AGP Executive Report

Artist Rights: Neil Young is seeking $10 million from Donald Trump’s fundraising committee, alleging it used “Rockin’ in the Free World” at an Ohio rally without permission. He is also asking a court to block further use. Live Music: Rebecca Black’s sold-out, all-ages show at San Francisco’s Castro Theatre marks a new chapter for the singer, whose self-released album moves beyond the viral hit “Friday.” Hip-Hop: Jay-Z is set to headline the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show, while a new documentary revisits his landmark debut, Reasonable Doubt. Music and Activism: Macklemore’s sold-out Dublin show brought Hozier and Kneecap onstage as the rapper opened his Free Palestine tour. Industry Honors: Jo Donnelly received Women in Music’s Unsung Hero award for a PR career that helped shape campaigns for artists including Bob Dylan, Jeff Buckley and Mariah Carey.

Super Bowl: Jay-Z will headline the Apple Music halftime show at SoFi Stadium on Feb. 14, 2027. The NFL confirmed the booking, but offered no details on how the choice was made, amid reports Jay-Z helped select himself. New Music: Ryan Gosling’s band Dead Man’s Bones has returned with “Lost in the Night,” its first song in 17 years. The eerie, post-punk track comes with a night-time video, and the band promises more music soon. Eurovision: The Netherlands has reversed course and will skip the 2027 contest in Bulgaria, citing sensitivities around Israel’s participation and a lack of a broadcaster willing to send an act. Album Review: Art d’Ecco’s Scheele’s Green takes aim at big tech and AI, using post-punk, hypnotic riffs and a seven-minute lead single to frame its critique. Guitar: Kim Gordon’s new signature Fender Jazzmaster pairs a humbucker with a P-90, reflecting the Sonic Youth bassist’s experimental approach. Las Vegas: The Doobie Brothers have announced a nine-show Fontainebleau residency in 2027.

Super Bowl: Jay-Z will headline the 2027 halftime show at SoFi Stadium, taking the stage after years of helping Roc Nation produce the NFL’s entertainment lineup. Streaming & AI: Chicago musicians called for a two-day boycott of Spotify and other streaming services on Oct. 26 and 27, protesting AI-generated music and its threat to human artists. Music Legacies: Julian Lennon says he had to buy back childhood mementos after being left out of John Lennon’s will; meanwhile, Neil Young is seeking $10 million over the Trump campaign’s continued use of “Rockin’ in the Free World.” K-pop & Digital Music: SeeU, South Korea’s first Vocaloid singing character, is back with a new voice 15 years after her debut. Live Music: Zara Larsson set Spark Arena’s attendance record twice in consecutive Auckland shows, drawing nearly 12,800 fans each night.

Festival Watch: Oasis topped a Metro reader poll for Glastonbury 2027, ahead of U2, though festival boss Emily Eavis has already dampened hopes of an Oasis headline slot. Phoebe Bridgers, meanwhile, is set to headline London’s All Points East next year. Onstage: Kanye West’s Jakarta performance sparked online claims that he berated fans during a singalong to “Heartless”; West denied deliberately provoking the crowd. Artist News: After three years away from performing, George Ezra is opening his Hertfordshire recording studio to other artists. Music Industry: Fender says a December factory closure notice reflects its usual holiday shutdown, not planned mass layoffs. Court: Chris Brown received an eight-month suspended sentence in the UK over a 2023 nightclub attack. Classical: Paul Mealor’s new Aberfan requiem pairs remembrance of the 1966 disaster with a message of hope, featuring local schoolchildren and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Guitar History: Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen sold his five-neck Hamer for $313,600, nearly twice its estimate.

Live Music: J. Cole won over Birmingham’s Utilita Arena, opening in the crowd before unveiling an elaborate, cinematic stage set. Classical Stage: Australia’s String Quartet impressed with Bartók’s demanding Fourth Quartet, while Limestone Consort brought a playful touch to Baroque love cantatas. Concert Watch: Delhi Police cleared Diljit Dosanjh’s October 30 show after reviewing its security plan, reversing an earlier refusal. Festival News: Glastonbury’s 2027 lineup is reportedly set to feature Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and Sam Fender as the festival courts younger fans. Awards & Comebacks: RAYE took the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope; Hilary Duff says creative jealousy helped bring her back to music after an 18-year hiatus. Streaming: Spotify says it has removed more than 50 million AI-made tracks from recommendations, as platforms grapple with the flood of generated music.

