AGP Executive Report

Deaths & Legacies: Lauren Bennett, featured on LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and a member of G.R.L., has died at 37; her bandmates confirmed the loss and an inquest is set for October. Deaths & Legacies: British pop-punk bassist Joe Murphy of Koopa also died at 46; the band’s “Blag, Steal & Borrow” made chart history with digital downloads. Big Live Moments: Harry Styles set a Guinness World Record for 12 straight sold-out Wembley shows, topping Coldplay’s previous mark. Album News: Shania Twain shared the full tracklist for “Little Miss Twain,” due July 24. K-Pop Update: MONSTA X’s Kihyun previews his more mature pop-rock era with the EP “BORDERLINE.” New Music Video/Single: Motionless in White drops “R.I.P.” with Skylar Grey ahead of “Decades.” Pop Culture: Tiffany Haddish took aim at Taylor Swift on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” calling out the wedding invite drama. Community Music: Free summer concerts keep rolling—like DuBois’ Legends show and Savannah’s July 9–14 music-and-film lineup. Industry/Business: TEN co-founded ILLIMNT, an artist-first global creative company bridging music, culture, visuals, fashion, and brands. Local Scene: Essex Junction’s July 4 fireworks night mixed John Denver and Bruce Springsteen covers with live local band Sticks and Stones.

Touring & Local Shows: Alexandra Kay will open for Jon Pardi July 25 at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, continuing her fast-rising country run after her album Second Wind. Community Music Calendar: Kirbyville’s Palace Theater hosts the monthly Kirbyville Country Music Show July 11 (35th year), while YES Theatre’s Come From Away opens July 6 at Sudbury Theatre Centre after major ticket pre-sales. Big-Stage Updates: The Streets have altered their Manchester Castlefield Bowl set to fit around England’s World Cup quarterfinal kickoff, with the band delivering A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full. Major Releases & Media: Oasis shared a teaser for Don’t Look Back in Anger, covering their 2025 reunion tour ahead of a late-2026 streaming/theatrical run. New Music Spotlight: Christopher Ellis drops “My Sound,” a dancehall/sound-system tribute produced with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Radio & Industry: WERU Community Radio names Kristen Spalding as its next general manager, taking over in late August. Streaming/Tech: YouTube Premium’s free trial is being used as a conversion engine for YouTube Music growth.

Beyoncé: The superstar drops “Morning Dew (Donk)”—her first new music since 2024—arriving with an official lyric video and kicking off a 60-day countdown tied to the 20th anniversary of B’Day. K-pop Global Push: TXT’s Yeonjun readies his second solo EP No Labels: Part 02, with a major US TV appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Summer Concert Series. Rock Comeback: A Perfect Circle releases “Starless,” their first new music since 2024, as they launch a long-awaited UK/Europe tour. New Album Spotlight: Memphis teen big band The Soul Ingredient unveils debut album The Cook Book (out July 12). Local Music & Community: Pleasantville’s Pleasantville Music Festival books The Speakers, a neurodivergent group from Lagond Music School, while Exeter’s America 250 celebrations stack a 5K, parade, reenactments, and fireworks. Industry Moves: Frontiers Label Group hires Nils Wasko for head of international label management, and Spinnin’ Records promotes Marco Pantuso and Frederick Pranger in Amsterdam. AI Backlash: South African singer Credo V. Daniels faces fresh criticism after viewers accuse his live vocals of sounding unlike his studio work.

Taylor Swift Spotlight: Swift’s 2008 “Once Upon a Prom” appearance resurfaces as she’s spotted as a prom date at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa—fresh fuel for wedding-era music chatter. Beyoncé: Beyoncé drops surprise single “Morning Dew (Donk)” to kick off a 60-day countdown to the 20th anniversary reissue of B’DAY, with a lyric video built from old footage. Rock Live: Mötley Crüe hits Winnipeg with a set packed with rarities, including “Take Me To The Top” for the first time since 1984. Metal Live: Kerry King returns to the stage at Summerfest in Milwaukee, stepping in after Megadeth’s pullout. Community Music: Arlington’s Independence Day celebration leans on the Arlington Community Band, formed for the bicentennial and still a local staple. New Releases/Local Scenes: La Reezy’s Skiddle Bandana arrives July 7 after XXL Freshman Class buzz. Music + Meaning: Kenyan singer Cathy Matete’s “We Won’t Be Silent” earns a Basadi in Music Awards reggae nomination. Classical for Kids: Australia’s Ellis and the Night Orchestra turns bedtime fears into live, gentle music for young audiences.

