AGP Executive Report

UAE Music & Gaming Scene: Dubai’s GameExpo is spotlighting local artists, creatives, gaming developers and SMEs through “The Narrows,” with more than 75 Dubai-based exhibitors—mixing DJ demos and music with gaming culture. Palestinian Activism at Major Pop Events: Barcelona’s Primavera Sound saw Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez attend Gorillaz, after Palestinian activist Aarab Barghouti spoke to the crowd and festival messaging pushed “No War” and pro-Palestinian solidarity. Lebanon/Arabic Music Spotlight: Lebanese artist Sandy Chamoun released “Sawt El Doumouh,” a grief-to-defiance album drawing on tarab, Arabic poetry, southern folklore and electronics. Egypt Pop Crossover: Egyptian singer Nourine Abouseada teamed up with Copa Açaí for “Nourine’s Smoothie,” a mango-coconut-mint-lime release tied to her music persona. Global Music Politics: Kanye West’s Holocaust Museum visit proposal was rejected in Amsterdam, while his Arnhem concerts continued amid controversy. Uplift Through Sport & Sound: Special Olympics UAE’s Abu Dhabi Games opened with dance and musical performances, running until June 10.

Western Wall Archive Push: Jerusalem’s Tower of David Museum is preparing a major exhibition on the Western Wall’s history and is asking the public to share rare family photos and private archives ahead of next year’s 60th anniversary of reunification. AI Music Politics: US President Donald Trump amplified a surreal AI-generated music video on Truth Social that repeatedly praises him, adding fuel to the debate over synthetic media in political campaigns. Mizrahi Music Loss: Israeli singer Ishay (Yishai) Levi, a pioneer of Mizrahi music known for hits like “Rikud Romanti,” has died at 63. New Album Drop: Iraqi-born, New Zealand-raised alternative hip-hop producer WHO SHOT SCOTT released “I’M YOUR ALIEN,” the lead single for debut album HAIRY. Cultural Diplomacy Through Literature: Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan held events in Turkmenistan honoring poets Shirvani and Azadi, blending scholarship with cultural celebration. Regional Tensions, Gulf Focus: Iran’s missile and drone strikes hit Bahrain and Kuwait amid renewed ceasefire strain, while the US weighs using frozen Iranian assets for Gulf reconstruction.

Mawazine Festival: Morocco’s Mawazine (Rythmes du Monde) returns for its 21st edition June 19–27, with Syrian singer Mayada El Hennawy, Egyptian mahraganat star Hassan Shakosh, and French rapper Ninho on opening night, plus headliners Major Lazer and Imany. Arab Pop Spotlight: The lineup leans hard into Arabic music with Tamer Hosny closing the festival, alongside Marwa Nagy, Saad El Soghayar, Iraqi-Saudi singer Majid al-Muhandis, Tunisian Lotfi Bouchnak, and Syrian acts Al Shami and Sanaa Maharati. Global Chart Watch: LE SSERAFIM’s “BOOMPALA” keeps climbing on the UK Official Charts, jumping to No. 22 on the Singles Sales chart and No. 17 on Downloads, while also gaining ground on Spotify across multiple countries including Saudi Arabia. AI + Music Politics: Trump posted an AI-generated “Everybody loves Donald Trump” style music video using his name 45 times, reigniting debate over synthetic media in political messaging. World Cup Culture: FIFA World Cup fever is spilling into music and marketing, with AI-made songs and clips spreading fast as brands race to stand out.

Traffic & Law: Türkiye’s revised traffic rules get a high-profile test in Trabzon, where a driver was fined over 1.2 million liras after alleged drunk driving, dangerous maneuvers, an illegal exhaust, loud music, and ignoring police stop orders. Streaming & Film Music: Ram Charan’s sports action drama Peddi is set for Netflix by mid-July after its theatrical run, with AR Rahman credited for the score and the film already drawing big opening-day crowds. Cultural Diplomacy Through Sound: Azerbaijan Culture Days in Turkmenistan kicked off in Ashgabat/Arkadag with major concerts featuring the Fikret Amirov folk orchestra and the Gara Garayev chamber orchestra, plus a “Composition of Friendship” performance. Regional Music Spotlight: Bahrain marks Russian Language Day with growing interest in Russian culture, including events at Gulf University’s Russian Language Hub. Eurovision Watch: Eurovision 2026 audience fell to 131 million viewers across 35 territories, down sharply from 2025 amid a boycott tied to Israel’s participation. Music & Identity: Palestinian-Jordanian artist Zeyne and Greek-Sudanese pop star Marina Satti release ‘A’ti’, a minimalist, Middle Eastern-tinged duet about attachment and self-love. Media Freedom: RSF accuses Israel’s army and Shin Bet of inhumane treatment of Gaza journalists, alleging torture and systematic persecution tied to their work. World Cup Culture: UAE venues are rolling out fan zones and match-day entertainment across Dubai and beyond as FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches.

