AGP Executive Report

Anniversary Tour: ICEHOUSE has confirmed its 40th anniversary “Man of Colours” arena tour across Australia in 2027, with stops including Newcastle, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Museum Spotlight: The Australian Museum of Performing Arts is debuting “ENCORE!”, a 50-year Australian Performing Arts Collection exhibition featuring Kylie Minogue’s gold “Spinning Around” hotpants and Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst’s touring drum kit. Live Music Industry: Live Nation research claims 91% of Australian live music fans would consider loyalty programs for perks, with live music seen as a key differentiator as loyalty engagement shifts. Rights & AI: Government documents seen by the ABC suggest AI firms could train on online content without paying creators if they strike deals with enough rights holders, with the plan framed as part of copyright reform talks. Workplace Action: Arts Centre Melbourne workers staged a 24-hour strike over pay and conditions, forcing Hamer Hall closures and cancelling/postponing multiple shows. Festival Updates: Good Things Festival has revealed its 2026 sideshow lineup, while Howlin’ Country is expanding in 2027 with “Rock N Rodeo” featuring Kasey Chambers and Max McNown. Tour News: Medium Build will play four headline dates in Australia in January 2027. Country Calendar: Amber Lawrence is set to headline Deni’s Spirit of the Muster Street Festival, with a full day-to-night program.

Tour Backlash: Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran’s remaining U.S. tour dates after “Free Palestine” remarks at MetLife Stadium, with venues reportedly refusing to allow him on the lineup. Big Britpop Energy: Oasis has confirmed a 38-date “Live ’27” world tour for May–Sept 2027, including multiple UK/Europe stops and a return to Knebworth 30 years after 1996. Australian Spotlight: Keith Holland (Corowa) drops new single “Get on Board,” a ghost-train story from his upcoming album Castles in the Sand. New Music Releases: Folk album reviews spotlight Sam Carter’s live tribute to Nic Jones (Sam Carter Sings Nic Jones) and Spell Songs’ In Thin Air. Radio Discovery: Research suggests younger listeners (20–34) are using live radio for music discovery, valuing human curation over algorithms. Industry Policy: Australia’s merger control rules have been tightened with higher thresholds for control and changes to how non-notified deals are handled.

Grand Slam Power Shift: Top tennis players have stopped public campaigning for bigger shares and decision-making power from the four majors, opting to push their goals through a new Player Advisory Council instead. Australian Live Music (Anniversaries & Tours): ICEHOUSE has announced a 2027 arena tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of Man of Colours, performing the album in full for the first time. Big Aussie Stadium-Scale Pop: Empire Of The Sun has set its 2027 “Ask That God: Afterlife” Australian tour dates, including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Sydney Queer Arts Comeback: Divine Playhouse is returning at the MCA for three nights in October with UNHOLY / DIVINE, after its Kent Street closure. Festival & Community Music: Let’s Go Greek Festival packed Parramatta with Greek music, dance and a Giorgos Tsalikis headline set. Industry/Legal: The Australian Grand Prix’s organisers have lost an appeal over a $2.84m compensation order tied to a cancelled Robbie Williams concert.

AI & Charts: ARIA has tightened rules on machine-made music, removing AI-generated tracks from Australia’s charts unless they’re “substantially human-made,” after an AI-assisted Madonna cover surged to number four—sparking a bigger debate over who counts as the artist. Music Funding: MusicNSW has launched Tone Shift to help fund female, trans and non-binary musicians. New Releases: Room40 announced a run of fall 2026 releases across field recording, ambient, electroacoustic and experimental electronics. Touring (Local/Regional): Canberra’s Summit: 50 Years of Piazzolla & Mulligan brings Argentine saxophonist Jorge Retamoza for a Sept 26 show. Industry/Community: Melissa Doyle has been appointed chair of the Australia Day Council, taking over from musician John Foreman, with a three-year term.

