AGP Executive Report

P-pop Spotlight: SB19’s Josh Cullen teased what looks like new solo music with a cryptic Instagram post, hinting at a comeback after his 2024 debut solo album. Local Music & Community: Sunset Center is kicking off a five-year centennial campaign with a free Oct. 25 block party featuring live performances, art, and history. Rising Artists: 17-year-old Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Shaya Istace is building momentum with guitar, songwriting, and big plans for where music takes her next. Festival Watch: Rigby’s Bluegrass on the Snake returns Sept. 11–13 with nine bands, workshops, and a headliner set by Jake Workman. Music Industry & Tech: Shift Up’s CTO clarified its AI approach after backlash over an AI-heavy Stellar Blade: Blood Rain music video. Tragedy in the Spotlight: University of Iowa marching band member Derek Phillips died after collapsing in extreme heat during a Sept. 5 game. Legal Fallout: Celeste Rivas Hernández’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against D4vd, calling for the death penalty.

Solo buzz: SB19’s Josh Cullen teased new solo music with an Instagram post of code-like symbols, hinting at a comeback after his 2024 debut album Lost & Found. Tribute & covers: Sir Cliff Richard announced Only Number Ones, a 12-track covers album reimagining chart-toppers by The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Harry Styles. Live milestones: North West headlined her first solo show at Chicago’s The Vic Theatre after her tour was canceled, while Violet Grohl delivered an intimate Like A Version acoustic take on The Cure’s “High.” Industry support: Radiohead’s touring team access to mental health help is now tied to the MITC Pay It Forward Fund, offering free occupational health support for small/mid-scale tours. Community & culture: Cork’s Culture Night 2026 brings 150+ free events across the county, and Buffalo’s Gulp! The Gay Beach Musical runs Sept. 11–27. Big news in music: Damien Cain won the 2026 InterContinental Music Award for “Standarte.”

Album Watch: Simmy is teasing her next era with the triple-single drop for Fairyland—“Siy’nkanyezi” (feat. Zee Nxumalo), “Bawo,” and “One More Time”—as she leans into a more reflective, vulnerable sound. Music Biz: Mubi is acquiring Live at Carnegie Hall—Cameron Winter’s 35mm/16mm concert film—shot by Paul Thomas Anderson, with premieres at NYFF and BFI London Film Festival (and North America via Janus/Criterion). Pop Culture Clash: Pink reshared a StopAntisemitism post attacking Macklemore over pro-Palestinian remarks, reigniting debate around concert politics and who “owns” the message. Legacy News: Jon Small, Billy Joel’s early-band drummer and longtime collaborator/director of major music videos, has died. Community & Live Music: In Indiana, City of Sound played a free set at Rock & Relief after the floods, while Alabama’s Samford professor Matt Burford leads “30 Days of Real Taps” with live Taps at the Alabama National Cemetery. Local Picks: The Adams Avenue Street Fair returns in San Diego with 75 acts and 300+ vendors, and Troubadour Festival in Barrie closes Sept. 12 with Tim Hicks.

AI & Culture: A new debate is heating up around AI-generated music and what it could mean for preserving traditional sounds—Balochi music writers warn that replacing living musicians and instruments like the tamburag risks losing identity, stories, and history. Live Jazz (Budapest): The Józsefvárosi Jazz Festival returns to Rákóczi Square and the 1897 market hall with 18 free concerts, mixing classic, fusion, and experimental sets across three evenings. Festival Spotlight (Australia): The ARIA Award for Best Music Festival is back for a second year, with eligibility rules pushing festivals to feature Australian headline acts or at least 50% Australian lineups. Music Rights Clash (India): “Mirzapur: The Movie” faces backlash as Rajasthan artist Rapperiya Baalam accuses the makers of using his “Shoorveer” track without permission. Global Breakthrough (Pakistan): Coke Studio’s “Pasoori” becomes the first Pakistani music video to hit 1 billion YouTube views, cementing its worldwide reach. Tech Meets Performance (India): Neemrana Music Foundation’s “AI Meets Opera: Monsieur Beaucaire” brings a century-old French opera to life with AI-powered visuals plus live singers and a French orchestra. VR for Musicians: The Philharmonia’s Virtual Orchestra lets audience members play percussion during Rossini’s “William Tell” finale—no experience required, just nerves.

