AGP Executive Report

Venice Film Festival Buzz: Andrea Pallaoro’s The Echo Chamber (with Alicia Vikander, Luca Marinelli and Susan Sarandon) opened in Venice, but critics say the claustrophobic relationship drama struggles to build momentum despite strong performances. Music & Heritage Across Borders: Jerusalem’s 27th International Oud Festival (Nov 5–12) spotlights cross-regional collaborations, with Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood joining Dudu Tassa on Jarak Qaribak material, and Teapacks closing with the Hafla Vehora Orchestra. EU Culture/Minorities: A festival in Sokolov, Czech Republic, showcased national minority traditions with Azerbaijani music and dance among many international delegations. Pop Culture Meets Politics: Susan Sarandon told Venice press she’s still losing Hollywood work over her Palestine activism, even as she says the wider narrative is shifting. Local Pride, Live Music: Belgrade held its Pride March (Sept 5) with thousands marching and a music program afterward in Manjez park. Metal Spotlight: Nervosa guitarist Prika Amaral discussed building the band’s thrash/death sound from Brazil’s under-resourced scene into a global force.

Album & Tour Updates: Korn say they’ve finished laying down drum parts for their next album and are taking the new material to Germany, France and the UK from Oct 18 onward, with Architects and Youth Code Forever in support. Metal Spotlight: Blue Medusa (Alissa White-Gluz) drops “Crocodile,” with European 2027 festival dates including Wacken, Leyendas del Rock and Summer Breeze. Live Music & Culture: RTS unveils the full programme for its 2026 London Convention (Sept 29), while Malta’s Nova Sinfonietta brings “Summertime Classics” to the Secret Garden at Corinthia Palace. Soft Power Through Music: Japan’s Foreign Ministry plans to promote anime and manga globally via “soft power diplomacy,” with music also on the menu and legal distribution pushed to curb piracy. Hope & Identity: Ezra Collective drummer Femi Koleoso argues for renewal and resilience in a guest culture edit. Community Events: Heritage Open Day at Alconbury Weald (Sept 12) spotlights the site’s WWII and Cold War military past.

AI Music & Copyright: Google has expanded Gemini’s music-making with Lyria 3.5, letting users generate full songs and soundtracks from text or images, though it still can’t edit tracks via follow-up prompts. UK/Europe Live Music: Oasis’ reunion documentary Don’t Look Back in Anger premiered at the Venice Film Festival, with Noel and Liam Gallagher appearing together for the first joint interview in decades. Classical Crossover: Quartetto Gelato brings a playful “classical with a twist” set—tango, klezmer, jazz and more—to Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Oct. 1. Stage & Comedy Music: John Malkovich is set to return to Israel for The Music Critic, a satirical theatrical-musical blending classical music with comedic “evil critic” reviews. New Releases/Artists: George Michael’s The Faith Tour live album and concert film are set for a November release in the UK.

Croatia’s Festival Spotlight: Epidaurus Cavtat Festival marks its 20th anniversary in southern Croatia, with this year’s programme dedicated to artistic director Ivana Marija Vidović’s mother, blending music, dance and visual arts. UK Pop Power Move: Oasis have teased a second stadium run, with a “leaked” schedule pointing to up to 23 UK gigs next summer, including Celtic Park and Etihad Stadium dates. London Hip-Hop Night: Jay-Z kicked off his Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stand with a Beyoncé 45th birthday tribute, plus guest turns from Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. Tech Meets Entertainment: Vodafone launches Vodafone TV in October 2026, bundling streaming, live TV, gaming and music into one set-top hub. Metal Live Buzz: Vended talk returning to Wacken for its 35th anniversary, reflecting on the festival’s scale and their bigger set slot. Moldova Security & Music Culture: Moldova faces rising Russian-linked recruitment concerns and election disputes in Transnistria, alongside domestic monitoring failures after a Criuleni tragedy. Croatia/Europe Classical & Jazz: Nicosia’s 50-day International Festival opens in September with theatre, dance and music from Cyprus and abroad. Croatia/UK Music Legacy: Amy Winehouse Band announces a UK tour for the 20th anniversary of Back to Black, including Cheltenham, Bath and Bristol dates.

