AGP Executive Report

Musical Theatre: Kempenfelt Community Players says video auditions for Come from Away close Aug. 21 for its Feb. 4–14, 2027 run at the Georgian Theatre in Barrie. Community Live Music: Sweet Home, Oregon’s A&W turns 65 with a free Aug. 15 party featuring memorabilia, family activities, and the Blue Wave Band (5–8 p.m.). Latin Relief Effort: Artists including Maluma, Karol G, Feid and Carlos Vives are mobilizing for Colombia and Venezuela earthquake relief through events and fundraising. Local Venue Shake-Up: Fort Wayne’s Sons of the Pyre frontman Blaze Wenglikowski is launching Grand Summit Hall after Piere’s closure, with a September show already lined up. Touring Album Spotlight: The Hillbilly Thomists drop Strange Land while on their 10-city U.S. tour, blending Roots Americana with new electric guitar and full drums. Album/Artist News: Carly Simon’s new album Comes in Waves (Aug. 14) includes “Mother of Pearl,” inspired by her daughter Sally amid her divorce story. Fundraiser & Festivals: Berlin’s Grassroots Berlin hosts “Band Together” Aug. 23 for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, with live music, food, games, and family-friendly pricing. Big Anniversary: Janet Jackson will film Janet Jackson: Control 40 in concert on Dec. 12, 2026.

New Releases: Peking Duk finally drops debut album Paradise, a three-years-in-the-making party record packed with guests like Killer Mike, Rico Nasty, Phantogram and Matt Corby. K-pop Comeback: MEPC returns after eight months with single album PROTECTORS, continuing its sci-fi saga as “guardians” of a lost relic. Solo Spotlight: EVAN unveils mini album DEATH OF ME (Sept. 7) after leaving ENHYPEN, while Justin Hawkes readies Now Or Never (Aug. 14) with a narrative-driven drum & bass/future jungle cycle. Global Pop/EPs: Katseye supports Sophia and Manon during The Tonight Show ahead of third EP Wild (Aug. 14). Live Music & Culture: New Orleans launches discounted parking for Frenchmen Street performers; Wooster’s Levitt AMP season ends Aug. 19 with Tartan Terrors. Health & Career: South African singer Holly Rey opens up about renal failure and chronic kidney disease forcing her to step back. Streaming Debate (India): A new report digs into how free listening and social discovery are reshaping music monetization in India.

Concert Industry Economics: A new “Blue Dot Fever” trend is leaving empty seats on ticketing sites and pushing venues to cancel or scale back, hitting working musicians hardest. Local Music Infrastructure: The Gorge Amphitheatre founders are planning two new venues, including a 1,000–1,200-seat indoor theater and a 2,000-seat outdoor space. School Music Funding: Highland School Board approved $108,800 for replacement marching band instruments, including five sousaphones. New Releases & Reissues: Roxy Music will reissue 1973’s For Your Pleasure with unheard demos and outtakes; sEODo Band’s first full-length ONE arrives Friday. Touring & Live Dates: The Wood Brothers announce an 18-date fall tour supporting Puff of Smoke. K-pop/Global Pop: JYP terminated Xdinary Heroes leader Gunil’s contract amid fan allegations. Community Shows: A local theater group is staging We Will Rock You with 20+ Queen hits, while a bluegrass band heads to the Carter Family Fold. Advocacy Through Art: Becky G discusses how her visuals for “EPA” blend advocacy and music.

Album Announcements: Katie Gregson-Macleod is set to release debut LP Albatross on Nov. 6 via Last Recordings on Earth, sharing reflective opener “Nothing Really Changes” and confirming intimate UK dates. New Releases: Brandi Carlile will drop Returning To Myself (Sad Gay Version) on Sept. 25, while Strange Lot unveils debut album Strange Lot and a tour with Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. Pop & Rap Updates: Megan Thee Stallion teases “Act III” as the final chapter of her trilogy, and Pitbull announces 14th studio album PITCOIN for Oct. 8. Tour News: 6LACK maps a 44-city world tour, and the Jonas Brothers land a major Australia moment—headlining the NFL Melbourne halftime show at the MCG. Live & Local: Philly Folk Festival powers through the weekend, and Chicago’s Beach Bunny co-headlines with The Beths in Spokane. Industry & Culture: UK research flags a record low in A-level music entries as many adults regret quitting music. Health & Safety: Country star Colt Ford was pulled through a windshield after a tour bus crash, and a GoFundMe is raised for Metal Hammer/Prog writer Dom Lawson after a heart attack at Bloodstock.

