AGP Executive Report

Courtroom Win for Pop: A Florida federal judge dismissed with prejudice a plagiarism lawsuit against Taylor Swift, ruling the poet’s claims didn’t involve protectable expression and that alleged overlaps were just unprotected ideas, themes, metaphors, and common phrases. Local Stage Spotlight: Brooke Hills Playhouse is gearing up for “May We All: A New Country Musical,” a jukebox-style show running through mid-July with hits from Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line and more. South Florida Music & Culture: WMNF’s Song of the Day for 7/7 is “Twenty Four” by Skinny McGee and the Handshakes. Arts in the Sunshine State: Brian Ach’s photography exhibit “The View From Here” opens with a free Friday open house. Community & Safety: A popular Miramar influencer, Brianna Johnson (dreamdoll_brii), was killed in a drive-by triple shooting, police say. Alt-Rock Album Buzz: Shinedown frontman Brent Smith talks the band’s new album “EI8HT” and the comeback energy behind it.

Local Music & Nightlife: Miami’s Kaseya Center gets a major psychedelic hit as Tame Impala lands July 7, while South Florida club nights stack up with Pedro Sampaio at LIV, Feed Me in Fort Lauderdale, and Alok at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. New Releases: 88 ULTRA drops “Florida Keys,” a cinematic hip-hop track built around South Florida drug-route storytelling. Touring & Live Plans: Pink Talking Fish mapped out its 2026 run, including Halloween at Higher Ground and a New Year’s two-night stand. Community Arts: Palm Beach’s KidsFit Jamathon returns July 15 with dance fitness, DJ/live production, and a camp dance contest. Florida Spotlight: Lakeland Christian won Florida’s first national high school mock trial title since 1992. Pop Culture, Florida Ties: Ariana Grande and ex Ricky Alvarez were spotted grocery shopping in Boca Raton over Fourth of July weekend.

Independence Day Music & Community: Sarasota’s Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota is set to soundtrack “Fireworks on the Lake” at Nathan Benderson Park on July 3, with a patriotic program built to mirror U.S. history. Local Live Music Picks: Miami-area outlets are pushing a steady stream of free concerts this July, including a LateNiteLoops Jam with Sp3ctacle & friends. Florida Pop Culture: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tied the knot July 3 at Madison Square Garden, with reported music from Paul McCartney and Stevie Nicks—plus Sunshine State guest buzz. Florida Venue/Theme Park Entertainment: Epic Universe debuts its first permanent nighttime spectacular, “Universal Celestial Goodnight,” starting July 7. Music Industry Spotlight: NONPOINT frontman Elias Soriano says the band’s upcoming album “The Last Word” is their “last word” after years of legacy-band limitations. Tourism Tax Vote: Collier County voters will decide in November on a one-cent tourist tax to finish the Paradise Coast Sports Complex.

Independence Day in Florida: South Florida kept the party going for America’s 250th with live music, parades, drone shows and fireworks—West Palm’s 4th on Flagler drew crowds to Swing Dolls and DJ Reflex, then closed with a laser show and fireworks over the Intracoastal. Local Concert Picks: Miami’s free July concerts roundup highlights everything from metalcore to classical and experimental jams, plus a LateNiteLoops beach jam series for musicians who want to play together. Tampa Hip-Hop Spotlight: Crowbar in Ybor City is set to close after 20 years, with Talib Kweli headlining the final show on July 31 alongside local acts like Aych, Dynasty, Queen of Ex and Perception. New Florida Music Release: Gainesville indie scene gets a solo boost as Anna Poacelli launches her acoustic-leaning single “Farmhouse” on July 10. Music History Note: Tracy Lawrence’s “Time Marches On”—inspired by a Florida hometown—remains a country staple after topping charts 30 years ago.

Independence Day Music Moments (America 250): South Florida kept the party rolling with live music and fireworks across multiple cities, from West Palm Beach’s “4th on Flagler” crowd scenes to Melbourne’s Declaration Day fireworks and Cape Coral’s “Red, White and Boom” headlined by country star Chris Lane. Local Live-Music Spotlight: Tampa’s Crowbar is set to close after 20 years, with Talib Kweli headlining the final show on July 31, plus local DJs and rappers leading into the venue’s last week. Central Florida Arts Update: Winter Park Playhouse will unveil its newly renovated theater on July 7, with a bigger, refreshed space aimed at keeping Central Florida’s musical theater scene thriving. Reggae Tour News: Grammy-winning Gramps Morgan is joining Stephen Marley and Buju Banton’s “Roots and Rhymes” tour with 12 U.S. dates this summer. Community Celebrations: Temple Terrace marked its 51st annual Fourth of July parade, and the day’s festivities also included live music and fireworks to cap the holiday.

