AGP Executive Report

New Releases: Hael Husaini’s “Selesa” leads Friday’s new music, alongside albums from Dominic Fike and Queens of the Stone Age. John Legend has also released Muse, produced by Pharrell Williams, while Justice previewed its GTA VI score with “Pusher,” featuring Gesaffelstein. Artist Royalties: Tanzanian musicians are questioning unpaid digital earnings and a lack of transparency as the government prepares to distribute about Sh2 billion in royalties next month. Music Heritage: A new Sheffield mural celebrates the King Mojo club, which hosted Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s. In Middlesbrough, the owners of the Empire are handing over the venue after 33 years, hoping its next chapter revives its dance-music legacy. On the Scene: Irish trio Chasing Abbey are touring behind their debut album Cyber Celt, blending Celtic sounds with electronic production and Gaeilge lyrics.

Artist News: Ed Sheeran won approval to restore six listed Suffolk barns as archive space, part of a wider plan for a recording complex. Gracie Abrams dropped “Here You Come, There You Go,” the first of five bonus tracks on a deluxe edition of Daughter From Hell, due Nov. 20. New Music: Davido’s “Already Falling” video features wife Chioma and revisits their proposal; Junior Boys announced album The Gore for February and shared lead single “Underneath The Moon.” Bryan Adams takes aim at Donald Trump in protest song “Lake Ontario.” Industry: Universal Music Group’s third-quarter revenue rose 11.7%, with subscription streaming up 17.9% and Downtown Music adding to growth. YouTube Music and Premium passed 150 million subscribers globally. Peermusic also acquired Australian publisher 120 Publishing, bringing about 5,000 works into its catalog. Live Music: Under the Big Sky unveiled its 2027 lineup, led by Zach Bryan, Nathaniel Rateliff and Kacey Musgraves.

New Releases: Queens of the Stone Age have shared “Run Away from the Mob,” the closing track on their ninth album, due Friday. Tom Morello’s new video for “Everyone Gets Everything They Want” features his son Roman. Comeback: Dead Man’s Bones, Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields’ duo, has released “Lost in the Night” — its first new music in 17 years. Awards & Global Sounds: The 2026 MAMA Awards will bring K-pop and other art forms together under the theme “A Music Interstellar” in Osaka on Nov. 20–21. IVY Entertainment has also launched the first digital Bhojpuri Music Awards, celebrating regional artists and hits. Chart Watch: AR Rahman’s “Mangal Rang” from the upcoming Ramayana has topped YouTube Music amid debate over its sound. Live & Legacy: Newly discovered footage of David Bowie’s 1978 tour will anchor an immersive arena show, premiering in Berlin in February. Nightlife: A UK study puts the average night out at £28.06, up 34% since 2020, as venue groups warn audiences are hitting an affordability ceiling.

New Music: Bryan Adams takes aim at Trump’s Lake Ontario name change in a new song, while Ryan Gosling’s Dead Man’s Bones return with “Lost in the Night,” their first new music in 17 years. Album News: Australian punks The Chats have announced Half Cut and a 17-date tour; The Flaming Lips also confirmed a new LP. Festival Watch: Kilby Block Party’s 2027 lineup features Deftones, The Strokes and Jungle, with more than 70 acts set for Utah. Post Malone and Alesso will headline a new Salt Lake City New Year’s Eve festival. Music Business: Raleigh Music Publishing and ICM Crescendo acquired most of Tim Hardin’s catalog, while PRS for Music says new play-by-play data will sharpen royalty payments. Anthropic and Suno are also facing a lawsuit over alleged AI training on artists’ music. Chart Race: Jamie Miller is on course for a second week at No. 1 with “Babydoll,” ahead of Tate McRae’s “Housewife.”

Chart Watch: Tate McRae’s “Housewife” debuted at No. 1 on both Billboard global charts, giving her a second double chart-topper. New Music: The Chats are back with “Off It,” a new album, Half Cut, due March 5, 2027, and a 17-date Australian tour. Super Bowl: Jay-Z will headline the Apple Music halftime show at Super Bowl LXI in 2027. Remembering Donnie Iris: The Pittsburgh rock fixture has died at 83. Back After 17 Years: Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields have reunited Dead Man’s Bones for “Lost in the Night,” their first new song since 2009. Music in Court: Neil Young is suing Trump’s committee for $10 million over the use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” at rallies. Songwriting Honor: Taylor Swift became the youngest inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame at 36, saying fame is a byproduct of her love for music.

