AGP Executive Report

Fresh Sound: Girl in red launched her “blue” era with a new single and video, introducing a fresh artistic persona. Awards Watch: SB19 and BINI lead the 11th PPop Music Awards nominations, with both up for Artist of the Year; the ceremony is set for Oct. 18. A New Stage: Austin artist Bo Staloch returned to ACL as a performer after years in the audience, with his EP “Too Big, Too Big” due Nov. 6. Career Pressure: Linkin Park singer Emily Armstrong says she questioned whether she could take on the role, then focused on bringing her own voice rather than trying to replace Chester Bennington. Breakout Paradox: Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” set a Hot 100 record with 24 weeks at No. 1, even though only 24% of U.S. music listeners knew her name earlier this year. Building Talent: Davido shared plans for a music and performing arts complex at Babcock University, with completion projected around 2028.

Global Stage: Ayra Starr will perform at halftime of Sunday’s Eagles-Jaguars game in London, bringing her African-inspired pop to the NFL’s international audience. Artist Safety: Ella Langley cancelled her Tulsa concert after a reported security threat; police found no credible threat in a sweep, but she put fan and crew safety first. Industry Shift: Guitar Center is dropping its ban on playing “Stairway to Heaven” as CEO Gabe Dalporto pushes to make stores welcoming places for musicians to try instruments and connect. Rising Talent: Spotify named Nigerian singer-songwriter Solana its EQUAL Africa Artist for October, spotlighting her Yoruba-rooted, genre-blending sound. Awards Watch: Music from Dhurandhar The Revenge has been submitted for Grammy consideration in nine categories, spanning global music, pop, rap and soundtrack fields. Comeback: Irish singer Tommy Fleming is returning to the stage after a two-year break, with an upcoming tour marking a difficult but hopeful new chapter.

Farewell: Donnie Iris is retiring from music after recent health issues. The “Ah! Leah” singer thanked fans and collaborators; his final performance was in Pittsburgh on Sept. 28. New Music: Rihanna says her vault holds at least 170 unreleased songs, while her partner says she’s back in the studio. Remi Wolf has released her third album, Mud, and announced a 2027 North American tour. Solo Spotlight: ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Han Bin previewed his eight-track debut solo EP, DEAD:ALIVE, ahead of its release. Live Music: XG canceled its Dallas and Mexico City tour stops, with refunds promised. Portola Festival and Spotify, meanwhile, are releasing exclusive live performances and DJ sets from this year’s event. Big Business: Diamond Platnumz reportedly put his 2027 performance fee at up to $350,000, reflecting the growing reach of African music.

New Music: Troye Sivan’s fourth album, She’s the Best, is out, while Remi Wolf’s Mud turns a breakup and sobriety into a more stripped-back sound. Live Moment: BLACKPINK’s Jennie surprised fans by joining The Weeknd in South Korea for “One of the Girls.” Artist News: Rihanna joked she has at least 170 unreleased songs in her vault, but still hasn’t announced her next album. Farewell: Argentine singer-songwriter Piero, whose beloved “Mi Viejo” spanned generations, has died at 81. Behind the Comeback: A new Linkin Park documentary explores the band’s grief and uncertainty before its return with Emily Armstrong. For Emerging Artists: Record Store Day UK’s Unsigned contest will press 500 vinyl copies for its winner; submissions close November 24.

Live & Giving Back: Turnstile will play a free show at Washington’s Monument on Oct. 24 to raise support for humanitarian relief in Palestine, Sudan and Lebanon. Artist Development: CITY JAM’s new INDUSTRY.AIFF program aims to help signed artists finish songs and set release dates, tackling a common gap between signing and putting music out. New Music: Orbit Culture’s “The Path I Walk,” reworked with cellist Tina Guo, arrives with a new video ahead of the band’s deluxe album release Oct. 9. Industry Watch: A North Carolina man received an 18-month sentence in an $8 million AI-driven streaming fraud case, as the U.S. Copyright Office opens an inquiry into music-streaming fraud. On the Calendar: Taylor Swift is set to perform at the Academy Museum Gala on Oct. 17, which raises funds for the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.

