AGP Executive Report

Big Tour News: Boyz II Men have announced a 2026 Australia and New Zealand run with Salt-N-Pepa and Bell Biv DeVoe, kicking off Nov 26 in Perth (RAC Arena) and wrapping Dec 6 at Sirromet Wines on Queensland’s Mount Cotton. Local Music Spotlight: Tamworth’s Town Hall has unveiled a new mural honouring Joy McKean and her iconic “Lights on the Hill,” celebrating her songwriting legacy in Australia’s country heartland. Live Music Preview: Bluesfest 2026 is in full swing with a Day 3 preview highlighting the RBC Stage lineup including Aspects, BigXthaPlug and Hardy. Music & Media: A new look at Apple TV’s streaming push covers its growing originals slate and live sports push, including Formula 1 rights for 2026. Cultural/Arts Feature: Melbourne’s Art of the Score podcast explores why movie themes—from Jaws to Star Wars—stick in our heads, and how orchestral scores shape storytelling.

Australian live music buzz: King Street Crawl is back with a massive free, RSVP-able one-day lineup: 250+ artists across 45+ venues, running from early afternoon into the early hours. Touring & releases: The Temper Trap officially return with new album Sungazer after a long hiatus. International acts in Australia: The Neighbourhood bring their long-awaited Wourld Tour to Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena. Metal & extreme music: Lorna Shore drops the “War Machine” official video and teases more 2026 dates. Rock news: Cold Chisel saxophonist Andy Bickers has died after a battle with cancer, with tributes pouring in from bandmates and fans. Pop milestone: Madonna’s Confessions II debuts at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Home listening trend: Vinyl’s “second revival” is driving younger, more diverse record-store crowds, with shops adapting to changing tastes. Collector item: Bryan Adams’ Bare Bones is getting its first-ever vinyl release, including a Melbourne live track recorded in 2025.

ARIA/Pop Power: Madonna’s Confessions II debuts at No. 1, marking her 13th ARIA Album Chart chart-topper and a UK milestone as the first US female artist with No.1 albums across five decades. Indigenous Spotlight: Jessica Mauboy opens up on motherhood and her “inner child healing” as she prepares to host That Blackfella Show for NAIDOC Week. Industry Policy Pressure: Sydney’s council caps arts grants at $257k, leaving hundreds of small music and arts projects unfunded and sparking anger over shrinking support. AI & Radio: A new global AI music labelling standard is set to roll out, after an alleged AI track topped Australian radio and climbed the ARIA Dance chart. Legal/Arts Rights: A Melbourne court backs the orchestra’s decision to sack a pianist over Gaza-related remarks, while the musician says he’s disappointed and will focus on music. Local Music Loss: Cold Chisel saxophonist Andy Bickers dies after cancer, prompting tributes across Australia’s rock community. Community Radio: FBi Radio’s Redfern HQ highlights how young Sydneysiders are turning to community stations for real connection. Mental Health/Live Music: Shinedown bassist Eric Bass steps back from touring after a “pretty serious mental health crash.” Touring/Live: Memphis Three bring Australia’s blues winners together for a rare onstage set at Mangrove Mountain Hall.

Australian music loss: Cold Chisel saxophonist Andy Bickers has died after a battle with cancer, with the band calling him a “brother” and tributes pouring in from Jimmy Barnes and others. New Aussie releases: Confidence Man drop rave-ready single “Young London,” using a sample from Bomb the Bass’ “Say A Little Prayer,” ahead of US/UK festival dates. Tour news: Benson Boone announces a 2026 Australian arena tour; Boyz II Men confirm an Australia & NZ run for Nov–Dec 2026. ARIA/album buzz: Madonna’s “Confessions II” checks in at No.1 on the ARIA chart. Global pop with local pull: Harry Styles’ Wembley residency ends and his albums surge back up UK charts, with Australia dates still to come. Industry/tech angle: A Vevo study says Gen Z is leaning hard into “borrowed” nostalgia to discover music. Big screen crossover: Disney’s live-action “Moana” lands in cinemas, with music front and centre.

