AGP Executive Report

Eurodance Shockwave: AQUA have announced an amicable split after more than 30 years, ending the era of the trio behind “Barbie Girl” and a stack of 90s hits. New Music Drop: Gracie Abrams is gearing up for her third album Daughter From Hell (out July 17) with the lead single “Hit the Wall” already out. Club-Ready Comeback: Cahill and Kimberley Locke revive “Feel The Love,” bringing back a 2013 anthem with fresh urgency. West End Buzz: Gaten Matarazzo is set to lead a London revival of Rent this fall, with rehearsals starting early August and tickets due to go on sale Tuesday. Local Live Scene: Peterborough Lido turns 90 with a “big pool party” weekend of swimming and live music at the end of May. Big Screen Pop Culture: Hello Kitty’s animated movie has new directors—David Derrick Jr and John Aoshima—with a mid-2028 release now pencilled in.

Tour Talk: Harry Styles kicked off his “Together, Together” run in Amsterdam by replying “Correct” to a fan shouting “Viva Palestina,” with Choose Love listed as a tour charity partner. Big Night Out: Overmono have announced a major Warehouse Project headline show for late 2026, timed around their new album No Devotion (out Aug 7). Local Spotlight: Sheffield is using UKREiiF to push housing and regeneration delivery milestones, including West Bar and Station Campus, as it targets 38,000 homes by 2039. Festival Feed: Lōemis Festival (June 9–21) adds Lydia Lunch and These New South Whales, plus a Midwinter Solstice Ball and new food pop-ups. Industry Watch: Quantexa’s CEO says the London-based AI firm is “IPO matchfit-ready” for early 2026, setting up another listing test for UK tech. Pop Culture Shock: Matthew Perry’s death case keeps resurfacing in coverage after a friend described Jasveen Sangha as living a “double life” as the “Ketamine Queen.”

Personalised taste in food: AI is pushing flavour targeting beyond “one size fits all”, using age, culture and location to build ever-smaller consumer groups—without fully going individual. Cannes spotlight: Eric Cantona opens up in the documentary Cantona, saying he’s been in therapy since 20 and still wrestles with “demons”. Metal comeback: Anthrax announce first album in a decade, Cursum Perficio, plus new single “It’s For The Kids”. K-pop in the UK: ATEEZ land a UK-exclusive headline at BST Hyde Park on June 28 (tickets from May 29). Venue investment: Venue Cymru in Llandudno gets a £20m revamp, with work starting this year. Eurovision fallout: Bulgaria win again, while the UK’s Look Mum No Computer finish keeps dominating debate. Local music life: Disco show AHH…FREAK OUT! returns to The Point on July 3.

Eurovision Shockwave: Bulgaria’s Dara wins Eurovision 2026 with “Bangaranga” after a week of protests and a five-nation boycott, while the UK’s Look Mum No Computer finishes bottom with “nul points” — a result that’s already sparked fresh debate about voting, staging, and the contest’s handling of politics. Live Music Funding Push: Britain’s LIVE Music Venue Trust model is echoed in Australia, where NSW groups back a proposed $1 ticket levy for major venues to support struggling grassroots scenes. Loss in the Spotlight: Dr Hook frontman Dennis Locorriere dies at 76 after kidney disease, leaving hits like “Sylvia’s Mother” and “A Little Bit More” as his legacy. Local Culture, Big Feel: In Scotland, Celtic v Hearts saw disorder after the final whistle, with police reporting arrests and injuries as the SPFL condemned a pitch invasion. On Stage This Week: Brass and Irish traditional shows land in the UK, from film-theme brass at St Mary’s to The Irish House Party at The Haymarket.

Eurovision Fallout: Bulgaria won Eurovision 2026 in Vienna with Dara’s “Bangaranga”, but the 70th anniversary was dominated by political fractures: five countries boycotted over Israel’s participation, and the final turned chaotic when Israel surged after the public vote while the UK’s Look Mum No Computer finished dead last with just one point. UK Music Venues: London’s live scene got a boost too, with a new Time Out list naming 12 of Britain’s best independent music venues in the capital. New Openings: Olympia’s £1.3bn revamp is set to bring fresh bars and restaurants this summer, plus the British Airways ARC launching with Self Esteem headline dates. Creative Funding Abroad: South Africa approved 90 Mzansi Golden Economy projects for 2026/27, including touring ventures and a DJ Owami Amapiano UK tour. Local Culture, Wales: Llangollen’s Eisteddfod adds “Sound-Bridge Sessions” to stitch daytime competitions to evening concerts with curated music across the week.

