AGP Executive Report

Creative Economy: A new TV BRICS analysis says BRICS+ countries are leaning harder on culture and IP—projecting the global creative industry could top $4.3T by 2033—as investors still treat it as less “independent” than traditional sectors. Live Music & Community: The Sisters Folk Festival keeps growing, now a three-day roots showcase with 33 acts spanning Americana to West African-influenced sounds. Animation & Music Video: Montreal’s Animaze crowned Mexico’s YUCA’s “Who’s Waiting for You?” as Grand Jury winner, while “SAFE ZONE” took the first Best A.I. Film prize and “Addicted To It” won Best Music Video. Global Pop Culture: Linkin Park frontman DJ Joe Hahn says the band is back in the studio writing new material after its “From Zero” comeback era. Touring & Theater: Rod Stewart says his final tour is his last, while West End’s “Paddington the Musical” confirms a second-year cast and extended run. New Releases: Niall Horan marks 10 years since “This Town,” now over a billion streams. Music Business: Warner Music Latina signs Cuban duo Pututi & Nesty, betting on reparto’s crossover momentum.

Guinness World Record (Nigeria): President Tinubu sent a heartfelt message to filmmakers Damilola Osikoya and Nora Awolowo after their Nollywood hit Black Market drew 51,000 viewers at a Lagos screening—an all-time Guinness mark for attendance. Global Radio Culture: Radio Is a Foreign Country, a New Orleans nonprofit built on obscure international broadcasts and field recordings, has relaunched as a 24/7 global transmission. Pop Livestream (India): Shakira will livestream her Madrid concert on Oct. 3, with Indian fans able to watch for free via Amazon Music India, Prime Video, Fire TV and Twitch. K-pop Tech (South Korea): Enhypen’s VR concert Destiny is turning fan eye contact into an interactive, choose-your-member experience. Industry Moves: Warner Music UK & Ireland names Sonny Takhar chairman and CEO, while UMG appoints Òscar Celma as SVP for applied AI and machine learning. Irish Trad Spotlight: Dónal Lunny celebrates Planxty’s legacy at a special Planxty event tied to Culture Night. Caribbean Loss: Calypso legend Mighty Sparrow dies at 91, leaving a towering musical legacy.

MTV VMAs Backlash: Madonna’s return after 23 years sparked ageism fights on “The View,” where cohosts defended her and pointed to the double standard facing women who age on camera. Caribbean Music Loss: Trinidad calypso titan Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) died at 91, leaving a legacy that helped propel calypso onto the global stage. Global Livestream: Shakira’s Oct. 3 Madrid finale will stream worldwide for free via Amazon Music/Prime Video/Twitch, marking the end of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour. Pop Culture & Privacy: Ariana Grande says she’ll “take a step back from visibility” amid intense scrutiny after recent releases. Industry/Tech: Universal Music Group is moving to shape AI licensing norms with Sony Music joining Ariam, while investor warnings swirl around off-balance-sheet AI data-center commitments. Legal Meets Rap: A U.S. court dismissal in the Drake vs. UMG case spotlights how rap beef claims are treated in court, with Nigeria’s own diss-track wars turning legal. Live Music Calendar: Slipknot announces a 2027 Wembley stadium date after Sid Wilson’s departure, with major UK presales starting soon.

MTV VMAs: Taylor Swift made history as the most-decorated artist in VMA history, winning Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and the inaugural Artist Director Honors, while Madonna dominated with seven wins and BTS swept major categories; K-pop breakthrough: BTS took Song of the Year for “Swim,” and BLACKPINK’s Lisa became the first Asian soloist to win Best Pop; Global pop premiere: Swift also debuted her gothic “Patient Zero” video starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell; Caribbean legacy: Calypso icon Slinger “The Mighty Sparrow” Francisco died at 91, leaving a deep Caribbean musical imprint; Indo-Spanish crossover: Prashant Ingole’s “Hone Do Bailando” blends Hindi rap with Spanish vocals and flamenco guitar; South Asia music culture: India marked Lata Mangeshkar’s birth anniversary with tributes, while Jaipur saw a temple priest allegedly attacked over loud devotional music; Festivals on the move: Limassol’s international comedy festival runs Sept 30–Oct 4, and Abu Dhabi Festival returns Oct 10–Dec 19 with orchestras, jazz and major Arab acts.

