AGP Executive Report

Live Music: BLACKPINK’s Jennie joined The Weeknd in Goyang for their first live performance together of “One Of The Girls,” a surprise duet during his South Korean tour stop. Classical Stage: Eugene is hosting Oregon’s first international professional piano competition, bringing eight semifinalists before judges from around the world; finalists compete Saturday for cash prizes and performance opportunities. Music Infrastructure: Dubai has established an orchestra foundation to promote Emirati music, support emerging artists and build international partnerships. Artist Rights: Bangladesh’s Rakibul Hasan is building Rahat Music around the long-term work behind releases, including ownership, distribution and royalty tracking. Roots and Reach: Toronto’s first International Fado Festival has drawn sold-out crowds, reflecting fado’s growing Canadian audience, while a new report explores Veracruz’s 300-year-old fandango tradition and its spread worldwide. Artist in Custody: Cuban guitarist Alejandro Infante, known as “El Pollo,” has been detained by U.S. immigration agents in Texas; his band says supporters are raising funds for legal help.

Festival News: Jason Derulo becomes Sunburn’s first pop headliner, joining electronic acts for a more genre-diverse Mumbai festival this December. Filipino Breakthroughs: BINI is the first Filipino act nominated for Favorite Global Music Star at the Kids’ Choice Awards, while SB19 is backing a bill to help Filipino creatives work abroad. Afrobeats: Mr Eazi and Ghanaian-American singer MOLIY bring Nigerian and Ghanaian influences together on new single “Comfort.” Live Music: Dhaka’s concert scene faces uncertainty after several shows featuring international artists were postponed or cancelled over permits and security concerns. Malian Music: A new documentary turns footage of Amadou & Mariam into a tribute to the celebrated duo and their musical partnership.

Dhaka’s Autumn Sounds: Chhayanaut and local schools bring students together for two days of music and dance, extending the organization’s seasonal celebration to younger audiences. Across the Border: Liberian gospel and Dan musician Morris Kings earned an enthusiastic reception in Abidjan at a showcase celebrating Dan music and culture. Celia Cruz at 100: Miramar’s centennial tribute concludes Oct. 10 with Cuban singer Lucrecia and the Celia Cruz All Stars, alongside an exhibition of the salsa icon’s life and legacy. Celtic Colours Turns 30: Cape Breton’s nine-day festival welcomes performers and visitors from around the world for concerts and cultural events. Fresh Afro House: Botswana’s Mpho Sebina explores Setswana soul, 3-step and Afro House on “Koma,” with Balcony Mix Africa and Major League DJz. K-pop’s India Debut: HYBE plans to take its Weverse Con Festival overseas for the first time, with India set to host the 2027 edition.

Streaming Fraud: A North Carolina musician was sentenced to 18 months in prison for using AI-generated songs and thousands of bots to collect more than $8 million in streaming royalties. The U.S. Copyright Office has also opened an inquiry into streaming fraud. K-pop Goes Global: Stray Kids’ Tokyo Dome concert will reach cinemas worldwide on Nov. 7, extending the group’s tour to fans beyond the arena. Electronic Milestone: Jean-Michel Jarre will mark 50 years of Oxygène with a remastered anniversary edition, including a Dolby Atmos mix, on Nov. 20. Ladino’s Living Sound: Yasmin Levy says she won’t preserve Ladino music as a museum piece; her blend of Sephardic song, flamenco and Middle Eastern influences comes to Beverly Hills on Oct. 11. Orchestral Tribute: Mexican composer Arturo Márquez will appear with the Imperial Valley Symphony on Oct. 10 for a concert featuring his celebrated Danzón No. 2 and local student musicians.

K-pop’s India Debut: HYBE will bring Weverse Con Festival to New Delhi on March 27–28, 2027 — its first edition outside South Korea — with K-pop and Indian artists on the bill. Atlantic Music Group and Kakao Entertainment are also joining forces to develop K-pop acts for global audiences. Filipino Music Honors: BINI won Artist of the Year at the Filipino Music Awards, while SB19 took home multiple awards, including Concert of the Year. Music Rights: RIAA chief Mitch Glazier is pressing for stronger protections against AI deepfakes; meanwhile, a US man received an 18-month sentence in the first federal music-streaming fraud case. Blues Abroad: UK Blues Challenge winners Whiskey Flowers are raising funds to represent the country at international competitions in Memphis and Portugal. Ghanaian Gospel: Alex Acheampong’s new single, “Nyame Baako Pɛ,” featuring Obaapa Christie, arrives October 9.

