AGP Executive Report

New Releases: John Legend’s Muse, his first full album with Pharrell Williams, takes his vocals in a more conversational direction. Anderson .Paak and Cordae have also joined forces for the 11-track Heavy Is the Crown. Live Music: Sarkodie drew more than 80,000 fans to Rapperholic in Kumasi, blending hip-hop with Ghanaian tradition and paying tribute to highlife star Daddy Lumba. Comebacks: Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones is set to release new music on October 27, its first in 17 years. Industry: Anthropic is facing a lawsuit over alleged use of Elvis Presley music to train AI models, raising fresh questions about artists’ rights. Tributes: Irish traditional music has lost Dónal Lunny, 79, a pioneering musician and producer whose influence spanned generations. Global Reach: Davido, Tems, Asake and Ayra Starr are reportedly seeking Grammy consideration in major categories, reflecting Afrobeats’ growing international ambitions.

Tributes: Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae pioneer Derrick Harriott has died at 87. Irish musician Dónal Lunny, 79, helped reshape traditional music with Planxty, the Bothy Band and Moving Hearts. Global Pop: Pakistani hit “Majboor,” with more than 250 million streams, is reaching new listeners in a remix by Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies. RAYE has won the 2026 Mercury Prize. New Music: Bad Wolves have completed their “Jolene” cover with Dolly Parton’s previously recorded vocals, with proceeds going to her Imagination Library. Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones is set to release its first new music in 17 years on October 27. Music and AI: Sennheiser chairman Daniel Sennheiser says AI can assist musicians but cannot replace human creativity; Spotify says it removed about 50 million AI-generated tracks over the past year. Milestone: Taylor Swift marked 20 years since her debut album’s release, with fans celebrating the anniversary online.

Irish Music: Dónal Lunny, the pioneering traditional musician and producer behind Planxty, the Bothy Band and Moving Hearts, has died aged 79. Mercury Prize: RAYE won for This Music May Contain Hope, an album blending jazz, soul, R&B and orchestral sounds. New Music: LISA’s six-track Press Play is out, while Ryan Gosling’s gothic rock duo Dead Man’s Bones will release its first new music in 17 years on October 27. Live Business: Harry Styles’ packed New York residency reflects a wider shift, with artists including Celine Dion and Bad Bunny taking concert runs to new markets. Dance History: A Romford exhibition will celebrate the town’s influential 1980s and ’90s club scene at a former nightclub slated for demolition. Grassroots: A UK festival featuring more than 1,000 shows, including Becky Hill in Worcester, raised £100,000 for four charities.

Irish Music: Dónal Lunny, the influential bouzouki player, producer and founding member of Planxty and Moving Hearts, has died aged 79. He also worked with U2, Kate Bush and Sinéad O’Connor. Charts: Fontaines D.C.’s Dopamine Chamber debuted at No. 1 in the UK with 70,105 units, while single “Marianne” climbed to No. 12. Latin Music: Fuerza Regida took home major honors at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, while Karol G won four awards and Rosalía received the Hall of Fame honor. Mercury Prize: RAYE won for This Music May Contain Hope, calling music “medicine.” New Releases: John Mayer returned with “Tom and Jerry,” his first solo music in five years, and launched Sob Rock Records with Mercury. Music Business: Seeker Music acquired JoJo’s first two albums, including their re-recorded versions, and plans a deluxe 20th-anniversary edition of The High Road.

New Music: John Mayer has released “Tom and Jerry,” his first new solo music in five years, and says he’s working on an album. Irish DJ and singer Jazzy also launched her debut, Peace & Patience. Comebacks: Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones has teased new music for Oct. 27, 17 years after its debut album. Mercury Prize: RAYE won the 2026 award for This Music May Contain Hope, a genre-spanning album blending jazz, soul, R&B and classical music. Country Loss: John Anderson, the distinctive voice behind “Seminole Wind” and “Swingin’,” has died at 71. Music and Protest: Paris’s Orchestre du Nouveau Monde stopped playing after police teargas targeted its musicians during a protest; the volunteer ensemble combines classical performance with activism.

Awards: RAYE won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope, a genre-spanning album judges praised for its ambition and charm. The Billboard Latin Music Awards also got underway in Miami, with Peso Pluma leading the finalists and a new fan-voted award debuting. New Music: John Mayer is returning with “Tom and Jerry,” his first solo single in five years, through his new Sob Rock Records label, launched with Mercury Records. Country: John Anderson, the Country Music Hall of Famer behind “Seminole Wind” and “Swingin’,” has died at 71. Ticket Trouble: Calvin Harris fans in Vancouver faced a near sellout and resale listings starting around $870 shortly after public tickets went on sale. Copyright Case: A former Eminem studio employee pleaded guilty to stealing and selling unreleased tracks; prosecutors say the leaks were accessed millions of times.