International Music Awards Buzz: The Filipino Music Awards (Oct. 6, SM Mall of Asia Arena) just dropped its International Artist nominees—BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, plus Harry Styles, Madonna, KATSEYE and more—while People’s Choice voting closes Oct. 4. Big Metal Update: Godsmack frontman Sully Erna says new music is coming, with a likely summer 2027 release. Local Live Music: Bristol’s Birthplace of Country Music Museum hosts radio personality Dallas Wayne (Sept. 8), and Bragg Creek’s dinner-concert series brings Shari Ulrich (Sept. 12). Community + Culture: A new Wick lifeboat choir will perform in “Storm,” a sea-themed storytelling and music show in late October. Global Stage Spotlight: Mouse on Mars’ Jan St. Werner taps Justin Vernon and Sufjan Stevens for his upcoming solo album Squares Will Fall (Nov. 13). Music + Memory: Dolly Parton’s family continues tributes after her death, with a fresh Instagram post quoting her lyrics. Loss in the Spotlight: Every Time I Die guitarist/wrestler Andy Williams (“The Butcher”) dies at 48.

International Music Awards Buzz: The Filipino Music Awards (FMA) 2026 has dropped its International Artist nominees, with BTS, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, and more vying for the top spot (People’s Choice voting runs until Oct. 4). Local Arts Funding Fight: Bradford artists are pushing back against Bradford Council’s plan to scrap £400,000 in cultural funding to reopen waste tips—calling it a hit to festivals, heritage, and live music. Touring Legends: Soft-rock icons Orleans are set for a sold-out Ithaca-area stop at Homer Center for Arts on Sept. 10 as part of their final tour. Music + Healing Exhibit: Pembrokeshire performer Lucie O’Neill is bringing METANOIA to Torch Theatre, pairing original art with clips from her concept album to explore trauma and recovery. Value in Live Music: Belfast fans are turning to tribute acts as ticket prices climb, with one venue saying the “math speaks for itself.” Global Sounds: Kyrgyzstan’s Kochmondor Sanaty festival brought traditional artists from 38 countries together as part of the World Nomad Games.

AI Music & Tech: Google rolled out Lyria 3.5, its latest AI model for generating music in Gemini, with better vocals, more detailed arrangements, and templates for everything from background tracks to personalized songs. Country Comeback: Randy Travis announced his first album of original music in 18 years, built from “vault” recordings reworked by longtime producer Kyle Lehning, with the title track “Same Old Way” out now. K-Pop Metrics (and the fine print): YG says BABYMONSTER hit 10 billion YouTube views, but the coverage digs into what those view counts really measure—and what they don’t. Live Music & Community: Dolly Parton’s Sarasota tribute shifted after her death, while San Diego’s Doors of Change marks 25 years using music to help homeless youth, and St. Cloud State’s Husky Sports Band keeps playing despite losing its music department. Global Traditions: Kyrgyzstan’s Kochmondor Sanaty festival brought together artists from 38 countries, with a Grand Prix winner crowned at the World Nomad Games. Pop Culture Buzz: Oasis fans chase new 2027 tour hints after another cryptic teaser.

Jazz Loss: Grammy-winning singer Cassandra Wilson has died at 70 in Jackson, Mississippi, leaving behind a genre-bending contralto legacy that crossed jazz, blues, folk, R&B, and more. Pop Release: BLACKPINK’s Jisoo drops “Click,” a futuristic pop single with a Joseph Kahn-directed video built around a cyborg storyline and fan-symbol “CLICK Bear” energy. Rock Tour News: John Waite is set for the Metal Central Foothills Festival on Sept. 12, with Everclear and Collective Soul also on the bill. Anniversary Spotlight: The Amy Winehouse Band announces 20th-anniversary “Back to Black” shows across Yorkshire, plus a Feb. 2027 Sheffield date. Community & Live Music: Spokane Artists for Change launches a two-day festival to raise money for residents hit by local fires, with proceeds going directly to victims. AI Backlash: Dolly Parton’s sister Stella calls out “fake AI garbage” and online snark following Dolly’s death. Classical/Choir: WCCC invites new singers for its upcoming Handel’s Messiah performance with Alabama Symphony Orchestra accompaniment. Local Festivals: Whitstable’s Oyster Festival returns Sept. 11–13 with live music and fireworks.