NFL Pop Crossover: The Jonas Brothers are confirmed as headline halftime performers for the 49ers vs. Rams regular-season game at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sept. 11, with the broader NFL Kickoff Festival lineup also announced. Album/Release Watch: Dayton band American Whale drops debut single “Idiot of the Cosmos,” with two more singles planned and a live Aug. 15 show at Yellow Cab Tavern. New Music Spotlight: Reserver’s self-titled album (out Aug. 14) leans into punk catharsis after personal loss, with the band framing it as “what’s left in the tank.” Local Scene & Venues: San Diego’s Brick By Brick is closing after 31 years, while Rochester’s Sole Sessions keeps building intimate live-recording culture. Live Music Calendar: Bourbon & Beyond set times are live for Sept. 24-27 in Louisville, and Hickory’s Sails Original Music Series returns with free concerts in September. Music Biz/Legal: Biggie’s former manager Wayne Barrow wins a legal battle over Faith Evans’ withholding of catalog payments. AI Debate: Queen’s Brian May blasts AI image generation, calling for less “inevitable” tech expansion.

Vinyl Anniversary: Tom Waits will reissue Small Change on vinyl for its 50th anniversary, with related new releases tied to the rollout. Local Live Scene: Broadwaters’ Hare & Hounds pub managers Abby Lawson and Chris Hartland are stepping down after two “incredible” years, with a handover planned for November 2. Celebrity Band Spotlight: Keanu Reeves’ Dogstar is on tour in support of All In Now, with Philly-area dates this week. Charity + Community Music: Westcliff’s Tash Fest (Aug. 15) raises money for the Lady McAdden Breast Cancer Trust, while Good Vibes Meditation Mental Health and Wellbeing Trust brings its “Good Vibes” traffic-cone fundraising idea to Boston. Big-Stage Pop: J-pop duo Yoasobi lands at Singapore’s National Stadium on Feb. 20, 2027, their only SE Asia stop. New Music + Culture: Ms. Rachel and Mr. Aron announce their debut album I’m So Happy for Sept. 25. Industry Moves: Bucks Music Group signs Will Gregory of Goldfrapp for film/TV and other projects beyond the duo. Touring + Releases: Pink Floyd tribute band Floyd Nation marks Wish You Were Here’s 50th with three new songs for a “director’s cut” concept. Music Business/Policy: BTS pulls Arirang from Grammy consideration in protest of a new Asian Pop category.

Legal Drama: Wayne Barrow won a Delaware court ruling against Faith Evans, gaining control over Biggie’s catalog and trust-related funds, reigniting the long-running estate fight. AI & Music Policy: A Valley music venue is pushing back on bands using AI-generated flyers, while Arizona’s schools grapple with how prepared they are for classroom heat. Radio Tech Troubles: Kyle Sandilands’ subscriber-only morning show launched with major audio/echo problems, with the host blaming a rushed build and limited rehearsal. Touring News: Dave Hill joins A Perfect Circle’s Australia/New Zealand run, and A Perfect Circle’s December dates mark their first AU shows since 2013 and NZ visit in 22 years. Live Music & Culture: Wicked is loading in for Kansas City’s run, and the U.S. Air Force Band of the West is touring north Louisiana and east Texas in September. Rights & Protest: The Kennedy Center has been ordered to pay jazz musician Chuck Redd $250K+ in legal fees after he canceled a concert over Trump’s name on the venue. New Releases: Shabazz Palaces announced It’s a Style Sport, and Haken set a 2027 Dublin headline date.

Album News: Cleo Sol is back with her fifth solo studio album, Gentlewoman, arriving Aug. 20. Local Live Music: Covington’s bluegrass jam moved indoors to beat the heat, keeping the “pickin’ and grinnin’” spirit alive at Lee’s Hamburgers. Indie Guitar Gear: Chicago indie duo Friko expands its sound on Something Worth Waiting For, leaning on tiny amps and pedal wizardry for big, fuzzy dynamics. Punk + Film: Green Day is turning its early touring dreams into the coming-of-age comedy Nimrods, with Billie Joe Armstrong and the band framing the story as a mirror of their rise. Tour/Health Updates: Rod Stewart postponed a Cincinnati stop after a “minor medical procedure,” with rescheduling underway. Big-Stage Announcements: Andrea Bocelli confirmed a one-off Cardiff stadium show for May 8, 2027, featuring a 5,000-voice choir for the new Land of Song Festival. R&B/Pop Tease: Megan Thee Stallion reignites “Tina Snow” energy with the Act: III rollout: “I’m back,” but no firm date yet.