Russian Diplomacy Under Scrutiny: Germany is closing Russia’s consulate in Bonn after Bild reports it functioned as an intelligence hub, with about 60 diplomats set to leave by Sept. 18. Live Music Business: AEG Presents Germany launches in Berlin with Sina Hall to grow the country market, building on its 2024 partnership with MCT Agentur. Metal on the Move: Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir team up for “In League With Satan,” with dates across Zurich, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, France, the Netherlands and London. Tour Buzz: Oasis 2027 UK dates are reportedly leaked, including Glasgow’s Celtic Park, Manchester’s Etihad and Knebworth, with possible stops in Ireland and parts of Europe. New Releases: Evanescence drops the “Tell Me When You’ve Had Enough” video, while Alcest announces a 2027 Europe/UK headline run. Classical & Culture: Warner Music Central Europe expands with Warner Records Germany in Berlin led by Lea Londa.

New Music Releases: Simple Minds have confirmed their next studio album, Sacrosanct, for Jan 29, 2027, with Jim Kerr framing it as “closer to faith” than a career and a tour momentum that’s already feeding the new material. UK & Europe Touring: Birmingham indie-rock quartet Overpass added spring 2027 UK dates (including Cardiff, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Nottingham) with tickets on general sale Sept 10, continuing their Elsewhere, Always run. Rap & Live Dates: Irish rap trio Kneecap announced fresh UK, Europe and New Zealand dates for their FENIAN World Tour, with UK/Europe tickets going on sale today at 10am local time. Festival & Community Music: Romsey Youth Choir returned from a France-and-Switzerland tour that included a Geneva Cathedral service broadcast on Swiss radio. Classical Spotlight: Bonn’s Beethovenhalle reopens for Beethovenfest with a major opening concert featuring the London Symphony Orchestra and a new work by Stefan Behrisch. Music Culture Beyond Europe: Mike D released Thank You, leaning into glitchy electronics, punk, hip hop and drum ’n’ bass while keeping his Beastie Boys-era edge.

Legal Drama: Alanis Morissette has sued her former tour manager, alleging a calculated blackmail campaign tied to a UK-to-Spain drug-trafficking claim and demanding accountability for extortion and fraud. London Music Clash: St Paul’s Cathedral has signed a four-year exclusivity deal with nightclub Fabric for DJ-led concerts in the nave, drawing backlash from the Nelson Society over whether the historic space is being “insulted.” UK Tech Meets Music Business: Apple is facing a £2bn UK lawsuit over App Tracking Transparency, with developers arguing the rules unfairly hit third parties while Apple’s own ads benefit. Britpop Buzz: Oasis fans are decoding a new teaser video for possible 2027 UK/European dates, with clues pointing toward Glasgow’s Celtic Park. Classical & Community: The Davis Duo’s “Bach in the Garden” fundraiser returns in Hampton, while Winchester’s P&G Wells bookshop opens hidden areas during Heritage Open Days. EU Music Industry: UMG’s hospitality push lands in London with its first UK hotel on Denmark Street.

Arena Tour News: Simple Minds have announced new album Sacrosanct (out Jan 29 via BMG) plus a major 2027 UK and European arena run, previewed by “Beginner Boys,” with Gary Numan set to support select dates. UK Hip-Hop Live: D-Block Europe adds autumn UK and mainland Europe arena dates for the Worldwide Wave Tour, with French Montana as support and Worldwide Wave due Sept 11. Rock Pop Spotlight: Fontaines D.C. confirms a huge autumn UK/Europe arena tour starting Oct 21 (Lisbon), with Slane Castle headline shows June 26-27 and support including Hayley Williams, Damien Dempsey and Madra Salach. Music Tech & Festivals: Gotobeat expands into festivals, appointing Mike Lightford as head of festivals and launching a six-date July 2027 series at Beckenham Place Park, including “Unión” for Latin American communities. Industry Climate: A new carbon-footprint look at rock concerts argues audience travel is the biggest driver of live music emissions. Classical & Opera: Istanbul State Opera and Ballet opens its 2026-27 season Sept 19 with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and new productions.

