AGP Executive Report

AI Policy Shock (Australia): ARIA has moved to block fully AI-generated tracks from Australia’s official charts and ARIA Awards, after an AI-made Madonna “Like a Prayer” cover surged in the Top 20; from next week, eligibility will require meaningful human input (human-written songs, lead vocals by people, and primary instruments by human musicians), while AI-assisted work may still qualify. Global Music Loss (Dolly Parton): The industry is in mourning after Dolly Parton died at 80 following a brief cancer battle, with tributes highlighting her songwriting and her massive literacy push via the Imagination Library, which has gifted hundreds of millions of books including in Australia. New Signing (Warner Music AU): Warner Music Australia and In Bloom have signed 15-year-old rock artist Maple’s Pet Dinosaur, following viral momentum from a zero-budget “Lego” video and major festival appearances. Album News (Los Bitchos): Western Australian guitarist Serra Petale’s band Los Bitchos has announced their third album, Los Bitchos & Friends Vol 1, for Nov 13, sharing the psych-rock single “Holding Cell” featuring Ambrose Kenny-Smith.

ARIA AI Crackdown: Australia’s music industry has banned songs made wholly by artificial intelligence from official charts, with ARIA saying only tracks with substantially human-made lead vocals or key instrumentals will be eligible, after backlash over an AI-heavy Madonna cover. Dolly Parton Tributes & Legacy: Country icon Dolly Parton has died at 80 after a brief battle with cancer, triggering global tributes from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Celine Dion, plus a major focus on her philanthropy—especially the Imagination Library, which has delivered millions of books in Australia. Local Impact (Australia): In regional NSW, Tamworth leaders say Parton’s literacy work is deeply felt, while her Down Under tour was famously saved by former PM Anthony Albanese’s intervention over road rules for her oversized tour bus. Industry & Live Music: Darren Hayes was honoured at Music In The House, while new country festival Longhaul has been cancelled before launch. Charts & Pop: Katseye has landed four tracks on Billboard Hot 100, and the group’s EP “Wild” hits No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

ARIA AI Chart Ban: Australia’s music industry has moved to block fully AI-generated tracks from the ARIA Charts, with new rules requiring releases to be “substantially human made” (humans must write the song and perform the lead vocal and primary instruments). Madonna Cover Fallout: The decision follows backlash after an AI-assisted Madonna “Like a Prayer” cover surged on Australian charts and radio, prompting ARIA to tighten eligibility and allow removals or position changes where needed. Dolly Parton Dies: Country icon Dolly Parton has died aged 80, with tributes highlighting her songwriting legacy and philanthropy. Queens of the Stone Age: Josh Homme’s band has confirmed ninth album Perfecth for 30 October and shared new single “Insignificant Other.” Touring/Industry Moves: Meghan Trainor signs with UTA for global representation, while Guitar Center Music Foundation appoints Valeisha Butterfield as CEO & Executive Director. Live Dates: Noah Kahan adds an extra Wembley Stadium date to The Last Of The Bugs UK run.

ARIA AI Crackdown: Australia’s top charts will bar tracks “wholly generated” by AI, with new eligibility rules from Friday requiring music to be “substantially human made”; AI-assisted recordings can still chart, but ARIA says wholesale unlicensed AI output would undercut human artistry after the Madonna “Like a Prayer” AI-vocal/drum controversy. Local Live Music: Live at the Chapel returns to Nambour on Sept 5 with indie-folk/hip-hop duo Inia & Angela (free entry, donations welcome). Heavy Music Spotlight: The Amity Affliction has locked in Thornhill and WAAX as supports for its Sydney Opera House Forecourt “On The Steps” show on Dec 12. New Music Release: Lucy Gray drops “The Bug,” an introspective grungey track about growing up in the digital world and OCD. Chart/Industry Context: ARIA says it will also exclude wholly AI-generated music from ARIA awards, using an industry labelling approach to separate AI-generated from AI-assisted tracks.

