AGP Executive Report

Community Arts & Live Music: Norman’s “Ink the Block Party” returns Sept. 19 (2–8 p.m.) on blocked-off Crawford Avenue with live mural painting, an arts market, live music, and steamroller printing. Local Festival Spotlight: North Bennington’s 13th annual Lake Paran Stone Skipping Festival hits Sept. 19 (1–7 p.m.), free to watch, with world-record caster Kurt Steiner expected. TV Music Pop Culture: “Saturday Night Live U.K.” season 2 premieres Sept. 12 in the U.K. and Sept. 13 in the U.S., hosted by Jeff Goldblum with CMAT as musical guest. Streaming & Media Business: Spotify and Netflix both posted strong-but-different quarters—Spotify driven by Premium margins, Netflix by ads growth—fueling fresh debate over streaming’s next move. Touring (R&B/Classic): Stevie Wonder announces “Songs in the Key of Life” tour dates in the U.S. this fall, performing the album in full. Touring (Pop): Charli XCX kicked off her “Music, Fashion, Film” tour in Philly with live debuts and an Underscores collab, then teased limited 2027 U.K./Europe dates. Music History: A roundup spotlights classic rock albums with the longest Billboard 200 No. 1 streaks, including Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours.” Latin Music: Los Tigres del Norte were honored with “Los Tigres del Norte Day” in Minneapolis ahead of major Hispanic Heritage Awards coverage.

Live-Music Calendar: September is rolling out pop-heavy shows, including Mikaela Davis and Johanna Samuels at Foam Brewers (Sept. 16) and Andy Frasco & The U.N. (Sept. 16–17). Education & Theater: Jasper High School’s Centerstage program is one of 11 U.S. schools to win the “Heart of Rock and Roll: Power of Love” production grant from the Educational Theatre Foundation and MTI. Concert Piracy Push: Filipino star Gary Valenciano joined performers urging fans not to upload full concerts online—short clips are fine, full shows can violate performance rights and hurt the live experience. 9/11 Remembered Through Music: West Virginia University marked the 25th anniversary with a trumpet performance of Taps, while Flight 93 ceremonies across Pennsylvania and beyond used silence, names, and songs to honor the next generation. Hip-Hop Court Update: Grammy winner Lil Durk was acquitted in a federal murder-for-hire case tied to the Beverly Center shooting; co-defendants faced mixed outcomes. Artist Strategy: Kenny G says the world isn’t waiting for another album—he’s leaning into concerts and special projects instead of the classic album-tour cycle. Copyright & Leaks: An Eminem studio worker accused of leaking unreleased tracks is set to plead guilty to criminal copyright infringement in Detroit.

9/11 Music & Culture: Rock and metal artists are posting tributes as the U.S. marks the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, with musicians reflecting on where they were and why remembrance still matters. Remembrance Through Performance: Communities are using live music and memorial programming to honor victims and first responders, including a 9/11-themed “Come From Away” production in Ottumwa, Iowa, built around the story of stranded passengers welcomed by Gander, Newfoundland. Caribbean & Pop Charts: Billboard’s Caribbean Rising Star goes to dancehall breakout Skippa, while U.K. pop charts crown Sienna Spiro with “Great Expectation” at No. 1 and Kasabian lands another U.K. Albums Chart win with “Act III.” Industry Watch: Stella Lefty faces heated comparisons over songwriting similarities, with her label citing a streaming credit error in one case. Local Radio Milestone: Kodiak, Alaska’s KMXT celebrates its 50th anniversary, tracing how public radio filled a news gap after Coast Guard changes.