Music for a Cause: Rick Wakeman played a private piano concert for 11 rescued moon bears at a Vietnam sanctuary, fulfilling a long-held wish. New Release: Skindred’s video for “Big Em Up” pairs the band’s heavy sound with a message to check in on friends and spread positivity. AI & Royalties: Musician Michael Smith was sentenced to 18 months in prison for using bots to generate millions of dollars in fraudulent streaming royalties; voice-over artist Inka Magnaye also spoke out after a client replaced her mother with AI. Farewells: Argentine singer Piero, whose “Mi Viejo” became a Latin American classic, has died at 81. R&B singer Freddie Jackson, known for “You Are My Lady,” has also died. Tradition, Reimagined: Yasmin Levy brings Ladino, flamenco and Middle Eastern influences to Beverly Hills on Oct. 11, while rejecting the idea that Ladino music belongs in a museum. Emerging Artist: Brighton indie-rock band Miler released “Betty,” a personal single from its upcoming EP.

Music Business: The U.S. Copyright Office is investigating streaming fraud as AI-generated tracks and bot plays draw scrutiny; separately, a North Carolina man was sentenced to 18 months for an $8 million scheme. Copyright Disputes: Olivia Dean faces a lawsuit alleging her song “I’ve Seen It” copies elements of Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us.” In a separate case, manager Josh Marshall’s company seeks at least $25 million from Universal Music Group, claiming it cut him out of Gigi Perez’s success; Perez isn’t accused of wrongdoing. Awards & Breakthroughs: BINI won Artist of the Year and Tour of the Year at the Filipino Music Awards, while SB19 took home three honors. Ysabel Ortega says she’s working on a debut single for release this year. Country Spotlight: Riley Green’s acoustic performance of “Lookout Mountain” is gaining attention online; Chris Stapleton postponed shows after coming down with the flu. In Memoriam: R&B singer Freddie Jackson, known for “You Are My Lady” and “Rock Me Tonight,” has died.

P-Pop Powerhouse: BINI and SB19 were the big winners at the Filipino Music Awards in Pasay on Oct. 6—BINI took Artist of the Year and Tour of the Year, while SB19 grabbed People’s Choice Artist and Song for “VISA.” Touring & Local Scenes: Falkirk singer-songwriter Calum Baird is ending 2026 with a German run, then gearing up for an 18-date Scotland/England tour; Estonian folktronica act Oopus says nightclubs are today’s “village swing,” after sweeping at the Etnokulp folk music awards. Big News in Music Business: A North Carolina man was sentenced to 18 months for an AI-assisted music streaming fraud scheme using thousands of bot accounts to net $8M+ in royalties. R&B Loss: Freddie Jackson, the “You Are My Lady” star, has died at 70. Community Through Sound: Portsmouth nurse-turned-musician Richard “Ricky” Palmer debuts “Rickabilly” to tackle mental health stigma for World Mental Health Day. Live Music Events: The Stylistics announce a 22-leg UK tour with a Liverpool Philharmonic Hall stop on Nov. 27.

Industry Moves (MENA): Warner Music is beefing up its Middle East and North Africa leadership, promoting Ahmed Nureni to MD and adding Sony vet Ahmad Alghawanmeh as GM as it pushes catalogue expansion across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco. Global Expansion (APAC): GoDigital Music names Sebastian Mair president of APAC and links up with Japan’s Pony Canyon to grow across key Asian markets. Label Signings: Frontiers Label Group signs UK rock band Lady Of Mars via Raw Power Management, backing their momentum with new single “Let It Burn.” Publishing Deals: Reservoir Media inks an Orla Gartland publishing deal after her Apple TV “Trying” soundtrack work and her Ivor Novello-winning “Mine.” New Releases (Classical/Electronic): Anna Meredith joins Decca’s Mercury KX; her album “Darling” lands Feb. 12, 2027. Artist News (R&B Loss): Freddie Jackson, the voice behind “You Are My Lady,” dies at 70. Live/Community: MUZ 2026 cohort adds Cameroonian slam artist Lydol after her Montreal performance blending slam, Afro fusion, jazz and soul.