Data-centre crackdown: Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese will push to ban large data centres near schools, homes and farms, with national minimum rules on water and energy and tighter community-impact standards as datacentre power use is forecast to surge. Tour news (AU): Icelandic rock band KALEO announces a 2027 Australia/NZ run for Feb 10–18, with tickets on sale Friday Aug 28. Tour news (AU): Passenger confirms Wild Love Tour dates, including an Australia leg in October, with tickets for Australia/UK/Ireland going on sale Friday Aug 28. Live music disruption: Alex Warren cancels his Auckland show hours before stage time due to illness, with his Sydney date still set for Aug 28 and his new album Wildchild dropping that day. New music: Australian singer-songwriter Carla dal Forno shares her album Confession, reflecting a quieter Victoria-based writing period and vulnerability-led songwriting. Industry spotlight: QMusic names Kristy Ellis as its new CEO, signalling another leadership shift in Australian radio. International but relevant: Ben Folds reunites with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra after 20 years.

Castaway Festival: Hilltop Hoods will headline Castaway Festival across three cities this summer, with Violent Soho and Amy Shark also on the bill. Live Music Industry: Australian promoter Fuzzy rebrands under the single Fuzzy name for its 30th anniversary, unifying its festival and touring portfolio. Queensland Music Leadership: QMusic has appointed Kristy Ellis as its new permanent CEO, tasked with driving growth and key programs like BIGSOUND and the Queensland Music Awards. Australian Music on Screen: Netflix’s My Brilliant Career is boosting interest in an Australia-heavy soundtrack, with Julia Jacklin, Kate Miller-Heidke and Thelma Plum among the most Shazamed tracks. Music + Orchestras: Ben Folds is reuniting with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for two shows in early 2027, with additional state orchestra dates. Documentary Release: Jebediah’s feature documentary Are We OK? lands in cinemas nationwide in October, with Q&A screenings featuring the band. Festival/EDM: Hypersonic returns to Melbourne and Sydney in November 2026 with Armin van Buuren leading the lineup. Industry/Policy Watch: New Zealand’s under-16 social media ban legislation is set to be introduced, with coalition parties split—an issue likely to keep echoing across the region.

Live Music Survival: Alice Springs’ iconic heavy metal venue The Black Wreath is fighting for survival as rising costs and fragile tenancies threaten grassroots rooms; the venue is trying to raise $1 million to buy its building and keep events like Southeast Desert Metal and Blackened Open Air alive. Australian Tours & Releases: Trophy Eyes mark a decade of Chemical Miracle with an October/November national tour performing the album in full, plus a 13 November anniversary vinyl. Windwaker announce their third album smile, you’re on camera (23 Oct) and a six-date national tour in Oct/Nov, with new single “do or die.” New Music Spotlight: Miss Kaninna releases BLACKPRINT, a truth-heavy mixtape follow-up to her 2024 EP, with the project built from freestyles and her fast-rising profile. Big Aussie Date: Robbie Williams adds two Melbourne Cup Day performances at Flemington on 3 Nov, including a trophy-arrival set and a post-race headline show.

Pop & Politics: Ariana Grande has told Donald Trump’s team “Never use my music again” after a Team Trump TikTok used her 2024 hit We Can’t Be Friends, with Grande calling the accompanying message false. Queer Music Solidarity: Sam Smith praised Madonna as a “lifeline” after queerphobic backlash around Unholy in 2022, saying Madonna backed them behind the scenes and even collaborated with them on Vulgar. Australian Spotlight: Delta Goodrem opened up on the darker side of fame, discussing stalking/harassment charges and how she protects her private life while insisting she’s “just getting started.” Live Music Buzz: King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard brought out Max Weinberg as a surprise guest at Forest Hills Stadium, playing alongside the band on “Hot Water.” Industry & Community: Perth’s all-female sea shanty crew She Shants is building momentum in a male-dominated scene, turning traditional themes into a distinctly women-led sound. Global Stage: Fugees’ Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean are set to headline Global Citizen’s antipoverty festival in New York this fall.