Funding & Inclusion: MusicNSW has launched Tone Shift, a microfund for NSW women, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists, offering grants up to $2,500 for equipment, studio time and performance gear. Local Music Education: A NSW charity-backed program is giving primary students access to music lessons before year 7, with kids at Taree Public School learning drums and even creating a song and clip tied to Biripi culture. Live Music & Culture: Bryce Dessner is bringing his orchestral work to Australia with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for his first solo Australian tour of the project. Album Spotlight: Orville Peck’s new album Mule drops this week, with the Playgirl cover interview focusing on sobriety and queer community support. Arts Infrastructure: The Powerhouse Parramatta museum’s extended night opening plans are under scrutiny and may be rolled back as NSW Treasury looks for cost savings. Community Storytelling: A therapeutic family camp in WA’s Fitzroy Valley is helping Aboriginal families support children with complex neurodevelopmental needs through culturally led, recreation-based care.

Tour Update: Country hitmaker Megan Moroney has added a second Brisbane date to her “The Cloud 9 Tour”, taking the Australian leg to May 8 (Melbourne), May 11 (Sydney) and May 14 + 15 (Brisbane Entertainment Centre) in 2027, after strong presale demand. Grand Final Spectacle: Kylie Minogue will deliver a 20-minute pre-game show at the AFL Grand Final at the MCG on Sept 26, with an avant-garde stage, dancers and visuals, plus a “Kylie Village” and Footy Festival kicking off Sept 23. New Single: SAOSIN has released “Just Be Honest”, the latest single from its next era, following its earlier comeback with “Starting Over Again”. Local Spotlight: Perth’s Bloody Long Walk for mitochondrial disease is marking its 100th national edition, with WA families turning grief into fundraising and awareness. Community Farewell: Bondi Rescue lifeguard Matt Dee, 47, was honoured with a paddle-out at Bronte Beach, with friends, family and surfers celebrating his life and mental health advocacy. Global Music Moment: Alicia Keys and friends join Global Citizen Festival’s Central Park lineup on Sept 26, with tickets free via action on the Global Citizen app.

Radiohead Australia return: The band has officially announced a 16-show 2027 arena tour—four dates in Perth (May 3–?), then six each in Melbourne and Sydney—marking their first Australian run in 15 years, with ticket on-sale details and pricing now circulating. Local ticketing spotlight: A practical guide is out for fans trying to secure Radiohead tickets, including presale timing and how to register. ARIA chart momentum: Angus & Julia Stone’s “Karaoke Bar” hits No. 1 on the ARIA charts, following earlier chart success this year. New music on the road: Gabriella Cilmi has announced a UK tour for her album Pure Love and is actively seeking local support acts for her Birmingham date at Dead Wax (Nov 26). Australian live culture: Perth Film Studios opened to huge crowds during open days, with behind-the-scenes access and local music from Birdland plus industry panels. Community + music crossover: Tilba Festival returns on 26 September with a kids’ zone and live performances, including magician The Great Zamboni. Industry policy note: The ACCC continues an exemption to APRA music rights arrangements, keeping the debate around music licensing in the spotlight.

ARIA & charts: Angus & Julia Stone’s “Karaoke Bar” hits No. 1 on the ARIA Chart, a big win for local pop momentum. New music: SAOSIN drops “Just Be Honest,” turning betrayal into closure with a new video. Tour news: Simple Minds add a second Glasgow OVO Hydro show due to demand, with Australian/NZ dates coming next. Live music spotlight: Brisbane Festival kicks off with a mix of old and new, including Suzie Miller’s Strong Is the New Pretty. Classical endurance: Australian organist Calvin Bowman will play Bach’s entire organ catalogue back-to-back for 16 hours at QPAC as part of Brisbane Festival. AI policy: Australia bans AI music from charts, a major shake-up for how releases are counted. Music + science novelty: Researchers name a new Australian insect genus “Swiftiephylus” after Taylor Swift and her albums. Industry leadership: Proudly Human appoints ARIA-winning songwriter Alexander Gow as Managing Director, North America, to push back against AI impersonation. Local culture: Melbourne theatre faces a tough year, but audiences are still showing up for community-led stories.