Live Music: Boney M’s Cork Jazz Festival set drew a notably young crowd, with TikTok hit “Rasputin” a standout; San Diego’s Athenaeum Jazz series celebrates 30 years next month with Joshua Redman. Glastonbury 2027: Reports name Billie Eilish, Harry Styles and Sam Fender as potential headliners in a bid to attract younger fans, though the lineup is not confirmed. Diljit Dosanjh: Delhi police have cleared his Oct. 30 concert after reviewing its security plan, reversing an earlier refusal. Music Streaming: Spotify says it removed 75 million spam tracks, while Deezer now lets listeners exclude AI-generated music—two signs of growing pressure to protect music discovery. Listening Notes: A new guide pairs 10 JJ Lin songs with life’s dramatic moments, as the iPod’s 25th anniversary stirs nostalgia for a device that changed how people listened.

Live Music: BTS’s Arirang tour reached cinema screens in Buenos Aires on October 24, with a São Paulo screening scheduled for October 30. Festival Fallout: Singer Shilpa Rao’s Mumbai set was cut short after event delays; her microphone was switched off as she tried to say goodbye, prompting fans to accuse organisers of mismanagement. Music Archives: Fleetwood Mac’s authorised documentary, The Chain, will premiere globally on Apple TV on January 29, 2027, with archive footage featuring the late Christine McVie. Community Impact: FireAid has awarded a final $23.5 million to nearly 40 groups supporting wildfire recovery, including housing repairs and meal services. Streaming: Spotify says it has removed 75 million spam tracks identified as AI-generated, in a wider effort to clean up recommendations.

Live Music: You Am I gave Brisbane classics a string-powered makeover on its “Strung Up” tour, with “The Ocean” emerging as a standout. Jazz: Cork Jazz Festival opened with a fresh take on Miles Davis and John Coltrane, led by trumpeter Keyon Harrold and saxophonist Marcus Strickland. Music & Dance: James Brown, Sam Cooke and Etta James fuelled The Brown Suite, a Manchester dance show drawing audiences across generations. Concert Controversy: Fifty UK peers are urging the Home Secretary to block Macklemore’s Wembley appearance over fundraising concerns; the Palestinian Youth Movement denies allegations against it. Awards: Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope, saying music is “medicine.” Streaming: Spotify says it has removed 50 million AI-generated spam tracks from recommendations this year. Festival Access: Doha Film Festival has opened paid accreditation, offering film lovers access to screenings, talks and selected live music events.

Concerts: Diljit Dosanjh’s October 30 Delhi show is back on after police cleared it following a security review. Awards: Raye won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope, calling music “medicine.” Charts: Fontaines D.C.’s Dopamine Chamber hit No. 1 on the U.K. albums chart, marking the biggest opening week of the year for a group. Streaming: Spotify says it has removed more than 50 million AI-made tracks from recommendations; Deezer is also offering listeners a way to exclude AI-generated music. Music heritage: Plans are underway for a Jerry Garcia Music Arts Center in the San Francisco Bay Area, celebrating the Grateful Dead co-founder’s music, art and community legacy. Industry: Bose has acquired Park City audio brand Skullcandy, which will continue operating as a separate brand. Arts funding: The Phoenix Symphony plans to stop performing after its Nov. 1 concert, citing financial pressures.

Stage: The Notebook musical is heading to London’s West End in March, becoming the first production at the newly named Judi Dench Theatre. Chart Watch: Fontaines D.C.’s Dopamine Chamber has topped Ireland’s album chart, ahead of the band’s two-night Slane Castle headline show in 2027; RAYE has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope. Live Music: Diljit Dosanjh’s October 30 Delhi concert is back on after police cleared it following a security review. Music Legacy: Irish folk pioneer Dónal Lunny has died aged 79, leaving a major mark on traditional music over six decades. Onstage & In Concert: Broadway stars are reuniting to celebrate 30 years of Rent, while Eddi Reader is touring with songs and memories of her late husband and collaborator. Industry: Spotify says it has removed more than 50 million AI-made spam tracks from recommendations this year. Local Stages: Duncan Showroom on Vancouver Island will close at the end of November after 12 years, a blow to its all-ages music community.