Country Music: John Anderson, the Country Music Hall of Famer behind “Swingin’,” “Seminole Wind” and “Straight Tequila Night,” has died at 71. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 21; no cause has been announced. Folk’s New Edge: Shovel Dance Collective’s new album Everything in Readiness pushes traditional English folk into noisy, experimental territory, blending old songs with drones, distortion and dissonant arrangements. Global Pop: Vietnamese digital-entertainment company POPS Worldwide is betting social media can propel Southeast Asian music onto the global stage; it now manages more than 45,000 recordings across the region. K-pop: A2O SOUL, the 15-member group launched by Lee Soo-man, will release its five-track debut album SUPERSTAR on Nov. 9. On Tour: Buena Vista All Stars will bring their 14-piece Cuban ensemble to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in February 2027, celebrating traditional Cuban son and its African and Spanish influences.

Screen Music: Disney+ and Hulu have ordered a “Glee” revival from the original creators, with Lea Michele expected to return as Rachel Berry. New Album: Martin Garrix will release his debut pop album, MARTY, on March 5, 2027, featuring Madonna, U2 and Ed Sheeran. Music Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court left in place a ruling that could let artists reclaim overseas song copyrights alongside U.S. rights, though the case’s outcome remains uncertain. Global Reach: Universal Music Southeast Asia has signed Thai star Jeff Satur, with a 2027 album and world tour planned as part of a push to make him a global T-Pop star. AI Debate: As listeners push back against AI-generated music, even some technology advocates are drawing limits. Independent Legacy: Canada’s Hand’Solo Records marks 30 years championing underground hip-hop, from experimental rap to nerdcore.

Oasis: Liam Gallagher has reignited hopes for new music, hinting online at an eighth album and saying a new record could follow the band’s 2027 tour. New Music: Ashlee Simpson says she is back in the studio, while Dublin rapper KhakiKid has released a four-track live EP recorded for NPR’s World Cafe. Tour News: Sam Fender will play Dublin’s Marlay Park on July 1, 2027, as part of a stadium tour that includes two Wembley dates. Album Watch: Los Angeles rock band Liily will release major-label debut WAX on November 13, led by new singles “CALLUS” and “ERROR.” K-pop: TWICE member Jihyo has left JYP after 21 years to launch her own agency, while continuing with the group; new figures show K-pop acts leading Asian touring revenue and approaching 100 million album sales this year. Live Events: U2 will headline Netflix’s Thanksgiving Eve NFL halftime show on November 25, and FKA twigs will curate Southbank Centre’s Meltdown festival in 2027.

Live Music: U2 will perform at halftime of Netflix’s inaugural Thanksgiving Eve NFL game, bringing the Irish rock band to a global sports broadcast. New Music: Blondie announced High Noon, its first album in a decade, while Lady Gaga hinted she is already thinking about new music after becoming a mother; no release dates are set. Music Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear record labels’ challenge to a landmark copyright-termination ruling, leaving the decision in place. Separately, “Cheese Tax” songwriter Matthew Hobbs is suing Kroger and LG, alleging they used his viral TikTok song in commercial posts without licenses. Industry Moves: BMI creative executive Barbara Cane will retire at year’s end after more than five decades with the organization. Too Lost Music Group also struck a deal to partner with Australia’s Xelon Entertainment, expanding its reach across the Asia-Pacific region. Country: Tim McGraw has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

New Releases: The Rolling Stones will add five previously unreleased tracks to a deluxe edition of Foreign Tongues, due Nov. 27. Streaming Milestones: ILLIT’s “Magnetic” became the fastest K-pop group debut to reach 900 million Spotify streams; BTS also set a record as the first group to top 10 billion streams in a single year. Global Sounds: Senegal’s Orchestra Baobab is releasing Made in Senegal, its first album of new songs in nearly a decade, with younger musicians helping carry its Afro-Cuban and West African sound forward. Industry: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected record labels’ challenge to a ruling on artists’ rights to reclaim copyrights. Ireland’s basic-income scheme for musicians is now underway. Honors and Tributes: Tim McGraw was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, while Tamil film composer Deva’s death prompted tributes from artists including Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. K-pop Comeback: Virtual group K/DA has returned after six years with a new single and video.

