AGP Executive Report

Kempenfest (Barrie): The 54th annual Kempenfest returns July 31–Aug. 3 along Barrie’s waterfront, with free admission plus ticketed OLG MainStage headliners including Jamie Fine (July 31) and Big Wreck (Aug. 1). Canadian live-music infrastructure: Vancouver and Winnipeg both push major performing-arts venue upgrades—Vancouver’s proposed downtown Cultural Precinct and Winnipeg’s plan to modernize the historic Pantages Theatre. Country festival buzz: Sunfest kicks off July 30–Aug. 2 at Youbou’s Laketown Ranch with Tim and The Glory Boys headlining, while Boots and Hearts adds a new Edmonton stop (Aug. 28–29). Tour news (Canada): Tom Morello announces Everyone Gets Everything They Want, with Canadian dates in March 2027 including Medicine Hat, Camrose, Lloydminster, Fort Saskatchewan and Prince Albert. Music + culture reads: CBC Books rounds up 13 Canadian nonfiction picks for summer, including Rollie Pemberton’s streaming-era music analysis. Tech meets music fandom: Olivia Rodrigo and Lego stage a one-day LA record-store takeover tied to a global vinyl treasure hunt.

World Cup Afterglow: A new roundup of songs taps into the feelings of FIFA 2026, from Oasis’s “Wonderwall” to tracks that mirror stadium highs and lows. Community Music & Festivals (Canada): North Vancouver’s long-awaited Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre officially opens, adding major new music-and-recreation space for the North Shore. Ontario Live Music: Clearview Township’s Small Halls Festival announces ticket sales and a September lineup featuring Séan McCann and Dayna Reid, plus storytelling, comedy and more. Celtic Spotlight: Speyfest chairperson Ashleigh Macgregor credits a “passionate community” for powering the weekend’s Celtic music celebration in Fochabers, with Canadian fiddlers Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leathy among the highlights. AI Backlash (Arts): Aoife Moore argues AI is making culture lonelier and worse, and says it’s displacing real artists. Streaming Deal: OSN+ lands exclusive Middle East rights for THE 99 superhero series, with remastered 4K Season One and new seasons planned. Tech for Music Discovery: Snapchat rolls out Spotify “Now Playing” sharing to turn listening into a real-time social feed.

Music Tech & Social Listening: Snapchat’s Snap Map is getting a Spotify-powered “Now Playing” feature, letting Canadians share what they’re listening to in real time (with privacy controls) and save tracks straight to Spotify. Canadian Live Music & Community: Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party returns as a two-week music camp and festival (Aug. 3–7 and Aug. 10–14) with subsidized kids programming and community concerts. Local Funding for Arts: Sudbury Community Foundation hands out $114,400 in grants to 29 community groups, including arts and culture projects. Tour Updates: Roxette cancels its North American tour dates, citing sharply higher touring costs. Pop Culture & Health: Carly Simon says she’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and treated for skin cancer, and plans to release new original music in August. Music in the News: Katy Perry says she’s “deeply appalled” after the White House used “Firework” in an Iran strikes video. Festival Spotlight: PanamFest 2026 in Toronto spotlights the Dominican Republic as guest of honor with music, food and hundreds of artists.

Canadian Music & Culture: Montreal’s Haïti en Folie returns for its 20th edition, filling Plateau streets with rara and Haitian-Canadian talent like Rebecca Jean and Boukman Eksperyans, with BélO set for the closing show. Live Music & Festivals: Thunder Bay’s Bay & Algoma Buskers Festival keeps rolling through Sunday with 40+ acts, including high-energy juggling/fire performer Kobbler Jay and international twins Emilio and Leandro Fons. New Releases/Tech for Fans: tonies launches Toniebox Lite (CAD $99.99), expanding its kids’ audio ecosystem with pre-orders starting in North America and in-store availability in August. Touring (Canada-linked): Korean rock girl band Rolling Quartz brings its Stand Up tour to the U.S. and Canada (MadLife Stage & Studios, July 27 listing). Music on Screen: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey stays strong at the North American box office in week two, pulling in $87M and $639.6M globally so far.