America 250 Live Music & Fireworks (South Florida): Miami-Dade and Broward are rolling out free Independence Day shows with big-name acts and drone-and-fireworks pairings, including “250 United” at Bayfront Park (Ashanti, Ja Rule, The Fray, Shaggy, Willy Chirino) plus other county celebrations with live music and aerials. Key Biscayne Pyromusical Return: Grucci’s flagship computerized, synchronized fireworks returns to Biscayne Bay for a 25-minute “pyromusical” choreographed to patriotic songs, with several tracks tied to America 250 and a radio simulcast. Cocoa Beach Drone Show: Cocoa Beach marked the anniversary with family fun, live music at Centennial Square, and a synchronized drone show. Lightning Safety Reminder (Florida): A beachgoer was killed and three others were injured after a lightning strike near Fort Myers Beach—officials urged visitors to seek shelter fast. Local Music Community (Tallahassee): Pharaohs of Funk’s Kirk Gavin III is gearing up for a Levitt AMP Tallahassee Music Under the Oaks concert and mentorship push. World Cup Watch Parties as Soundtrack: Miami Beach watch parties kept the music going as fans packed the Bandshell for Argentina vs. Cape Verde.

Independence Day Music & Fireworks (Florida 250): South Florida is rolling out big Fourth of July lineups for America’s 250th, including Fort Lauderdale’s free show with Walker Hayes, plus Miami’s Bayfront Park concert featuring Ja Rule, Ashanti, Shaggy and Willy Chirino. Space Coast Celebrations: Brevard is gearing up with parades, concerts and fireworks across cities from Titusville to Palm Bay, with Titusville’s Red, White and Boom set to anchor the day. Central Florida Live Music: Gainesville’s “Fanfares and Fireworks” pairs live music with fireworks at Flavet Field, while Lakeland’s Red, White and Kaboom brings a youth singing group, a Lakeland band (Bully for You) and a major fireworks finale. Southwest Florida Guide: Cape Coral’s free Red, White & BOOM! runs 5–10 p.m., and Sanibel’s schedule includes a July 4 jazz concert plus fireworks and parade events. Heat Watch: A brutal heatwave is expected to affect holiday plans, with some entertainment shortened at Disney World to keep guests and cast comfortable. World Cup Soundtrack (Miami): Fans in Miami are also getting music tied to the FIFA album, with Emilio Estefan’s “Love Always Wins” set to debut ahead of Argentina vs. Cape Verde.

Independence Day Music & Culture in Florida: Miami’s NoMi Village hosts the Miami All Nations Water Festival July 4-5 with live DJs and music sets spanning house, Latin and old-school favorites, plus water battles and global food. Local Concert Picks: Sarasota’s top concerts this week lean blues, indie and EDM, while Orlando’s July 4 lineup runs from theme parks to Lake Eola fireworks. South Florida Spotlight: FC Naples kicks off its “Stars, Stripes & Soccer” night with live music, food trucks and a World Cup watch party before the USL League One match. Digital Art, Not Just Fireworks: Pérez Art Museum Miami names 21 artists for its first Open Call Digital Art Commissions, funding experimental work through 2027. Touring News: The Mars Volta announces the live album “Lucro Sucio; Unfinished Business” (Sept. 4 digital) and a US tour this September. Heat Watch: Record-breaking heat is already forcing schedule changes and cancellations for some holiday events across the region.