First Amendment Showdown: The FCC is conducting early license review for ABC’s eight owned-and-operated stations, after an investigation into alleged discriminatory hiring at Disney; ABC and the stations argue the move is unconstitutional retaliation and have sued to stop the process. NFL + Pop Culture: The Jonas Brothers turned Melbourne’s MCG into a halftime mosh pit during the 49ers-Rams season opener, with Cody Simpson also performing as Netflix rolled out a “Friday Night Lights”-style opener. New Music Release: Houston R&B artist Nixie Ember dropped late-night album “The Girl In The Wreckage,” built for warm, after-hours listening. Local Music Calendar: Charlottesville’s free Fridays After Five kept the city’s summer alive with weekly live sets across genres. Streaming/Anime Buzz: Crunchyroll set a Jan. 29, 2027 North American theatrical run for ufotable’s “Witch on the Holy Night,” expanding anime’s big-screen push. Country Spotlight: Taylor Swift confirmed she’ll return to the 2026 CMA Awards after a decade away. Music + Memory: Multiple 9/11 anniversary pieces and memorial coverage kept music’s role in remembrance in the spotlight.

Physical Music Comeback: CD sales jumped 16% to 16.3 million units in the first half of 2026, outpacing vinyl, as fans cite the tactile experience, liner notes, and even better sound than streaming. Anniversary Tour Buzz: Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” 50th anniversary U.S. tour kicks off Nov. 19 at Madison Square Garden and runs through Dec. 19 at the Intuit Dome; many dates are selling out, with ticket resales available via major platforms. Ticketing & Setlist Watch: Karol G’s “Viajando Por El Mundo TropiTour” hits Texas again, including two sold-out El Paso nights at the Sun Bowl, with Becky G as a guest and a setlist packed with “Latina Foreva,” “Tusa,” “BbY WOW,” and more. Big-Stage Hip-Hop: Snoop Dogg will host the 2026 VMAs as MTV brings the show back to the West Coast for the first time since 2017. Local Music & Community: Rochester Fringe expands with “Circus in the City,” adding free outdoor circus performances and street programming downtown Sept. 15–26. Music Meets Philanthropy: MusiCares names U2 as its 2027 Persons of the Year, with the gala set for Feb. 5, 2027, ahead of the Grammys.

Stevie Wonder: The 50th anniversary of Songs in the Key of Life is getting a full-on live treatment, with an 18-date tour that hits the U.S. starting Nov. 19 in New York, then Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Detroit, before wrapping Dec. 19 in Los Angeles. SNL Season 52: KATSEYE, Turnstile, Rosalía, and Gracie Abrams are lined up as musical guests across the first stretch of Saturday Night Live’s 52nd season. Country Live Dates: Hard Rock Live Tulsa books ’90s country staples Shenandoah and Tracy Byrd for Dec. 4. Pop Culture Tease: The Spice Girls drop a cryptic “sing and dance” callout tied to plans for their 30th anniversary of “Wannabe.” Chart Watch: Rod Wave lands his fourth Billboard 200 No. 1 with Don’t Look Down. AI + Music: Suno’s new AI music models and partnerships keep pushing the copyright-and-training fight into the spotlight. Local Music Scene: San Jose’s Pete Be Center closes after a rent dispute, ending a SoFA district nightlife hub.

Stevie Wonder Tour: Stevie Wonder announced a 50th-anniversary world tour for Songs in the Key of Life, performing the full album at every stop; the U.S. leg starts Nov. 19 at Madison Square Garden with dates in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Detroit, ending Dec. 19 in Los Angeles. Ticket Alert: Wonder’s D.C. show at Capital One Arena (Nov. 23) goes on sale Thursday, Sept. 10 via Ticketmaster, with a six-ticket limit. Chart Watch: KAROL G keeps climbing with NO ME ARREPIENTO DE SENTIR TANTO, landing at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums and debuting high on the Billboard 200, while multiple tracks chart globally. Legal/Arts: American composer Primous Fountain sues the New World Symphony over the cancellation of a planned Miami Beach concert, alleging breach of contract and racial discrimination. Local Music & Community: A Florida Sickle Cell Center event at Depot Park mixed live music, a blood drive, and a bone marrow registry drive to raise awareness. Live Music Culture: Stray Kids kicks off its Latin America festival tour “Stray City” with dates in Bogota, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City, co-produced with Live Nation.