Filipino Pop Power: BINI and SB19 dominated the Filipino Music Awards on Oct. 6 in Pasay City—BINI took Artist of the Year and Tour of the Year for “Signals World Tour 2026,” while SB19 won People’s Choice for Artist and Song (“VISA”) plus Concert of the Year for “Wakas At Simula.” Country Reimagined: Gretchen re-records her 2004 breakthrough album as duet versions, lining up guests like Ella Langley, Cody Johnson, Tanya Tucker, Miranda Lambert, Travis Tritt and Ashley McBryde. Mental Health Through Music: Portsmouth nurse-turned-musician Richard “Ricky” Palmer releases “Storm in my Heart,” launching “Rickabilly” for World Mental Health Day. Global Live Culture: Istanbul’s Akbank Jazz Festival runs Oct. 7–11 with Dhafer Youssef, Arturo Sandoval, Nicole Zuraitis and more. Tech Meets Music: OpenAI’s reported “screenless” AI device pitch is stirring fresh debate about how people interact with entertainment and media. Vinyl Revival: Korea’s vinyl sales surge—Circle Chart says H1 2026 already topped all of 2025.

Artist Rights & Legal Fight: DJ Sara Landry sued her former managers, The Night Department, alleging they kept using her trademarks and music rights after she fired them. Global Music Diplomacy: Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman says EU officials “carefully noted” complaints about alleged Greek Cypriot moves to cancel Turkish Cypriot events, including a Barcelona camp and a Kyrenia music festival. New Music Releases: Matisyahu and Yuval Raphael dropped “Carry On,” a hope-and-healing anthem built around resilience after loss. Classical/Experimental Spotlight: Los Angeles duo Elif Dinçer and Zac Burgenbauch bring harp and lap steel to a house concert, blending free jazz, contemporary classical, and improvisation. Live & Touring: Angélique Kidjo discussed her album Hope!! and her global musical mission; meanwhile, NCT WISH revealed B-sides for I SPY ahead of its Oct. 12 release. Community & Culture: Stratford’s new “Strike Up the Band” mural celebrates the town’s music legacy, while Finland’s “Festival of Nature Listening” turns a national park into a quiet, habitat-based listening event. Industry & Business: JW Marriott opened its first all-inclusive resort, Costa Elena in Costa Rica, adding a new Griffin Club tier. Loss in R&B: Freddie Jackson, the smooth 1980s soul balladeer behind “You Are My Lady,” died at 70.

Pop Star Spotlight: ADÉLA’s post–Dream Academy rise is framed as a breakaway from the “girl who didn’t make it” label, with her hyper-pop momentum and new track energy. Global Music & Culture: M+ is staging a major exhibition on 200 years of Asian fantasy and pre-modern mythology, treating folklore as more than escapism. Live Music Calendar: Athens is set for a busy October with major international and Greek acts, including Buzzcocks’ 50th anniversary show and other rock and blues dates. Music Business (MENA): Warner Music MENA appoints Ahmed Nureni as MD and brings in Ahmad Alghawanmeh from Sony as GM, aiming to expand the region’s catalog and growth. Rights & Royalties (Laos): LASCAP highlights how Laos is building fair royalty management, backing young artists and pushing for workable legislation. Controversy in Gospel: Indonesia bans Israel Houghton’s Jakarta concert over alleged political messaging tied to Israel. Regional Anthem: SB19 lends its voices to the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 theme song “Together in Motion.” Music in Film: Tony Gilroy’s “Behemoth!” premieres at the New York Film Festival, using a nine-composer “Behemoth Collective” approach.

