AGP Executive Report

Grammy Protest: BTS says it won’t submit music for the 69th Grammys, pointing to the Recording Academy’s new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category and asking fans to hear their work “without being divided by region or language.” Political Use of Songs: Noah Kahan hit back at the White House after “American Cars” was used in a Trump visit post, joining a growing list of artists objecting to unauthorized political soundtracking. AI Ownership Fight: A new report on AI studios spotlights how creators are negotiating who owns the film, the production tools, and the audience relationship—showing no single model, just competing deals. Music Business/Legacy: Mariah Carey’s “Daydream” returns to the U.K. charts via a new expanded edition, while Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat” re-enters sales rankings. Live Music & Culture: Usher’s Nashville moment goes viral after he removes a fan from the stage for not responding to his advances. Local Music Education: Chattahoochee Valley Community College is invited back for the eighth year of Metallica’s Scholars Initiative, funding job training and credentials.

School Policy Clash: North Carolina Rep. Erin Paré says she’ll introduce a bill to require “gender-appropriate” attire for transgender public school employees after alleging a transgender music teacher was hired in Wake County. Local Music Scene: Levitt AMP Cumberland hit a new attendance record with about 750 people for Nashville indie-rock band The Foxies. Broadway & Touring: “Les Misérables” returns as “The Arena Concert Spectacular,” with the Radio City Music Hall stop highlighted in a review. Pop & Charts: Ed Sheeran teamed up with KATSEYE on “Animal,” set for KATSEYE’s Aug. 14 album Wild. K-pop Business: HYBE posted record results, crediting BTS’ “ARIRANG” world tour and strong U.S. physical sales. Latin Music: Carín León leads Premios Juventud nominations with nine, and TelevisaUnivision detailed PJ Fest plans and fan voting. Community Culture: Enid Symphony’s Harvest Wine Series returns Tuesdays in August. Big Live Moment: Jill Scott’s phone-free Met Philly run drew attention for its sold-out, community-first setup.

Broadway Buzz: Prince’s “Purple Rain” is set for a 2027 Broadway run at the Majestic Theatre, with previews starting March 12 and opening April 12, featuring 20+ hits from the 1984 film era. Pop Charts: Gracie Abrams’ “Daughter From Hell” debuts at No. 1 in the U.S. and the U.K., landing atop five of six U.K. charts. Live-Show Drama: Usher’s Nashville moment with a fan turned awkward fast; he stopped the steamy bit and had her escorted offstage, while she says she came for Chris Brown. Legal Spotlight: TikTok-era singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) has been ordered to stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, with charges including continuous sexual abuse and mutilation. Local Music Economy: Huntsville, Alabama says its music strategy has generated $278.2M in economic output and 3,047 jobs since 2018. Community Arts: A new “Save Virginia City Music Festival” aims to keep local businesses afloat in Montana’s historic gold-rush town.

ICE Oversight: A federal judge ordered GEO Group to let Washington State health inspectors into the Tacoma ICE processing center, after repeated denials tied to thousands of detainee complaints about food, sanitation, and medical care. Local Music & Community: Cheyenne Frontier Days drew 283,138 attendees for its 130th run, with a $1.1M rodeo prize pool and a boost from the new Morning Star American Indian Village. Festival Buzz: Beyond the Valley revealed its 11th-edition lineup for Dec. 28, 2026–Jan. 1, 2027, led by John Summit and the Black Eyed Peas, plus Skepta and KI/KI. Pop Culture: Prince’s “Purple Rain” is set for a Broadway debut in 2027. Streaming & Tech: YouTube Premium is adding Peacock for U.S. subscribers under a new NBCUniversal deal. Music in Court: Singer D4vd (David Anthony Burke) will stand trial over the killing of a 14-year-old girl, with prosecutors citing threatening texts and alleged efforts to dispose of her body. Health & Music: Carly Simon revealed she’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and plans to release new original music in August.