Jerusalem Jazz Festival Preview: Next week’s Jerusalem Jazz Festival (June 9–11) at the Israel Museum leans into jazz’s messy, ever-changing identity—from ragtime and swing to bebop—setting up a lineup that’s as much about cultural mix as musical craft. World Cup Music Rollout: FIFA’s 2026 World Cup album is out, with Canadian artists Nelly Furtado and Jessie Reyez among the names, as the tournament’s host-nation sound gets packaged for fans. UAE–Italy Cultural Night: Abu Dhabi’s Italy National Day event drew major officials and featured performances by a youth orchestra and choir, with Italy’s “Made in Italy” brand spotlighting music and culture alongside trade ties. UAE Music Spotlight: Angham is set to perform live in Bahrain on June 12, adding another regional stop to the Middle East’s busy live-music calendar. Global Pop & Politics: Vanilla Ice says he hopes to perform at Trump’s “Freedom 250” rally in Washington, while the week’s wider coverage keeps circling how celebrity music collides with public debate.

World Cup Music: FIFA confirmed Shakira and Burna Boy will headline the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony, performing “Dai Dai” at Estadio Azteca ahead of the June 11 kickoff. BRICS Culture: The second BRICS Culture Working Group meeting opened in Varanasi, with delegates including Iran and the UAE discussing the creative economy, people-to-people cooperation, and ethical AI plus copyright rules. Israel Pride: Thousands joined Jerusalem’s Pride parade under tight security, with organizers pushing for equality and inclusion amid ongoing tensions. Turkey Live & Heritage: Istanbul’s Zorlu PSM kicks off “PSM Loves Summer” on June 6, while Mehter performances return at national palaces through Sept. 30. MENA Club Scene: Cyprus’ BEONIX Festival announced its 2026 lineup (Sept 25–27) with MENA acts including Egyptian DJ Mohasseb and ThatGirlSherryK. Music & Film: Marjane Satrapi, director of Persepolis, died at 56; and experimental ambient artist Gintė Preisaitė released “Instruments of Forgetting and the Singing Bone.”

BRICS Culture Track: India hosted the second BRICS Culture Working Group in Varanasi, with Iran and the UAE at the table, focusing on copyright protection and ethical AI for the creative economy, plus cultural exchange and people-to-people cooperation. Music & Identity: A new interview spotlights Bedouine (Azniv Korkejian), exploring how the Bedouin name carries inherited stories and mythology through her music. Freedom 250 Fallout: Poison guitarist Pete Evick blasted critics after Freedom 250 backlash, as the politically charged US concert series continues to lose acts. Istanbul Pop Moment: Kanye West’s Istanbul debut drew massive crowds despite bans elsewhere, keeping the Middle East pop conversation loud. Regional Culture Diplomacy: Venezuela and Egypt announced a plan for cultural cooperation in Cairo’s parks and gardens, signaling more music-linked public programming ahead.

UAE Music & Culture: Dubai’s summer calendar is gearing up with DSS 2026 running 2 July–30 August, promising live entertainment, concerts, dining deals and citywide “summer surprises” across malls and venues. Lebanon Outreach: With Israel-Hezbollah tensions forcing evacuations in southern Lebanon, Heart for Lebanon is reshaping its “Summer of Hope” youth programs, including music, games and drama, as plans shift to safer areas. Saudi Arabia Live Entertainment: Formula E’s Saudi after-race concerts are getting a behind-the-scenes look, highlighting how regional production partner AES turns race venues into full concert-style spaces. Israel/Palestine Human Stories: Former hostage Bar Kupershtein, released after 738 days, is now spending time with Israeli children battling cancer in Los Angeles—an emotional reminder of how music and community can support recovery. Türkiye Music Scene: Türkiye’s cinema attendance fell 15% in 2025, with domestic and foreign ticket drops—another sign of shifting entertainment demand.