Awards: RAYE won the 2026 Mercury Prize for This Music May Contain Hope, with the Newcastle Arena crowd celebrating her win. Live Music: Beabadoobee’s first headline arena tour brought her new rock sound to Los Angeles, while police in Delhi denied clearance for Diljit Dosanjh’s October 30 concert over security concerns. New Music: The Avalanches’ No Bad Memories updates their sample-heavy style with playful jabs at advertising and modern music. In Malaysia, six young indie bands brought fresh energy to a packed Kuala Lumpur show. Industry: Spotify says it has removed millions of AI-generated tracks from recommendations, as streaming platforms face growing pressure to tackle spam. A former Eminem employee has pleaded guilty to copying and selling unreleased music. Arts in Crisis: Phoenix Symphony will stop performing after its November 1 concert as funds run out, raising fresh concerns about the future of a major cultural institution.

Concert Access: Delhi Police denied clearance for Diljit Dosanjh’s October 30 Delhi show, citing security threats and festive-season demands. The decision drew criticism from AAP leaders, who alleged artists are being targeted for speaking out. Streaming & Industry: Spotify added 11 million active users in the third quarter, reaching 788 million, and says it has removed tens of millions of AI-generated spam tracks. In South Korea, the music copyright association is withholding about $18 million in YouTube Shorts royalties while it investigates suspected artificial song use. Artist Tributes: Mark Ronson, Jessie Reyez, Jorja Smith and others honoured Amy Winehouse at a 20th-anniversary show for Back to Black. One review praised the songs but said the recreations couldn’t match Winehouse’s singular spark. New Music: Milton Keynes indie band CUSP have released their debut album, English Country. This week’s entertainment picks also include new music from John Legend and a star-studded Dolly Parton tribute.

Artist Style & Archives: At 73, Cyndi Lauper says she still embraces an eclectic, bohemian look. A new Bonhams auction of her personal archive aims to inspire young creatives to value individuality. Broadway: In 860, Billy Crystal turns the loss of his Pacific Palisades home in the 2025 fires into a warm, funny and often heartbreaking one-man show. Country Music: Trailblazer John Anderson has died at 71. The Country Music Hall of Fame member was known for hits including “Swingin’” and “Seminole Wind.” Streaming: Spotify says it has removed 75 million AI-generated spam tracks, part of a wider effort to keep them out of recommendations. Live Music & Community: Lahaina’s new ʻUlu o Lele marketplace will open Nov. 10 with a free evening concert by Common Kings, as local businesses work to return during the town’s recovery.

Awards Watch: Michael Jackson’s biopic has been ruled out of the 2027 Golden Globes musical-comedy race and is expected to compete as a drama, though Lionsgate can appeal. Streaming: Spotify says it has hidden 50 million AI-generated spam tracks from recommendations and removed more than 75 million tracks for serious or repeated rule violations. Live Music: FKA twigs will curate London’s Meltdown festival in 2027 and perform a headline show. The Eagles have added two Sphere dates, bringing their residency to 74 shows. On the Charts: Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album is projected to score a third week at No. 1. New Music: Liam Gallagher has fueled Oasis reunion hopes by teasing a possible new album. Arts Funding: Phoenix Symphony will suspend its 2026–27 season after its Nov. 1 performance as money runs out.

Streaming Shake-Up: Spotify says it has removed more than 75 million tracks for serious or repeated rule violations, while keeping another 50 million out of recommendations amid its crackdown on AI-generated spam. Orchestra in Crisis: The Phoenix Symphony will suspend performances after its Nov. 1 concert and lay off musicians as financial pressure makes the season unsustainable. Tour News: Lily Allen cancelled her Auckland show after falling ill with a viral infection; ticket holders will receive refunds. Geese, meanwhile, have announced their biggest Australia and New Zealand headline dates yet for early 2027. New Music: Bicep have announced Slug, their first album in five years, due Jan. 29, and released three new tracks. K-pop Culture: Idols serving in South Korea’s military are keeping a public stage presence through special performances, drawing fans eager to see stars in uniform.

Chart Milestone: Bruno Mars’ “I Just Might” has returned to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, setting a record with 32 weeks at the top. Artists’ Rights: The US Supreme Court declined to hear a landmark music-copyright case, leaving in place a ruling songwriters’ advocates called a victory. Broadcast Changes: BBC Three and BBC Scotland will move online-only next spring, while Radio 4 Extra will close as the BBC seeks £500 million in savings. Sound of the Moment: Fontaines D.C.’s new album, “Dopamine Chamber,” takes aim at algorithm-driven feeds and the loneliness of online life. On Stage: Suki Waterhouse closed her North American tour in Chicago with a packed show built around the dreamy romance of “Loveland.” Emo’s Afterlife: A look back at My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade” explores how a once-dismissed band became one of 21st-century rock’s defining acts, as emo finds a new audience.