Eurovision Live: The 70th Eurovision final is underway in Vienna, with UK entry Look Mum No Computer performing 14th and voting rules now letting UK viewers cast up to 10 votes via the app/website (15p each). On-Stage Drama: The contest has been rocked by boycotts and protests over Israel’s participation; Graham Norton sparked a BBC row after remarking that “some flags [were] missing” during Israel’s introduction. UK TV Buzz: In Britain’s Got Talent 2026, magician Rafferty Coope won the fourth semi-final, while the Glantaf Boys Choir were eliminated after a stunning “Stargazing” performance. Legal/Pop Business: Dua Lipa has filed a $15m lawsuit against Samsung over TV packaging using her image without permission. Music Culture: The Northern Soul documentary “Still Burning” revisits Wigan Casino’s working-class dancehall energy.

Eurovision Tonight: The UK heads into the 70th final in Vienna with electro oddball Look Mum No Computer (Sam Battle) and his Eins, Zwei, Drei—an act already split audiences with German-leaning lyrics and cheeky jabs at British life, but backed by big Eurovision fandom and a full BBC final lineup featuring hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski plus Rylan Clark in commentary. Local Music Growth: Bradford’s Space Kid Records has opened a second studio site in Eccleshill, expanding lessons and SEN-friendly sessions run by singer-songwriter Nigel Passey, who’s performed with major names including X Factor winners. Sports Media Shift: The BBC’s 72-year Commonwealth Games run ends as Channel 5 takes Glasgow 2026 highlights via a deal with TNT Sports. Arts & Culture: Norwich’s Summer Organ Festival returns in July, celebrating the rebuilt cathedral organ with concerts, recitals and a Battle of the Organs. Human Stories: A Welsh mum’s campaign follows the fatal stabbing of her 22-year-old son, Liam Woolford.

Eurovision Countdown: The UK’s Look Mum No Computer (Sam Bartle) heads into Saturday’s Vienna grand final with a “marmite” reputation after a divided semi-final, while the running order is set and Israel’s inclusion keeps the boycott debate simmering. Streaming & Charts: Spotify has retired its viral charts, shifting buzz to a human-curated Viral Hits chart—raising fresh questions about what gets pushed. Pop Power Moves: Drake’s surprise triple-album rollout (Iceman, Habibti, Maid of Honour) is already sparking online disses and backlash, including a viral White House “MAGA” remix. Live Music Spotlight: Morrissey adds major UK arena dates, with Glasgow OVO Hydro tickets on sale soon. Industry Backdrop: The Orchard’s Richard Gottehrer reflects on building indie distribution before iTunes—plus a reminder that music business reinvention never stops.

Eurovision Buzz: Look Mum No Computer finally took the stage in the second semi-final, and fans are split hard—some calling it “bonkers” and brilliant, others bracing for a rough ride. Venue Watch: The O2 is gearing up for its 20th birthday with a summer programme built for the next decade, starting with Maisie Peters confirmed for 8 May 2027. Tickets & Tours: Van Morrison announces a five-night London residency at the new British Airways ARC, with tickets on general sale at 9am today. Pop Culture & Sports Crossover: Shakira and Burna Boy drop “Dai Dai,” the official FIFA World Cup 2026 song. Money & Music Fame: David Beckham is named Britain’s first billionaire sportsman in the Sunday Times Rich List, with Oasis also making the cut after their reunion run. Local Scene: Mucky Weekender opens applications for Hampshire grassroots acts to land an early main-stage slot.

Eurovision Fever in Vienna: British fans are packing the city for Look Mum No Computer’s run, with The Met Lounge in Peterborough promising a free bar if Sam Battle wins. Eurovision Drama, UK Edition: Electro Velvet say Graham Norton’s blunt post-show comment still stings, while fans worry the UK could be stuck in the points drought. Live-Music Safety Shock: Bring Me the Horizon’s Oli Sykes says a phone thrown at him left him with a mild concussion, and Eric Clapton reportedly skipped an encore after concert projectiles. Pop Power Chemistry: Madonna’s producer Stuart Price gushes about her “amazing chemistry” with Sabrina Carpenter on Confessions II. Streaming Tech Trouble: Spotify’s 20th anniversary was marred by a major outage that left thousands unable to stream. Industry Training Push: Backers are lining up a new France-based MSc in International Music Business aimed at emerging markets.

School Rebuild Spotlight: Rishi Sunak toured the newly rebuilt Michael Syddall Church of England Primary in Catterick Village, with pupils already moved in and the old site earmarked for new playing fields. Tour Ticket Rush: MUNA’s “Gets So Hot” UK/EU dates go on sale at 10am today, while WWE Live adds fresh UK stops including London’s O2 Smackdown (June 23) and Sheffield (June 24). Global Pop Moment: BTS, Shakira and Madonna are set to headline the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final halftime show in New Jersey. Eurovision Tonight: Semi-final two hits Vienna with 15 countries chasing the last ten spots, including the UK’s Look Mum No Computer. AI Licensing Watch: A BPI report says the UK is on the cusp of an AI music licensing boom, urging clearer rules and transparency. Streaming Disruption: Reports claim a pro-Iran DDoS attack briefly disrupted Spotify. Vinyl’s Comeback: A new story argues vinyl isn’t dead—Gen Z is driving the revival.

