AGP Executive Report

Music Industry Loss: Clive Davis, the producer and executive behind careers from Aretha Franklin to Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, has died at 94, leaving a legacy of genre-shaping signings and modern music-making. AI & Copyright Debate: West African listeners split on AI-generated music—some see it as inevitable, others fear it will hollow out creativity and raise ownership questions. A.I. Storytelling Goes Audio: ElevenLabs released a 13-hour Odyssey audiobook using AI voice cloning (including Michael Caine’s licensed likeness), pushing the “ancient story, modern tech” trend. Pop Culture Controversy: Olivia Rodrigo’s all-women Daisy Chain Fields sparked backlash after a Cigarettes After Sex drummer’s dismissive comment went viral. Rock & Live Scene: Kim Gordon returned to Chicago’s Metro, while Doors tribute Mojo Risin’ and country stops like Winstock keep the touring circuit moving. Rights & Catalog Deals: Sony Music Publishing Scandinavia acquired Sound Pollution Songs’ ~5,000-work rock/metal catalogue. Global Classical/Traditional: Dr. Viola Voilà brings queer classical advocacy to “Classical at Crane Isn’t a Drag,” and Ustad Kamal Sabri continues promoting the sarangi worldwide. New Releases/Collabs: Peter Gabriel links up with rapper IDK on “Beyond The Brilliant Haze,” blending art-rock and modern rap.

K-pop Global Push: BTS’s “Arirang” is being crowned “Best Albums of 2026” by major outlets including Rolling Stone and NME, with praise for how the comeback channels Korean identity. New Releases & Visuals: Lee Seung Yoon drops “What to Steal” (“Mueol Humchiji”) with animation director Jung Da Hee, while Hikaru Utada revisits “PAPPAPARADISE” in a new video with Hiroto Kohmoto. Artist Development Debate: BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Remi Burgz warns that instant streaming pressure is leaving artists “not fully formed” before they’ve found their voice. AI Meets Music Business: India’s Eros Innovation launches “Eros Music Worlds,” a Large Cultural Music Platform with seven AI-native artists and a Mohammed Rafi partnership. Live Music Tech Spectacle: Robin Hill Adventure Park’s “A Night at the Movies” pairs the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra with a drone light show over Williams and Zimmer themes. Pop Star Spotlight: Brandon Flowers says his upcoming solo album will lean into “country western music,” recorded in Nashville. Local Scene & Culture: Christchurch School of Music gets a $4M boost toward a permanent home, and Houston’s Black Music Month spotlights how blues, gospel, R&B and chopped-and-screwed hip-hop shaped the city’s sound. Industry News: Music mogul Clive Davis dies at 94, prompting tributes across pop, rock and R&B.

Clive Davis Dies at 94: The music mogul behind Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, and a career-shaping “golden ear” for talent, has died at 94, prompting tributes from major artists including the Grateful Dead, Springsteen and Alicia Keys. Pop Comeback: Carly Rae Jepsen is back with a 24-track double album, Day and Night, split into “organic and raw” “Day” and “sleek, synth-driven” “Night,” with lead single “On Wires” arriving June 26. Tour & Festival Buzz: AC/DC will add PWR/UP pop-ups to every North American stadium stop; Portugal. The Man headlines Denim on the Diamond’s City Park festival; and No Art confirms its Otterspool Promenade return in Liverpool on Aug. 8. Live Music Culture: A “world’s first” barbershop-micro venue opens in Oregon, while the Bruce Springsteen Center at Monmouth University debuts as a major new American music destination. Local Picks: Surrey’s all-Canadian Canada Day lineup lands July 1, and Greenville’s Unity Park fireworks get a live symphony boost for America’s 250th.

Music Industry Loss: Clive Davis, the 94-year-old “starmaker” behind careers from Whitney Houston to Bruce Springsteen, has died, prompting tributes from artists including Mariah Carey, Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, and others. K-Pop Global Push: BTS’ “Arirang” is named among the best albums of 2026 so far, while “I Need U” hits 200M YouTube views; Korea also plans $8.6M to retrofit regional arenas for K-pop concerts. Festival Fever: Olivia Rodrigo announces her all-women Daisy Chain Fields festival, and SBS Gayo Daejeon Summer reveals a second lineup featuring Stray Kids and BABYMONSTER. New Releases & Performances: Carly Rae Jepsen readies double album “Day and Night,” Ryeowook (Super Junior) drops 10th-anniversary single “Runaway,” and Lim Yunchan wins Germany’s Opus Klassik Instrumentalist of the Year. Community Music: A Welsh choir’s near-50-year charity run and Melbourne’s Leaps and Bounds festival spotlight music as local glue.