Global Music Diplomacy: Alliance Indus Foundation hosted a New York luncheon for a visiting Indian parliamentary delegation, mixing networking with cultural celebration. Women’s Cantorial Revival: Ann Arbor’s Oct. 13 concert “The Immortal Khazntes” spotlights early-20th-century Jewish women who shaped cantorial singing. Rock Star Casting: The Rolling Stones’ “Mr. Charm” video stars Alexander Skarsgård as a Jagger-like swagger. Music Meets Meaning: Boston’s sold-out “The Perception Box™ Adventure” blends neuroscience, storytelling, and live music to explore how people build reality. Radio Deal Watch: K-LOVE completed a $2M purchase of a San Francisco-area FM facility, rebranding call letters to KJNV-FM. Film + Music Industry: Billboard acquired Laura Karpman’s “Cosmic Symphony,” honoring instruments lost in the 2025 LA wildfires, premiering Oct. 27. Chart Power: Taylor Swift’s “Patient Zero” debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Global charts. Community Programming: Memphis in May named John Doyle VP of Programming as it gears up for its 50th year.

Asian Games Closing Ceremony: Japan wrapped up the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a 90-minute closing show after logistical woes, with China topping the medals table for a 12th straight edition. Bollywood Disco Legacy: Bappi Lahiri’s grandson Rego B talks new single “Chand” and how “Ramba Ho” and “Koi Yahan Nache Nache” keep resurfacing in films like Dhurandhar and The Raja Saab. Film Music Spotlight: Pedro Pascal learned cello for Behemoth! as its orchestral film-score becomes a memory bridge in Tony Gilroy’s new drama. Cultural Exchange on Stage: “ShanghaiEye Night” brought Chinese and American artists to the National Mall and the US Capitol area, blending opera, Western classics, and even game music. Industry & Rights: Sony Music UK appoints Jack Fryer to lead catalogue, sync and digital media—an “unified offer” push. AI & African Music Debate: A new critique argues generative tools often deliver “Afro” surface vibes while missing the cultural and linguistic meaning behind specific traditions. Live Music & Community: Deniliquin’s Deni Ute Muster returns with live music and fundraising, even as rain and mud test the crowd.

Smooth Jazz Spotlight: Kenny G brings his saxophone magic to Morristown’s MPAC, mixing hits like “Loving You” and “Silhouette” with a community moment for local student woodwind players. Global Streaming Expansion: Apple Music finally launches in Pakistan, 11 years after its debut, offering individual and family plans plus a free trial—another sign of the region’s growing digital music demand. Festival Ticket Rush: Glastonbury 2027 sells out in 45 minutes, with prices rising and Oasis confirmed not to play at Worthy Farm. New Music Releases: Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi drops solo single “Stormwatcher,” while Jordan Davis previews his next era with “What Do I Do If You Don.” Culture & Power Through Art: Belarusian musician Maria Kalesnikava argues dictators fear independent culture, citing how music sustained her in solitary confinement. Classical Music Reckoning: Violinist Lara St. John’s documentary “Dear Lara” confronts sexual abuse in classical music, tied to her own allegations. Regional Music Scene: Macao’s Macao International Music Festival opens with “Silk Resonances,” pairing Chinese and Western traditions, including Yue opera and Brazilian body-percussion.

Global Pop & Fashion: KATSEYE lands a major crossover slot, set to perform at the 2026 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Los Angeles on Oct. 18. Music as Protest: Bruce Springsteen and other stars headline Maryland’s “Power to the People” festival, using the stage to push voter turnout and denounce recent U.S. actions. New Releases With Real Grief: Polaris returns after guitarist Ryan Siew’s 2023 death with “Without You,” framing the song as a first step forward that can’t replace what was lost. Tour News: Diljit Dosanjh announces the city-by-city schedule for his AURA World Tour India leg, with pre-sales starting Oct. 6. World Music Spotlight: Trinidad calypso legend The Mighty Sparrow is remembered as “the calypso king of the world,” with tributes highlighting his global impact. Classical/Electro Loss: French electro icon Kavinsky dies at 50; tributes focus on “Nightcall” from Drive. Regional Culture: Dubai’s October calendar stacks music, comedy, and sports, while Sharjah’s Perform Sharjah runs Oct. 11–Nov. 29 with free premieres and puppetry.