4th of July in Sebring: Sebring’s Fourth of July weekend wraps with a bigger-than-usual fireworks show at 9 p.m. Saturday at City Pier Beach, plus a free Patriotic Revue at Highlands Lakeside Theatre and a Sebring Historical Society lineup from 4-8 p.m. with food trucks, exhibits, live music, karaoke and DJ sets. Local music & culture: Sarasota honored Allman Brothers co-founder Dickey Betts with a memorial highway sign on U.S. 41, and the state arts budget debate continues as fewer arts groups get support in the new plan. Big South Florida shows: Ariana Grande returns for a three-night “Eternal Sunshine” residency at Amerant Bank Arena, while Hilary Duff is mid–Lucky Me Tour after subtly backing a fan defending her wardrobe against online criticism. Rap court drama: Pooh Shiesty faces federal kidnapping/extortion allegations tied to a Gucci Mane contract dispute, with prosecutors pointing to a video submitted in court. Immersive Orlando: Orlando Science Center’s The Dome by Dr. Phillips Charities is officially open with full-dome laser and music shows. Tour news: Pretty Lights announced the new album “A Trip Thru Time Fantastic,” releasing the first 15 tracks ahead of a 45-track rollout.

Local Music Spotlight: Tampa Bay band Phoenix5 was picked to headline the City of Tampa’s Liberty by the Bay America 250 Fourth of July celebration at Julian B. Lane Park, with sets timed around Mayor Jane Castor’s remarks, a guitar national anthem, a 250-drone show, and fireworks. Tribute & Legacy: Sarasota’s Dickey Betts legacy keeps rolling—his family and community unveiled a Dickey Betts Memorial Highway sign in Osprey and hosted an all-star tribute concert featuring longtime band members. Community + Culture: New Port Richey’s Richey Suncoast Theatre marks 100 years since opening in 1926, now operating as a community arts hub for live music, comedy, kids programming, and more. Music & Pop Culture: Shakira brought her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” tour energy to South Florida, mixing dance-heavy performance with pop, rock, and Latin rhythms. Independence Day Planning: With a heatwave impacting parts of the U.S., some communities are adjusting holiday schedules—so Florida fans may want to double-check event times before heading out.

Local Spotlight: Jacksonville music teacher Joel Pace is behind Be the Change Northeast Florida, a nonprofit that gives away clothing and hygiene with no applications or judgment, plus monthly homeless outreach. Benefit Concert: Madison, Florida’s International Hyperbarics Association is launching “Harmonies for Hope” with LeAnn Rimes on July 10 to expand access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. 4th of July Music & Fireworks (Space Coast): Port Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne and more kick off America’s 250th with fireworks, drone shows, parades and live music starting July 3. 4th of July Music & Fireworks (Cape Coral): Cape Coral’s Red, White & Boom runs July 4 with Rosada Project, DJ Sinister and Chris Lane, plus fireworks powered by Lee County Electric Cooperative. New Music Release: Brian Kelley starts a “Jimmy Buffett Summer” with his new single “Jimmy Buffett Summer,” co-written with his wife. Guitar Shop Opening: Amp’d Guitar Den opens on Mills Avenue in Orlando with gear, repairs, and plans for local instruction and live sessions. Pop Culture/Florida Music: Drake is the subject of a new university course, while Florida rapper Yung Miami says she wants to collaborate—“pick up the phone.” Family-Friendly Fun: LEGOLAND Florida debuts a LEGO Pokémon Play Zone July 20–Aug. 16 with interactive challenges and a giant Pikachu.

Local Music & Events: Brian Kelley kicks off a “Jimmy Buffett Summer” with his new co-written track “Jimmy Buffett Summer,” plus Surf Post Sessions shows July 23-25 in Grayton Beach. Miami Family Fun: The Museum of Miami’s July 4 Independence Day party pairs live music and vendors with a rare founding-documents exhibit. Dance Spotlight: The 31st International Ballet Festival of Miami returns July 25–Aug. 16 with 10 performances across South Florida, master classes, and an opening-night celebration. Community Arts Access: Winter Garden nonprofit Let Kids Create Inc. is expanding performing-arts opportunities for kids who lack access, building on earlier outreach work. Live Music for the Holiday: Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach lines up parade-day festivities, live sets, and fireworks for July 4. Orlando Indie Scene: I-4 Fest is back for July 4 at Austin’s Coffee in Winter Park with multiple stages and local artists. Arts in the Galleries: Pérez Art Museum Miami opens “Basquiat: Figures, Signs, Symbols,” a major show drawn from the Kenneth C. Griffin Collection. Music News (National): Village People lead singer Victor Willis dies at 74; he co-wrote “YMCA.”