Indie Rock Return: Ned’s Atomic Dustbin are finally heading back to Ireland after 34 years, with a Forest Fest slot in Co Laois (July 24) and a Belfast show at The Limelight (July 23). Telco Fallout: Communications Minister Anika Wells says Telstra must “face the music” after a major network outage, with the ACMA launching an investigation; police also ruled out the outage being linked to a woman’s death. First Nations Spotlight: Baker Boy, Drifting Clouds and Troy Cassar-Daley’s daughter Jem Cassar-Daley lead the 2026 NIMAs shortlist ahead of the Aug. 8 Darwin Amphitheatre ceremony. Touring Big Leagues: Boyz II Men announce an Australia/NZ run in Nov–Dec 2026 with Salt-N-Pepa and Bell Biv DeVoe. New Music Releases: Tullara drops queer history love song “TRAILBLAZERS,” while Bachelor Girl reworks “Permission to Shine” with Guy Sebastian. Live Sound Tech: AudioBro launches worldwide, promising room-and-speaker sound upgrades using user measurements. Legal & Arts: A pianist’s Gaza-related dismissal case against Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has been dismissed by the Federal Court. International Music News: Bryan Adams’ 2010 acoustic album Bare Bones gets its first-ever vinyl release.

Bonnie Tyler Death: Welsh icon Bonnie Tyler has died at 75 in Portugal, where she was being treated for illness after emergency surgery and an induced coma. Her voice powered global hits including “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” “Holding Out for a Hero” and “It’s a Heartache,” with tributes pouring in from across entertainment. Touring Demand: Ezra Collective have added extra UK dates to their Here Because of Hope tour after pre-sale demand, with new stops including Bristol and London. New Music: Citizen have released “I Can See You From Here,” the third single from upcoming album Halcyon Blues, and confirmed Australian/NZ shows for Feb–Mar. Local Release: Shepparton singer Tom Nethersole shares “The Village,” inspired by Boxing Day lunches and the aftermath of his mum’s passing. Live Blues Weekend: Mulwala’s ClubMulwala hosts a three-day Mulwala Blues Takeover (July 10–12) headlined by Geoff Achison and Anna Scionti. Industry Insight: Vevo’s Then is Now report says nostalgia is driving cross-generational music discovery, with shared “borrowed nostalgia” especially strong among Gen Z. Big Aussie Ticket News: Benson Boone announces his Wanted Man tour dates in Australia for November–December.

State of Origin Anthem Drama: Emma Tomlinson thanked fans after audio problems derailed her “Advance Australia Fair” performance at the decider, saying she had “no sound” and relied on the arena mix to get through. Major Tour News: Boyz II Men announced a 2026 Australia and New Zealand arena run with Salt-N-Pepa and Bell Biv DeVoe, kicking off Nov 26 in Perth. Pop Tour Spotlight: Benson Boone confirmed his “Wanted Man” east-coast arena tour for Nov 2026, including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney dates. New Music Releases & Global Buzz: King Gizzard revealed new album plans with “Alien Metal” plus “Level 5,” while Dayseeker set a 2027 Australian headline tour. Industry Development (SA): MusicSA scrapped its long-running Scouted showcase and rebranded it as “The Scouted Sessions,” shifting focus to coaching for up to 10 SA acts. Cultural Music Moment: PM Narendra Modi’s Melbourne visit included performances by the Australian-India Orchestra (“Maa Tujhe Salaam”) and a didgeridoo/tabla collaboration. Live Music Events: Albany’s International Folk ‘n’ Shanty Festival returns with sea shanties, Celtic tunes and flagship concerts across the weekend.

Album & Tour News: Melbourne thrash act Harlott have announced their fifth LP Exsequiis, due Sept 11 via Metal Blade, with lead single “Trial by Liar” and a North America run before Australian dates in August. New Music Releases: Hardcore punk band No Cure shared “When The Spasms Cease” ahead of debut full-length It Is Going To Get Dark (out July 10), plus an upcoming North America tour and more shows in Australia in August. Big Aussie Live Moments: DJ Tigerlily revealed she’s expecting her third child with husband Scott Lawson, just a year after welcoming son Porter—another reminder of how busy Australia’s dance scene stays even off the decks. International Spotlight with Aussie Links: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard teased Alien Metal, a hard electronic album due later this summer, with lead single “Level 5.” Pop Culture & Music: The Spice Girls marked 30 years of “Wannabe”, while Charli XCX continues teasing a possible guitar/strings direction with Clairo.

