AGP Executive Report

AI Music Business: Suno just raised $400M at a $5.4B valuation, expanding its generative platform as copyright fights and label deals keep shaping the AI music race. Pop & Rock Releases: Weezer drops “We Might As Well Be Strangers” featuring Wednesday, while Citizen shares “Halcyon Blues” ahead of an Aug. 7 album and tour. Live Music Calendar: The Highland Jazz & Blues Festival locks in Sept. 19 in Shreveport with Dumpstaphunk headlining, and Make Music Day returns June 21 with free, citywide performances in places like Huntsville and Vermont. Music Industry Moves: Snap names Anmol Malhotra global head of content and partnerships, overseeing creator and music-related partnerships worldwide. Music Culture Spotlight: Ilaiyaraaja’s story gets a spotlight on how he fought labels and systems to claim more from his massive catalog. Global Music Moments: iShowSpeed’s Ghana FIFA World Cup hype video goes viral, putting Ghana front and center. Music Tech for Fans: Nintendo Music expands beyond mobile to PC browsers, tablets, and car screens via CarPlay/Android Auto. Legacy & News: Peabo Bryson, the voice behind “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” dies at 75.

Obituary: Peabo Bryson, the Grammy-winning voice behind Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and “A Whole New World,” has died at 75 after a stroke, with tributes pouring in for the R&B legend’s decades-spanning ballads and film duets. Music Business: Universal Music Publishing Group named Sunita Kaur president for Asia, tasking her with driving growth and backing songwriters across the region. Streaming/Radio: iHeartRadio is now integrated into LG’s free ad-supported LG Radio+ service, bringing live stations, podcasts, and location-based recommendations to LG Smart TVs and compatible devices. Community & Culture: A Children’s Miracle Network-funded music therapy program at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital is using music to ease pain and help kids cope during procedures. Local Live Music: Seattle’s Rainier Beer returns with “R-Day” on Sept. 12 featuring DEHD, Telehealth, Kadabra, and Lace Cadence, plus free entry (21+). Music Law: The American Alliance for Equal Rights filed a federal civil rights lawsuit over alleged race-and-sex discrimination in Broadway’s Wicked music director apprenticeship.

Taylor Swift x Toy Story 5: Swift has officially confirmed she wrote and produced the original track “I Knew It, I Knew You,” set to hit streaming June 5, with the song also landing on the Toy Story 5 soundtrack June 19. K-pop Spotlight: BTS will celebrate its 13th debut anniversary with Festa releases, including the official “Come Over” drop June 12 and a limited-edition vinyl set tied to “Arirang.” New Music (Indie/Rock): Death Cab for Cutie shared “Stone Over Water” ahead of their June 5 album arrival, while Mastodon released “Your Ghost Again” and announced a fall North American run. Pop/Alt-Pop: Charli xcx shut down the “Ford” album rumor and confirmed her July 24 release, “Music, Fashion, Film.” Tech + Listening: Nintendo Music just expanded with web and tablet versions plus Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support. Live/Community: Elvis Costello is booked for Packard Music Hall (Sept. 15), and Liam Gallagher is named ambassador for Manchester charity Brighter Sound.

Pop Culture Spotlight: Taylor Swift confirmed she wrote and recorded an original track, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” for Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 5, with the song dropping June 5 and the movie hitting theaters June 19. Music Video Buzz: Ariana Grande released the thriller-style video for “hate that i made you love me,” starring Justin Long, but her look sparked online concern and debate over her appearance. Hip-Hop Feud Watch: Jay-Z used his first solo US headline show in years to fire off a diss-heavy freestyle aimed at Drake, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. Dance Music Business: Juno Download shut down after 20 years, while users can still access past orders; the company says streaming and direct-to-fan services have changed the webstore’s role. Industry Moves: LA Phil named Daniel Harding its next music director for 2027-28. New Releases: Charli XCX announced her album Music, Fashion, Film (July 24) with John Cale, Marc Jacobs and Martin Scorsese on the cover. Community & Live Music: OgFest in Wiltshire drew 300+ for homegrown live music and food, and Tehachapi kicked off its Music on the Mountain series in Railroad Park.