New Albums: The Flaming Lips will release The Teardrop Throbs on January 22, their first album in nearly seven years, and shared single “God Will Control the Werewolves.” Lambchop’s Demoed EP arrives November 20, with MJ Lenderman’s take on “Weakened” out now. Comebacks: Dublin alt-rockers Power of Dreams announced “Somebody Somewhere,” their first new song with the original lineup since 2010, plus an Irish and UK tour. Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields also reunited Dead Man’s Bones for “Lost in the Night,” their first song in 17 years. Big Moves: Jay-Z will headline the 2027 Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show, while Boyz II Men have signed a deal for a country album in 2027. Music Legacy: Pittsburgh rock fixture Donnie Iris has died at 83. Kesha finally released the video for 2009 single “Backstabber,” and Taylor Swift became the youngest-ever inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Music Rights: Neil Young is suing Trump’s campaign committee for $10 million over the use of his music at rallies.

Pittsburgh Rock: Donnie Iris, the soulful-voiced hitmaker behind “The Rapper,” has died at 83 after a battle with bladder cancer. His career spanned more than six decades. Super Bowl: Jay-Z will headline the 2027 halftime show at SoFi Stadium, the first time the music mogul has taken the stage as the featured performer. New Music: BLACKPINK’s Jisoo announced “Addicted,” the second preview of her upcoming solo album, while Ryan Gosling and Zach Shields revived Dead Man’s Bones with “Lost in the Night,” their first new song in 17 years. Music in Court: Neil Young is suing a Trump committee for $10 million over the use of “Rockin’ in the Free World”; Elvis Presley’s rights holders have also sued Anthropic, alleging the AI company used songs to train its models. On Screen: Harry Styles unveiled the video for “Coming Up Roses” as his Madison Square Garden residency nears its end.

Cross-Border Music: Organisers of Malaysia’s Art of Speed and Indonesia’s Big Bang Festival have teamed up to help artists perform across both countries and expand regional audiences. New Releases: Paulo Londra’s entre CIELOS explores rap, trap, indie rock and bachata, while Skepta has revealed the tracklist for The Fork and Knife, his first solo album in seven years, due Nov. 6. Chart Breakthrough: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard landed their first Billboard Hot 100 hit as guests on Justice’s “Flower in a Hurricane,” alongside Tame Impala and SZA. AI and Music Rights: Australian composer Antony Partos says advertisers have asked his studio to recreate AI-generated tracks, raising concerns about music trained on copyrighted work; Elvis Presley’s rights holders have also sued Anthropic over alleged use of songs to train AI models. On Stage: Metallica has posted full-song videos from its Las Vegas Sphere residency, bringing the show’s giant visuals to fans at home. Soundtrack Debate: AR Rahman’s “Mangal Rang,” from Ramayana, has sparked online debate over a wedding scene and its musical influences.

Fresh Releases: ILLIT’s new EP Break even leads with “You’re Under Arrest,” a sharper take on unrequited love; RIIZE also released acoustic single “Insomnia.” ENHYPEN will close its THE SIN series with a November 20 single. Awards: Romeo Santos and Prince Royce swept the tropical categories at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, while Bad Bunny took Artist of the Year. Soundtrack Spotlight: A. R. Rahman, Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal joined forces on “Mangal Rang” for Ramayana; its qawwali- and Sufi-inspired style has drawn criticism from some listeners. Music Business: Elvis Presley’s rights holders sued Anthropic, alleging the AI company trained on his music. Veteran publisher Kenny MacPherson, Big Deal Music co-founder, has died at 71. New Music Ahead: Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones is set to return with new music on October 27. RAYE won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope.

Video Releases: Kesha will release a video for 2010’s “Backstabber” on Oct. 26, while Harry Styles drops “Coming Up Roses” the same day. Rock Returns: The Rolling Stones discuss their 27th studio album, Foreign Tongues, and the loss of drummer Charlie Watts; Ryan Gosling’s Dead Man’s Bones is set to return with its first new music in 17 years on Oct. 27. AI Copyright: Elvis Presley’s rights holders sued Anthropic, alleging it used lyrics from 274 songs to train Claude and create unauthorized works. They’re seeking $41 million. Music & Film: A. R. Rahman’s “Mangal Rang,” from Ramayana, has drawn online criticism, while Shilpa Rao’s performance at Mumbai’s Bollywood Music Project was cut short, prompting an apology from organizers. Album News: CHVRCHES announced All the King’s Men for Jan. 22, 2027, alongside a tour; John Mayer also returned with his first solo song in five years. Music’s Legacy: George Harrison’s foundation spent £573,221 on charitable work in 2024, supported in part by royalties he donated from Living in the Material World.