AI Music Rights Clash: SOCAN has sued Suno in Canada, alleging the AI music generator copied human songs (including Nickelback’s “Photograph”) without permission or pay—another big test for creator rights in Europe’s streaming era. Schlager Goes Mainstream: Austria’s ORF is making a Graz pop-song church service available online, spotlighting Schlager’s 60s–80s hits in a live broadcast format. Oasis Tour Rumours: Liam and Noel Gallagher are reportedly set to announce fresh Oasis dates “in days,” with talk of Knebworth and a Manchester residency feeding the return of Oasis-mania. Venice Music/Film Crossover: Danny Boyle’s “Ink” opened at the Venice Film Festival with a five-minute standing ovation, while the festival also spotlights major music-adjacent subjects like Oasis’ Gallagher brothers. Ceuta Border Crisis: Tens of thousands protested in Spain over the Ceuta migrant crisis, a reminder that Europe’s cultural conversation is being shaped by politics and migration. Heritage & Identity: Kiki Petrosino’s poetry collection “Perfect Italian” is being launched with a reading, tying language, family history, and belonging to the arts.

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg’s 10-year milestone: The landmark concert hall marks its tenth anniversary on 11 January 2027, with attendance tripling since opening and a decade-long mix that spans classical, jazz, pop, electronic and more, including 130 world premieres. EU streaming habits: Eurostat data shows 32.7% of EU internet users pay for recurring online video, sports or other services, with big gaps between Ireland/Denmark and the lowest adopters like Bulgaria. Katy Perry in cinemas: Her UK-certified gold hits compilation, The Ones That Got The Plays, lands as Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour – Live from Paris hits cinemas and IMAX across 70 countries. Noah Kahan expands UK & Ireland dates: Extra Wembley and Aviva Stadium shows are added for next summer’s The Last Of The Bugs tour. Warner Music Central Europe move: Warner Music launches Warner Records Germany in Berlin, led by Lea Londa, as part of its wider Central Europe push. Spain’s Mercadona schedule shift: After summer extended hours, most stores revert to regular weekday times and end Sunday/public-holiday openings. Music & sport crossover in Italy: FIBA and MotoGP team up for a 3x3 showcase in Rimini on 9 September with live music and a rider vs. 3x3 game. Local live culture: Limerick’s Linger festival returns 11–13 September with food, heritage and live entertainment.

Céline Dion Comeback: The Canadian superstar told fans in Paris she’s “conserving” her energy ahead of 16 demanding concerts starting Sept. 12, saying she needs to rest and give her best. French Pop Shock: Patrick Bruel cancelled his full 35-date anniversary tour after formal rape and sexual assault charges, with protests and legal pressure mounting. UK–EU Music Business: Warner Music Central Europe launched Warner Records Germany in Berlin, naming Lea Londa to lead the new operation. Global Youth & Sound: Ghanaian-Dutch artist Fadu is set to join 10,000 young leaders at Russia’s International Festival of Youth 2026 in Yekaterinburg this September. Sports Meets Culture (EU): German forward Nick Woltemade joined Juventus on loan, a reminder of how European music and sport calendars overlap for fans. Travel Retail Pop: Beluga Vodka ran a two-month Hamburg airport pop-up, driving strong engagement with premium tastings and gifts.

Live Music & Touring: Sombr has locked in 2027 UK and Ireland dates for his “You Are The Reason” run, including Malahide Castle (June 15) and Belsonic Belfast (June 17), plus a Glasgow Summer Sessions headline at Bellahouston Park (June 19) and a London O2 date (June 22). Festival & Scene: The Korean Cultural Centre UK’s K-Music Festival returns to London (Sept 28–Nov 23) with a wider mix beyond K-pop, spotlighting Korean folk, hip-hop, jazz and game music across nine venues. Funding the Grassroots: The Featured Artists Coalition says its UK Artist Touring fund has more than doubled to £300,000, boosted by a voluntary levy from major arena and stadium shows. New Releases: The Afghan Whigs are back with “Soft Control,” their reunion-era 10th album, blending alt-rock bite with late-career soul and tension. Classics on Screen: George Michael’s 1988 “Faith Tour” concert film gets a restored theatrical release in the UK/Europe this December. Tech for Music Lovers: Plaud’s One Explorer Edition AI in-ear headphones add independent recording via an eSIM charging case.