Pop & Video Buzz: Ariana Grande leans into horror for “hate that i made you love me,” with Justin Long haunted by her “Petal” persona in a bunker-set spiral. Album Drop Watch: Charli XCX just announced “Music, Fashion, Film” for July 24, with John Cale, Marc Jacobs and Martin Scorsese on the cover—plus “Rock Music” and “SS26” already out. Country Nostalgia: Eric Church’s “Heart On Fire” video stitches together throwback clips from his past hits, with a behind-the-scenes look promised next. New Releases (K-pop): SHINee returns with the “Atmos” EP and a fireworks-lit music video for the title track. Music Industry/Community: Liam Gallagher joins Manchester charity Brighter Sound as an ambassador, kicking off a prize draw for sold-out adidas Achille SPZL trainers. Live Music & Culture: Björk opens a major Iceland exhibition with large-scale audiovisual installations, including reimagined grief works from “Fossora.” Local Scene: Watford’s The Oddfellows unveils a refurbished beer garden that also hosts live music events. OPM Spotlight: The 17th Star Awards for Music (PMPC) reveals 2026 nominees, led by artists including BINI, SB19, Ben&Ben and Regine Velasquez.

Pop Single Watch: Ariana Grande drops “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” framing it as a bold pivot from heartbreak-only songwriting toward a more complicated, self-aware fan-and-press dynamic. Orchestral Leadership: Altoona Symphony Orchestra narrows its music director search to four finalists after Nick Palmer’s 30-year run ends, with auditions split across fall and spring. Local Culture: Claremore Museum of History hosts Juneteenth (June 20) with a panel, music, snacks, and new museum elements. K-Pop Milestones: Stray Kids’ “Miroh” hits 200M YouTube views and “Easy” reaches 100M as the group prepares for Governors Ball (Seungmin out with an ankle injury). Global Pop/Variety: BTS brings back “Run BTS” and officially releases “Come Over” for Festa ahead of Busan concerts. Tech Meets Music: Threads rolls out playable music stickers for all users, letting people share 30-second song clips in posts. Vinyl Nostalgia: Frank Zappa’s “ZAPPAtite” compilation finally lands on vinyl July 17. Live/Community: Denver’s Outside Days festival leans groovy with Flaming Lips, Death Cab and more. Music Biz: UK music tech faces a scaling crisis as growth-stage funding collapses 90% since 2020, per a new MTUK report. Big Band Spotlight: Carlos Henriquez leads Monk Con Clave, a New York–rooted Afro-Caribbean tribute to Thelonious Monk. Theater: Alicia Keys’ jukebox musical “Hell’s Kitchen” continues at LA’s Pantages through June 21. Music Loss: Ronald LaPread, bassist and Commodores co-founder, dies at 75 after a sudden medical event.

K-pop Watch: aespa’s “LEMONADE” Show! Music Core performance sparked online debate after fans said Giselle’s styling made her blend in with backup dancers. New Music Drop: Peter Gabriel shared “A Hard Lesson,” the oldest track on his o/i project, built from a Senegal-era idea and finally released with bright- and dark-side mixes. Pop Gratitude: Ariana Grande thanked fans for the warm reception to “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” celebrating a full run-through of her upcoming tour set. Live Music Moment: Lily Allen brought out JADE at Mighty Hoopla for a live debut of their “Beg For Me” remix. Radio Tech Twist: Rock Raymond Productions launched W AI‑1 Music Radio, pitching an all-AI Top 40 format that aims to bring “every genre” back on one dial. Chart/Legacy: Madonna hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance/Mix Show Airplay with “I Feel So Free,” while Michael Jackson’s songs climbed on global charts. Festival/Community: The 2026 Shining Stars North America showcase kicked off in NYC with nearly 1,000 youth participants and families.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Soundtrack: Tyla and Future drop “Game Time” as part of the official tournament album, with Tyla calling it a full-circle moment ahead of the June 11 opening ceremony. New Music Video: Silent Sanctuary releases “Una,” an OFW tribute starring Xyriel Manabat, spotlighting the hidden sacrifices of overseas Filipino workers. K-pop Chart Buzz: RESCENE’s “Love Attack” pulls off a “reverse climb” on Melon and Spotify South Korea after member Woni’s viral YouTube momentum. Pop Star Update: BoA posts a fresh blonde look after leaving SM, then follows with the “Ain’t No Hard Feelings” MV in a camcorder-style spring vibe. Music Biz: Ed Sheeran says he left Warner Music Group after 15 years, framing it as a personal career reset. Live & Local: Whirling Tiger in Louisville announces a 2027 move but promises its current Butchertown spot stays open through 2026. Festival Watch: Pompey Summer Sounds debuts in Portsmouth, while Sunderland’s Summer Streets returns July 4-5 with three music stages.