K-pop Breakthrough: A2O LITE’s debut “NEON” topped Melon’s chart in just 29 hours, the fastest rookie debut to reach No. 1 since the chart’s 2021 revamp. Live Music: KROQ’s 35th Almost Acoustic Christmas brings Foo Fighters, Weezer and Interpol to Los Angeles in December; System of a Down has announced its only North American show of 2027, at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl with Pierce the Veil. Industry & Rights: The Black Music Action Coalition is challenging the impact of Universal Music Group’s layoffs on women and people of color. The U.S. Supreme Court also rejected record labels’ challenge to a ruling on artists’ rights to reclaim copyrights. Artist Support: Ireland’s basic-income scheme for musicians is now running, a significant step in providing direct support to working artists. Global Sounds: At Latin Music Week, salsa veterans and rising artists weighed the value of live venues against digital platforms, while Quevedo and Kidd Voodoo discussed how local roots shape urban music. Pop: Charli XCX’s “Music, Fashion, Film,” her follow-up to “Brat,” reflects on ambition and what comes after success.

Legal News: Stones Throw Records has cut ties with Los Retros frontman Mauricio Tapia after prosecutors filed four felony charges involving a child under 10. The allegations have not been proven; Tapia had not entered a plea. Electronic Pioneers: Kraftwerk will bring their immersive live show to Halifax’s Piece Hall on June 22, 2027, joining a summer bill that includes Slash, Rudimental and Kaiser Chiefs. K-pop Goes Global: Hybe’s first Weverse Con Festival in India will pair TXT, Enhypen and Le Sserafim with Indian artists in New Delhi on March 27–28, 2027. Touring: Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen has launched his DIMENSIONS world tour with a concert in Kraków, featuring new songs and performances rooted in his cultural heritage. Creole Sounds: Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival runs October 23–25, with Ne-Yo, Machel Montano, Uncle Waffles and Maxi Priest among the performers. Classical Music: Composer Unsuk Chin will lead Tongyeong International Music Festival through 2029, extending a tenure that has brought traditional, jazz and film music into its programme.

AI and K-pop: An AI-assisted song with human-written lyrics has climbed to No. 3 on Melon and No. 2 on YouTube’s South Korean chart, intensifying debate over AI’s place in music. Live Pop: Charli XCX brought new songs and surprise guests Chappell Roan and PinkPantheress to the Kia Forum, blending her dance-pop roots with a rock-leaning stage show. On Tour: Hans Zimmer’s arena production puts the composer onstage with a 19-piece band, global choir and towering modular synthesizer. Tributes: Tamil film composer Deva has died at 75; Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan were among those mourning the hitmaker. K-pop and the Grammys: BTS’s decision not to submit music has stirred talk of a broader industry boycott over the awards’ Asian pop category. Musical Heritage: Lahore’s Punjab Institute of Language, Art & Culture honored Qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with a tribute night and displays from its music archives.

Traditional Music: Malaysian star Siti Nurhaliza drew 63,000 fans to a rain-soaked concert celebrating traditional arts, as the country’s communications minister urged her to bring the music to a wider world. Pop Moments: Chappell Roan surprised fans by joining Charli XCX for “Boom Clap” at a Los Angeles show. BLACKPINK’s Jennie says vivid images and “little snapshots” can shape her songwriting. Artists & Industry: Eminem defended recording with longtime friend Kid Rock, saying the collaboration was about music, not politics. A debate over K-pop’s Grammy presence is also growing, with major agencies reportedly joining calls for a boycott. Remembering: Tamil film composer Deva, known for songs across generations of South Indian cinema, has died; colleagues including Rajinikanth paid tribute. On the Calendar: Israel’s Voice of Music Festival returns Oct. 28–Nov. 1 with five days of classical performances and musical discovery.

Grammy Spotlight: Bashkir group Ay Yola has submitted its album Ural Batyr for Grammy consideration, blending traditional vocals and instruments with electronic music. Meanwhile, BTS and major K-pop agencies are reportedly withholding submissions over a new category they say separates Asian pop from the main fields. Artist News: Los Retros frontman Mauricio Tapia has been charged with four felony counts involving a child; the band was removed from an LA festival, and its label says it is dropping the group. Remembering: Tamil film composer Deva, 75, has died, prompting tributes from Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. Pavlov’s Dog frontman David Surkamp, 73, and Israeli pop pioneer Erez Halevi, 71, have also died. Collaborations: Eminem says his verse on Kid Rock’s new faith-based album is about making music with an old friend, not choosing political sides. On the Comeback Trail: Australian indie band San Cisco is returning to music and touring after a two-year hiatus.