AI & Artist Rights: Korein Tillery filed a lawsuit on behalf of musicians including Jason Isbell against AI music platform Suno, alleging it can generate songs tied to artists’ identities without consent. Music Biz: Samantha Juneman was named head of music at Mattel, bringing major-label experience from Iconic Artists Group, UMG and Warner. Charts: Alex Warren’s “Wildchild” debuts at No.1 in the album charts, taking over after a long run at the top. New Music Friday: DIIV drops “Kid,” 156/Silence shares “From A Distance,” and garage-rock upstarts The Bends add “Sticking To The Plan” to your rotation. Live & Local: Corpus Christi’s Art Walk/Music Walk keeps growing into a massive monthly downtown draw, while Palisades Tahoe hosts “Guitar Strings vs. Chicken Wings” and the Adventure Van Expo. Community & Culture: Oak Park’s Music & Potlucks uses live singing to fuel food drives, and Victoria’s “Furnishing Jazz” series brings live sets to a showroom with proceeds benefiting a local transition house. Tribute & Theater: “The Guys” returns for a Sept. 11 benefit, and “Come From Away” runs through Sept. 13. Dolly Parton: The Pride of the Southland Band will honor Parton at Tennessee’s Sept. 5 halftime.

New Music Releases: Zohar & Adam drop “LATENCY,” a psychedelic, algorithm-vs-attention track featuring Amiri Moreno and saxophonist Birsa Chatterjee, plus they’re lining up major jazz-club debuts. Album + Live Dates: Vancouver roots quartet Honeybear announces “The Cure” (Sept. 4) and two release shows in Victoria and Vancouver. Pop Spotlight: Miley Cyrus starts a new era with “Bass Persuades,” while Billboard’s New Music Friday guide also flags Beyoncé’s B’Day 20th-anniversary expanded edition and ADÉLA’s debut album. Local Scene: Milwaukee’s Central Library turns into a music hub for The Library Show, spotlighting underground artists and community energy. Big Culture Moments: Opera Naples expands its Under the Stars festival with a mix of contemporary and classics, and the National Music Museum hosts an open-mic with its historic grand piano. AI + Rights: Jason Isbell files a class action lawsuit against Suno over unauthorized use of artist names and identities. Tragedy: Mexican musician Jonathan Meléndez (Camilo Séptimo) is reported killed with his pregnant wife, 3-year-old daughter, and nanny; two suspects arrested.

Tragic Crime & Music Connection: A Chattanooga man, 22-year-old Deshundre Vinson of R&B trio “Citi Limitz” (aka “Dre”), has been charged with murder after a 4-year-old drowned in a pool while he was babysitting. Community Music Events: Silver City’s Teatro del Cobre is planning Xantolo (Day of the Dead) with community masks and live cultural programming in late October/early November, while Cape Henlopen educators are set for a free community concert Sept. 14 at the Lewes library pavilion. Local Performances: Soul Chase brings reggae/funk to Rehoboth Beach on Sept. 5, and the St. Cecilia Music Guild kicks off its 2026-27 series with the Embassy String Quartet (free) Sept. 11 in Lewes. Music Industry & Fan Culture: Young Roddo, 9, debuts the first official Roblox-filmed music video for “Robux,” and Yuridia makes history as the first Mexican woman to sell out Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. Big Music News: Tears For Fears’ Roland Orzabal opens up about grief and finding love again in a new memoir.

Music in the spotlight: Polaris are back with “Without You,” their first new single in three years, written after the 2023 death of guitarist Ryan Siew. Global releases: Warner Music India launched season two of folk franchise “Maati,” kicking off Sept. 3 with the qawwali “Jalwa-e-Jaanaan” across eight languages. Big losses: Jazz legend Cassandra Wilson, a two-time Grammy winner known for her genre-bending contralto, has died at 70 in Mississippi. Industry pressure: UK Music and AIM warned the government over new EU export fees hitting UK music companies, especially independents. AI and rights: SOCAN sued AI music platform Suno over alleged unauthorized copying, as the debate over AI’s role in music keeps heating up. Live culture: The Amy Winehouse Band announced a 2027 UK anniversary run performing Back to Black in full, while Barrow Music Weekender returns with a packed, youth-focused five-day lineup. Local buzz: Downtown Franklin Art Crawl returns Sept. 4, and New Braunfels’ live music calendar is packed for the Sept. 3 week.