Australian Tour Announcements: Holly Humberstone has locked in her biggest-ever Australian headline run for Feb 2027 (Sydney Enmore, Brisbane Fortitude Music Hall, Melbourne Forum, Perth Astor), with presales from Aug 24 and general tickets Aug 26. Album/Release Buzz: Jorja Smith will return to Australia in Nov 2027 for three arena/amphitheatre dates, following the release of her independent album What Are The Odds (dance-led pivot produced with P2J). Big-Stage Spotlight: Delta Goodrem reflects on a massive year and teases her Pure era, with the Pure World Tour landing in Australia in April 2027. Live Music & Community: Thrive Festival 2026 in Hawkesbury spotlights local producer/sound engineer Dave Bleus and Studio Bleus. International R&B in Australia’s Orbit: Kehlani’s world tour continues, with the run including Australia later this year. Industry Watch: Ticketing giant Ticketek appoints Cameron Curtis to a marketing and data role, signalling continued push on audience insights.

Australian Music Industry: First Nations-led review: Support Act is running a First Nations music industry review in Shepparton, with a workshop on Fri Oct 30 (1.30–3.30pm) inviting regional First Nations music workers to shape “culturally safe” structural change. Live music costs hit venues: In Goulburn, new Australian super rules are adding major admin and cost pressure on bands and venues, with the Hibernian Hotel warning it could lift music budgets by about $12k for 2026. Local talent spotlight: Byron Bay trio Headsend are gearing up for their first world tour supporting debut EP Angel Glands, with a Dublin date set for Sept 6. Streaming/TV crossover: Australian queer drama Invisible Boys is picked up by Hulu for US streaming, bringing Holden Sheppard’s story to a wider audience. Global music buzz (for context): TikTok has agreed to pay $559m in a child privacy settlement in the US, a reminder of how platform rules can reshape music discovery.

New Music Friday (Aug 21): DMA’S have released their dreamy animated single “Emailz” from their self-titled fifth album, with the band calling it a “coming home” moment. Local Pop Spotlight: Perth’s Harriet Hawthorne is pushing toward pop stardom with “Bitch With A Guitar,” the first taste of an EP due in November, after her Australian Idol run. Tour & Tickets: Jorja Smith has announced 2027 Europe and Australia dates, including a headline slot at The O2 for the venue’s 20th birthday. Industry Watch: Ticketing and live-music demand remain in focus as Ticketek reshapes its leadership team, appointing Cameron Curtis in marketing and data. International With Aussie Links: Samara Weaving teams with singer Cara Delevingne for the steamy “Crazy, Baby” video, timed with Weaving’s Marvel X-Men casting buzz. Live Music Moment: King Gizzard opened a rain-soaked Forest Hills run in New York, powering through weather chaos to deliver their set.

Legal Drama: British rapper Yung Filly (Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos) will be retried in Perth on three rape charges after a jury hung on those counts; he was previously found guilty of two assault offences and acquitted on several other sexual charges, with sentencing for the assault convictions to follow once the retrial is resolved. Regional Live Music: Horsham’s RegFest is locked in for Saturday 24 October 2026 at Horsham City Oval, with Lee Kernaghan and Travis Collins among the confirmed country line-up and organisers expecting a big regional draw. Live Music Disruption: Jebediah has postponed its remaining North Queensland shows (Mackay, Townsville, Cairns) due to a medical emergency, with refunds and rescheduled dates to be announced. Music + Inclusion: Canberra Symphony Orchestra and the Ricky Stuart Foundation launched the Ricky Stuart Music Makers program for autistic, neurodivergent and disabled students across specialist schools. Heavy Music Update: Alpha Wolf has parted ways with vocalist Lochie Keogh and cancelled remaining 2026 shows, including a European headline run. New Releases/Scene: Sidney Phillips has signed with Fearless Records for her debut EP Lethal Devotion, led by “Swallowed By the World,” dropping 18 September.