Streaming/TV Deal Shift: Broadcasters are teaming up with streamers as the old TV divide breaks down, with TF1 putting its channels and TF1+ inside Netflix to reach more viewers and protect content financing. Chart Power (Country): Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” stays at No. 1 on Billboard’s Songs of the Summer for 2026, extending a massive Hot 100 run and keeping country dominating the top ranks. Tour News (Legend): Stevie Wonder announces an 18-date 50th anniversary “Songs in the Key of Life” tour, with the U.S. leg starting Nov. 19 at Madison Square Garden. Hip-Hop Spotlight: Lil Durk’s murder-for-hire trial heads toward closing arguments in Los Angeles. Live Music Tech: Luminate will track “Smart Media Album” sales in CONNECT starting Oct. 2, with these QR/NFC physical releases counting toward Billboard rankings. Community & Culture: A Mexican cultural music and dance show brings “México en el Corazón” to Lafayette, while East LA’s 80th Mexican Independence Day Parade readies a big weekend broadcast.

BTS Spotlight: Jung Kook’s self-written “Still With You” just topped 500 million Spotify streams, adding to his growing solo milestones as BTS prepares for its South America “ARIRANG” tour kickoff in Bogota. Pop/Radio Milestone: Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” hits No. 1 on U.S. country radio, marking her 13th solo chart-topper there. Tour Controversy: Macklemore is doubling down after backlash over his “Free Palestine” remarks and “Hind’s Hall” performance during Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows, insisting his criticism of Israel isn’t aimed at Jewish people. Live Music Disruption: Rosanne Cash postpones three September shows due to an unexpected medical emergency, with rescheduled dates pending. Local Stage & 9/11 Commemoration: A local production of “Come From Away” is set to debut on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, bringing its hopeful ensemble story to a U.S. audience. Community Music Events: Delta’s Barnside Harvest Festival returns Sept. 11-13 with headliners Marianas Trench and Smash Mouth, plus multi-stage programming.

9/11 Commemoration Through Music & Theater: Southeast Michigan communities are planning fall events to remember Sept. 11 victims and honor first responders, with the musical theater hit “Come From Away” seeing renewed interest at school and community productions. Streaming Spotlight: Spotify says Ariana Grande’s “hate that i made you love me” was its most-streamed Song of Summer 2026, with Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and other major collaborations rounding out the list. Country Radio Moment: Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” hits No. 1 on country radio, marking her 14th career chart-topper there. Tour Economics: Ariana Grande’s “The Eternal Sunshine Tour” reportedly grossed $107.9M on 638,000 tickets across just nine U.S. cities, reflecting the trend toward fewer stops with multiple shows. Pop vs. Politics Backlash: Olivia Rodrigo criticized the Trump administration for using her music in ICE-related videos, calling it a distraction tactic. Concert Controversy: Macklemore’s Palestine remarks at Ed Sheeran’s MetLife shows sparked a petition urging his removal from remaining Loop Tour dates. Local Fall Music Calendar: Southwest Ohio and Clarksville are rolling out fall festival lineups, including tribute shows and community events.

Tourism Boost: Northeast Tennessee hit $1.01B in visitor spending in 2025, up 8.9%, with lodging, food, and transportation driving the gains. Immigration Pressure on Culture: In Indianapolis, ICE protest rallies followed a record-high July arrest count; in Passaic, the Mexican Independence Day Parade was postponed indefinitely over ICE concerns—both stories show how enforcement is reshaping community life and local foot traffic. Live Music & Community Pride: The HBCU Labor Day Classic battle of the bands drew big crowds in Jackson, Miss., with regional schools and colleges bringing performances and momentum back to the city. Pop Culture Clash: Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” message during Ed Sheeran’s MetLife tour has sparked calls to remove him, while backlash from public figures continues to swirl. Physical Music Comeback: U.S. CD sales surged in 2026’s first half, with RIAA reporting a 45.7% volume jump to 17.5M units. K-Pop Crossover: NiziU will release its first Korean EP, “Sour Grapes,” on Sept. 28.

