AGP Executive Report

Pro-Palestine Protests & Ticket Shake-Up: Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour is roiling after Macklemore was removed over pro-Palestine remarks, with support acts and Beoga stepping down and local groups planning to protest outside Lincoln Financial Field as prices drop to as low as $76 and showtimes shift. Florida Live Music: Old Dominion brought bright, classic country to Foster Pavilion in a full-on Family Weekend set, with McCoy Moore kicking things off and leaning into his Florida roots. Miami Benefit Concert: “Jam for Venezuela and Colombia” returns Saturday at The Underline (5-9 p.m.) with Tony Succar and local talent for earthquake relief timed to Hispanic Heritage Month. Puerto Rican Roots in Central Florida: Escuela de Bomba y Plena Tata Cepeda is teaching Bomba and Plena in Kissimmee, pairing dance/percussion with history to keep the diaspora tradition alive. Local Scene Spotlight: Madison Social (Madso) keeps Tallahassee’s College Town buzzing with pop music, game-day energy, and a steady stream of events. Stage & Screen: Bedward the Musical lands at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center Sept. 19-20, blending Jamaican history with drama, music, and movement. More Florida Music Dates: Cape Coral Bike Night returns Oct. 10 with live music headliner Hairdaze and a Slow Bike Race.

Local Arts & Education: Bolles broke ground on the $4M Alban Arts and Innovation Center at its Bartram campus, adding an innovation lab, visual arts studio, music room, and more. Reggae Live: The Legendary Wailers kick off the 2026-27 season with a free Backyard Bash at Moss Center on Oct. 17, with Third World as a guest. Music + Tech + Memory: Michael Feinstein and Dr. Kendra Siler will stage a World Premiere concert, “Music Forms Memories,” at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center as part of CommHIT26. Festival Spotlight: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns to Southwest Florida with 60+ free performances across Captiva, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach. Pop Culture Meets Science: A new genus of plant bugs—Swiftiephylus—was named for Taylor Swift, with species references to her albums. Tour Backlash Watch: Ed Sheeran ticket prices reportedly plunged as pro-Palestine protests were planned after Macklemore was dropped from the tour. Community Events: Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial opens Saturday at Alliance for the Arts, and Eventure Florida hosts a free Board Swap + Movie Night in Panama City Beach.

Local Music Spotlight: WMNF’s Song of the Day spotlights St. Petersburg indie-rocker Luxury Mane’s new single “Youth Envy,” the first taste of the forthcoming album High Deaf. Live Music Calendar: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns with 80+ performances across Captiva, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach (Sept. 18-27), with Edwin McCain headlining “Westin Unplugged” and LOCASH at Caloosa Sound Amphitheater. Community & Culture: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with a $100,000 donation split among 10 local Hispanic-serving nonprofits. Hip-Hop Big Ticket: Rolling Loud Florida is back at Camping World Stadium in May 2027 (May 7-9), with passes on layaway; lineup not yet announced. Orlando Music Fundraiser: Orlando musicians and comedians team up for a benefit for Angie Nixon at Will’s Pub on Sept. 23. Weekend Picks: UF Homecoming launches with the Chomp for Charity 5K, including a concert ticket featuring student band Petty Theft.

Hispanic Heritage Month in Tampa: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa kicked off “My Rhythm. My Flavor. ¡Mi Gente!” with a $100,000 donation split among 10 local Hispanic community groups, running Sept. 15–Oct. 15. Florida Music & Live Venues: St. Petersburg is finalizing an agreement with The Florida Orchestra to manage the Mahaffey Theater, with the orchestra leading artistic direction and cultural programming. Southwest Florida Songwriters: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns Sept. 18–27 across Captiva, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and ends with a ticketed Fort Myers Beach run, including a Sept. 27 pool party headlined by Michael Ray. Local Arts Funding Watch: A Pasco theater director says local arts groups are being overlooked for state grants, even as $20M in General Program Support funding is available statewide. Tampa Heights Culture Night: Heightened Senses returns with an open studio and art party plus live music and performances on Sept. 24. Music Pop Culture: GTA VI’s soundtrack album gets early spotlight with the track “That’s It,” framed as a distinctly Florida-feeling collab.