AI Music Legal Fight: Jason Isbell and other artists have filed class-action lawsuits against Suno, alleging the AI generator trained on musicians’ identities without consent. Music Tech for Creators: BandM8 expanded its open beta with faster idea-to-accompaniment response, real-time mixing controls, and stem export—built around musicians playing first. Country Spotlight: Dolly Parton’s viral “nails” tribute is taking over social media, while a free Dolly Parton movie-and-music tribute is set for Sept. 3 at Robinson Grand. Live Music Calendar: Ramblin’ Roads Country Fest lands in Vermont Oct. 3; Manitou Music Fest runs Sept. 4–6; Fall Fest at The Milkhouse runs Sept. 11–13; and Wynwood’s September/October live-music guide is out. Publishing Deal: River House Artists renewed its worldwide publishing agreement with Dan Alley as he prepares his own project, Keepin’ On, on Sept. 4. Artist News: Cassandra Wilson has died at 70; Frankie Miller died at 95.

AI vs Music Rights: Jason Isbell and others have pushed a fresh class action accusing Suno of training on artists’ identities without consent, while Sony and Warner also sue Anthropic over copyrighted music used in AI training. Pop Culture Power Moves: Olivia Rodrigo opened the Grammy Museum exhibit “the cure unraveled,” letting fans step into the world of her “the cure” video with props, costumes, and behind-the-scenes pieces. Tour Updates: Palestinian singer Saint Levant postponed his North American debut tour to spring 2027 after major US visa issues. Local Live Music + Community: A UK “Strums for Love” concert is raising funds for a visually impaired street musician’s wife’s cancer treatment; and Belfast’s Bounce Arts Festival spotlights deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent performers at Black Box. Big-Name Festival Buzz: Lollapalooza India 2027 in Mumbai is still unannounced, but fans are decoding clues as Olivia Dean is reportedly set to headline.

AI & Artist Rights: Jason Isbell leads a class action claiming Suno’s AI is built to mimic musicians’ identifying traits, turning name prompts into songs, descriptions, and images tied to specific artists. Legal Fallout in Pop: A judge dismissed part of Lizzo tour stylist Asha Daniels’ hostile-workplace claims, saying the alleged conduct didn’t show the “general hostility” needed to proceed. Industry Business: BMG’s Concord merger is complete, with a new executive team and leadership council set to steer recorded music, publishing, and operations. New Music Releases: Farrah Mechael drops “The Feeling,” doubling down on opera-meets-pop identity after her classical “Remembrance” era. Genre-Blend Spotlight: Tune Up Channel returns after nearly three years with synthwave/pop-rock single “No More Shot” and a new vocalist. Live Music & Community: The Strathearn Art Walk and Music Festival hits Edmonton Sept. 11–13, free and family-friendly with two stages and 400+ makers. Touring Updates: Sass Jordan cancels remaining 2026 dates in northwestern Ontario due to a serious medical condition. Big Pop News: Miley Cyrus announces album “Bass Persuades” for Sept. 18 and two Hollywood Bowl shows performing it live. Festival Watch: Manila’s “9RACE” lines up Secondhand Serenade, Apl de Ap, IYAZ, and OPM acts for Oct. 4.

Global Festival Buzz: Secondhand Serenade, Apl de Ap, and IYAZ headline Manila’s “9RACE” festival on Oct. 4, with KZ Tandingan, TJ Monterde, and Dionela also on the bill. New Music Spotlight: JENNIE’s EP “Fallen Angel” tops a weekly fan-voted new music poll with 82% of the vote. Pop Culture & Music Business: Warner Music Central Europe launches Warner Records Germany in Berlin, led by Lea Londa. Big-Name Health Update: Lionel Richie checked into an ICU in St. Louis after asking for a chair mid-set; dehydration is being discussed, but no official diagnosis is confirmed. Industry/Legal Heat: Sony Music and Warner Music sue Anthropic over alleged AI training using copyrighted songs. Local Scene & Community: Houston’s September live calendar leans heavy on hip-hop, R&B, soul, and Afrobeats, with Asake at Toyota Center and more across the city. Tragedy Remembered: A Maryland barbershop owner and go-go band member, Craig Budd Sr., was killed in a Gaithersburg pedestrian crash.