Canadian Releases & Charts: Shania Twain’s autobiographical country-pop return Little Miss Twain drops this week, while KATSEYE’s “Animal” hits a new Spotify US personal best and expands its global reach. Tour & Live Music: Avenged Sevenfold kicks off its 2026 North American run by debuting its surprise EP STATICA live as “Statica” from backstage; Steve Poltz lands at Duncan’s City Square stage July 29 as part of 39 Days of July; and Hamilton’s Festival of Friends keeps the free-music tradition rolling into its 50th year. Festivals & Community: Toronto’s Caribana returns July 30–Aug. 3 with major parade and showcase events, and the Glengarry Highland Games spotlights a huge pipe-band lineup. Music News Beyond Canada: Roxette cancels its 40th anniversary tour over rising touring costs, and Katy Perry blasts the White House for using “Firework” in an Iran strike clip. Local Culture Spotlight: A Winnipeg couple’s chimney swifts become “musical roommates,” turning a threatened species story into a community conversation.

Canadian Music Video Buzz: Fatal Vision dropped the official “Maybe Someday” video, continuing the cinematic story from their album Four Sides to Every Story—14 tracks, each with its own music video. North American Pop Tour Watch: IVE kicked off its first-ever solo concerts in Canada (Toronto July 21, Montreal July 23), leaning on upgraded staging and member solo moments alongside hits like “LOVE DIVE” and “After LIKE.” K-pop Crossover: MONSTA X’s Kihyun released an English version of “So Good,” aiming to broaden his reach ahead of more global push. Local Live Music (Canada): Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Day 2 featured SYML, Goldie Boutilier and Thundercat on the ATB Main Stage. Community & Heritage: Lunenburg marked 30 years since its UNESCO World Heritage designation with walking tours and music, tying the milestone to Canada’s 50th anniversary of the UNESCO convention. Music in the News (Global): Katy Perry condemned the White House’s use of “Firework” in a military-strike video, calling it a “complete violation.”

Canadian Christian Music Loss: Worship songwriter Brian Doerksen, behind “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship” and “Purify My Heart,” has died at 60 in Abbotsford, B.C., after a stage 4 cancer battle. Live Music Calendar: AlgomaTrad’s summer series continues with fiddler Shane Cook plus The Schotts and Arlo Quilley (July 29), while the Sault Community Theatre Centre launches the Northern Colours Arts Series this fall with big band, ballet, opera, film and jazz. Festival Watch (Canada): Flats Fest returns Aug. 14–15 in Canal Flats, with Jerrod Niemann, Aaron Pritchett and Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies) plus local acts. Local Scene Spotlight: Estevan’s week highlights community music moments like a street dance featuring Connor Piche and Adam Johnson, and the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party’s 20th anniversary. Music & Tech/Policy: Spotify is rolling out a bigger music-video push with a playlist pitching tool and new charting features, while Canada’s SOCAN names Musical AI as an attribution partner to help credit and pay creators. Community & Culture: Women in Music Canada launches a new North chapter.

AI & Copyright: Ottawa has launched a consultation on how to handle AI agents that mislead people, including whether AI-generated content like music and videos should be labelled and watermarked, and who’s responsible when chatbots get it wrong. Music Business & Tech: Spotify is pushing deeper into music videos with a new artist pitching tool and chart, as the industry keeps racing to define what “video-first” means for artists. Canadian Live Music: The McMichael Canadian Art Collection will temporarily close July 26 for a major redevelopment (construction from fall 2026 to 2029), adding more space for exhibitions, education, conservation and even event programming. Local Scene Spotlight: Toronto’s Sneaky Dee’s live-music bar has been saved after a redevelopment fight led to a rescinded application. Touring & Talent: Jazz Sudbury named Susie Arioli as a 2026 Mainstage headliner for September. Community & Culture: Mattawa Voyageur Days returns with ticket sales and a “buzz” the mayor says the town can’t do without.