Streaming Radar: Matthew McConaughey’s bluegrass-tinged crime drama The Rivals of Amziah King lands digitally Sept. 15, while South Florida-set mystery series R.J. Decker returns for season two. Keys & Culture: Fall in the Florida Keys is packed with events, from boat-based Conch Scramble golf to Key West’s Fantasy Fest (Oct. 16–25) with this year’s theme “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals.” Local Live Music: Leon County OKs a new IMPACT tourism fund to pull bigger events to FSU, FAMU and Tallahassee State College venues. Community & Performance: Emerson stages a student drag night for orientation, bringing queer performance to a bigger crowd. Big Music Politics: The Macklemore–Ed Sheeran fallout keeps rippling, with Kraft and Sheeran pledging $2M to Gaza aid after Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks. Latin Music Spotlight: Two Miami vocalists, Lea Garza and Melissa Cruz, win full-ride Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation scholarships totaling $525,000.

Local Arts & Youth: Miami-Dade Public Library is launching a Teen Poetry Contest to spotlight writers ages 13–18, with submissions open through Oct. 17 and prizes including Books & Books gift cards; the program also features screenings of the Miami Film Festival documentary “Poetry City” and workshops with local poetry leaders. Courtroom & Hip-Hop: Rapper Kevhani Hicks, charged in the 2023 killing of Omar Demetrie Harris, is asking a judge to throw out the case under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. Music Industry Spotlight: Criteria Recording Studios in North Miami is being profiled for its seven decades of hits, including James Brown’s “I Feel Good” and the Bee Gees’ disco-era work. New Releases (Florida rock): Anberlin drops “Gravity,” the third single from its upcoming album “Currency,” featuring new vocalist Matty Mullins. Tour Drama: The Macklemore/Ed Sheeran controversy keeps rippling—support acts are pulling out, and ticket prices are reportedly sliding for remaining dates, including Florida stops. Community Culture: Miami Broward Carnival expands its 2026 schedule across Broward County with junior events, steelpan, and a full parade weekend. Live Music & Events: Florida Studio Theatre opens its winter cabaret season with “Sailing: Yacht Rock and Beyond.”

Hip-Hop Headliner: Rolling Loud Florida is back in Orlando May 7–9, 2027 at Camping World Stadium, with presale starting Sept. 17 (10 a.m. ET) and general sale at noon; lineup details are still TBA. Tour News: Florida Georgia Line announced its 2027 “Anything Goes Again: The Festival Tour,” returning to major festivals after reuniting as a duo. Stadium Country: Kenny Chesney confirmed his 2027 “Original Vibe Room Tour,” kicking off April 24 in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium. Local Live Music: The Lee County Community Band launches its 2026–27 season with six free Sunday concerts (3 p.m.) in Cape Coral, led by new conductor Kathy Lamb Williams. Community & Culture: Winter Park’s Peace Day in the Park returns Sept. 19 with live music, dance, storytelling, and a Human Peace Sign. Arts Spotlight: The Bass Museum announced Yuko Mohri’s “Unviolated Imperfection” exhibition (Sept. 17, 2026–May 30, 2027). Controversy Watch: The Macklemore–Ed Sheeran tour fallout continues to ripple across major venues and public statements.

Rolling Loud Florida 2027: The hip-hop mega-festival confirms it’s coming back to Orlando next year and points fans to the Oct. 2 theatrical release of Rolling Loud: The Movie starring Owen Wilson. Stagecoach 2027: Florida Georgia Line’s reunion is now official, with the duo announcing an “Anything Goes Again” festival tour that kicks off with Stagecoach and expands to 12 major festivals. Kraft vs. Macklemore: Robert Kraft says Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium shows over “hate speech” concerns tied to Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian onstage remarks; Sheeran later responded to the backlash. Local live music in Tampa: Beats on the Street returns Sept. 26 with 25+ acts and Chromeo headlining, plus new Latin and DJ stages across Water Street. St. Pete theater + music: American Stage opens its season with A Night with Janis Joplin (Sept. 16–Oct. 11). Community culture: Sake Block lands Oct. 1 at the Morean Center for Clay with tastings, vinyl vendors, ceramics, and live music.