Christian Rock Expansion: Trinity Music & Media Group says The Trinity Rock Hour is adding new radio affiliates across Florida (Daytona Beach, Madison, Tallahassee, Tampa Bay) and into Riverside–San Bernardino, CA, continuing its nationwide push. Opera in South Florida: Florida Grand Opera announces an Italian-language season in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, featuring “Lucia di Lammermoor,” “Don Giovanni,” and “Nabucco,” plus a one-night Verdi celebration running Nov. 2026–May 2027. Local Pride Nightlife: Gainesville’s University Club marks Pride Month with a look at how the 1990-founded LGBTQ+ nightclub remains a key safe space for queer community in Florida. Classical Education with Real Impact: The Florida Orchestra wins a $10,000 Mockingbird Foundation grant to expand its Detention Center Strings program in Tampa Bay DJJ facilities, adding more violin and cello instruction and performances. Live Music Calendar (Tallahassee): Tallahassee’s July 4 “Celebrate America” at Tom Brown Park and “Independence Bash: Red, White & Moon” at The Moon are among the standout holiday events. Sports + Music Crossover: A proposed 8,000-seat pro soccer stadium in Melbourne would also host concerts and community events year-round, aiming to become a local gathering hub.

Fourth of July Music & Community: Bo Diddley Plaza in Gainesville hosts “Defending Democracy,” a July 4 concert launching independent candidate Mike Klein’s Florida 3rd District campaign. Local Concert Picks: Fort Myers’ America 250 weekend at Luminary Hotel & Co. spotlights classic-rock tributes—School of Rock’s Tom Petty and Eagles set at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater (July 3)—plus a big downtown live-music and fireworks night. Jazz Spotlight: Orlando’s Tyreek McDole, fresh off acclaim for his debut album Open Up Your Senses, talks about bringing new energy to jazz after wins at major vocal competitions. Kids & Dance: Palm Beach County’s 15th annual KidsFit Jamathon returns as a high-energy “fitness concert” built around dance and youth arts. Florida Arts on Stage: Florida Studio Theatre’s Honky Tonk Angels blends three women’s stories with a live four-piece band and a rotating cast of musicians. Music Industry Notes: ACM Studio Recording & Industry Awards winners were announced, with producer Dann Huff and audio engineer Justin Niebank among the top honors. New Music Release: Kings Point drops “America On My Mind,” an acoustic father-daughter-written track featuring Kent Hilli.

Kanye West in Tampa: Despite backlash and a petition from Sen. Rick Scott, Ye’s Raymond James Stadium shows went on, with tens of thousands attending and officials citing venue rules and free-speech/contract limits. Local Music Education: Crooms Academy in Seminole County is reviving its Marching Panthers tradition with a $5,000 grant, aiming to restore a community-rooted cultural institution. Music Law: Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment won dismissal in a lawsuit over an EDM sample used on “Alien Superstar,” after the court ruled the claim didn’t hold up. Jazz Spotlight (Florida connection): The American Piano Awards named five jazz piano finalists for 2027, including Florida-based talent Joe Block’s peers as the competition heads to Indianapolis this fall. Florida Music Business: iHeartMedia Miami launched a daylong fundraising push with Global Empowerment Mission for Venezuela earthquake relief, airing appeals across South Florida stations. Touring/Live Music: Shakira’s Miami Kaseya Center run (July 1–2) is drawing heavy demand, with last-minute ticket discounts showing up on resale sites.

Latin Music Milestone: Grammy winner Carín León made history at Miami’s Nu Stadium with the venue’s first-ever concert and first-ever sold-out show, drawing 24,000+ fans and featuring surprise guests Juanes and Silvestre Dangond. Community Fundraiser: Somos Orlando is hosting a pay-what-you-want Caribbean Heritage benefit for the Florida Immigrant Coalition at Will’s Pub (June 30), with music spanning bomba, jazz, reggae, rock and funk. Local Live & Family Arts: Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach is rolling out Stars & Service (patriotic music, veteran comedians, and resources for veterans) and Olaf’s Summer Bash (free interactive DJ party for families). Florida Music Calendar: Billboard Latin Music Week returns to Faena Forum in Miami Beach Oct. 19–22, with tickets now on sale. Jazz Spotlight: The Jazz Club of Sarasota earned a spot in DownBeat’s 2026 Great Jazz Venues Guide.