Soundtrack Spotlight: “Mangal Rang,” A. R. Rahman’s new song for Ramayana, pairs Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal and is out in five languages. Its wedding visuals featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi have sparked warm fan reactions. Chart Milestone: Ella Langley’s “Loving Life Again” is her sixth No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, making her the fastest female artist or female-fronted act to reach six in the chart’s 36-year history. New Music: RIIZE shifts to acoustic pop with “Insomnia,” due Monday, while Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones teases its first new music in 17 years, arriving October 27. Live Music: Shilpa Rao’s set at Mumbai’s Bollywood Music Project was cut short after microphone trouble and scheduling delays, upsetting fans. Organisers cited venue restrictions and apologised. Bollywood’s Sound: A new critique argues that remakes and nostalgia have left Hindi film music short on originality, while reality-show tracks are finding audiences beyond cinema. Music and Memory: Manipuri pena artist Mangka Mayanglambam performed a song shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic and Manipur’s conflict, turning grief into a call for compassion.

The Weeknd: He debuted “Hong Kong” at the city’s Kai Tak Stadium, sampling Faye Wong’s “Seasonal Wind” and pairing the performance with a city-inspired video. Comebacks: Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones is set to release its first new music in 17 years on Oct. 27. New Releases: LISA’s six-track EP Press Play is out, while the Rolling Stones have released new single “Who You Callin’ Crazy.” Looking Ahead: Queensrÿche say their next album draws on the sound of The Warning and Rage for Order; BLACKPINK’s Jisoo has announced solo single “ADDICTED” for Oct. 30. Milestones: Taylor Swift marked 20 years since her debut album with a nostalgic tribute to her musical eras. BTS’s “SWIM” also became the first 2026 release to top one billion Spotify streams. Remembering: Irish music great Dónal Lunny, a key figure in traditional music, has died aged 79. AI and Music: Anthropic is being sued over alleged use of Elvis Presley music to train AI.

New Releases: Apl.de.Ap’s three-track EP PPP (Power to the Pilipino People) is his first solo project outside the Black Eyed Peas. A standout track, “Why,” pairs him with Bamboo in a song about love for the Philippines. Comeback: Ryan Gosling’s gothic-rock duo Dead Man’s Bones will release new music on October 27, ending a 17-year silence. Solo Spotlight: BLACKPINK’s LISA has released Press Play, a six-track EP blending pop, hip-hop and electronic sounds; she co-wrote every track. Award Win: RAYE took the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope, celebrating the honor after once being told no one would care if she made an album. Fresh Takes: Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” gets a dance remix with Tones And I and CYRIL, while John Mayer has released “Tom and Jerry,” his first solo single in five years.

New Music: King Promise opens a new chapter with “Melody,” his first single from an album planned for 2027. John Mayer returns with “Tom and Jerry,” his first solo release in five years, and launches Sob Rock Records. Coming Up: Vybz Kartel has set Dec. 18 for his next album, The Sun. Kacey Musgraves previews a 16-track Tex-Mex expansion of Middle of Nowhere, while LISA releases her six-track Press Play EP. Awards & Legacy: Raye wins the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope. Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson, known for “Swingin’” and “Wild and Blue,” has died at 71. Music Industry: A former Eminem studio employee pleads guilty to stealing and selling the rapper’s unreleased music. Music publishers have also sued Anthropic, alleging copyright infringement involving song lyrics.

New Music: LISA released her six-track EP Press Play and action-packed “Tarantino” video. John Mayer shared the story behind his upcoming song and plans to release new solo music through his own Sob Rock Records; NEEDTOBREATHE also dropped “Never Gonna Deserve Ya,” featuring Evan Honer. Awards: RAYE won the Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope, calling music “medicine.” Copyright: Music publishers are suing Anthropic, arguing its AI model was trained on song lyrics without permission; the company says the training is fair use. Country: Hall of Famer John Anderson, known for “Swingin’” and “Seminole Wind,” has died at 71. Unreleased Music: A former Eminem studio employee pleaded guilty to stealing and selling the rapper’s unreleased tracks.

New Releases: Claud’s third album, Me and the Music, turns toward fun after heavier themes, while New Zealand noise-rockers Sulfate return with And It Wants. The Datsuns have shared “Glide Like a Ghost,” ahead of November’s Moonstruck Man; Natalie Bergman’s new EP is due Nov. 6. More to Come: CHVRCHES announced a new album and 2027 North American tour, and Queens of the Stone Age revealed a forthcoming record. Industry Watch: Live Nation could face a breakup, while music publishers are suing Anthropic over copyright. A former Eminem studio employee pleaded guilty to stealing and selling unreleased tracks. Nightlife: A new global report found women and gender-diverse artists make up just 27% to 32% of lineups across six cities; New York’s biggest challenge was the cost of going out. Remembering: Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson has died.