Streaming Deal: NBCUniversal and YouTube struck a deal to add Peacock to YouTube Premium for U.S. subscribers, with Peacock originals and live sports landing in early 2027 as part of a new bundle. Chart Watch: Future’s The Real Me debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, tying Drake for the most No. 1s (17). Pop Culture & Health: Carly Simon says she’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and treated for basal cell carcinoma, while preparing her first album of original songs since 2008, Comes in Waves. Live Music Moment: Bruce Springsteen joined Bon Jovi at Madison Square Garden to close out the show, after Jon Bon Jovi’s earlier sinus-infection setback. Artist Moves: Laufey signed with UTA for global representation. Concert Buzz: Usher’s onstage flirtation segment at a Nashville R&B show went viral after a fan was signaled to leave.

Box Office Buzz: Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” stayed No. 1 in North America with an estimated $87M in its second weekend (about a 30% drop), lifting global totals to roughly $639.6M; IMAX helped drive the momentum, with premium formats and many sold-out showtimes. Pop Star Rights: Katy Perry blasted the White House after her “Firework” was used in a TikTok tied to Iran strike footage, saying she wasn’t asked or approving the use. Streaming/TV Crossover: “SEAL Team” is set to land on Netflix in the U.S. on Aug. 18 after a licensing deal, bringing other Paramount titles along for the ride. Chart Watch (Hip-Hop): Future’s “The Real Me” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, tying him for the most No. 1s in that category. Live Music (Heavy Rock): System of a Down announced its first Australia/NZ run in over a decade with Faith No More as special guests, with tickets on sale July 31. Local News Impact: A Seattle Center shooting during the Bite of Seattle festival left at least two dead and five injured.

Touring & Live Music: Avenged Sevenfold kicked off its 2026 North American run by debuting its surprise STATICA EP “from backstage,” turning the mystery act into a full in-show reveal. Pop Culture & Streaming: Spotify says ‘The Odyssey’ audiobook streams jumped 500% after the film’s debut, while Apple Music raised prices for its family plan. Major Artist News: Roxette canceled its 40th anniversary North American tour, citing hugely increased touring costs. Local Music & Theater: Fort Columbia’s ‘Anastasia: The Musical’ is in its final stretch with a family-run production. Music as Activism: A Mountain View vigil honoring two men killed in separate ICE shootings featured live protest music from the Raging Grannies. Community Arts: Detroit launched early voting with a block party and music, as residents shared top concerns. Music Discovery: Ani Mari previewed her upcoming album ‘The Masquerade’ with ‘Sun-kissed.’

Pop Culture & Courts: Grammy winner Chris Brown pleaded guilty in London to affray over a 2023 nightclub brawl, with prosecutors dropping more serious assault-related charges. Music & Politics: Katy Perry says she’s “deeply appalled” after the White House used her “Firework” in a TikTok tied to U.S. strikes on Iran, calling it a violation of what the song stands for. Global Music-Adjacent Headlines: Berlin Pride was disrupted after a van attack killed one and injured at least 16; police say the suspect has ties to Islamic “circles.” Arts & Community: A 99-year-old ballet teacher in Pasadena is still teaching after decades in dance, including a long career as an instructor. Local Culture: Easton, Pa. bakery The Modern Bakery is reopening as Cece’s House with a new downtown location and expanded market offerings. Creative Economy: Ghana’s creative sector leaders urged policy and IP protections to unlock growth, with U.S. Embassy support highlighted.

Touring & Tickets: Kacey Musgraves quietly canceled three dates on her “Middle of Nowhere” tour—Chicago (Aug. 20), Boston (Aug. 29) and Brooklyn (Sept. 2)—with fans getting Ticketmaster emails but no public explanation. Live Music Venues: Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons) is building community through new spaces, and his latest, Pacific Electric in downtown Los Angeles, is now open as a 750-capacity venue aimed at anchoring a changing neighborhood. Festivals: Eaux Claires returns for 2026 after an eight-year break, with Justin Vernon and friends turning Carson Park’s baseball setting into a two-day hub for music and writers. Streaming & Charts: Future’s “The Real Me” tops the U.S. album chart, while streaming pricing pressures keep heating up as Spotify, Netflix and YouTube Premium reportedly cost more. Local Music Life: Milwaukee Irish Fest and the University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance continue a long-running scholarship partnership that sends students to perform on a major stage. Community & Culture: “Teen takeovers” are under scrutiny nationwide after incidents tied to social-media hype, with officials pushing for prevention and accountability.