Tour Backlash in Florida: Macklemore has been dropped from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after onstage “Free Palestine” remarks at MetLife Stadium, with the promoter saying venues told them they wouldn’t allow the lineup to include him. Venue Pushback: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Gillette Stadium removed Macklemore to avoid “hate speech,” citing what he called antisemitic rhetoric and imagery. Local Culture Spotlight: Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar Association kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with “Taste the Culture,” a West Palm Beach culinary celebration featuring 11 restaurants and community leaders. Studio News (Miami): Electric Feel Entertainment is opening a Wynwood facility with two production studios and the first Solid State Logic Oracle “Future Analogue” instant recall console installed in the U.S. Florida Music History: Frederick Delius’ Florida-to-composer journey gets a spotlight, tracing how the composer’s move to Florida shaped his later work.

Stagecoach 2027: Riley Green, Zach Top and Garth Brooks headline the April 23-25 country fest in Indio, with Florida Georgia Line set for a late-night reunion set—marking their first officially announced Stagecoach appearance since 2018. Tour Drama: Macklemore says he was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop tour after “Free Palestine” remarks; the promoter cites venues refusing to book him, including Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium. Live Music in Florida: The Strokes return to South Florida at Hard Rock Live, mixing classics with new tracks from “Reality Awaits.” Local Festival Picks: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest runs Sept. 18-27 across southwest Florida with 60+ free performances. Holiday Lights: Bonnet Springs Park’s free “Light up BSP” returns Dec. 18-31 with nightly music and Santa. Community Arts: Orlando Mural Festival returns Sept. 17-19 for live mural creation and downtown events.

Stevie Nicks Tribute: NightBird SWFL brings “timeless hits” to Athens Theatre in DeLand on Sept. 23, spotlighting classics like “Dreams,” “Rhiannon,” “Landslide,” and “Edge of Seventeen.” Trop Rock Weekend: ParrotPhest returns to Fort Myers Beach Oct. 1–4 with live music all weekend, plus a charity 50/50 raffle for the Alzheimer’s Association. Local Benefit Show: South Florida’s Urban Health Partnerships marks 15 years with “Harmonies for Health,” featuring Miami Bloco, The Lab, and Suenafro at Tank Brewing. New Music From Florida: G Cole, based in South Florida, readies “Black Green And Reggae” (Sept. 19), inspired by Jamaica’s flag and built for vinyl-minded reggae fans. Campus Live Music: Florida Atlantic University’s Bonfire Music Festival drew big crowds and featured Neon Trees and Swae Lee, with students calling it an electric hit. Tour News: K-pop trio Big Ocean kicks off its US run with a sold-out New York show and hits Orlando on Sept. 26.

New Music Drop: South Florida reggae singer G Cole is gearing up for Sept. 19 with Black Green And Reggae, inspired by Jamaica’s flag colors; he’s already released “Your Love” and “Feeling The Love” (with Ed Robinson), and plans a digital + vinyl release. Local Spotlight: Miami’s Urban Health Partnerships marked 15 years with “Harmonies for Health,” a Tank Brewing benefit featuring Miami Bloco, The Lab, and Suenafro. Florida Live Scene: Rod Wave heads to the Smoothie King Center on Sept. 19, while Bill Burr brings his stand-up to New Orleans’ Saenger Theatre the same night. Artist Watch: Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy shared a cover of Twisted Teens’ “Wild Connection,” ahead of the band’s Nov. 6 album The Holy Cross Tigers. Culture & Arts: The Ringling’s longtime director Steven High announced he’ll retire after 15 years.