MTV VMAs Spotlight: Madonna opens the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in LA with her first live VMA performance in 23 years, leading a night of big nominations and a Taylor Swift “Patient Zero” world premiere. Global Pop & TV Crossover: KATSEYE returns to “Dream Academy” on SNL for a chaotic second season cameo, while Rachel Chinouriri appears as musical guest amid more sketch buzz. Music Meets Culture: Frode Fjellheim, the voice behind “Frozen”’s joik-inspired “Vuelie,” shares how Disney research helped bring Sámi tradition to global audiences. Caribbean Fest Preview: St. Croix confirms the 2026–27 Crucian Christmas Festival dates, promising eight nights of music, J’ouvert, and fireworks. Tech + Language in Music: A Belarusian shift worker releases Belarusian songs made with neural networks, showing how AI is reshaping who gets to make music. Rock Legacy Update: Sammy Hagar wraps his Van Halen-focused “Best of All Worlds” run in Las Vegas with a final set of classics.

Global Pop & TV: The 2026 MTV VMAs hit Los Angeles on Sept. 27, with Madonna opening the show after 23 years and Taylor Swift leading nominations; for India, it airs in the early hours of Sept. 28 on MTV/Paramount+ (VMAs: Madonna returns; Swift’s big night). K-pop Spotlight: ATEEZ’s Hongjoong weighs BTS’ Grammy submission decision as the Recording Academy’s new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category heats up (K-pop: BTS vs Grammys debate). Tech Meets Music: Apple Music Hall at Battersea Power Station opens next week in a decommissioned plant, built for live shows plus recording and Spatial Audio, with global streaming capability (Music Tech: Apple’s new venue goes beyond concerts). World Music & Culture: Glasgow’s Royal National Mòd brings a free Gaelic choir performance under Glasgow Central’s clock on Oct. 11 (Gaelic: “Celtic Praise” at the station). Classical/Local Scenes: Stratford Music Festival announces its 30th anniversary lineup, mixing jazz, classical and contemporary across Oct. 17–24 (UK Live: Stratford’s chamber-music week returns). International Music News: Brazilian DJ Pedro Sampaio joins Ricky Martin for the NFL halftime show in Rio (Latin Pop: Sampaio brings local flavor). Record-Setting Film + Music Culture: Nollywood thriller Black Market sets a Guinness record with 51,000 viewers at a Lagos screening, with music and entertainment around the event (Nollywood: Guinness attendance milestone).

Music Industry Awards: Malaysia’s AIM25 in Kuching crowned Siti Nurhaliza as Best Song winner for “Pesanan Buat Diri,” while Mimi Fly swept five trophies and Mawat took the inaugural Best Borneo Song Award for “Dayang Bintang.” Podcast Spotlight: “Jokermen” founders Ian Grant and Evan Laffer discussed how their Dylan-focused show grew into wider artist conversations. Cultural Bridge via Music: Beijing’s 4th International Canal Arts Fest opened in Tongzhou with cross-border performances from China, Europe and beyond, running through Sept. 27. Funding for Local Screen Music Ecosystems: Northern Ontario’s Cultural Industries Ontario North received $850,145 from FedNor to grow music, film and TV production in Sudbury and the region. Rock & Pop Moments: Stray Kids closed their Latin America run in Mexico City with festival-style “STRAYCITY,” while the 2026 MTV VMAs announced a George Michael tribute featuring Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims. Live Music Labor: Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians ratified a three-year collective bargaining deal through 2029. Global Music & Identity: Timaya credited Fela Kuti for shaping Nigerian music’s global rise.

Global Music & Culture Diplomacy: Somalia’s information minister joined a Putin-hosted reception at Russia’s International United Cultures Forum, with culture framed as a bridge when politics strain ties. Music as Social Commentary: Nigerian rapper eLDee the Don returns with “I Wish You Well,” turning “billing” expectations in romance into a sharp, funny track. Recycled Instruments, Real Futures: Paraguay’s Recycled Orchestra of Cateura brings kids from landfill life to the Bay Area, building saxes, violins and drums from trash. Live Music Policy Watch: Laguna Beach temporarily suspends Irvine Bowl’s 70-decibel cap during a film-and-music festival to test new sound tech, with fees earmarked for noise controls. Chart Breakthrough: Rookie K-pop group TUIDE lands early Billboard wins, topping Emerging Artists and scoring strong album chart placements. Loss in Music Education: Chinese singer Liu Huan, famed for the 2008 Olympics theme “You and Me,” dies at 63. Animal-Charity Concert: Rick Wakeman plays piano for rescued moon bears in Vietnam to raise awareness of bile extraction.