Hip-Hop Truce Moment: Lupe Fiasco and Kid Cudi appear to end their long-running beef with a backstage photo together at Kanye West’s Chicago homecoming show, after Cudi previously apologized and called for unity. Pop Culture Spotlight: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West attend their daughter North West’s solo concert debut in Chicago from opposite sides of the venue, keeping distance while cheering her on. Live Music & Theater: “Come From Away” cast members reunite for a free, one-time concert at PAC NYC in Lower Manhattan near the 9/11 Memorial, with performances timed for Sept. 13. Community Arts: Further Jazz Festival returns Sept. 12 in Normal, Illinois (free, 4–9 p.m.) with sets from the Illinois State University Jazz Ensemble, Jay Trio, Water Street Stompers, Carlos Vega Latin Jazz Ensemble, and more. Health & Sound: A hearing-test push highlights links between untreated hearing loss and dementia risk, urging more routine screening.

9/11 Commemoration Through Music & Community: Port St. Lucie’s #DoYouGiveARuck Freedom Festival and multiple Treasure Coast memorials are bringing families, veterans, and live performances into the 25th anniversary spotlight. Theatre as Living Memory: Texarkana Repertory Co. is opening “Come From Away” with a message of kindness after 9/11, while Norfolk’s Wells Theatre reopens the same show after two floods forced cleanup and repairs. Local Folk & Festival Culture: Eureka Springs’ 79th Original Folk Festival returns for Labor Day weekend with multi-day Americana and Ozark traditions. Small-Town Holiday Energy: Horseshoe Beach, Florida, marks Labor Day with a parade and an ’80s-themed party featuring live music. Music in the Spotlight Abroad: Jay-Z’s “Jay-Z 30” finale in London brought out Sampha and Dave during a career-spanning set. Industry & Rights Pressure: The DOJ Epstein-files controversy keeps escalating as partial releases under the Epstein Files Transparency Act collide with privacy and legal fights.

AI & Copyright: The U.S. Justice Department backed OpenAI and Microsoft in the New York Times copyright fight, arguing training large language models on news qualifies as fair use—an outcome that could reshape how American music and media build AI tools. Streaming Formats: CDs are surging again, with a big Gen Z and millennial pull and K-pop helping drive a mid-2026 sales jump that’s even outpacing vinyl. Live Music & Culture: Macklemore used a MetLife Stadium set to deliver a pro-Palestinian speech and perform “Hind’s Hall,” sparking mixed reactions from fans. Pop Charts: ENHYPEN’s “The Sin” hit No. 1 on the U.S. album chart, underscoring K-pop’s continued chart momentum. Tour News: Alex Warren shared a face-first concert tumble in Melbourne, posting the clip as a joke while continuing the tour. Local Music Scene: NYC’s East Williamsburg queer dive bar The Rosemont closed after nearly a decade, leaving staff and regulars scrambling for what comes next. Tech Meets Music: Tesla began public Cybercab rides in Austin, with the car’s onboard entertainment pitch including music—another sign of how vehicles are becoming media platforms.

AI Copyright Clash: The Seattle Times and Newsday sued OpenAI and Microsoft, accusing them of using their reporting to train chatbots and of generating misleading content tied to the papers’ brands. Music Tech & Streaming: Google launched Lyria 3.5 inside Gemini, letting users generate full songs with a watermark, as the AI-music legal fight keeps heating up. Chart Watch: Spotify’s 2026 Songs of Summer crowned Ariana Grande’s “hate that i made you love me” as the season’s top track, with Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” highlighted as a standout U.S. hit. Live Music Safety: A tour bus crush killed a worker at a Squeeze concert, and another Virginia show was canceled after a similar incident. Community & Culture: Penn State Master Gardeners grew native plants for the Flight 93 memorial, while Hosanna Lutheran celebrated paying off a 37-year mortgage with music at the service. Local Music Events: A Provo Canyon amphitheater plan (Vesper) hit pause after public pushback, with developers expected to resubmit a revised application.