Ticket-Touting Pressure Builds: The RFU wants to turn Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium into a bigger live-music hub, proposing non-rugby events to rise from 3 to 15 a year, with a new “facility fee” to help fund community work. Streaming Shock: Spotify’s 20th-anniversary outage left thousands unable to stream across the UK and US, before the service returned. Eurovision Backlash: A BBC Eurovision commentator’s gripe about “losing” Eurovision echoes wider anger over UK entries and the contest’s politics, while Palestinian artists say UK visa refusals derailed a London Nakba event. Artist Business Watch: Dermot Kennedy’s firm reports €6.4m in accumulated profits, and Paul McCartney’s Rock & Roll Hall exhibit faces a customs delay over CITES rules for Brazilian rosewood guitars. New Releases & Tours: Lady Gaga’s new Devil Wears Prada 2 tracks hit the UK charts; Billie Eilish’s tour film keeps topping UK bestseller lists; Gorgon City and Fat Dog announce fresh autumn dates.

Eurovision Soundgate: BBC viewers flooded X with complaints after the first semi-final’s audio mix made host commentary hard to hear, with fans calling the backing music “louder than the hosts” and “awful.” Ticket-Tout Pressure: A fresh push for face-value resale caps is back in the spotlight, with artists and venues arguing delays mean fans keep getting ripped off. Royal Music Recognition: Ellie Goulding received an MBE at Windsor Castle, while the Prince of Wales also honoured figures including Daniel Levy. Big Beatles Move: Apple Corps confirmed “The Beatles at 3 Savile Row” will open to the public in 2027, turning the band’s final rooftop-era HQ into a fan museum. Local Live Culture: Green Man Rising shortlisted five acts for a Cardiff final, while Liverpool Philharmonic locked in its 2026/27 season. Health & Touring: Cody Simpson cancelled appearances after a serious vocal-cord haemorrhage; meanwhile Josh Groban announced a Stage, Screen, and Symphony tour.

Streaming Shock: Spotify is down for thousands across the UK and US, with users reporting the app won’t load and music won’t play; outage trackers logged tens of thousands of complaints and Spotify says it’s “checking” issues. Eurovision Buzz: Boy George’s link to Eurovision 2026 is confirmed via San Marino’s entry, with speculation now focused on whether he’ll appear on stage. Big-Screen Crossover: RAYE lands her acting debut in thriller Lineage, set in modern London and starring alongside Isabelle Huppert. Legal Drama: FKA Twigs has been countersued in her trademark fight with indie band The Twigs, escalating a dispute that dates back years. Live Music Pressure: A Chichester venue fears live-music jobs are at risk after neighbour noise complaints forced it to pause live band nights. New Releases: Overmono’s Pure Devotion is on the way, and Konshens drops Pool Party 2.0.

Ticket Tout Crackdown: UK Music has urged Keir Starmer to use the King’s Speech to cap secondary ticket resale prices and tackle touts, warning the £8bn industry can’t keep losing fans to rip-off mark-ups. Eurovision Build-Up: In Vienna, the BBC’s Eurovision coverage kicks off with semi-final 1 tonight (8pm BST), with Graham Norton praising Look Mum No Computer as a “really great choice” and Look Mum No Computer’s Sam Battle promising a phone-symphony-style spectacle. Industry Spotlight: AMAAD co-founder Paul Jack talks Printworks-era scale-up from warehouses to venues and festivals. Arts & Community: Croydon’s free Surprised! festival brings Asian arts, puppetry and live music to the streets this weekend. Live Music Reality Check: Eric Clapton cut a Madrid show short after being hit by a thrown vinyl record.

YouTube Scrub Shock: Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and “Luther” have been removed from his official YouTube channel without warning, while other Lamar tracks still sit on Apple Music—leaving fans to wonder what’s behind the sudden wipe. Eurovision Countdown: Vienna kicked off Eurovision’s 70th edition with a turquoise-carpet opening and fresh Israel-related controversy, as the UK’s entry Look Mum No Computer heads into the semis. Britain’s Stage Buzz: Trainspotting: The Musical has locked in a Scottish tour run with a full cast announced, but it’s also hit a snag after Underworld’s “Born Slippy” permission was refused. Moss Side Tragedy: A murder probe continues after musician Adrian “Dre” Brown was fatally stabbed, with arrests made. Iconic Beatles Move: Apple Corps is set to open a seven-floor Beatles fan experience at 3 Savile Row in 2027, including a rooftop recreation of the band’s last gig. Pop Culture Flash: Simon Cowell says he’s “ashamed” watching Susan Boyle’s BGT audition back, calling the panel’s behaviour “awful” and “horrible.”