Music & Culture in Motion: Malaysia’s Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026 closed with “Colours of Parade,” a nationwide showcase of art, music, dance and multi-heritage performances featuring 1,500 dancers. Global Classical Spotlight: Israel’s Voice of Music Festival returns for its 41st season (Oct 28–Nov 1) in Kfar Blum, mixing Schubert/Ravel/Schoenberg with world premieres by Israeli composers and audience-friendly formats like open rehearsals. Star Power, New Music: Taylor Swift shared an “Expanded Video” behind-the-scenes look at “Patient Zero,” while her shorter curly bob is also making chart-celebration headlines after the track’s UK No. 1 debut. New Album Review: Geoff Downes and Chris Braide’s Downes Braide Association released “Trauma,” with critics praising its immediate opener and more adventurous mid-album turns. Music Meets Tech/Research: India’s PM Modi is set to inaugurate the Ilaiyaraaja Centre at IIT-M, aiming to blend music learning and research with technology. Festival Updates: Roskilde announced first 2027 acts, and Terminal V confirmed a move to Glasgow’s Clydeside Live for its 2027 edition. Community & Archives: Vermont Historical Society acquired Big Heavy World’s Vermont music collection, preserving decades of recordings, interviews and local cultural history.

AI Music Fight: Sony Music Group says it’s escalating legal action against AI tools, including a second Udio lawsuit and a fresh Suno case, as courts and policy debates intensify over training and copyright. Global Pop: BTS kicks off its Latin America run in Bogotá, with dates across Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Latin Grammy Momentum: Natalia Lafourcade brings her “Cancionera Tour 2026” to Puerto Rico on Oct. 3, with a live-analog-tape set built around her “La Cancionera” concept. Touring & Exchange: UTEP musicians head to Leeds, England, for performances and outreach, with a “Music Without Borders” preview concert in El Paso Oct. 6. New Releases: Hilary Duff drops “CATastrophe” for The Cat in the Hat movie, ahead of the Oct. 30 soundtrack release. Classical Outdoors: Sayuwon’s inaugural Saya International Music Festival opens with Beethoven’s “Pastoral” under moonlit skies. Music on the Move: Royal Caribbean adds “The SpongeBob Musical” to the Hero of the Seas lineup starting in 2027.

Music Heritage & Archives: Vermont Historical Society acquired the Big Heavy World music collection, preserving a Vermont-built archive meant to keep local sounds, recordings, and community history alive for scholars and fans. Dancehall & Regional Development: Shatta Wale says his Volta Region plans go beyond music, aiming to create youth jobs via his Shaxi platform ahead of MoMoFest–ShataFest on Oct. 3. Global Latin Industry: Billboard Latin Music Week returns Oct. 19–22 in Miami Beach with major artist conversations and showcases, setting up the Oct. 22 Latin Music Awards. Festival Spotlight: SON Estrella Galicia Posidonia marks its 10th anniversary with a special Formentera edition (Oct. 2–4) built around intimate, secret lineups and island experiences. Live Music & Community: San Francisco Symphony musicians honor late conductor Michael Tilson Thomas in a blue-lit tribute concert at Davies Symphony Hall. Big Pop Moment: Noel Gallagher’s MTV Unplugged guitar sold for a record $300,000 at Propstore’s Music Live auction.

Blues Spotlight: Buddy Guy celebrated his 90th birthday with a sold-out “Buddy’s Got the Blues” show at Radio City Music Hall, with a star-studded lineup led by Steve Jordan keeping the Chicago legend’s spirit front and center. Rock & Pop Culture: The Rolling Stones dropped the cinematic “Mr. Charm” video from Foreign Tongues, starring Alexander Skarsgård, and also shared the previously unheard “Bad Luck Hideaway.” Classical & Global Collaboration: NZSO conductor Sir Donald Runnicles teams up with Kiwi soprano Madeleine Pierard for Strauss’ Four Last Songs and Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in Wellington and Auckland. World Music Crossover: Joi Barua released an Assamese version of sci-fi track “Teleportation,” recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road. Music Industry & Live Scene: Prague’s Metronome Prague festival ends after ten years, citing weak long-term support and tougher conditions. Community Through Music: Young carers in Coventry turned their dreams into an original musical at The Albany Theatre.