Pop Culture & Politics: Taylor Swift’s music has been quietly removed from White House and “Team Trump” TikTok posts, with videos swapping in other audio or showing “sound isn’t available,” reigniting debate over artists’ control of their work. Artist Branding: The Weeknd says he’s reversing course on retiring his stage name, promising fans he will “never disappear” after previously hinting at stepping away. Live Music Safety: Billy Strings wore a hockey helmet after an object was thrown at him during a recent show, and he’s now taking extra precautions. Big-Stage Moments: Zach Top surprised the crowd at Madison Square Garden with a “Don’t Wanna Know” duet and later covered Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” with a live album release planned. Community Music: Omaha’s NOMAfest returns for its fifth year with free Saturday options and a lineup built around youth programming and jazz’s legacy. Local Concerts: Comox’s Music in the Park returns as a free, family-friendly Sept. 6 event, while Longville’s Music in the Park spotlights Figuring it Out on Aug. 16. Legal/Business: Biggie’s former manager won a court order forcing Faith Evans to share Primary Wave catalog money tied to Voletta Wallace’s stake.

Album & Identity: Role Model says he’s considering a stage-name change to his birth name, Tucker Pillsbury, and explains why he finally agreed to feature girlfriend Dakota Johnson on “Love I You.” New Music: Kodaline share “Back To Me,” a preview of their fifth and final album We Were Only Young (out Oct. 2), while K-pop quintet KiiiKiii drops mini-album WhyKiiiKiii led by the summer-ready “Pop Off Pop Off.” Science Meets Pop: Researchers at Seoul National University claim they can decode relative pitch from brain signals as people imagine familiar melodies. Tour Updates: Rose Tattoo’s Angry Anderson is in hospital, forcing the band to end its final European tour dates early. Live & Culture: Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen musical opens in San Diego after her “Giants” art exhibit closed at the same city. Industry & Awards: Baker Boy sweeps the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards, taking Album of the Year. Controversy: Boy George threatens to fire bandmates who refuse to perform his pro-Israel track “We Will Dance Again.”

Pop Charts & Releases: Ariana Grande’s “Petal” debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 295,000 units, her biggest opening in years, including a big vinyl push. Classical Spotlight: Andrea Bocelli returns to Wales after 20 years to headline Cardiff’s inaugural Land of Song Festival. Broadway & Theater: Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen” lands in San Diego (Aug. 11–16), blending new songs with Keys’ catalog. Live Music Buzz: Kelly Clarkson’s Las Vegas set hit a wardrobe mishap moment—she handled it with jokes and kept the show moving. Music & Culture: Yo La Tengo and friends celebrate Yoko Ono’s radical catalog in a star-studded tribute. Industry Watch: Taylor Swift’s music gets removed from Trump TikTok posts, sparking a fresh public back-and-forth. Local Scene: The Bow Valley Jamboree drew about 900 people for community-driven performances and vendors. Album Review: “Gargoyles at the Memoir Club” delivers dark, Tom Waits-style gothic folk from Stuart Turner & Rob Grigg. Country: CMA Awards 2025 details: Lainey Wilson hosts, airing Nov. 19 on ABC.

Whitney Houston Legacy: Pat Houston says her No. 1s collection “WH1TNEY” is out now, with a Legacy of Love gala and a first-ever Whitney Houston Barbie landing next. New Music Friday Energy: Angeline Quinto drops “Hindi Mawawala” ahead of her 15th anniversary concert “Aquinse” and teases her variety-show era. Big-Stage Charity Pop: Foster and Friends drew thousands to Victoria, B.C. for a David Foster Foundation 40th anniversary free concert with Katharine McPhee, Josh Groban and more. Local Music Calendar: Salisbury’s Salisbury Mela returns with international food and live performances, while Cincinnati’s On Point Festival brought music plus beach volleyball, pickleball and skating. Rap Rivalry: Drake resurfaced with a warning to rivals after his triple-album run. Music Industry Talk: Nikki Sixx says he doesn’t believe in full-length albums anymore, pushing toward shorter releases. Tech + Live Music: A Rhodes University PhD recital explored how AI can coexist with human performance. Tragic Loss: Tributes continue after bassist Nathan Smith died in a tractor crash; also, Irish singer Cat Dowling has passed at 54. New Releases: Ayra Starr previewed “Ms Paper” ahead of “Starr Girl” on Aug. 14.

