining Peter Paris and his band Bata’ Uduh drop “Gung Guang,” reworking a childhood folk tune with Tapi’, bamboo zither, jaw harp and xylophone to bridge generations. Festival & Live Music: SANDBOX announces a national hard-dance festival series hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth this September, scaling up its immersive “warehouse rave” vibe with debut Aussie sets. Local Music Prize: Fort Worth indie-country artist Matthew McNeal wins the 2026 Jambaloo Music Prize, taking $20,000 plus a studio session after performances by three finalists. Music, Culture & Pride: “Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music, 1969–2000” spotlights how queer artists “code” lyrics for audiences while shaping dancefloor culture. Music News With Real-World Impact: Grammy-winning British songwriter Talay Riley (Mark Orabiyi), 35, dies after a stabbing in London; police arrest suspects and investigate. Big Screen Music Doc: HBO’s Earth, Wind & Fire documentary digs into Maurice White’s mysticism and the band’s genre-bending rise. Tour/Stage Buzz: Ariana Grande kicks off her Eternal Sunshine Tour with a harness stunt in Oakland.

Legal Drama: A D.C. judge tossed the Kennedy Center’s breach-of-contract lawsuit against jazz drummer Chuck Redd after he canceled a Christmas Eve gig in protest of the venue’s Trump-related renaming. Festival Buzz: Pixie Lott is set to headline Ben and Jerry’s Sundaes In The Park, teasing a new unreleased track for her festival return. Charity Rock: RUSHfest Scotland raised major money for Glasgow cancer charities, honoring Neil Peart’s legacy. Community Music: South Bend’s Rebel Art Fest returns with 100+ artists and 15 local music acts at Potawatomi Park. Global Spotlight: A.R. Rahman will perform “Jai Ho – A Tribute to the Bravehearts” at the Attari border, tying music to the Main Vaapas Aaunga release. Loss in Mizrahi: Israeli singer Yishai Levi has died at 63, remembered as a pioneer of Mizrahi music. Live Music Industry: Rebecca Robles is bringing students a “Backstage Pass” to learn real live-music jobs through a UCLA panel and networking event. Touring Update: Morgan Wallen’s Pittsburgh show was canceled due to severe weather, with refunds available via original ticket outlets.

World Cup Music: Shakira (49) and Burna Boy will debut “Dai Dai” at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony on June 11 at Estadio Azteca, with a star-studded lineup tied to the official tournament song and album. Festival Buzz (UK): Ipswich Music Day returns July 5 as the UK’s biggest free one-day music festival, with 30+ emerging acts chosen from 200+ applications. Festival Buzz (US): Railbird Music Festival kicks off June 6-7 in Lexington with headliners Tyler Childers and The Lumineers, plus Caamp, Mt. Joy, The Wallflowers and more across three stages. Local Live Music (UK): Warrington Arts Festival 2026 unveils Luke Jerram’s suspended Mars sculpture, paired with Dan Jones’ composition and two nights of live music under the planet. Artist Watch: Cynthia Morgan warns artists not to sign away masters to labels in perpetuity, urging legal guidance before deals. Live Performance (US): Don McLean is set as the first performer in Goshen Theater’s new music series, launching Aug. 2. K-pop Crossover: LE SSERAFIM drops a “BOOMPALA” version featuring Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa, adding new verses and yoga-inspired choreography.

Global Bongo Flava Push: Swiss-based Tanzanian artist Muchi Melo is taking Bongo Flava international with his fully self-made 16-track album MASAKIE, blending Afrobeats, hip-hop, reggae and electronic sounds in English and Kiswahili. Bollywood Music Nostalgia: Composer Anu Malik shared how Dharmendra genuinely loved his song “Pal Pal Na Mane Tinku Jiya,” recalling a warm, family-like bond. Big Screen Music Buzz: Michael (the Michael Jackson biopic starring Jaafar Jackson) lands on digital streaming June 9, as it chases the success of Bohemian Rhapsody. Pop Culture Power Move: Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” for Toy Story 5 leans back into country with banjo and harmonica, while Swift’s net worth headlines keep climbing—she’s now reported as the richest female musician at $2B. Live Music & Community: Ipswich’s Ed Sheeran surprised fans at the waterfront, even gifting an amp to a young attendee; and Grampian Community Band marks 50 years with a June 11 milestone concert. Festival Fever: Portimão and other Portuguese cinemas will screen a duo’s stadium concert, while Portugal’s Maravilha Festival returns with sea-linked circus and workshops. African Music Spotlight: AFRIMA launched seven “Diamonds” as emerging stars to watch, betting they’ll shape African music in the next few years. Choral/Local Pride: Accent Singers mark a leadership handover June 7, and WeHo Pride weekend kicks off with the Outloud Music Festival. Music Meets Meaning: A.R. Rahman will perform at Attari Border June 7 for a tribute to BSF tied to Main Vaapas Aaunga.