Album Watch: Charli XCX has pivoted away from Brat-style hyperpop with her new LP Music, Fashion, Film, leaning darker and more self-deprecating, with a black-and-white vinyl cover featuring John Cale, Marc Jacobs and Martin Scorsese—and a final track narrated by Canadian director David Cronenberg. Canadian Spotlight: Roots is launching Pit Stops Summer ’26, a limited-edition capsule series inspired by six iconic Canadian roadside food stops (including COWS, La Banquise, St-Viateur Bagel, Webers, Duffin’s Donuts and The Big Apple). New Music Release: Shaboozey drops “Burn It Down,” featuring Leon Bridges, ahead of his concept record The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales and an Outlaws Never Die North America tour. Live & Local: Doug and the Slugs played a free White Rock waterfront show as part of Concerts at the Pier (with more dates in August). Canada in the Spotlight: Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida are set to release a joint double memoir, I’m Going to Break Your Heart: A Rock N Roll Love Story, Aug. 4. Community Events: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s free Peach Festival runs Aug. 7–8 with markets, live music and a “Best Peach Pie in Niagara” contest.

Canadian Music Loss: Montreal jazz legend Oliver Jones has died at 91, remembered for virtuosity, mentorship, and a generous spirit that shaped generations. Community & Culture: Vancouver’s cultural groups are pushing a new Vancouver Cultural Precinct with four acoustically designed music halls, backed by politicians and a feasibility study. Live Music (BC): Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival kicks off today with free community programming and ticketed concerts, including an all-Canadian lineup and youth/emerging artists. Live Music (Prairies): The Saskatchewan Roughriders will hold a pre-game tribute for percussionist Bhishma Rajyaguru ahead of Thursday’s game. Concert Spotlight (Canada): SexBomb Girls bring their Vancouver show to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on July 24. New Releases (Canada): Bif Naked shares “Lift Me Up,” plus more Canadian rock/roots releases are landing this week. Film & Music Crossover: Pulp’s one-night cinema release for What Do You Do For An Encore? hits Canadian theatres Sept. 23.

Canadian Music & Culture: The 55th JUNO Awards brought a record $17.2M in local economic impact to Hamilton and $23.1M across Ontario, with 7,200+ out-of-town visitors and 16,250 unique attendees across JUNO Week. Industry & Business: Statistics Canada reports retail sales rose 1.0% to $73.7B in May; “sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous” retailers climbed 1.8%, hinting at steady demand for music-adjacent gear. Music News (Canada): Jazz pianist Oliver Jones, an Oscar Peterson protégé and longtime Canadian icon, has died at 91. Live Music & Community: Edmonton Symphony Orchestra violinist Broderyck Olson retired after 65 years. Events & Weather: Wildfire smoke disrupted summer plans in Ontario, with Wilmot postponing and moving activities indoors. International (music with Canadian ties): Banff Centre artists are workshopping an operatic adaptation of Pierre Lemaitre’s WWII-era novel Miroir de nos peines ahead of a 2027 Paris run.

Music Loss: Montreal jazz icon Oliver Jones has died at 91, with Justin Time Records and his family confirming the passing; the pianist was an Order of Canada officer and a major Jazz Festival fixture. Canadian Music Business: SOCAN has named Musical AI as an attribution partner to help credit and pay creators when AI uses their work. New Canadian Releases/Scenes: Montreal producer Lambert Pitre (DJ Cinéma Quartier Latin) drops Bruise, a moodier house-techno blend; and Di Svingers are bringing swing-era Yiddish tunes to a new generation with their upcoming October release. Live Music & Festivals: London’s Pride Parade drew big crowds; meanwhile, wildfire smoke is already forcing cancellations like London’s Rock the Park second day. Touring/Events: Steve Poltz headlines Duncan’s 39 Days of July on July 29, and Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women & Song returns in Lockeport this weekend.