Funding Boost (Victoria): Music Victoria and Creative Victoria have opened the 2026 Music Works grants (Activation $5k; Project $10k–$40k) plus the return of 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund to help venues book paid live sets by Victorian artists. Live & Touring (NSW/UK): The Spooky Men’s Chorale, an Australian-founded comic choir, is bringing its 25th UK birthday tour to Malmesbury Abbey on July 25. Chart Moment (Global, Aussie link): Tame Impala’s “Dracula” remix with Jennie (BLACKPINK) hits a new peak at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. New Music (Aussie): Genesis Owusu drops surprise single “HUMAN AGAIN,” following REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE. Theatre/Classic Hits (Aussie): Sydney Theatre Company reveals Ben Hall and Bonnie Anderson as Glenn and Gaynor Wheatley for Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical, premiering Nov 15. Dance/Family (AUS Ballet): The Australian Ballet announces Storytime Ballet: Cinderella touring Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne in Dec–Jan.

Label News: Zara Larsson has left Epic Records after more than a decade and signed with RCA, with her Midnight Sun era still building momentum and her Australian tour reportedly upgraded to bigger venues. Album Preview: Charli xcx will host “Music, Fashion, Film” listening parties in 25 cities worldwide, including Sydney and Melbourne, with screenings running July 9–11 ahead of the July 24 release. New Music: Ezra Collective has dropped “Well Organised” featuring Lila Iké, blending steel pan melodies with dancehall/reggae-rooted vocals ahead of their Here Because Of Hope album (due Sept 18). Live & Touring: Noah Kahan says he’s already writing for his next project while on tour, with Australia and New Zealand dates on the way. Industry/Screen-to-Music Crossover: Prime Video has acquired Foxtel’s Picnic at Hanging Rock, with production shot in Victoria—another big win for Australian screen talent feeding global attention. Local Scene: Powder Monkey Brewing Co. is celebrating its fifth birthday with a free festival in Gosport featuring live music and a new birthday beer. Deaths: British singer Lauren Bennett (LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem”, G.R.L.) has died at 37; no cause has been officially confirmed.

Live Music Economy: A Sydney grassroots venue, Lazy Thinking in Dulwich Hill, is pushing a $15/month membership model after losses of about $1,000 a week, blaming a shift away from bar spend that’s hitting small rooms hardest. Metal Tour Buzz: DevilDriver and Cradle of Filth kick off their joint Australian run this week, timed with DevilDriver’s new album Strike and Kill. Pop Label Move: Zara Larsson has signed with RCA Records after more than a decade at Epic, with her Midnight Sun surge cited as the turning point for renewed momentum. Festival Line-ups: Wickham Festival 2026 has its full line-up confirmed, with The Saw Doctors, The Proclaimers and The Dhol Foundation among the acts. Chart/Release Watch: Charli XCX will preview her new album at Australian listening sessions as part of a global rollout. Industry/Business: DistroKid is set to be acquired via CVC Capital Partners, signalling more consolidation in music distribution. Community & Culture: NAIDOC Week (July 5–12) is packed with live music, events and conversations nationwide under the theme “50 Years of Deadly.” Loss: Lauren Bennett (G.R.L., LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” vocalist) has died at 37; no cause of death has been publicly released.

AI in Film, Copyright Tensions: Australian digital creator Jodie Heenan’s AI-made wildlife short Guardians of the Burrow won at an international AI film fest, but the win lands amid fresh debate over whether AI training relies on stolen creative work. Prime Minister Apology, Pop Culture Fallout: Anthony Albanese has issued an unequivocal apology after “shag, marry, date” comments about Kylie Minogue on a podcast sparked backlash and renewed scrutiny of sexism in public life. New Music Releases: Gold Coast indie-rock band Selve drops companion EP Breaking Outta Heaven alongside their earlier album sessions; New York rock band Against The Current releases single “Always You & I” ahead of a new album and Australia/Asia dates. Touring Spotlight: Montaigne announces a 10-year Glorious Heights anniversary tour across Australia; Delta Goodrem also tees up a one-off Sydney show. Live Music Calendar: Wickham Festival locks in headliners Saw Doctors, The Proclaimers and Dhol Foundation for late July–early August.