Billboard Charts: Charli XCX lands her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart with Music, Fashion, Film, debuting at the top on the Aug. 8-dated list. Health & Music: Carly Simon says she’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and recently treated basal cell carcinoma, while Morrissey quietly cancels his Las Vegas residency days before the first show. New Releases & Legacy: Whitney Houston’s WH1TNEY compiles her No. 1s, and William Orbit—who produced for Madonna, Blur and more—dies at 69. Live Music & Community: The Shindig Charity Music Festival brings New Orleans-style jazz and blues to Zelienople for Parkinson’s and liver-health fundraising, and the Gladson Family Band headlines Tennessee Night at a Smokies game in Knoxville. Industry Watch: A new report warns AI music is creeping into cafes and retail as a cost-cutting move that can sidestep royalties. Awards: Baker Boy wins big at the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards, taking album, song and film clip of the year.

Music Industry Loss: Tributes poured in after Grammy-winning producer William Orbit died at 69, with All Saints and Blur among those honoring the artist’s wide-ranging impact. New Releases & Charts: Fresh IE’s album Legacy debuted at No. 1 on iTunes Inspiration charts, while Ariana Grande’s Petal hit No. 1 on Ireland’s albums chart. K-Pop & Mental Health: Katseye’s Sophia Laforteza is stepping back from the group to focus on “mental health and wellness,” following another member’s similar pause. Local Music & Community: Oxfordshire’s Templars Square is hosting free outdoor live music at “Summer Sounds,” kicking off Master Rhythm’s 10th anniversary; in Middlesbrough, Musinc says it delivered hundreds of music sessions and is expanding youth recording opportunities. Touring & Live Dates: Limerick’s Live at the Docklands returns next week with a rock, dance and pop lineup; Left to Suffer shared the video for “Unwelcome Guest” ahead of an Oct. 9 album drop. Artist Spotlight: Colorado teen Jude Kofie released his debut album after teaching himself piano at 10.

New Music Friday (Latin): Karol G’s new era is here with NO ME ARREPIENTO DE SENTIR TANTO, plus Feid & Ryan Castro’s “Mentira,” and more fresh Latin drops. Pop Collab Watch: Karol G and Bruno Mars link up on the emotional “Still,” her first fully English-language recording. Industry Loss: Producer William Orbit, behind Madonna and Blur among others, has died at 69. Reunion Buzz: Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill say “Absolutely” to new Fugees music after their healing process. Streaming/Tech: DIIV announce ZIRP! (Oct. 30) and pitch a playful “New Alternative” concept tied to the album’s ZIRP! theme. Local Live Music: West Kelowna cancels Music in the Park due to wildfire smoke; Cuyahoga Falls fireworks and live music plans shift with rain odds. Live/Community: Breckenridge launches Off the Record for intimate, surprise-venue shows capped around 50 guests. Charts/UK: Olivia Dean & Sam Fender’s “Rein Me In” keeps ruling the UK Singles Chart.

Album/Release News: The Avalanches are back with their long-awaited fourth album, No Bad Memories, arriving Oct. 16, with the single “Can’t Get Over Losing You” featuring Portraits of Tracy. New Music Spotlight: DIIV preview their A.G. Cook-produced fifth album ZIRP! with “The Fountain,” pairing shoegaze guitars with bigger, anthemic energy ahead of the Oct. 30 release. Touring/Live: Babyshambles announce Live At KOKO, documenting their Dec. 15, 2025 Camden show, out Oct. 9. Artist Moves: Elaine debuts a new blonde cut, signaling a fresh era for the R&B star. Local Scene/Community: Cowan Memorial Flute Band marks 130 years in Sion Mills, preserving a rare part-music flute tradition. Big-Name Pop Culture: Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill hint “absolutely” at new Fugees music after their Diaspora Calling! reunion. Gigs & TV Crossover: Josh Groban talks his movie-song collection CINEMATIC on NPR’s World Cafe. Music + Culture Events: Hard Rock Rising launches at Hard Rock Cafe London and Piccadilly Circus, with submissions open until Aug. 18.