Obituary: Music mogul Clive Davis has died at 94 in Manhattan, after recent hospitalization for respiratory issues. The “golden ear” executive helped launch and revive careers across rock, pop, R&B and soul, from Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen to Janis Joplin and Alicia Keys, and won multiple Grammys for his work. Festival News: Olivia Rodrigo announced her all-female Daisy Chain Fields Festival in Irvine, CA on Aug. 29, with Chappell Roan, Doechii, Katseye, Mitski, Bikini Kill, Garbage and more; proceeds go to women-and-girls charities. Live Music: Iron Maiden is testing a phone-free standing area in Paris using Yondr pouches while they film a tour movie. Local Gigs: Exit 30 kicks off Simms Summer Concerts June 28 (free, 7 p.m., moved to Lewis Park). Touring Theatre: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie returns for a UK tour, with Ashcon Rahmani and Rebecca Trehearn leading the 10th anniversary run. Community & Culture: A Juneteenth + Green River Festival live broadcast spotlights Ruby Ibarra, Swamp Dogg and Sunny War.

P-pop Spotlight: The 17th Star Awards for Music in the Philippines named BINI (Dance Recording for “Salamin Salamin”), Juan Karlos Labajo (Male Acoustic Artist for “Tanga Mo Juan”), and Vice Ganda (Christmas Song of the Year for “Rainbow Christmas”), with the ceremony set for June 25 and performances from Sam Concepcion, Moira Dela Torre, and more. UK Pop Buzz: Adele is reportedly in London at Church Studios, spending at least a fortnight writing and recording new material after wrapping her Las Vegas residency. Rock Festival Watch: Busan International Rock Festival revealed its first 2026 lineup for Oct 2–4, led by Avenged Sevenfold, with Songgolmae, Creephyp, Suchmos, and Spacey Jane among others. Global Collaboration: New Zealand artist Emma Dilemma drops “Neighbourhood,” a multi-city, multi-continent collaboration with DENDE THE SENSEI, MASIA ONE and JAY COAST. Live Music & Community: Make Music Day celebrations keep rolling—Superior, Wisconsin hosted free street performances, while Cleveland Heights’ Yiddishe Cup brings klezmer-meets-soul to Cain Park on June 28. AI & Music Ethics: A new report says digital platforms help spread Hindutva-pop hate music in India while profiting from it.

Hip-Hop Spotlight: Wyclef Jean will close the New York State Fair’s Chevrolet Music Series on Sept. 7, bringing his Fugees legacy and solo hits to Suburban Park. World Music Day: India’s Nucleya argues independence is thriving beyond Bollywood remakes, while Malaysia’s Fahmi Fadzil calls for local music support as a cultural glue. Pop Culture & Nostalgia: Demi Lovato marked Camp Rock’s 18th anniversary and teased Camp Rock 3; Peter Asher gets a Beatles-era documentary spotlight. Live Music & Community: Cyprus’ Make Music Festival wraps today with 52 performances across Nicosia; Detroit plans a celebration of life for longtime publicist Matt Lee; Bartlett launches its third LIVE Music Series with free shows. AI Music Backlash: SZA slams Suno for using her music to train AI models, adding to growing artist anger over catalog use. Tragedy at a Show: Goose is speaking out after a Madison Square Garden concertgoer fell to his death. Jazz Loss: South African legend Abdullah Ibrahim has died at 91.

K-pop Spotlight: ATEEZ won the Grand Prize at the 35th Seoul Music Awards, with BOYNEXTDOOR, Le Sserafim and Zerobaseone stacking multiple trophies, underscoring how fast the genre keeps evolving. Solo Rock Turn: Indus Creed frontman Uday Benegal launched his introspective 5-track EP “Human Be,” leaning into stripped-down songwriting and new collaborations. Traditional Music Tribute: Ireland’s Wheels and Jigs Cycle will honor 14-year-old banjo, mandolin and drum prodigy Paddy Rooney, with funds supporting his family. Alt Punk Release: Waterford’s Lithium Lounge dropped the EP “State of Tha!” with a sharp, youth-focused message and new video work. Heatwave Meets Music Policy: France is banning alcohol during Fête de la Musique in red-alert regions as temperatures hit extreme highs. Mental Health & Pop: Lil Nas X opened up about his bipolar diagnosis and treatment journey, while teasing new music. Music, Then and Now: A look at how Ed Sullivan and Dick Clark helped turn TV into mass culture. World Music Day: Coverage explains the France-born origins of the June 21 street-music tradition and why it keeps spreading worldwide. Live Experience Tech: Sigur Rós’ spatial-audio immersive event “ÁRA” lands at London’s Schwarzman Centre. Community & Culture: Juneteenth celebrations across the US keep pairing music with history, food and local fellowship.

