AGP Executive Report

Freedom 250 / Great American State Fair: Some states are skipping pavilion planning for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, even as the 16-day Freedom 250 event (June 25–July 10) keeps a full slate of state representation and performances. UFC + Music Livestream: The White House hosts “UFC Freedom 250” on Trump’s 80th birthday, while a “Rise Up, Sing Out” First Amendment concert streams at the same time in Fort Myers with big-name performers. Local Music & Community: Orlando’s Southern Fried Poetry Slam debuts June 9–13 across Central Florida venues, and a Pulse 10-year remembrance includes a choral requiem, “Amor Eterno: A Requiem for Pulse,” June 19. Florida Country Spotlight: Florida Studio Theatre’s “Honky Tonk Angels” runs through June 28 with classic country hits. New Releases: RUEL drops the sequel half of his project, “Kicking My Feet & Screaming,” and Tallahassee native Luh Tyler pushes “Destined For Greatness” after viral momentum. Indie/Charts: South Florida singer Lindsay Selbach’s “America, Happy Birthday!” hits Top 5 on iTunes’ holiday singles chart.

World Cup Kickoff in Miami: Thousands packed Miami Beach for a free Carlos Vives concert at Lummus Park as the FIFA World Cup got underway, with live music and dancing turning the beach into a global cultural meetup. Local Latin Music Momentum: Colombian singer Kate Rozo, now based in Miami, is building momentum with sold-out South Florida shows after stages across Colombia, Dubai, and China. Orlando Underground Spotlight: Dungeon synth duo Flickers From the Fen and Apoxupon bring medieval-dark sounds to Orlando at Will’s Pub on June 16. Radio Shake-Up (Tampa): Beasley named Will Calder operations manager for its Tampa radio cluster, and iHeart’s 103.5 The Beat (WMIB) is revamping weekdays starting June 29, with DJ Entice in afternoons and new hip-hop/R&B programming. Charity + Live Music (Marco): “Happy Hour of Hope” returns June 30 at CJ’s on the Bay with live music and complimentary bites to support children’s healthcare. Pulse 10-Year Mark (Orlando): Coverage continues on life after Pulse, reflecting on the 2016 tragedy and its lasting impact on Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community. Tampa Ye Concert Pushback: Tampa Bay NOW is urging cancellation of Ye’s Raymond James Stadium dates amid renewed backlash over antisemitic remarks.

Local Music & Arts: Sarasota Music Festival is underway (June 1–13), pairing pre-professional classical fellows with top faculty, plus guaranteed one-on-one lessons and side-by-side performance time. New Releases: Train drops “Pennsylvania Turnpike,” a new track from the upcoming album Mad Dog in the Fog (Aug. 28), with a video set in Pat Monahan’s Erie, and the band’s tour kickoff July 8 in West Palm Beach. Touring & Live Shows: Evanescence’s “Sanctuary” tour hits West Palm Beach, with Amy Lee promising the band’s biggest show yet and new-album songs taking center stage. Community Music Moments: Daytona Beach kicks off “Summer Fun on the Run” (June 17) with free neighborhood camp activities featuring music and games, and Daytona Juneteenth events begin with a family festival June 13 at Cypress Park. Florida Pop Culture: Orlando City SC is hosting a free World Cup watch-festival at Point Orlando (June 11–July 19), broadcasting all 104 matches with live music and fan events. Film/Stage Buzz: “Stop! That! Train!” lands as a campy, proudly queer spoof that leans hard into its own jokes.

Touring & Tickets: Little Big Town just announced the Fall 2026 “For The Art Of It” tour, kicking off Sept. 24 in St. Petersburg and adding an Orlando stop Sept. 25; tickets go on sale June 12. Live Music Calendar: The Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center is rolling out a July lineup mixing comedy, contemporary dance, jazz, and classic rock, including Daphnique Springs (July 11) and a 2 Pianos collaboration (July 12). Local Venues & Community: Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in Oakland Park marks 50 years of Full Inclusion with a June 14 Choral Evensong, unveiling a new Rodgers Infinity organ and welcoming a new organist/choirmaster. Florida Music Scene: Jupiter’s historic Ralph’s Stand Up Bar is getting a new operator—Three Amigos Hospitality—starting Sept. 1, aiming to keep the longtime local vibe. Arts & Education: Florida State University marked its 175th anniversary by highlighting how music, theater, and visual arts have shaped campus life for generations. Drag & Film: Ginger Minj and Jujubee are promoting “Stop! That! Train!” and talking about why the story lands beyond drag fans.