AI in Music, Health Story: London singer-songwriter Samuel Smith used AI music tools (Suno/Udio) to build demos for his Parkinson’s-affected guitar work on the Americana album The Art of Letting Go, turning “Horizon” into a workable route when tremors made playing impossible. Big-Name Album News: Shinedown released EI8HT, an 18-track modern rock set framed as the band’s most expansive and emotionally resonant record yet. World Cup Anthem: Future and Tyla dropped “Game Time” as the FIFA World Cup 2026 album’s next single, with a high-energy video and soccer-ready lyrics. Music Tech/Streaming: Spotify rolled out new playlist tools for Premium users, including bulk queue editing, “Reshuffle,” and better offline downloading on iOS. Music Industry Health: Mogul Clive Davis was hospitalized in New York for an upper respiratory issue, expected to be released soon. Rights/Politics Clash: Boards of Canada criticized the White House for using their track “Deep Time” without permission in a political video. Local Music Community: Southern Delaware Chorale named Amy Morgan its new artistic director as it closes its 40th season.

New Music Drops: Greta Van Fleet return with “Play Your Games,” their first release since 2023’s Starcatcher, plus a new video. K-Pop Spotlight: aespa unleashes Lemonade and the title track video, with retro styling and guest turns from G-Dragon, Ty Dolla $ign, and Becky G. Pop Era Watch: Ariana Grande releases “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” the lead single from Petal (out July 31). Country News: Riley Green announces fourth album That’s Just Me and shares “Think As You Drunk,” with Toby Keith Foundation proceeds. Rock/Metal Tour Buzz: Hollywood Undead and In This Moment co-headline the 2026 Taste of Chaos tour, with new songs landing today. Industry Moves: YouTube tests a “Top Fans” visibility feature letting music creators share exclusive content with their most devoted viewers. Cultural Pride: Che Fu is inducted into the Aotearoa Music Awards’ Hall of Fame, delivering a powerful Niuean takalo performance. Local Music Life: Transylvania County Library’s Friday summer concert series returns in June with free shows.

Album/Legacy Spotlight: Paul McCartney talks the compulsion behind songwriting and the sonic details in his new album The Boys of Dungeon Lane, while Susan Boyle teases her “new era” with upcoming single “Just One” and a dramatic blonde makeover. New Releases: Ezra Collective announce Here Because of Hope (Sept 18) with first single “Only Love” featuring Pa Salieu; Greg Mendez drops Beauty Land via Dead Oceans; Chanel Beads shares “Dust in the Wind.” Live & Local Music: Mary’s Underground in Sydney confirms it’s closing; Rapid City’s free Summer Nights returns to a new downtown location; SF Porchfest brings punk and viral bucket-drumming kids to Mission porches; WROR Boston launches a new morning show with LBF and “Adam 12.” Industry & Tech: David May, Grammy-winning producer and Warner exec, dies at 68; YouTube Premium keeps pushing free trials and adds podcast features for Premium users. Community Music: DownBeat honors for SUNY Fredonia jazz ensembles; infant music-and-movement classes start Saturday in Silver Creek.

Country Pop Buzz: Riley Green dropped “Think As You Drunk” and says his new album That’s Just Me lands Sept. 18, with the track sampling Toby Keith’s “As Good As I Once Was” and even featuring Keith’s vocals for a full-circle moment. New Music Returns: Gilla Band are back after nearly four years with “Giraffe,” plus a North America/Europe/UK run starting in October. Indie/Alt Spotlight: Downtown Boys shared “Sirena,” the latest taste of their upcoming fourth album, and Gema-inspired video work leans mythic and urgent. Big Festival Energy: Riot Fest 2026 announced Tool and Alanis Morissette as headliners (plus Twenty One Pilots, Rise Against, Pixies and more) for Sept. 18–20 in Chicago. Legacy + Culture: The V&A’s Lost Music Venues exhibit is spotlighting shuttered UK grassroots stages, using real artifacts to argue these rooms matter as much as bigger institutions. Industry/Global Music: MEDI launched an expanded Africa music data portal to track rights and revenue gaps across the continent. Pop Star Watch: Susan Boyle teased “Just One” as her comeback single, hinting a “new era” is coming.