Local Live Music Boost: St Neots Market Square is getting a new “innovative” stage setup for free Summer Sessions, with genre-spanning concerts running June 20 through Sept. 19. Festival Spotlight: Miri’s WAK Miri Festival returns June 19–21 with arts, music, workshops, and community storytelling at the Miri Handicraft Centre. Rising Talent on Tour: Perth indie-pop triplets Birdland (He Was Me EP) are set for a national tour after a breakout run. New Music Releases: Kim Petras reclaims her independence with Detour, while Taylor Swift drops “I Knew It, I Knew You” for Toy Story 5. Big Stage Moments: Gov Ball 2026 brings Lorde, Kali Uchis, Stray Kids, and more to NYC’s Flushing Meadows. Music + Community Care: Apalachee Center’s art show pairs healing with an original Bob Marley “One Love” remix by its music therapist. Industry News: MOBO founder Kanya King dies at 57, prompting tributes across Black British music. Legal/Politics: A judge tosses the Kennedy Center lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd after he canceled over Trump’s name change.

New Music Friday: Lizzo drops her album BITCH, Evanescence returns with Sanctuary, and Niall Horan releases Dinner Party—plus singles from Taylor Swift, Shaboozey (“Cowgirl”), Madonna (“Love Sensation”), Tinashe, Flo, and more. Big-Stage Pop: Violet Grohl makes her national TV debut on The Tonight Show with “Bug in the Cake,” while Tori Kelly sings the U.S. anthem to open the 2026 NBA Finals. World Cup Hype: Shakira and Burna Boy perform “Dai Dai” at the Mexico City opening ceremony, with a star-studded lineup across the three host nations. Industry Moves: Warner Chappell Music appoints Soraib el Jelali as head of A&R for Benelux. Legacy & Loss: MOBO founder Kanya King dies at 57, leaving a landmark imprint on Black British music. Local Live Music: Dorchfest returns with 50+ acts across porches and yards in Ashmont-Adams, and Detroit Lakes keeps bandshell concerts going despite construction.

Latin Music Business: Concord is teaming up with Lito MC Cassidy’s Lito Music to expand deeper into reggaetón and Latin urban, building a label focused on artist development and long-term catalog value. Local Live Music: RealFest returns to Dunn Meadow with a genre-mixing lineup that includes Chicago’s Fraxiom and folk-leaning Jake Sargent, aiming to bring artists who “wouldn’t normally cross paths” together. Community Bands & Concerts: The Fort Madison City Band kicks off its summer series Sunday (new 7 p.m. start) with a set that includes “The Symphonic Beatles” and a guest vocal spot for “Moon River.” Music Education & Mentorship: Safety Harbor’s Art & Music Center is running a teen camp where professional artists mentor students through hands-on creative time. Big-Name Pop Culture: TRNSMT 2026 reveals Becky Hill as the secret performer for the opening night. Global Music Moment: Apple Corps will release a colorised “All You Need Is Love” performance clip for Global Beatles Day—the first official online posting of that broadcast. Music Industry Honors: Garth Brooks was named the RIAA’s first “Artist of a Lifetime” and celebrated for 10 Diamond certifications.

Music Business & Data: The Music Managers Forum updated its Fan Data Guide for independent managers, pushing practical advice on collecting, using, and protecting fan data—especially ticketing data—so artist-fan relationships stay artist-led. Live Music Calendar: 906 Fest brings two days of local and indie acts to Iron Mountain, while Oak Ridge Civic Music Association pairs a patriotic story-and-song night with a free Sunday quartet “Coffee Concert” series. Community Celebrations: Bloomington’s Juneteenth celebration (June 19) adds live performances, food trucks, and vendor booths at Switchyard Park. International Spotlight: UMG is partnering with Thailand’s S1 to expand distribution and publishing, with UMG taking a minority stake. Big-Stage Performances: Rufus Du Sol hits the Gorge Amphitheatre this weekend, and the Carolina Country Music Fest kicks off in Myrtle Beach with Riley Green leading Thursday. Awards Deadline: Women In Music Awards 2026 entry deadline was extended to June 12.

Major Loss: Grammy-winning R&B and Disney duet star Peabo Bryson has died at 75, with tributes pouring in after reports of a stroke. Catalog Watch: Garth Brooks is reportedly exploring a sale of his music catalog for up to about $2 billion, potentially among the biggest artist deals ever. Pop Spotlight: Taylor Swift praised Paul McCartney as an “eternally exceptional artist,” boosting attention for McCartney’s new album. Festival Buzz: All Things Go returns to Toronto June 6–7 with Kesha and Lorde headlining, plus The Beaches, Wet Leg, and more. Bluegrass on TV: Ireland’s TG4 launches “Blas Bluegrass,” a four-part series hosted by Enda Scahill exploring how American bluegrass and old-time connect with Irish traditions. Music + Community: Hydro Flask and Universal Music Group are rolling out reusable drinkware and hydration stations across music studios to cut single-use waste. Local Live Music: Clarksburg Amphitheater’s free Local Music Showcase (June 6) lines up John Henry Band, Triple Crown, Ask Alice, and Eddie Davisson Band.