Music & Streaming Business: Attorneys general secured a months-long halt to Paramount Skydance’s $110B Warner Bros. Discovery merger, keeping the deal from closing until a court ruling or June 1, 2027—an outcome that could reshape U.S. TV and film competition. Live Music & Festivals: Salem Jazz and Soul Festival unveiled its lineup for Aug. 15 at Salem Willows, promising a mix of local talent and national acts. Local Scene Spotlight: Beverly Homecoming (61st annual) expands to 15 days and 100 events tied to the city’s 400th-year celebration, with fireworks and concerts among the draws. Latin Rap Spotlight: Cypress Hill released “Dios Bendiga,” its first album of original Spanish-language material in nearly three decades, framing it as a “prayer for the culture.” Touring & Big Venues: Fuerza Regida brought its stadium tour to Dodger Stadium, using a “Back to the Future”-style prop car stereo for a cinematic set. Community Music: Denver’s Roxbury Arts Group brings Venezuelan cuatro virtuoso Jorge Glem and accordionist/pianist Sam Reider for a genre-blending U.S.-Venezuela night. Legal/Controversy: Diddy was reportedly placed in solitary after a prison fight at FCI Fort Dix, renewing scrutiny of restrictive housing.

Addiction Treatment History: A new Gulf States Newsroom podcast episode traces how medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction—starting with a 1920s morphine clinic in Shreveport—got tangled in politics, stigma, and marketing, shaping who gets access today. Pop Chart Power: Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music” keeps climbing on Billboard’s global charts, passing “Kiss It Better” on one tally as fans wait for what’s next. Touring & Live Music: Ariana Grande returns to the stage after years away, delivering a TD Garden show built on strong vocals and tight production. Radio & Community: KMIH 88.9 The Bridge will be the exclusive station for Seafair weekend coverage, with student broadcasters and live hydroplane and Blue Angels programming. Metal/Industrial Farewell: Ministry announces its final album, “Hate To Go (Take Out or Delivery),” for Oct. 30 and previews the single “Burned Out,” with a 2027 farewell tour planned. Ticketing Scrutiny: House Democrats ask StubHub CEO Eric Baker for records after allegations of “market manipulation” tied to his secondary-ticket fund.

Global Pop Spotlight: Head in the Clouds returns to Pasadena Aug. 8 at Brookside at the Rose Bowl with KATSEYE headlining, alongside XG, Dabin.kr, UMI, Lngshot and KiiiKiii—an all-in bet on Asian and diaspora-driven mainstream pop. Vintage Audio for Audiophiles: Pilot Radio 232 debuts at Southwest Audio Fest for $4,790, reviving a 1959 “Curtain of Sound” design with EL84 tubes and 15 watts per channel. Music + Culture in Public Life: The Momentary adds two new exhibits—Chuck Ramirez’s “Ordinary Wonders” and Lucy Sparrow’s “The Beginning of Convenience”—zooming in on everyday objects. Rights + Streaming Tech: Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Pandora and Google push to strip GMR from a royalty case, while Amazon Music rolls out Alexa+ AI playlists and conversational search to U.S. users. Local Pride & Community Music: Mercer Island’s Pride Night in the Park (ABBAgraphs) is set for July 30. Big-Name Country: Kenny Chesney’s Life Story lands in a vibrant Country Music Hall of Fame display.