Music Venue Plans: Lowell’s Jack Kerouac Center just unveiled new designs for a former St. Jean Baptiste Church, aiming to turn it into a museum, recording/media hub, and a 1,500-seat performance hall. Touring & Live Updates: Brazilian metal legends Sepultura announced “The Last Ceremony” in São Paulo ahead of their farewell show, while Olympia London’s Grand Hall reportedly canceled the rest of its 2026 events due to planning issues. Pop Culture Meets Safety: A K-pop idol’s crowd-surfing fall at a Seoul university festival sparked debate about whether smartphone filming is changing live-show etiquette. Artist Spotlight: Fireboy DML says he doesn’t sell music with gimmicks, and Miranda Lambert shared why she “gets weird” when releasing new records. Music & Society: Indonesia banned US gospel singer Israel Houghton’s Jakarta concert over perceived political messaging. Local/Community Music: Clonakilty students launched their own podcast, and a new festival in Kerrville, Texas, is set to bring live music and art to downtown. Big Legal Headline: Caleb Flynn, a former American Idol music pastor, was sentenced to life without parole for his wife’s murder.

AI & Streaming Integrity: Sony Music says it nearly doubled AI deepfake takedowns to 260,000+ tracks in six months, warning the surge is impersonating artists and misleading fans. Global Pop Moment: Shakira’s Oct. 3 Madrid show with Dua Lipa (“Antología”) became Amazon Music’s most-watched livestream by a female artist, adding another date to her residency. Artist Development: MOBO UnSung is back, selecting 10 emerging UK/Irish artists for a six-month Class of 2027 programme with mentoring and industry support. Classical Spotlight: BLiM’s Classically Black returns to London’s Kings Place with Warner Classics and Decca, plus a rising-talent showcase. Legacy & Culture: Bowie80 kicks off for his 80th birthday year with major retail, museum, and live symphonic plans. Community Music: Milwaukee-area Catholic singer-songwriter Sarah Hart brings a “Night of Peace” concert and Mass-focused songwriting to New Berlin. Loss: Canadian rock icon Sass Jordan, a longtime “Canadian Idol” judge, has died at 63.

Wedding News: Elle King says “Husband and wife” after marrying tattoo artist Tooker, sharing lavish ceremony photos and a “best day of my life” caption. New Artist Spotlight: Delara, the Iranian-American singer-songwriter and dancer, is building momentum after her debut single “Pishe To” and a genre-hopping early recording run. Tour Drama: Ed Sheeran responds to his estranged cousin’s harsh social media takedown tied to the Macklemore opener controversy. Music Business & Tech: Sony Music UK appoints Jack Fryer to lead catalogue, sync and digital media, while HumanCulture rolls out a predictive AI platform for content performance. Global Pop Moment: Shakira brings Dua Lipa onstage in Madrid for “Antología,” marking their first shared performance. Loss in Music: Sass Jordan, the Canadian Idol judge and Juno-winning rock singer, dies at 63; Babsy Mlangeni’s cause of death is also revealed. Live & Local: KU’s Day on the Hill returns with Turnstile, Slayyyter and Die Spitz. Sound & Culture: Ambient Orbit returns to Irish radio with a new series culminating in a live winter solstice broadcast.