Local Live Music Calendar: Pensacola’s Seville Quarter brings back Monday Night Blues (Sept. 14) and the area’s “Bands on the Beach” hits Sept. 15 at Casino Beach. Classical & Theater: Vero Beach’s Space Coast Symphony Orchestra goes lighthearted with “Gilbert & Sullivan Unbuttoned” on Sept. 20, while Athens Theatre hosts “The Addams Family” musical on Sept. 18. Florida Gigs Spotlight: Jacksonville punk-country-jangly trio Beggar Weeds returns to the Flat Iron in Greensboro Oct. 13 (not Florida, but Florida-rooted). Heavy Music: New Orleans sludge metal veterans Eyehategod headline Conduit in Winter Park Sept. 16 with Whores., No/Más, and Orlando’s Skeletizer. Music News Beyond the Stage: Billy Joel says a brain shunt improved balance and memory, though touring remains uncertain. Community & Culture: Trenton’s “Almost Fall Festival” at Doulberly Farm mixes live music with local shopping and vendors.

Local Live Music: Jacksonville trio Beggar Weeds (punk/country/jangly guitar rock) are set for a Greensboro stop at the Flat Iron on Oct. 13, with the Cadets; the band’s revived Southern sound traces back to late-’80s EP “Sure Pants Alot” and even R.E.M. connections. Florida Spotlight (New Release): South Florida singer/songwriter Hopeton Lindo drops the gospel-leaning EP “A Miracle,” featuring “Cover Me” with his son and contributions from Brian & Tony Gold. Touring Health Update: Billy Joel, 77, says a brain shunt for normal pressure hydrocephalus improved balance and memory, though touring plans remain uncertain. Heavy Music in Central Florida: New Orleans sludge metal pioneers Eyehategod return to Winter Park’s Conduit on Sept. 16 with Whores., No/Más, and Orlando’s Skeletizer. Florida Music Community: The Tallahassee Beer Society turns 9 on Sept. 26 with live music, local beer, and a Leon County Humane Society donation drive. Music + Culture Beyond Florida: Juanes says he hit burnout at the height of his career and is now feeling better.

Local Music Education: Jasper High School’s Centerstage theater program earned a national “Heart of Rock and Roll: Power of Love” production grant, bringing a free license for “The Heart of Rock and Roll” plus scripts and musical materials to support community outreach in Florida. Florida Artist Spotlight: Key West High School sax prodigy Matteui Bastillada started at Berklee College of Music in Boston on music and merit scholarships after years with the Bahama Village Music Program. Live Music Calendar: Vero Beach Heritage Center & Citrus Museum is bringing back its Heritage Bluegrass Music Series with eight concerts starting Oct. 10, 2026, including nationally touring and Florida performers plus free admission. Big Stage News: Universal Orlando announced Rock the Universe returns Jan. 22–23, 2027 at Universal Studios Florida with Elevation Worship, Katy Nichole, and more, plus access to major theme-park rides. Music in the Courts: Grammy winner Lil Durk was acquitted in a federal murder-for-hire case tied to Quando Rondo, though co-defendants faced stalking convictions and Durk still has another case pending.

Music Education Win: Key West High grad Matteui Bastillada, an 18-year-old saxophonist, started freshman year at Berklee College of Music in Boston on music and merit scholarships after growing up with the Bahama Village Music Program. Live Music & Community: Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers mark their 25th anniversary with a Mozart “Requiem” performance honoring 9/11 victims and first responders. Orchestral Pop Crossover: St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater hosts The Florida Orchestra’s Taylor Swift: The Symphony Era, with 42 Swift songs reworked into full symphonic arrangements. Local 9/11 Commemoration: Suncoast communities held 25th-anniversary ceremonies, including Venice’s Patriots Park event and Sarasota’s stair-climb tribute at Nathan Benderson Park. Food + Music Scene Tie-In: Tampa Bay’s best live music list for Sept. 11-17 highlights what’s happening across St. Pete, Tampa, Bradenton, and beyond. Big-Name Tour Buzz: Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson spoke ahead of the band’s Georgia shows, including plans tied to the group’s 50th anniversary and new releases.