Concert Film in Theaters: Katy Perry’s “Lifetimes Tour – Live From Paris” is headed to cinemas and IMAX starting Sept. 2 across 70 countries, after premiering at Tribeca. Rock Documentary Buzz: Oasis reunion doc “Don’t Look Back in Anger” lands a Venice Film Festival world premiere, with Noel and Liam Gallagher expected to attend, then hits select IMAX/UK cinemas Sept. 9 and streaming later. Album Reissue: Bob Seger will release a remastered, expanded “Face the Promise” (Sept. 18) with four new songs and its first vinyl pressing plus streaming debut. Music Business Deal: AllTrack signs a multi-territory digital licensing agreement with SACEM to speed up international royalty collections for streaming and downloads. Chart/Legacy Moment: The Rolling Stones miss a new No. 1 by one spot as “Foreign Tongues” debuts at No. 2 on Top Rock Albums. Health & Music: R&B singer Nivea reveals a leukemia diagnosis and says treatment is going well. Loss: Canadian jazz pianist Oliver Jones dies at 91. Local Live Music: Riverside Music Festival returns to Cape Vincent with a free all-day lineup and headliner Ariel Arbisser.

Festival Heat Check: Minnesota’s MOMFest drew robust crowds despite a 10-day heat wave, spotlighting original music and its 48-Hour Band Challenge that pairs strangers into bands and pushes them to write and perform themed sets. New Music Release: Victoria Monét announced her sophomore album Frequency of Love (Oct. 2) and shared the lead single “Reach Out,” with “Let Me” recently topping Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. Streaming & Pricing Watch: Amazon Music rolled out Alexa+ conversational search and playlist help to all U.S. users, while Apple Music raised U.S. subscription prices (Individual $11.99; Family $19.99). Local Live Scene: Central Terminal’s Circle Thursdays returns with a free Latin Night featuring Billboard Latin artist La Cassandra. Industry Loss: Tony Thorpe, glam-rock guitarist and vocalist for the Rubettes, died at 80. Community Events: Shanksville’s Community Picnic returns July 31–Aug. 1 with live music and family activities.

Touring & Catalog Buzz: Marilyn Manson adds back-to-back Oct. 17-18 dates at San Antonio’s Aztec Theatre, marking a 30th anniversary run for Antichrist Superstar. Chart Momentum: Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” re-enters the U.K. Top 40 at No. 35, while My Chemical Romance’s “Na Na Na” climbs back to No. 34 on the U.K. rock chart. Pop Culture & Legacy: Kelly Osbourne marks Ozzy Osbourne’s one-year death anniversary with a heartfelt Instagram tribute and letter to “My Daddy.” New Releases: Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band says a posthumous album is complete, featuring previously unreleased tracks and a duet version of “Workin’ ’n’ Playin’.” Latin Music Business: W Sound (Ovy on the Drums & WestCOL) renews and expands its Warner Music Latina partnership after “La Plena” hit major chart and awards milestones. Reggae Spotlight: Buju Banton releases Too Too Bad, his first VP Records album in 23 years, backed by TV appearances and a new rollout. Live Experience: “Love Actually in Concert” brings a live orchestra and film projection to 30+ U.S. cities this holiday season, with presales starting today.

AI Copyright Clash: Sony Music sued Udio again, alleging its AI generator copied 30,000+ songs to train models, after a judge blocked Sony from adding those tracks to an earlier case. Streaming Pricing Pressure: Apple Music raised U.S. subscription prices again, citing rising licensing costs. Platform Push: Spotify rolled out its first global music video chart, while Spotify Premium users can now “talk to” the app to pick music. Tour & Releases: Theory of a Deadman announced a 36-date U.S. co-headlining run with Sevendust, and Louis Tomlinson set a North American arena tour with a new album arriving Jan. 23, 2026. Pop Chart Buzz: Jennie’s remix-fueled “Dracula” (with Tame Impala) held at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Community & Culture: A judge ordered the release of a woman detained by ICE at Logan after being arrested while trying to fly home from a Noah Kahan concert.