Australian Live Music & Touring: JessB has released her new album MATTERS OF THE HEART, featuring singles including “Can I” plus “Not Today” and “See You There,” with guest spots from Paige, Deva Mahal and more. Global Pop in Australia: The Jonas Brothers’ halftime set at the Rams-49ers NFL game at the MCG included “Burnin’ Up,” “Sucker,” “Listen When Sad,” “Year 3000,” and a surprise cover of John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice,” with Joe Jonas’ delayed flight almost derailing the show. K-pop Cinema Events: BTS will screen two ARIRANG South America concerts in cinemas worldwide—Buenos Aires (Oct 24) and São Paulo (Oct 30)—with Australia expected to get the showings a day or two later. Local Scene Spotlight: Australian punk/antifascist artist MUDRAT spoke after a secret UK Camden show tied to Palestine and indigenous liberation themes. Industry/Community: A story on parents pushing back against age-based ticketing rules at gigs highlights ongoing pressure on live music access for families.

NFL in Melbourne: The 49ers’ historic regular-season debut vs the Rams at the MCG is set to bring huge crowds and a big Aussie music moment, with the stadium’s long event history now getting an American-football first. Touring Pop: Harry Styles has added 25 more 2027 stadium dates to his Together, Together run, including Kylie Minogue and Tears For Fears as special guests, plus Croke Park and Wembley stops. Australian Releases: Fanny Lumsden announces her fifth album Traditions (out 30 Oct), exploring family identity and how traditions evolve. New Music: Slayyyter drops crank 2 as a follow-up to CRANK, with a North America tour underway. Industry Moves: Brian Eno’s Opal Records is relaunching after 35 years, starting with reissues of Another Day on Earth and Drawn From Life. Culture & Stage: Redfern’s Moogahlin Performing Arts spotlights Lily Shearer and co-founders’ push to subvert the colonial gaze through First Nations theatre. Legal/Policy: Australia’s merger laws get targeted refinements, keeping the ACCC approval requirement but changing how “failure to file” is handled.

Tour News: Harry Styles has confirmed his Together, Together tour will extend into 2027, with fans set for a further announcement of the “final cities” after he teased “2027. Tomorrow.” Controversy: Styles is also facing backlash over artwork on a New York ticket that fans say nods to 9/11 ahead of the 25th anniversary. New Music (AU): Eora/Sydney artist SILVAS drops “MOG IN THE CITY,” a late-night anthem with a Harbour Bridge video and “Silk City” pride. Collab Release (AU): Rogue Traders team up with Dannii Minogue for “Dirty Dirty Disco,” a disco-leaning return to the dance floor. Live Venue (WA): Mojo’s in North Fremantle is revamping into an all-week neighbourhood music bar with Greek-inspired food and earlier opening hours. Radio/Media: Carrie Bickmore is reportedly tipped to take over KIIS Network’s national Drive slot after Will & Woody end in 2026. Community & Relief: The Project Beyond performed in NSW for Nepal flood relief, while the Blue Mountains Nepali community raised AUD $11,273 for the Nepal government’s disaster fund. Industry Recognition: APRA Silver Scroll Awards reveal 2026 finalists.

New Music Releases: Party Dozen have announced their new album 21 Bum Salute (out 11/6 via City Slang) with the single “Euro Stomper”, plus a run of VIC/SA/QLD/NSW dates including Chopped Festival (Carisbrook) and Sydney’s Crowbar. Australian Artists on the Move: Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker says he’ll no longer sign autographs due to “aggressive” collectors, while Alex Warren’s WILDCHILD continues to make chart noise after a painful on-stage tumble in Melbourne. Big International Music News (with Aussie links): The Weeknd’s 2026 Europe/UK After Hours Til Dawn leg reportedly grossed over $345m and drew 2.3m fans across 11 countries, with the tour also raising millions for the UN World Food Programme and Global Citizen. Music + Culture: Tommy Emmanuel releases a 20th Anniversary remastered vinyl edition of The Mystery with bonus live tracks. Pop Culture/Science Crossover: Researchers have named newly discovered Australian plant-eating insects after Taylor Swift, including the genus Swiftiephylus. Industry/Tech: Pushback against AI “songs” keeps growing, with Spotify facing renewed pressure over how AI music is handled on charts.