AI & Creativity: Vincymas’ carnival board says it found AI use in this year’s releases and is drafting rules to limit how much artists can rely on it—“AI can help… but it cannot become your creative juice.” Festival Shock: British rock band Feeder pulled out of the Isle of Wight Festival hours before their set, citing a close family bereavement. Dance Music Milestone: Cream Classical marked its 10th anniversary in Liverpool with a big orchestra-and-choir rework of iconic dance tracks. Pop Culture Crossover: Jem and the Holograms teamed up with Cold Slither for a rockier reimagining of the classic Jem theme. Hip-Hop Release: The Alchemist dropped LIQUID FORM, featuring Conway The Machine, 2 Chainz, Boldy James and Kool G Rap. Community & Pride: Juneteenth events in Gainesville and Detroit highlighted Black music as resistance, while JOMO Pridefest announced Kristine W as a headliner for “Pride on 66.” Live Music Calendar: MoJO plays Camden Library Amphitheater June 22; a Rock and Brass charity concert hits The Henrician this Sunday.

K-pop Spotlight: The Seoul Music Awards 2026 hit Incheon’s Inspire Arena on June 20, with live online streaming via hellolive and a host lineup led by Leeteuk, plus performances from LE SSERAFIM, ATEEZ, xikers and more. Global Pop Rise: Myles Smith talks about his whirlwind climb from TikTok to RCA and chart-topping breakthrough “Stargazing,” insisting he’s still too busy to “relax.” Jazz on the Calendar: Fashion Island’s “Live on the Lawn” returns every Saturday through Aug. 1 with Grammy-lauded LA musicians, plus picnic-friendly vibes. Rock Longevity: Philippines band The Dawn marks 40 years with a June 27 anniversary concert, reflecting on hits, lineup losses, and why they kept going. Classical & Culture: Sir Karl Jenkins is appointed president of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and will conduct his choral work “One World” at the July 7 opening concert. Community Music: Elkhart Jazz Festival (38th year) is underway through Sunday, filling downtown stages with everything from traditional jazz to modern acts. Industry Watch: Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith dies at 29, with tributes highlighting his work with Drake, Travis Scott and Beyoncé.

Juneteenth Spotlight: Denver’s Five Points welcomes back its Juneteenth Music Festival, a 3-day mix of live music, a parade, and 100+ vendors, with a new “Juneteenth Hop” pushing visitors to shop local. Youth Musical Buzz: Peninsula Youth Theatre opens “Six: Teen Edition” this week, bringing Tudor history to rock ’n’ roll with hip-hop and dance. Local Culture in Alexandria: “Street of Art” turns Nabi Daniel Street into an open-air stage with Arabic music, children’s choirs, folk dance, and community workshops. Pop Chart Moment: Zara Larsson’s “Midnight Sun” hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart, following “Stateside” at the top. Global Jazz & Genre-Blending: Pink Martini teams with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for three Orchestra Hall shows, mixing jazz, classical, Latin rhythms, and midcentury pop. New Music Releases: Tierra Whack drops “Whack’s Museum,” a Juneteenth-linked mixtape with Philly references, while Bright Shining Lights releases instrumental ambient-electronic album “SM-01.” Industry Moves: Mýa signs with WME for worldwide representation across music and beyond. Tech for Creators: Akai Professional updates entry-level MPCs with MPC One Gen 2 and MPC Key 37 G2 upgrades. Legacy & Community: North Carolina Music Hall of Fame announces 2026 inductees including MC SHA-ROCK and Billy Strayhorn.

Music Industry Shock: Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith (Brytavious Chambers) was found dead in a Nashville apartment at 29, with police saying no foul play is suspected while an autopsy is pending. Global Pop & Sports: Carín León says his FIFA World Cup 2026 soundtrack contribution fulfills a lifelong dream, teaming with Jelly Roll as he continues bridging regional Mexican music and American country. AI vs Authentic Sound: Zimbabwean Sungura producer Shamblo argues the genre’s intricate guitar solos and rhythm patterns are still too “organic” for AI to replicate. World Music Day (Croatia): Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra marks World Music Day with an open-air concert featuring Hojsak & Novosel, blending Croatian tradition with jazz and classical. Traditional Spotlight (Croatia): Ston launches “Klapa on the Walls,” an outdoor evening of Dalmatian a cappella beneath the Ston Walls. Pop Culture Debate: Olivia Rodrigo’s comments about fans wearing diapers for front-row access spark a wider conversation about concert etiquette and extremes. K-pop Update: Monsta X’s Minhyuk releases his first solo digital single “Reaching,” ahead of the group’s North America tour. Father’s Day Music Rituals (UK): Three Mobile research finds dads/father figures often introduce kids to lasting cultural interests—especially music like The Beatles and Queen.