World Cup Fan Fest in Miami: Bayfront Park is being turned into a free, all-ages FIFA 2026 hub with merch, food vendors, big screens, and live performances—plus safety coordination with federal, state, and local partners. Florida Music Loss: The Florida Fiddler, J. Robert Houghtaling (“Florida Fiddler”), is being remembered after his June 4 passing in Idaho, with an “unbroken circles” legacy. Local Live Music Calendar: Tallahassee Museum’s Swamp Stomp returns July 11 with Americana, bluegrass, and folk on the outdoor stage. Florida Music Scene Spotlight: Tirra Lirra, a Pensacola post-pop band, is profiled ahead of more shows, highlighting their 1980s UK pop-leaning sound. Sustainability Meets Sports: The Florida Panthers modernized recycling at Amerant Bank Arena, diverting 217,000 pounds from landfills this past season. Music Industry Buzz: Rubén Blades accepts Billboard’s Indie Icon award, reflecting on decades of Latin music impact.

Higher-Ed Culture Clash: A new op-ed says universities are treating pop stars like Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift as serious academic subjects, pointing to courses such as “Bad Bunny: Musical Aesthetics and Politics” and “Queering God.” Local Heritage in Motion: A Miami family is helping keep Bahamian Junkanoo alive for the next generation, with stilt-walking “moko jumbies” turning Goombay Festival parades into a living tradition. Latin Chart Momentum: Shenseea and Rvssian keep climbing Billboard’s Latin charts, with Shenseea featured on Daddy Yankee’s FIFA World Cup 2026 track lineup. Country Weekend in West Palm: Alan Jackson’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Festival hits downtown West Palm Beach June 12-13 with Ella Langley, Old Dominion, and Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. Opera Spotlight: Florida Grand Opera announces its 2026–2027 Italian season in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, including Lucia di Lammermoor, Don Giovanni, and Nabucco. Florida Live Music Picks: Orlando’s Timucua hosts a Contemporary Art Music Project + Hub New Music double-feature June 12, and a hardcore-heavy all-ages show lands at Stardust Video & Coffee the same night.

Touring & Tickets: Underoath announced a 20th anniversary U.S. run for Define the Great Line, ending with a Tampa stop (Dec. 18) alongside August Burns Red, Atreyu, As Cities Burn and Emery; presales start Tuesday and general sales Friday. Live Event Buzz: TCG Entertainment set ROCKY in Concert—the 50th anniversary film-and-score experience—hitting Tampa among 20+ markets this fall, with tickets on sale June 12. Local Arts Fundraising: Delray Beach’s Arts Garage marked 15 years by raising nearly $15,000 for PLACES! Summer Theatre Camp, using an interactive “70s Jukebox” fundraiser where attendees voted on the setlist live. Community Music Nights: The Berry Farm in Miami’s Redland launches weekly Saturday dance parties this summer, pairing salsa/bachata/reggaeton with a second floor dedicated to line dancing. Florida Music & Culture Calendar: Casino Rama posted a packed late-summer/fall lineup including tribute acts, country nights and international vocal groups. World Cup Soundtrack (Florida): FIFA Fan Festival Miami is in full swing, and drones are banned around stadiums and fan zones during match events.

World Cup Culture in Florida: FIFA fever is spilling into South Florida with matchday food drops and fan-facing events, including a Tampa World Cup warm-up showcase at Raymond James Stadium and a broader wave of World Cup-themed menus and collectibles from major brands. Live Music Spotlight: Space Coast Symphony kicks off its 18th season June 20 with a Sinatra-and-Oz themed concert featuring guest vocalist Mark Romeo. Community + Music for a Cause: Second Harvest’s Ultimate Garden Party raised over $370,000 for Central Florida hunger relief, with live music and local merchant support. Local Pride on the Water: Fort Lauderdale’s FLoatarama Pride cruise welcomes Marysol Patton as grand marshal, with music and fundraising for LGBTQ+ youth. Veterans Honored: Southeast Florida Honor Flight celebrated WWII veterans Levant Bender and Richard Rossi with swing-era entertainment at Mission BBQ in Port St. Lucie. New Song: Marcia Griffiths teams with Code Red for “When You Love Me,” a fresh reggae release out June 5.