Venice Film Festival Tensions: Venice has scrapped and then reinstated a juror panel after pressure to address Gaza and Israel, with organizers now promising jurors will speak at the 83rd festival opening. Notting Hill Carnival Aftermath: London’s Met Police reported 560 arrests over the two-day event, including 315 on Adults Day, alongside a fatal canal incident and an urgent search that later ended with a boy found safe. New Music Drops: Mac DeMarco surprised fans with four new albums released at once, continuing his DIY approach. Indie Spotlight: Secretly Group marked 30 years with a multi-day Bloomington takeover celebrating its indie label legacy. Greek Music Event: Spyros Koliavasilis is set to bring “The Soul of Greece: Songs of Vassilis Tsitsanis” to a September 12 concert. Tech & Work Monitoring: A Germany-based study roundup highlights growing concerns about workplace surveillance as AI and sensors spread.

Eurovision Asia Selection: Carmelle Collado’s “Sobra-Sobra” was picked as the Philippines’ entry for the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia, with SAGA’s “Broken Beyond Repair” second and JM dela Cerna/Marielle Montellano’s “Mapadama” third. Live Music in Europe: The Chinese folk music concert “A Panorama of Hunan” debuted on a five-country European tour in Geneva, bringing traditional sounds to a new audience. Rock & Touring Updates: Katseye’s Sophia Laforteza will miss the European and UK leg of “The Wildworld Tour” as she focuses on her well-being, while Manon remains on hiatus. Classical Spotlight: Cyprus’s Minthis hosts “Music by Moonlight” on Sept. 20, featuring Italy’s Roma Tre Orchestra in its first Cyprus performance. Festival Fever (UK): Colne’s 35th Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival drew tens of thousands over five days, with headline sets including Walter Trout and Ray Beadle. Streaming & Culture (EU): Eurostat data shows Irish users are the most likely in the EU to pay for streaming, spending nearly €2bn a year on TV, film and sports subscriptions.

Rave Tragedy in Switzerland: A manhunt is underway after a shooting at a techno rave in Aarau left one 22-year-old woman dead and five others injured, with police still unsure of motives or the number of attackers. UK Carnival Policing: Notting Hill Carnival saw 169 arrests on day one, with police citing drugs, weapons, assaults and sexual offences, while also saying the overall mood was “overwhelmingly positive” and serious violence was reduced. K-pop Tour Update: Katseye says Sophia Laforteza will skip the Europe and UK leg of its Wildworld tour (Sept 1–17) to focus on well-being. New Music in Europe: Industrial metal act Fear Factory kicked off their European/UK headline run in Poland with live debut of “Roboticist” and deep cuts. Pop Culture, Music-Adjacent: Dolly Parton’s death prompted a candlelight vigil at Indiana University, featuring live performances and an open mic.

Notting Hill Carnival: London’s 60th-year Notting Hill Carnival kicked off with J’ouvert paint fights as thousands poured into West London for the two-day Caribbean culture celebration. Festival Spotlight (Ireland): Electric Picnic day two in Stradbally leaned into big-name pop and rock moments, with Lola Young’s surprise Main Stage slot and CMAT’s return after illness, plus sets from Damien Dempsey, The Undertones and Gorillaz. Metal News: Iron Maiden brought its 17-song stage show to North America with a set spanning their first nine albums, and confirmed a busy 2026 run. UK TV Music: The X Factor is reportedly set to return after seven years, but with a revamped judging panel aimed at a younger, social-media-first audience. Classical & Opera: Thea Musgrave’s “Mary, Queen of Scots” is set to return to San Francisco via a new co-production with ENO. Local Talent (Ireland): Belfast Fleadh’s Etain Murphy won an All-Ireland tin whistle title in the 12–15 category. Tech for Musicians: Polyend unveiled “Keys,” a desk keyboard that doubles as a playable piano and MIDI controller.