LIV Golf Fallout: LIV Golf has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US, with estimated liabilities of $500m–$1b and plans to restructure and return in 2027 under a “player-first” ownership model. Gaming Nostalgia: Nintendo confirmed the Ocarina of Time remake for November 5, 2026, plus a live-action film release on April 30, 2027 and a 40th anniversary concert tease. Ticketing Leadership: Ex-Ticketmaster Australia boss Phil King has been appointed CEO of Dunedin Venues Management, adding fresh experience to the Dunedin Centre and Forsyth Barr Stadium. Touring & Live Music: Macy Gray’s Arts Centre Melbourne concert was cancelled due to a proposed 24-hour strike; meanwhile, The Early November and Hellogoodbye announced a March 2027 co-headline Australian run. Local Music Events: Manly’s new Surf + Sound Festival lands across three weekends in October/November with The Whitlams, Skunkhour, GANGgajang, Winston Surfshirt and Mudhoney among the first acts. Artist-Fan Boundaries: Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker says he’ll stop signing autographs after “aggressive” collectors allegedly used children to get signatures. Rights in the Spotlight: An Amy Taylor photo rights dispute over Vogue Portugal’s “Champagne Problems” is headed to a California court.

Zelda 40th Anniversary: Nintendo’s big Direct confirmed The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2 on Nov. 5, 2026, with fully voiced cutscenes, new movement/camera changes, and “Zelda Notes” support—plus a live-action film release on Apr. 30, 2027 and a 40th anniversary concert tour that includes Melbourne on May 13, 2027. Radiohead Down Under: The band announced a 2027 Australia + Japan residency, with multiple dates across Perth, Melbourne and Sydney in May/June. Australian chart moment: Alex Warren’s Wildchild debuted at No. 1 on the Australian albums chart, with Paul Kelly’s Seventy deluxe edition jumping back to No. 1. New Aussie live news: sombr added extra Australian dates for his You Are The Reason 2027 Tour, including a new Brisbane show (Apr 17) and extra Melbourne/Sydney dates. Local festival launch: Sydney’s Surf + Sound festival is set to debut in Manly across three weekends from Oct. 16 to Nov. 1, mixing surf contests, art and live music.

Radiohead Australia Tour: The band has officially locked in a 2027 return after 15 years, with 16 shows across Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, plus a tightly capped Australia-and-Japan run and a bot-proof ticket registration system (max four per person). Touring Wellbeing: Radiohead’s touring team says it had access to mental health support via the Music Industry Therapist Collective, raising the question of whether this kind of care becomes standard across the industry. Classic Aussie Double-Header: Australian Crawl and Men at Work add two new 2026 co-headline dates—Brisbane (Nov 20) and Melbourne (Nov 22)—with presales from Sept 9 and general onsale Sept 10. New Sydney Harbour Series: Fuzzy’s The Point brings Missy Higgins, ICEHOUSE and The Teskey Brothers to a floating stage at Mrs Macquarie’s Point this spring, alongside other acts. Dance/Electronic Warehouse: The Works returns to Sydney’s Carriageworks for a Dec–Jan run led by Armand Van Helden and Overmono, with more artists announced. Regional Live Music: triple j’s One Night Stand in Griffith drew about 12,000 fans for an all-ages, drug-and-alcohol-free day of performances. NRL Finals Promo: Fox League reimagines Scribe’s “Not Many” for the NRL Finals with 3% and Fred Leone. Women In Music: Women In Music 2026 reveals its Roll Of Honour in association with Live Nation Women.

Radiohead Mania (Live): Radiohead have locked in a huge 2027 Australia comeback: 16 arena shows across Perth (RAC Arena, May 3/4/6/7), Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena, May 13/14/16/17/19/20) and Sydney (Afterpay Arena, May 25/26/28/29/31 & June 1), followed by five dates in Japan. Ticketing: Australian sales will run via a registration system (open 5pm AEST Mon 7 Sept, close 5pm AEST Thu 10 Sept) to curb bots and unauthorised purchases. Charity Spotlight (WA): Telethon 2026 tickets are officially on sale for RAC Arena, with Jessica Mauboy, Morgan Evans and Rogue Traders among the headline acts. Local Live Music (Sydney): The Jungle Giants are turning the Manly Fast Ferry into a gig on 10 Sept for Lipton’s Sparking Ice Tea launch. New Music (UK-to-AU): James Marriott drops “Burn Down The Disco” and heads to Australia in October (Perth 5 Oct, Sydney 8 Oct). Community Music (Classical): Sydney Philharmonia Choirs return from a UK tour, including a Royal Albert Hall BBC Proms performance.