Dubai Live Music: Punjabi Sufi powerhouse Khan Saab lands in Dubai on June 12 for his first-ever city debut, “Dhurandhar Experience,” promising a big night of qawwali-style soul with DJ sets by Sohail and Manoj. Egyptian Pop Release: Ahmed Saad drops “Kouti,” the lead single from his upcoming album “El Farfoush,” rolling out five tracks across platforms. Egypt/Arab Video Single: Composer Madian releases “Tagheeb Al-Gheeba” as a music video, with lyrics by Tamer Hussein and arrangement by Tamim, plus more summer releases lined up. North Africa + Reggae R&B: Montreal artist Somaya shares “RHINESTONES,” blending reggae grooves with Middle Eastern textures and a self-destruction/delusion theme in both song and video. World Music Festival: Portugal’s Festival MED returns to Loulé with an expanded 2026 lineup mixing artists from around 30 countries, including Goran Bregović, Salif Keita, Arooj Aftab and more. Israel/Concert Culture: A Dutch judge rejected a bid to block Kanye West concerts, despite ongoing controversy around his remarks. Regional Music & Culture Events: RefuFest returns to Prague on June 20 for its 20th edition, using music and food to push intercultural exchange.

BRICS Cultural Diplomacy: Russia’s St. Petersburg will host June 5’s open-air TV BRICS International Symphony Orchestra concert “In the Rhythm of Summer,” marking BRICS’ 20th anniversary and the SPIEF festival. The night includes a world premiere symphonic poem by Murat Kabardokov and guest soloists from Russia, China and Iran, with Italian singer Alessandro Safina. Gulf Tensions, Music Life in the Background: As Iran-US conflict escalates, Kuwait reports intercepts of missiles and drones while explosions are also heard in Dubai, adding pressure to public events and everyday life across the Gulf. Israel Border Life Through Sound: A Metula resident and digital music creator describes how life along Israel’s Lebanese border has shifted into a near-constant war reality after drone strikes and evacuations. Cyprus Festival Spotlight: Nicosia’s University of Cyprus Cultural Festival opens with a packed mix of classical, jazz, theatre and traditional music, featuring artists including Iranian-French collaborator Bijan Chemirani. World Music & Business: Pakistan’s OICCI survey says business confidence is sliding amid Middle East escalation—bad news for investment that often underpins live music and touring.

Freedom 250 Music Politics: Vanilla Ice says he’ll still perform at Trump’s Great American State Fair despite other artists dropping out, insisting it’s “the birthday of America” and that music is “not political,” even if he’d play for Putin or Iran. Gaza Photo Archive: A Marseille exhibition revives Kegham Djeghalian’s century-old Gaza photos—an earlier, joyful city now “no longer known,” with plans to tour the UK. World Cup Fan Culture: Fans across host cities share hopes and fears ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026, with ticket prices and access dominating the mood. Middle East Conflict, Music Context: The IDF reports killing a Hamas deputy commander tied to the Oct. 7 Re’im Junction shelter abductions, underscoring how war narratives keep colliding with public life. Afghan Women Rights: A new Taliban decree is criticized for legalizing child marriage and stripping divorce options, fueling renewed global outrage. Regional Live Scene: Cairokee is set for a live performance in Saudi Arabia on June 4, adding to the Gulf’s steady stream of concert announcements.

Qatar’s “Hala Summer” Calendar: Doha is rolling out a packed June mix of sport, exhibitions, and family shows, with music highlights like Candlelight tributes to Amr Diab and “A Century of Iconic Arabic Music,” plus Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra performances at Katara. Istanbul Live Buzz: Kanye West’s record 118,000-fan stadium show in Turkey keeps the spotlight on Middle East-bound global tours, while Travis Scott faces backlash after a short, late Istanbul set. World Cup Soundtrack: A guide to the Arab songs and chants fans may sing at FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlights regional tracks and fan culture. Lebanon Under Strain: A report from Beirut describes drones as a constant, oppressive “soundtrack” amid renewed strikes, underscoring how conflict reshapes everyday life. Music & Culture in Motion: Istanbul’s tango community thrives in milongas, and North Vancouver’s “Trolley Days: Heritage in Motion” adds Middle Eastern dance and live performances to its heritage lineup. Industry Watch: Universal Music Publishing Group names Sunita Kaur President, Asia, signaling a push to back songwriters across the region.