Music Industry Governance: BMG’s Jim Selby has been elected to ASCAP’s board as a publisher member, with ASCAP pointing to his experience tackling issues from AI to fair pay. Live Music Venue Buzz: Apple Music Hall in London’s Battersea Power Station opens with Elton John on Sept. 28, followed by Baby Keem, Skye Newman, Troye Sivan, Arlo Parks, Burna Boy, Chase & Status and Charli xcx. Major Label Leadership: Warner Music veteran Simon Robson will exit in December as Val Blavatnik steps into a new managing director role covering North America, the UK and corporate development. Global Festival Fallout: Global Citizen Festival is canceled in NYC due to extreme weather forecasts, with organizers citing safety concerns for the Great Lawn crowd. New Music Spotlight: SZA-adjacent buzz surrounds Laila!’s upcoming album We’ll Never Be This Young Again, while Taylor Swift drops The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore and teases “Patient Zero” for the VMAs. Community & Culture: Galva Arts Council joins an international music policy resilience research cohort, aiming to turn local live music into longer-term economic and civic gains.

Global Pop & Identity: Eric HZ’s “Child” turns fatherhood into a multilingual love story, keeping his kids’ real voices at the start as he pushes for GRAMMY® consideration. Eurovision Politics: The Netherlands will return to Eurovision in 2027 after reversing its 2026 boycott tied to Israel’s participation, with an expert panel shaping the entry. Tech + Live Music: Apple opens Apple Music Hall at London’s Battersea Power Station, a 600-capacity venue built around a 48-speaker spatial audio setup plus studios and broadcasts. New Releases (Electronic/Alt): Boys Noize announces album 7LLVSION and a global tour, led by “1+1+1,” while Polyphia drops “WITH EYES TO SEE” ahead of BE NOT AFRAID and Windwaker releases “dna” from Smile, You’re On Camera. Star Power on the Road: Hilary Duff extends “the lucky me tour” with 32 new dates, including a KeyBank Center stop in 2027. Community Music: Fort Wayne’s Rotary and Hop River launch “Pints for Polio” with live music and a limited-edition lager to fund polio eradication. Live Arts Calendar: Gulf Coast Jazz Collective brings “The Standard Bearer” songbook jazz tonight; Tucson’s weekend lineup spans Boz Scaggs, the Tucson Symphony, and Brett Young.

Pop Culture & Music News: Dolly Parton has died at 80, and her legacy is now tangled in court as her estate sues her nephew Bryan Seaver over alleged threats and harassment. Global Talent Spotlight: Thai teen rocker Nene Royal won America’s Got Talent, beating the odds with Linkin Park on her final performance. Live Music & Festivals: Seoul International Music Festival returns Oct. 8–16 with cross-generational programming, including a Korean debut and a Polish composer premiere. World Music & Cross-Culture: Rutgers and Montclair hosted Sound of Harvest, pairing Dunhuang melodies, West African rhythms, Japanese taiko, and jazz improvisation with new commissions. Music Industry Business: AO World is buying camera retailer Jessops from Peter Jones, aiming to expand into adjacent categories. Arts & Community: Singapore bar Offtrack debuted on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, built around DJs and vinyl at the center of the room.

Latin America Festival: Malaysia hosts the 17th Latin America Festival at Low Yat Park, bringing together eight countries with food, music, and dance. Public Art Crime: Sudbury’s “Power of Young People” trout release sculpture was stolen and likely sold as scrap, with plans to replace it. Americana Spotlight: Claude Carmichael brings his debut solo album Tennessee Hill to Debi Champion’s Writer’s Nights during Americana Festival week. Hip-Hop Collectibles: Eminem early-era memorabilia—including rare Infinite vinyl and cassettes—goes up for auction after a record-setting sale. Community Garden & Music: Waubaushene’s Harvest Festival celebrates food sharing and Indigenous-style community programming, powered by local musician Nick Howell. Global Live Music Tech: YouTube renews its Coachella livestream deal through 2030, adding artist mini-docs and more pre-festival programming. Polaris Music Prize: Quebec duo Angine de Poitrine wins both Polaris album and SOCAN Polaris Song Prize for “Fabienk.” Dolly Parton Legal Drama: Parton’s estate seeks a restraining order against her nephew over alleged threats to destroy her legacy. New Venue in London: Apple Music Hall opens in Battersea Power Station with a 600-capacity, spatial-audio setup.