AI Rights Protection: SOCAN has partnered with Musical AI to help creators opt in to AI use and get credit and compensation via attribution tech. Film & Stage Buzz: TIFF keeps rolling out its 2026 slate, including the Discovery lineup featuring Theo Rhys’s musical-horror romance “Stuffed” (Jodie Comer, Harry Melling) and Sung Kang’s directorial debut “Drifter.” Canadian Music Spotlight: Shania Twain’s new album “Little Miss Twain” digs into her Northern Ontario bar-singing years, while Orville Peck marked a big career box-check with his Grand Ole Opry debut by covering Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” Community & Safety: Calgary police played Disney songs from patrol cars to help find missing autistic 11-year-old Parker. Live Music & Culture: Banff Centre percussionist Andrew Johnson is mentoring ensembles shaped by the “rhythm of the land,” and the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival returns July 23–26 with free daytime concerts.

Streaming & Music Tech: Spotify is rolling out a bigger push into music videos, adding an artist pitching tool and a new global chart for music video performance. AI & Creator Pay: Canada’s SOCAN is naming Musical AI as an attribution partner to help credit and pay creators when AI uses their work. Canadian Spotlight: Richie Flo reflects on returning to St Thomas after Hurricane Melissa, tying his new music to his Jamaican roots. Live Music: Theory of a Deadman announces a U.S. co-headlining run with Sevendust, plus a Sept. 4 EP release. Community & Culture: A fundraiser at Lightning Rock Winery supports Agur Lake Camp, a barrier-free wilderness camp in B.C. Sports Meets Sound: The Saskatchewan Roughriders will honour crash victim Bhishma Rajyaguru with a pre-game ceremony, noting his love of music and percussion.

Community Concert: Whitman Town Park hosts free folk-rock duo Knock on Wood (Howie Newman, Joe Kessler) July 30, 5–7:30 p.m., with classic-rock covers and original songs. Food + Music Collab: Stratford’s Kiwanis Garlic Festival teams up with the Stratford Chefs School for cooking demos and programming at the Kiwanis Sound Stage. Indigenous Music Spotlight: Creefest in Timmins adds three free evening lineups (hip hop, pop, folk, blues-rock) Tuesday–Thursday at the McIntyre Community Building. Local Culture Events: Pembroke’s 11th Multicultural Festival draws thousands to Waterfront Park with global food, vendors, and performances. Accessibility in Music: International Symphony Orchestra String Quartet brings a free sensory-friendly concert Aug. 5 at Sarnia Library Theatre, with instrument touch time and low-light accommodations. Big Canadian Music Business: Anthem Entertainment’s catalog sale to Influence Media clears slightly over $650M, including Rush publishing/master royalties. Tour News: Cheap Trick extends its 2026 fall run, adding more dates after starting in Minnedosa, Man. Album Release: Sylvan Esso announce “Ow ∞” for Sept. 11, sharing the new single “Concrete Glen.”

Health & Community: A new report from Kitimat, B.C. links rising respiratory complaints to LNG Canada’s flare activity, with residents asking what they’re “breathing” as no studies yet prove a connection. City Arts Funding: Calgary is being asked to double its contribution to the Werklund Centre modernization as costs climb and a major funding gap opens. Music & Culture (North): CreeFest in Timmins and a Cochrane Public Library “Meet the Author” event bring Adrian Sutherland to the spotlight, sharing Cree knowledge through memoir and performance. Pop Star Watch: Shania Twain teases her next era with details on her long journey and a new album chapter, while her “Little Miss Twain” project readies for release. Tech Meets Marketing: MoEngage buys Aampe to push 1:1 agentic personalization for brands, including Canadian clients. Wildfire Relief: True North Aid urges donations over physical drop-offs after being overwhelmed by supplies for evacuees in northwestern Ontario. Anime on the Festival Circuit: Canada’s Ottawa International Film Festival will screen We Are Aliens, plus other Japanese titles, as part of a wider 2026 run.