Rock News: Canadian rock and blues singer Sass Jordan, longtime “Canadian Idol” judge, has died at 65; her family said she passed peacefully on Oct. 2, with no cause shared. Live Music & Local Scenes: Alamance Chorale will head to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 16, while Wartburg College is hosting free concerts Oct. 9–11 for Homecoming Weekend. Community Choirs: Maui teens can join Imua Family Services’ new youth choir “100 Voices” (ages 11–18), with no auditions and rehearsals starting in March. Major Performances: Turnstile made history as a hardcore band debuting on Saturday Night Live, and Ed Sheeran’s Atlanta show featured The Fray’s former lead Isaac Slade as a surprise opener. Global Music: Namibia’s Gospel Music Awards return after a seven-year break, and Macao’s International Music Festival opened with a Yue opera performance. Big Pop Culture Moment: Taylor Swift popped up on Dakota Johnson’s SNL monologue, calling herself Johnson’s “literal therapist.”

Pop Culture & TV: Taylor Swift popped up on Dakota Johnson’s “Saturday Night Live” monologue, turning a dating-musicians joke into a playful onstage “therapist” bit. Festival Tickets: Glastonbury 2027 general admission goes on sale Sunday (Oct 4) at 9am after registration closed Sept 25, with Pyramid Stage headliners already booked. Live Music Calendar (Dubai): Dubai’s October lineup spans major concerts (Najwa Karam, Nancy Ajram, Blue, Carl Cox, Black Coffee, Adam Port) plus the Dubai Comedy Festival and the Dubai Fitness Challenge. Regional Music & Heritage (Qatar): “Little Naham” trains children in Qatar’s maritime nahma traditions, linking vocals, rhythm, and sea-life skills. Community Music (UK): The National Children’s Choir of Great Britain opens free auditions in Leeds Nov 7 for ages 9–19, with places starting in 2027. New Releases: September’s indie highlights include Lizzy McAlpine’s “Angel” and Beabadoobee’s “Pylon.” Artist News: Canadian rock singer Sass Jordan dies at 63.

NRL Grand Final tribute: Australian pop and rock stars will team up for a Jai Arrow–focused pre-game performance, with Amy Shark leading alongside The Screaming Jets, Peking Duk, Grinspoon and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, and reported appearance fees donated to the fight against MND. New music & tours: Old Mervs return home after US/UK runs, celebrating their sophomore album Carparks with more Aussie dates. Album drop: Downes Braide Association release Trauma, a mature, hook-forward record that leans into classic-rock-style momentum. Local live music: Wytheville Community College Jamboree brings bluegrass heavyweights Coyote Ugly and youth band Denim & Plaid on Oct. 17. Theater with a music edge: Sierra Nevada Ballet stages Dracula – The Ballet in Carson City (Oct. 17) and Reno (Nov. 1). Community culture: Vermont Historical Society acquires Big Heavy World’s Vermont music archive, preserving decades of recordings, posters and interviews. AI in music videos: BeatViz launches “AI Director,” aiming to turn full songs into structured music video productions through conversation.

AI vs Music Rights: Sony Music Group is pushing back hard on AI music, joining an industry coalition and filing new lawsuits against Udio and Suno over alleged unauthorized training, after earlier legal wins in Europe. Music Promotion Pressure: Nigerian street singer Slimcase says influencer culture has made it harder to break through, with promotion costs soaring and creators charging big money. Festival & Community Spotlight: Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood hosted a benefit show giving emerging local artists a real stage, while Christchurch/Boscombe’s GET:SMART and The Music Club CIC are expanding free youth sessions to help young musicians play live. Global Stages: UTEP musicians head to Leeds, England, for performances and outreach, and Belfast’s Sound of Belfast returns for 11 days celebrating the city’s music. Big Moments in Pop Culture: Doja Cat changed an Ed Sheeran-referencing lyric during a Detroit show amid the Macklemore controversy. Country & Live Updates: Margo O’Donnell pulled out of Ireland’s Late Late Show Country Music Special due to illness, and Zach Bryan wore a “Free Palestine” shirt at Gillette Stadium. Loss: South Africa mourns legendary singer Babsy Mlangeni, who died at 83.