Mental Health Update: Lil Nas X says he’s “feeling better” after bipolar disorder and months in rehab, hinting new music is on the way. New Music Release: The Rolling Stones drop “Jealous Lover” June 26, featuring Steve Winwood and guests including Paul McCartney, Robert Smith and Chad Smith on the upcoming album Foreign Tongues. Live Music & Community: Make Music Phoenix turns metro Phoenix into a free, citywide music festival on June 21 with workshops and concerts for all ages. Publishing Deals: Bucks Music Group signs Jack David (Jack McNeilage) to a worldwide publishing deal; Fontana signs alt-folk band Curiosity Shop ahead of debut single “Crows.” Festival Focus: Solihull Music Festival returns June 19-21 with 34 free performances across town venues, while Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival is set for July 17-19 in Marquette. Culture & Heritage: Belfast TradFest unveils a massive July 26-August 2 program with 1,000 artists and nearly 600 events across 40 venues. Remembering: Preservation Hall Jazz Band trombonist Ronell Johnson dies at 49.

K-pop Spotlight: U-Know Yunho (TVXQ) announces “U-KNOW PROJECT 26 : SCENE#1,” kicking off with a Seoul three-night residency (July 17-19) before a tour across seven Asian markets including Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Jakarta and Hong Kong. Global Pop News: Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter team up for “Bring Your Love,” a dance-pop video led by club scenes and a cameo from Julia Garner, ahead of Madonna’s Confessions II (July 3). Live Music & Community: Stokesley relaunches free outdoor series “Summer in the Square” with Morris Day of Dance and more dates through September, while Salt Lake City’s Heart & Soul Music Stroll returns for its 12th year with 1,300 shows a year in its mission to bring music to isolated neighborhoods. Awards & Industry: The Grammys add five new 2027 categories, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance, signaling broader genre recognition. Theatre Crossover: Trinity Rep closes its season with the rock-scored Pulitzer winner “Next to Normal,” tackling bipolar disorder and its ripple effects on family life. Local Festival Buzz: Christchurch Music Festival returns with a launch lineup featuring Trevor Nelson, Toploader, The Real Thing, Heatwave, Shola Ama, Martin Kemp and Another Level.

Pixar Soundtrack Buzz: Randy Newman returns for the Toy Story 5 score, and Taylor Swift contributes a brand-new track, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” co-written with Jack Antonoff. Supreme Court Copyright Clash: Major labels ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a disruptive copyright termination ruling, warning it could trigger chaos across music rights deals. Global Pop/Latin Charts: Morat’s revamped “Tu Cárcel” (originally by Los Bukis) hits a new peak on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, boosted by a Disney+/Hulu series tie-in. Juneteenth & Big-Stage Music: The Obama Presidential Center opening in Chicago lines up major names including Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen for Juneteenth-weekend programming. Live Music Calendar: Outside Lands adds Grace Ives and Kerala Dust to its 2026 lineup, while Liverpool’s On the Waterfront returns with Paul Weller, Cream Classical, and Snow Patrol. Loss in Rock History: Chicago saxophonist Walter Parazaider, a founding member, dies at 81.

Grammys Expansion: The Recording Academy will add five new categories for the 2027 ceremony, including Best Asian Pop Music Performance plus Best R&B Collaboration/Duo/Group, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best Traditional Folk Album, and Best Latin Song—with Asian pop entries needing meaningful use of an Asian language. K-Pop Ticketing: BTS has added a third Bulacan stop for its “Arirang” run in 2027 (March 16), with presales tied to prior ARMY registration. K-Pop Spotlight: Former Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram signs on for an acting push, citing training and language study. Music & Politics: Tom Morello argues the “stay out of politics” rule is really a double standard, defending artists’ free speech. Global Jazz Loss: South African jazz icon Abdullah Ibrahim dies at 91, prompting tributes across politics and culture. Classical Industry Move: Pianist Igor Levit launches his own label, NO SILENCE, with three debut releases in October. Live Music: Disney’s “Descendants/Zombies/Camp Rock” Worlds Collide tour lands in Liverpool in Feb 2027.