Awards Spotlight: Apl.de.ap and Katseye (with Filipina member Sophia Laforteza) turned Filipino pride into big wins at the 2026 American Music Awards, with Apl.de.ap celebrating the viral second life of “Rock That Body.” New Music: A Perfect Circle drops “Starless,” its first song in years, ahead of UK/Europe live dates. Local Live Music: The Shops at Wailea announces June “Wailea Wednesdays” plus a June 19 concert featuring Anthony Pfluke and Waiakoa. Viral Track Watch: “Chambishi Copper Mine” keeps spreading online after going viral, spotlighting the Zambia-China project behind the song. Community Through Music: Fairford Men’s Shed installs a new sign for Dilly’s Bridge, using the project as a way to fight loneliness and isolation. Fan Engagement Tech: YouTube is testing a “Top fans” option for musician channels, letting creators share exclusive posts with their top 1% of engaged supporters. Streaming/Release: Miguel Escueta’s “Stand in the Fire” frames corruption frustration as a “call to arms.”

Pop Culture at the AMAs: Apl.de.ap and Katseye (with Filipina member Sophia Laforteza) helped spotlight Filipino pride at the 2026 American Music Awards, with “Rock That Body” winning Best Throwback Song after a viral second life. New Music Drops: The Darkness released the “Masters of the Universe” theme single for the upcoming film, while A Perfect Circle debuted “Starless,” its first track in eight years. K-Pop Tease: aespa shared a preview for “Lemonade,” with the full album and title video landing Friday. Local Live Scene: Steep Canyon Rangers return with “Next Act,” and Belfast’s Volume Control launches “Band Together” to kick off summer holidays with proceeds going to Homeless Connect. Industry Watch: Universal Music Group’s future deal drama continues as Bolloré urges UMG to reject Bill Ackman’s $64B bid, saying the price “isn’t there.” Community & Culture: The Obama Presidential Center shared its grand opening weekend schedule (June 19–21), including live music and family-friendly programming.

Live Music Spotlight: Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery is bringing Tom Figgins to the Pot Still Coffee Shop on June 27—tickets £15/£25, with Greek street food and a set built for an intimate room. Community & Culture: Niles is opening Riverside Park with a ribbon cutting at noon Thursday, while Burley’s New Forest goes full “doggy party” with Dogstival returning May 30–31. Education: In Lurgan, Education Minister Paul Givan officially opened the new £56m St Ronan’s College campus for 1,750 pupils. Music Releases: Olivia Rodrigo drops “the cure” as the second single from her upcoming album, and Athens band Tattoo Logic celebrates its May 29 album release with a show at the 40 Watt Club. Sports/Markets: US futures are nudging higher toward another record as Iran peace-deal hopes clash with reports of defensive strikes. Local Business: North Park’s new paid parking meters are already pushing one shop owner to close early.

American Music Awards Afterglow: Katseye’s Vegas whirlwind kept getting bigger after winning New Artist of the Year—then meeting BTS twice, with RM even dancing to “Pinky Up,” as the groups traded kind words and fan gifts. Music & Culture: PinkPantheress says she was blocked from BBC’s “Pointless” because she’s “too famous,” while BTS’ AMAs run also put TWICE on the board with Best Female K-Pop Artist. Community Spotlight: South Western Railway is backing Alabaré’s “BIG Sleep” homelessness fundraiser with station ads ahead of the June 26 sleep-out at St Paul’s. Local Live Music: Waterfront Wednesday in Louisville shifts from May 27 to May 28 due to rain, with MODISTE stepping in for Arlo Parks. New Releases: Nothing But Thieves announce “Stray Dogs” and a major 2027 tour, and Drake’s “Janice STFU” debuts at No. 1 on the Hot 100.