Pop Culture & Weddings: Paul McCartney reportedly played “I Want to Hold Your Hand” at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Madison Square Garden reception, adding major Beatles energy to the celebrity wedding buzz. New Music Drops: Beyoncé ended a two-year stretch with “Morning Dew (Donk)” ahead of album speculation, while JENNIE debuted unreleased songs at Open’er and teased more “soon.” Charts Watch (AU): Olivia Rodrigo and Ella Langley both climbed in Australia, with Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead” and Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” reflecting pop and country’s split paths to attention. Live Music (UK): Frank Turner and Bowling for Soup co-headlined at Llangollen Pavilion, mixing singalongs and pop-punk punch. Tour/Legacy Spotlight: Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, and Spin Doctors kick off a summer run in Grand Junction, with interviews spotlighting band longevity. Community Music: Orcas Center’s free Sunday summer series lands Ska Island on July 12. Independence Day Soundtrack: Drone shows and drone+music events marked America’s 250th across multiple cities, from Morro Bay to UNR’s “Red, White and Flight.”

Independence Day Pop Moments: Beyoncé dropped “Morning Dew (Donk)” on July 4, kicking off fresh “Act III” speculation and tying the rollout to her rock-leaning hints. Madonna’s Album Rollout: Madonna launched “Confessions II” with limited-time pop-ups across New York, Los Angeles, and London, plus a TikTok “House of Confessions” install and an iHeartRadio/TikTok LIVE premiere. Big-Stage Country Buzz: Newcastle’s Ruby Rae’s confirmed it’s opening a second venue after the country bar’s first-year success. K-Pop Chart Watch: I.O.I won No.1 on “Show! Music Core” with “Suddenly,” beating RIIZE and ILLIT in a points-heavy race. Live Music + Community: Morgantown Municipal Band marked America’s 250th with a patriotic concert (moved indoors due to heat), while Philly Pops’ “Pops on Independence” drew thousands to Independence Mall. Festival Energy: Roundhay Festival’s Day 2 live updates spotlighted rising openers ahead of Lewis Capaldi. Drone/Fireworks as Soundtrack: Key Biscayne’s Grucci pyromusical and Cocoa Beach’s drone show kept the holiday visuals synced to music.

New Album Drops: Sienna Spiro releases debut LP Visitor (Capitol), with “Great Expectation” and a Deluxe edition plus tour plans. Rap Spotlight: Ken Carson follows with xperiment (Opium/Interscope), including “wedidit” with Playboi Carti and a new video. K-Pop Return: Nam Goong Min leads KBS thriller The Husband (premieres July 4), setting up a weekend ratings showdown. Pop/TV Buzz: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding photos go viral, with fans questioning whether some images are AI. Indie Comeback/Live: Blind Pilot re-emerges after a long gap and plays The Egyptian Feb. 20. Gospel Milestone: Br Terence marks 30 years in music with a star-studded celebration. AI Backlash in Music: South African singer Credo V Daniels’ album reportedly disappears from Apple Music amid AI production controversy. Community Music & Events: Recovery Connects launches an alcohol-free festival July 5; plus multiple July 4 fireworks-and-music nights and drone shows across the US.

Pop Album Drop: Madonna’s fifteenth studio album, Confessions II, lands Friday (July 3) on Warner Records, co-produced with Stuart Price and built around dancefloor escape and healing—highlighted by “The Test,” co-written with her daughter Lola Leon, plus a Martin Garrix collab on “Bizarre.” Charts Watch: UK/US momentum continues as Muse debut with The Wow! Signal as their eighth straight No. 1 album, while Sam Fender-adjacent chart chatter spotlights “Rein Me In” hitting big with Olivia Dean. New Releases: Indie-rock Deep Sea Camels share So It Begins; electronic indie Tricky FM teases Twin Star Fantasy with “Sugar In My Drink”; Jamaican newcomer G33ZZ readies debut 33 State. Local Live & Community: Fourth of July programming stays music-forward—from Addison’s Kaboom Town! air show/fireworks to Fayetteville’s heat-safety concert plans and Little Rock’s Pops on the River lineup. Country Spotlight: Cody Johnson talks career momentum and his new era with Banks of the Trinity.