Pop News: Taylor Swift confirms “Patient Zero” drops Sept. 25, after cryptic social clues sent fans into full detective mode. Country & Community: Downtown Grand Junction’s Dolly Parton legacy week backs the Imagination Library, with “Steel Magnolias” screening and local QR-code donations. Music Business & Awards: Girls I Rate returns as an event partner for the Women In Music Awards, while the Independent Music Awards spotlight Pauline Black, Jorja Smith, Robyn, and Jalen Ngonda. Legal Drama: Dolly Parton’s estate seeks a restraining order against nephew Bryan Seaver, alleging threats and attempts to damage her legacy. Global Live Music: HYBE Cine Fest expands to 1,100 theaters across 50 countries with BTS and other HYBE concert films/live broadcasts. Tech & Streaming: Spotify alternatives roundup and Radio X launches ad-free “Radio X Plus.” Classical/International: Dvořák Prague festival closes with Czech Philharmonic concert. Local Culture: Orchestra Noir marks a decade creating space for Black musicians.

Global Music Diplomacy: Nigeria’s King Sunny Ade turns 80, with President Tinubu hailing him for transforming juju into a globally recognized cultural treasure. Live Music & Pop Culture: Taylor Swift announces “Patient Zero” for Sept. 25, while George Michael’s legacy gets an MTV VMAs tribute featuring Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims. New Releases: Chelsea Wolfe digs into mourning and reinvention on her album The Dark, and Craig Morgan readies My Country with a Toby Keith cover. International Scene: D’banj brings UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed onstage in Lagos, turning a global event into an Afrobeats celebration. World Music Events: Windhoek Jazz Festival returns Nov. 7 with a refreshed, more festival-style visitor experience. Community & Access: TuneCore will match artist donations to EarthPercent via Sounds Right, boosting nature conservation funding through streaming splits.

Tribute Concert: John Farnham’s Rod Laver Arena send-off in Melbourne drew 120+ performers, with Celine Dion, Chris Martin and Keith Urban among the headline names, while the show also raised funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia. International Guitar Spotlight: Dominic Miller lands in Nicosia for a Sept. 24 concert tied to the University of Cyprus festival, promising an intimate set spanning his Sting-era work and his own jazz-Latin-folk catalogue. New Album, DIY Road: Alex Band says he self-funded The Calling’s long-awaited Before The World Turns To Dust, built after years of delays and health setbacks, dropping Sept. 25. Live-Music Industry Shift: A new UK analysis argues arena growth is reshaping regional touring—while big venues thrive, grassroots spaces are closing fast. Tech Meets Music Venue: Apple is set to open a 600-capacity Apple Music Hall in London’s Battersea area, aiming for intimate shows filmed for Apple Music. Stage & Screen Crossover: Dermot O’Leary’s Toto The Ninja Cat gets a puppet stage premiere in Eastbourne (Sept. 26–27). Global Culture Calendar: Heritage Day in Durban spotlights live music and Zulu cultural programming, including an Old Mutual Music at the Lake lineup.

Chart & Awards Buzz: Taylor Swift is set to become the most-awarded artist in MTV VMAs history, taking the new Artist Director Honors as the Sept. 27 show streams on Paramount+ and airs on CBS. New Music Releases: Yeat drops COCOON, including “MISS MY DAWG” with Drake, while Miley Cyrus leans into sobriety-friendly touring on Bass Persuades. Industry Rules on AI: Australia’s ARIA will disqualify recordings mostly or entirely generated by generative AI from its main charts, tightening eligibility around “substantially human made” work. Global Music Business: The U.S. House passed the American Music Tourism Act, pushing the Commerce Department to promote music-linked travel. K-pop & Rights Economy: HYBE CEO Jason Lee and Musicow chair Jung Hyun-kyung join Korea’s venture body leadership, signaling deeper ties between content and startups. Live Scene: Toronto’s Second Summer multi-venue festival runs Sept. 24–26, spotlighting emerging acts.