Vero Beach Jazz Meets Pop-Culture: Space Coast Symphony opens its 18th season with “Sinatra & the Wonderful World of Oz” June 21 at the Emerson Center, featuring Mark Romeo and a full jazz orchestra. CMA Fest Pride Moment: CMA Fest 2026 added its first-ever drag brunch, with queer artists and allies pushing for more visibility in country music. Tour News (Florida stop): Little Big Town announces the “For The Art Of It Tour,” launching Sept. 24 in St. Petersburg and running through Nov. 22, supporting their Aug. 28 album “It’s A Dying Art.” Local Music + Mental Health: RavenFest returns to Ocala June 26–28 with 20+ bands across three venues, raising funds for suicide prevention and mental health groups. New Music Drops: Bryson Tiller releases “Drop The Lo,” kicking off his Neo Trapsoul Tour run. Kids’ Music-Themed Books: Florida-based Raindrop Production debuts nature fairy tales, including “The Big Symphony,” a read-aloud story about a frog saving a pond concert.

Local Music News: Charlie Puth is canceling his June 6 Orlando show after getting sick for days and being told to rest “or else risk canceling more dates,” saying he’s “physically unable to perform” without a voice. World Cup Culture in Florida: FIFA fever is ramping up across South Florida, with Miami’s free FIFA Fan Festival™ at Bayfront Park (June 13–July 5) set to bring live match broadcasts, family activities, and a lineup of performers. Community & Music: Gainesville cut the ribbon on the renovated Tom Petty Park, a $2.6M project funded by the city’s Wild Spaces and Public Places sales tax, with Petty classics playing during the celebration. Arts Spotlight: The 79th annual Tony Awards are Sunday, and Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center is lining up Tony-connected shows for 2026–27, including Hamilton and Wicked. Florida Talent: Brevard’s Got Talent raised more than $200,000 for charity, with London Paciatto winning the inaugural event at the Clemente Center. Music & Health: Rising country star Mackenzie Carpenter closed out Chevy Riverfront Stage at CMA Fest with “Gone Fishing,” mixing humor and crowd work.

Orlando Concert Update: Charlie Puth canceled his Saturday show at Orlando’s Addition Financial Arena after falling ill, telling fans he’s been sick for days and needs rest to avoid canceling more dates. Local Music & Legacy: Gainesville cut the ribbon on the renovated Tom Petty Park, a $2.6 million Wild Spaces and Public Places project that includes new pickleball courts, trails, lighting, and bathroom upgrades—plus a community singalong to Petty classics. New Music (Alt/Indie): Cold War Kids released “There Goes The Night,” a long-gestating track from the Robbers & Cowards era, now set for an expanded 20th-anniversary edition later this year. Florida Live Calendar: Pensacola’s Seville Quarter and the Blues Society brought back Monday Night Blues, while the Bands on the Beach series continues June 9 with regional acts at Gulfside Pavilion. Community Spotlight: Brevard’s Got Talent Charity Fundraiser is set to bring local singers, dancers, musicians, and comedians together at the Clemente Center to support the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Charity.

Local Concerts: Turnstiles, the Billy Joel tribute band, is set for a free Star Spangled Summer Concert Series stop at the Daytona Beach Bandshell on Saturday, June 13, with a sing-along lineup built around “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl,” and more. Tour Updates: Charlie Puth has canceled his Orlando show at Addition Financial Arena due to illness, saying he’s been sick for days and needs rest; it’s unclear if the date will be rescheduled. New Music (Florida ties): Cold War Kids released “There Goes The Night,” a long-unfinished track from the “Robbers & Cowards” era, now completed for an expanded 20th-anniversary edition. Community Spotlight: Brevard’s Got Talent Charity Fundraiser is tonight at the Clemente Center, featuring local singers, dancers, musicians, and comedians to benefit the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Charity, Inc. Reggae/Dancehall: Vybz Kartel’s new album “God & Time” drops with 14 tracks, marking another step in his post-release comeback.