Major Tour Announcements: Joe Jackson has confirmed his first Australia and New Zealand run in nearly two decades, with shows from Jan 23 (Christchurch) through Feb 9 (Perth), including Sydney (Jan 28), Brisbane (Feb 1), Melbourne (Feb 3) and Adelaide (Feb 6). New Music & Local Acts: Brother Ali returns to Australia this September for a short run with Horrorshow, while hip-hop/grime fans get Dizzee Rascal’s We Want Bass tour across Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Byron Bay (plus Auckland). Sydney Spotlight: Delta Goodrem adds a one-off Sydney show at Liberty Hall on July 14 ahead of her upcoming album PURE (due Nov 6). Live Music Nostalgia: vSpy vSpy announce a spring tour celebrating the 40th anniversaries of Harry’s Reasons and A.O. Mod. TV. Vers., and Sunnyboys reunite for a one-off Brisbane date as part of 4ZZZ’s ZED51 celebrations. AI & Music Debate: Bernard Fanning weighs in on AI’s impact on Australian music, as creatives push back on big-tech copyright practices. Pop Culture Moment: Rita Ora headlines the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s, with Australia’s trophy lift delayed by the halftime performance.

World Cup Soundtrack: FIFA says the music in stadiums isn’t random, with a “Stadium Entertainment Team” curating 750+ pre-selected tracks and assigning each team signature, warm-up, and goal songs—so “Wonderwall” and “Freed from Desire” show up because they’re built into matchday playlists. Aussie Chart Watch: Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead” and Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” are both climbing in Australia, showing pop and country sharing the spotlight. Festival Fallout: Fridayz Live won’t run in 2026 (aiming for 2027), following Adelaide’s Harvest Rock cancelling its 2026 edition—another hit for the live calendar. Kids Online Rules: Teen social media restrictions remain unclear as countries tighten access for under-16s, but the real-world impact is still being debated. Pop Culture Crossover: Taylor Swift’s Wembley record run and her Madison Square Garden wedding keep driving global music chatter, with Australian fashion also spotlighted via guest looks.

Aussie music in film spotlight: WA punk trio Ratsalad landed an end-credits placement for “Southerly” in the new Jackass movie after producers reached out directly, offering extra pay on top of the deal. Local live music & venues: Adelaide’s Harvest Rock has been cancelled for 2026, with fans calling it “crushed” news. Copyright & AI pressure: Australian musicians have pushed for stronger copyright protections in the face of AI, urging government action. Industry legal watch: Eminem’s trademark fight took another turn in Australia, with the Swim Shady brand winning a ruling that removes protection in several merchandise categories from August 1 (Eminem can still appeal). First Nations culture on stage: NAIDOC Week kicked off with performances including the Mudjingaal Yangamba Choir in Wollongong, celebrating language and Country through song. Music discovery: Music for Canberra received a mystery violin gift, with a Canberra luthier warning “never trust a label” as they try to trace its 1752 maker.

AI Copyright Push: Australian music industry groups have united to demand action against mass-scale AI training, calling it the “largest theft of intellectual property” and urging government intervention. Festival Fallout: Adelaide’s Harvest Rock Festival has been cancelled for 2026, with organisers citing a “fallow year” after last year’s big turnout and earlier disruption in 2024. Local Culture Funding: The Albanese Government is backing the 2026 Tiwi Cultural Festival with $250,000, supporting Tiwi dance, music, art and storytelling in Wurrumiyanga (July 18–19). New Music Releases/Charts: Olivia Rodrigo and Ella Langley are both showing strong momentum on Australia’s charts, reflecting pop’s global pull alongside country’s growing streaming reach. Live/Community Music: Wickham Festival has locked in its line-up, with Saw Doctors, The Proclaimers and the Dhol Foundation headlining (July 30–Aug 2). Industry Watch: Tidal is set to raise prices in August, adding pressure to already-tight music budgets.