Istanbul Hip-Hop Backlash: Travis Scott’s first-ever Türkiye debut turned into a fan revolt after reports he arrived late and played only about 20 minutes, with crowds booing and demanding refunds. Music, Politics & Borders: The UK blocked pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel-linked streamers Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur from entering for SXSW London, citing “public good” risk. MENA Rap Roundup: Eid-week releases kept the region’s rap scene moving, with standout tracks and EPs from Egypt’s Abo El Anwar and Marwan Moussa, plus Tunisian, Moroccan, and broader MENA collaborations. Iran–Israel Tensions in the Spotlight: Coverage notes Israel’s renewed Lebanon campaign risks repeating past failures as negotiations with Iran continue in parallel. Studio Craft Spotlight: A profile of producer Robert Shahnazarian highlights a Middle East–adjacent approach to recording—proximity, improvisation, and capturing “authentic” performances. EU/US Music Controversy: Kanye West’s Istanbul show drew massive crowds despite bans elsewhere, reigniting debate over antisemitism and public safety.

Iran crackdown on youth culture: Tehran police permanently shut a popular central cafe over claims of “satanic movements,” with the stated trigger being Western-style music and secular gatherings. Gulf security alert: Kuwait’s army said its air defences intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks, urging residents to follow safety instructions. UAE/Arab pop live: Majid Al Mohandis lit up Coca-Cola Arena Dubai with major hits and a heartfelt UAE tribute during his set. Turkey concert backlash: US rapper Travis Scott faced backlash after a Türkiye show at Tersane Istanbul, with fans complaining about a late start and a very short set. Istanbul classical crossover: Andrea Bocelli marked 30 years of Romanza in Istanbul, with Turkish pop star Kenan Doğulu joining him on stage. Qatar culture & learning: Qatar National Library announced a June lineup spanning parenting support, open-access publishing guidance, and a Palestine-focused history program. Music + film industry: Shiva Rajkumar said he nearly stepped away from Peddi after a cancer diagnosis, while Peddi’s release and streaming plans continue to draw attention. UK visa row tied to Israel debate: Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker were reportedly banned from entering the UK ahead of SXSW London. Israel Day Parade in NYC: Thousands marched with Israeli music and floats, amid political polarization and Mayor Zohran Mamdani skipping the event.

Iran Music Crackdown: Iranian authorities shut down a Tehran cafe over alleged “satanic” activities, after reports said events with Western-style music were linked to “abnormal behaviours,” with police accusing patrons of “satanic movements.” Istanbul Concert Spotlight: Kanye West (Ye) drew about 118,000 fans to Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium in his first Europe show in more than a decade, despite a wave of bans and cancellations tied to his antisemitic history. Israel Day Parade Security: New York Jewish leaders and politicians backed the Israel Day Parade while Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a statewide 50-foot security buffer zone around houses of worship, as anti-Israel protests and antisemitism concerns continue to shape the debate. Mental Health + Music in Israel: Israel’s Ministry of Health expanded public mental health services and launched “Everything That Helps,” featuring four original anxiety-themed musical pieces by Assi Azar and collaborators. Qatar Culture Calendar: Qatar National Library announced June programming including “Keys to Palestine: Memory, Stories, and Documentation,” plus family-focused workshops and school-readiness sessions. Azerbaijan Music Abroad: A Prague concert marked Azerbaijan’s Independence Day with mugham performances and artists from across the diaspora.

Kanye West in the Middle East spotlight (via Europe): The rapper’s Italy shows were cancelled by Reggio Emilia authorities, citing “public order and safety issues” after protests tied to his past antisemitic remarks. Iraq live music update: Egyptian rock band Cairokee pushed its first-ever Baghdad concert to October 9, blaming the wider U.S.-Israel-Iran war spillover. Regional culture & arts: Sharjah’s theatre push got attention in Warsaw, with a session on Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi’s role in shaping modern Emirati theatre. Cross-border music cooperation: Uzbekistan and Kuwait discussed expanding culture and arts ties, including music education and participation in a Namangan maqom festival. Saudi cultural showcase: Saudi Arabia used KLIBF 2026 as Guest of Honour to spotlight literature, heritage and live traditional arts performances. Local music scene: Bahrain’s June events calendar highlights DJ nights and major pop shows, including Nancy Ajram and South Korean DJ YOUNA.