K-pop & Australia links: ENHYPEN has officially moved into a six-member era with its mini album “THE SIN : BLISS,” led by Brazilian funk track “Bloody Paradise,” and the group notes it had a show in Australia just days after the lineup change. Big touring news: Kehlani has announced Australian arena dates for Feb 18–25 next year (Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane) with Destin Conrad as special guest. Australian audience draw: Noah Kahan has locked in major UK & Ireland stadium dates for 2027, including Wembley on July 23, plus Glasgow and Dublin. Rock crossover moment: Foo Fighters will step in as “one night only” support for AC/DC in St. Louis on Sept 8 after The Pretty Reckless can’t play the slot. Local live culture: Melbourne International Jazz Festival has set its Oct 16–25, 2026 lineup featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tigran Hamasyan, The Bad Plus and The Teskey Brothers. New music to watch: Alyssa Grace Proffitt’s TikTok-born hit “bloodstream” is surging on Spotify with tens of millions of streams.

Publishing Deal: Anna Lunoe has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with BMG, kicking off a “new era” for the EDM producer, songwriter and DJ. Chart/Legacy Moment: Nikki Webster marked 25 years since her debut album Follow Your Heart (released Aug 20, 2001), revisiting the hits that made her a pop staple after the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Touring News: New York duo Fcukers announced three Australian headline shows this December (Sydney Metro Theatre Dec 9, Brisbane Princess Theatre Dec 10, Melbourne Timber Yard Dec 13) plus a Meredith Music Festival stop. Industry Awards/Ad Music: ARIA’s Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement returns for a fourth year, with entries opening Aug 21 and the winner announced Nov 18. Local Music Spotlight: John Farnham’s sons say he’s “doing good” after oral cancer surgery and ongoing rehab, as the family supports Daffodil Day. Pop Culture Tie-In: Audible launched a Bondi “lost in an audiobook” stunt starring Jennifer Coolidge, with a reveal film and broader campaign.

Australian Idol Shake-Up: Morgan Evans is set to join the judging panel in 2027, replacing Kyle Sandilands, alongside Marcia Hines and Amy Shark. Tour Setlist Power to Fans: Niall Horan is asking fans to vote on the setlist for his “Dinner Party” tour, with Australia pencilled in after UK/Ireland dates. Health Update: Betty Who says they were sidelined from a Broadway event after a nasty E. coli infection. Big International Live Moments: Delta Goodrem lands in Athens for her “PURE World Tour,” while the Jonas Brothers headline the NFL Melbourne halftime show at MCG on Sept 11. Streaming/Discovery Tech: Spotify rolls out “Playlist Notes,” letting playlist editors explain their picks (and giving editors public profiles). Local Live Disruption: Mundi Mundi Bash in NSW turned away about 15,000 ticket holders after storms flooded parts of the outback site. ARIA/Art Music Spotlight: Chamber Made wins big at the 2026 Art Music Awards, with ocean-themed works taking multiple honours.

ARIA Milestone: The 40th ARIA Awards are set for Nov. 18 at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, with Spotify returning as headline sponsor and 10 broadcasting while Paramount+ streams. Streaming Features: Spotify is rolling out Android Running Mode and expanding User Notes, letting listeners match playlists to workout pace and add captions to tracks. Live Industry Leadership: Lizzie Butterworth has been appointed CEO of the Australian Festival Association, bringing NSW policy experience and a focus on venue protections and festival regulation. New Music Releases: Naarm/Melbourne artist REDD. drops “better” ahead of heaven’s here (Nov. 20 via Island Records Australia), while REDD. frames the project as punk/rap/electronic escapism with heavier edges. Touring Spotlight: Ashnikko’s SMOOCHIES Tour adds Melbourne’s Robert Baxter as special guest for Australia & NZ dates. Community & Culture: Penrith hosts its first vinyl and CD fair, Records by the River, plus a reminder that local music spaces keep finding new ways to bring people together. Festival Pressure: Adelaide’s OzAsia Festival will be the last after two decades, joining a wider run of major events leaving the city.