Independence Day Music & Fireworks: Omaha’s America-250 RiverFront concert and fireworks get KETV broadcast coverage, while Johnson City’s Freedom Hall show pairs live sets with a choreographed “Declaration In The Sky” finale. Local Live-Music Disruption: Escanaba’s LogJam Music Festival keeps its downtown focus by relocating during construction, aiming to pull people back to Ludington Street shops and restaurants. Music Tech & Legacy: Gibson’s Maestro RM-1A ring modulator and the later PS-1 Phase Shifter get a deep-dive look at how phase effects shaped popular guitar and keyboard sounds. Pop Culture Crossover: LEGO’s Olivia Rodrigo partnership expands the brand’s “editions” push into music-adjacent collectibles. Chart Watch: Joe Bonamassa’s Rory Gallagher tribute, The Spirit of Rory: Live From Cork, debuts at No. 1 on the Blues Albums chart. Industry Moves: Warner Music Finland acquires Mökkitie Records’ catalogue and publishing rights, bringing artists and staff into the major’s network. New Releases & Tours: Omoinotake drops “FLASHBULB” for an anime tie-in and tees a September album; FKJ returns to Singapore in November with Tyber. Community & Access: H.O.M.E. opens a new Liverpool hub for independent labels, publishers, managers and tech companies. Band & Stage News: Weezer’s Patrick Wilson promises the new LP as a “happy medium” between Blue and Pinkerton.

Label/Distribution: Warner Records has teamed up with Randall “Sickamore” Medford’s Three Times Louder via a strategic partnership, with alternative R&B breakout Laila! as the flagship artist. New Music Release: Pretty Lights is back with his first album in 13 years, the 45-song “A Trip Thru Time Fantastic,” split into nine “constellations,” with the first 15 tracks free on his site. Album/Pop Spotlight: Lizzo announces her new album “B**,” leaning into a bold, rage-bait era. **Live Music/Community: Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre reopens in Hermann Park with July programming, while Stevens Point’s Riverfront Rendezvous adds a new stage, enhanced fireworks, and Central Wisconsin’s first drone light show. Local Scene & Discovery: Rowena Wise’s “Home In This World” lands as a Discovery Playlist pick ahead of her August album. Independence Day Music: Multiple towns are reshaping July 4 plans—Batesville’s Celebrate America fireworks shift to Sunday with live music starting at 6 p.m., and Heber City’s marching band fundraiser faces reduced fireworks sales due to restrictions. Metal/Hardcore: Living Weapon announces debut album “Death In The Family” with “The Leaving Process.”

Big Pop & Reviews: Madonna’s Confessions II is getting major buzz, with critics calling it her best in two decades and spotlighting tracks like “Fragile,” where she sings about still seeing her late brother Chris. Touring & Live: Metallica hits London Stadium July 3 and 5 with a “no repeat weekend” setup—different setlists and support acts. K-Pop Health Watch: tripleS member Gong YuBin collapsed during a performance at MyK FESTA, prompting a temporary activity suspension amid fresh concern over grueling schedules. Music Biz/Distribution: ADA Central Europe inks an exclusive distribution deal with Berlin indie AIM Music, launching July 3 with a dual-single rollout. Tech-Forward Spectacle: Elton John is reportedly landing a Las Vegas hologram residency at Hard Rock Hotel with “more advanced” tech than ABBA Voyage. Local Community Music: Waverly’s New Horizons Band closes Heritage Days July 19 with a free America-250 themed concert. Global Live-Music Pressure: South Africa’s June 30 border friction is chilling touring plans for West African artists and promoters. Katy Perry Live: Katy Perry brought a full hit set to Woodstock’s Blenheim Palace, with royalty and Jedward in the crowd. Indie/Local Picks: Ipswich’s Halo Festival launches July 4 with Two Door Cinema Club, The Vaccines and Natasha Bedingfield.

BET Awards Moment: Lizzo broke down in tears after meeting Lauryn Hill, calling her “my hero” and sharing Hill’s message to “never stop speaking the truth.” Country Spotlight: Alan Jackson’s farewell “Last Call” at Nissan Stadium drove a surge in streaming, with his catalog racking up millions of on-demand plays in the days after the show. Touring Shake-Up: Bob Dylan’s July 6 Twin Cities gig will feature yet another band change, with Joel Paterson stepping in after recent guitarist departures. Blues Chart News: Joe Bonamassa extended his Blues Albums dominance with “The Spirit of Rory: Live From Cork,” his 31st No. 1. Health & Live Dates: Clint Black canceled his July 3 show after being hospitalized with an infected tonsil; he says he’s expected to recover soon. Indie Venue Culture: Songbyrd Music House’s owners discuss why small rooms keep scenes alive, as part of Jai Alai IPA’s Raise The Stage series. Community Music: The Colorado Symphony rolled out Sensaphonics 3DME in-ear monitoring for hearing protection across the orchestra. New Releases: Kelissa returned with “The Good Side of Things,” and Young M.A. pushed for more attention on “Kween.”