Juneteenth Spotlight (Port St. Lucie): Port St. Lucie will host “Juneteenth: A Celebration of Unity” June 19 at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center (free, 5–7:30 p.m.), with history-focused talks, cultural performances, arts and crafts, storytelling, and live music. Reggae Live Moment (Miramar): Spragga Benz’s “Journey to Kingston” birthday show at the Miramar Cultural Center turned into a standout night when Stacey Mirander was lifted onstage and delivered an a cappella original, “Oh Mother Earth,” before the full band joined in. Country Festival Watch (CMA Fest): CMA Fest keeps rolling with surprise appearances already landing—Jelly Roll, Florida Georgia Line, and Lauren Daigle—while tonight at Nissan Stadium features Jordan Davis, Tim McGraw, and Lainey Wilson. Chart Milestone (Nashville): Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” hits a major Billboard Hot Country Songs mark, tying Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope” for the fourth-longest run at No. 1. Free South Florida Concert (Hollywood): Easy Star All-Stars bring a reggae-dub take on David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardub” to Hollywood ArtsPark on June 6 (free, 8–11 p.m.).

Father’s Day Live Music & Specials (Brevard): Cocoa Beach and Melbourne restaurants are rolling out Father’s Day menus plus live sets, including Dirty Birds Tiki Bar & Grill’s drum circle/sing-along and Ebb and Flow’s bison burgers, BBQ chicken, and ribs with live music. CMA Fest Reunion Buzz (Florida Georgia Line): Florida Georgia Line officially reunited at CMA Fest, popping up at Nissan Stadium with “Round Here” and “Cruise,” and later signing with The Core Entertainment as more 2027 live dates are teased. Orlando Indie Tour News (Snail Mail + Soccer Mommy): The sad-girl duo’s “S&M” co-headlining run lands in Orlando at the Beacham on Oct. 14 and in Tampa at the Orpheum on Oct. 18. Tampa Concert Controversy (Ye/Kanye West): Sen. Rick Scott urged Tampa Sports Authority to cancel Ye’s June 26 and 28 Raymond James Stadium shows over antisemitism concerns, while the authority says it follows free-speech rules for its public venue. Florida Music Moment (Black Crowes “USA” clash): Chris Robinson’s onstage blowup at a Florida crowd chanting “USA” sparked boos and walkouts, turning a concert moment into a bigger culture debate. World Cup Opening Ceremonies (Music + Florida): Ahead of the June 11 kickoff, host-country ceremonies are set with major musical acts, while Miami kicked off the weekend with a community tournament at Lummus Park.

Ye in the spotlight: U.S. Sen. Rick Scott is urging Tampa Sports Authority to cancel Kanye West’s June 26 and June 28 shows at Raymond James Stadium, calling Ye’s antisemitic remarks a “slap in the face” to Florida’s Jewish community and arguing taxpayer money shouldn’t subsidize the concerts. Country comeback moment: Florida Georgia Line reunited for the first time in years during CMA Fest in Nashville, with Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley surprising fans with “Round Here” and “Cruise,” plus a big “We back, baby!” shout. Pride + live music in St. Pete: St. Petersburg Pride is underway with a concert and night market at Al Lang Stadium on June 26 and a Pride Parade June 27 along Bayshore Drive. Tour news (Florida dates): Masego announced the Fix Your Face Tour, including stops in Miami (Aug. 13) and Orlando (Aug. 14). Pop update: Rosalía postponed three Florida concerts due to a “family emergency,” with Miami and Orlando dates affected.

New Music Release: Alexa & the Old-Fashioneds dropped “Tired (All The Time),” a bluesy folk-pop gut-check about guilt, burnout, and finally taking a breath. Local Music & Culture: TheatreZone in Naples is previewing its 2026–2027 season under the theme “Love, Legacy, and the Power of Song,” mixing six musicals and four concerts with local premieres and all-live music. Classical Spotlight: Florida Grand Opera announced an all-Italian 2026–2027 season in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, including “Lucia di Lammermoor” and “Don Giovanni,” plus a one-night Verdi highlights concert. Pride & Performance: Mia Starr returns to West Palm for Pride on the Block (June 6), bringing her drag “concert vibe” and her own songs. World Cup Music/Events: South Florida’s free FIFA fan festival at Miami’s Bayfront Park starts June 13 with live match broadcasts and concerts. Festival Picks: The Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival returns to USF in Tampa (June 27–July 17), with tuition-free training and public concerts. Big Florida Reunions: Florida Georgia Line surprised fans with a CMA Fest reunion performance in Nashville. Community Music Venue: Treasure Island reopened the Sunset Beach Pavilion after Hurricane Helene damage, ready for dancing, live music, and events again.