K-Pop TV shake-up: Mnet’s “M Countdown” is moving beyond pure chart-and-comeback promotion, adding musical-theater performers, fictional TV bands, and viral creators as broadcast ratings slide and audiences shift to streaming and YouTube clips. Remaster news: Roger Hodgson’s first two solo albums, “In The Eye Of The Storm” and “Hai, Hai,” get half-speed Abbey Road remasters for an Aug. 21 Universal reissue. Streaming wars: YouTube Premium’s one-month free trial is being used as a pricing-pressure tactic as the service raises rates and competes with Spotify/Apple/Amazon. Music rights fight: Ricardo Montaner sues UMG over ownership of early masters, claiming royalty nonpayment and challenging the validity of his termination notice. Live music business: Physical sales are up in early 2026, with vinyl closing in on CD volume. Tour updates: Daughtry announces a stripped-down “20 Years Unplugged” acoustic run this fall. Local scenes: Helena’s State Capital Band keeps performing into its 124th year, while a Lincoln Municipal Band competition crowns a new young trombonist.

Music Rights Lawsuit: Latin star Ricardo Montaner sued Universal Music Group over ownership of his early album masters, alleging UMG refused to revert rights and paid “no royalties” since taking control in 2001. Tour Moment: My Chemical Romance kicked off the UK/Europe leg of The Black Parade tour at Anfield, with Gerard Way wearing a Liverpool FC shirt that sparked a big crowd reaction. New Releases: Afrobeats superstar Davido announced his sixth album, ORIADÉ, for July 31; Ella Mai dropped the “Might Just” video; Adult DVD shared “Cowboy On Aisle Three” ahead of its Sept. debut. Local Live Music: Milford’s free Music in the Park continues July 5; Shane Lalani Center’s Thursday summer concerts run through July 30; Tulsa’s Once In A While Band readies its July 12 album release benefiting kidney cancer research. Industry Moves: Virgin Music Group unveiled a new global/regional leadership team after its Downtown acquisition. Community Spotlight: Philadelphia Music Fest marks its 10th year with a mission-first, venue-supported format and major donations to music education.

Album Announcements: Davido set a July 31 release date for his sixth studio album Oriadé, while London indie-pop quartet The Big Moon follow up Here Is Everything with Forever on Oct. 30 and shared lead single “Gravity.” New Releases: corto.alto (Liam Shortall) drops Some Small Fortune Sept. 4 via Ninja Tune, with new single “GO” featuring Vector; Everything Is Recorded and Peter Gabriel team up on “Beyond The Brilliant Haze” with .idk. Tour & Live: Blink-182 launches a three-day immersive Complex LA pop-up celebrating Take Off Your Pants and Jacket’s 25th anniversary (July 1-3); Bring Me the Horizon targets stadium dates across multiple territories next album cycle. K-pop & Global Pop: BTS, Shakira and Madonna are set for the FIFA World Cup final halftime show. Classical Crossover: Alexis Ffrench announces a London Palladium headline concert for April 27, 2027. Local Music Scene: Harlow Chorus gears up for its July 11 Saffron Hall gala (with an earlier prom event postponed to mid-September).

AI & Royalties: Tidal says it won’t pay royalties for “wholly AI-generated” music, arguing royalties should go to works written and performed by people. New Releases: Japanese singer-songwriter Centimillimental drops “CO-WRITE,” a June 28 single with Korean hitmaker EL CAPITXN, plus an official video. Touring & Big Moments: Cardi B opens up about overcoming anxiety to release Am I the Drama?, celebrating a BET win for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. Album Spotlight: Beth Orton returns with The Ground Above, framing it as a more grounded follow-up to Weather Alive. Local Live Music: Abingdon adds new dates to its Thursday Night Jams series, while Wiscasset’s “Alive On the Common” keeps rolling with a July schedule. K-pop Spotlight: TWICE’s 10-year run gets a full recap as the group continues to rack up milestones and global reach. Festival News: St. Kitts Music Festival wraps with performances including Boyz II Men, Fantasia, and Beres Hammond.