OutStanding Music, a new national organization dedicated to supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ music professionals across Canada, is launching officially on October 1 during BreakOut West in Victoria. The group aims to provide mentorship, professional development, advocacy and community connection for queer and trans artists, executives and other industry workers, according to the announcement.

The organization was founded by Bronwin Parks, who serves as executive director and board president, along with vice-president and operations manager Natalye Vivian. Parks says the Canadian music industry has established support organizations for other underrepresented groups, such as Women in Music Canada, the Indigenous Music Office and ADVANCE Music Canada, but has lacked a national body focused specifically on 2SLGBTQIA+ advancement.

The launch will begin with an interactive session called “Allies & Actions” at the Victoria Convention Centre, featuring an introduction from artist Kinnie Starr and participation from collaborators including Women in Music Canada, the Indigenous Music Office and the International Indigenous Music Summit. A launch event follows that evening at The Vicious Poodle, presented with Women in Music Canada, featuring performances from 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and a headline set from Kinnie Starr.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Mavis Harris, nicemarmotpr.com.

Gibson has partnered with Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, returning to Austin’s Moody Center September 26-27, 2026. The festival lineup includes Clapton, Gary Clark Jr., Buddy Guy, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Trey Anastasio and Joe Bonamassa, alongside a roster of Gibson signature artists including Billy Gibbons, Sierra Hull, Marcus King and Keb’ Mo’.

As part of the partnership, Gibson will operate a festival booth featuring more than 30 Gibson and Epiphone instruments and MESA/Boogie amplifiers available for fans to play, according to the announcement. The booth will also offer what the company describes as a world-first preview of the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1964 ES-335 TDC Reissue, modeled on Clapton’s original 1964 ES-335 and slated for release in summer 2027. Festival attendees will reportedly be able to enter a drawing for one of the signature guitars when the model launches.

Guitar Center returns as the festival’s exclusive retail partner, running an on-site experience that will include a showcase from its Legends Collection featuring the original 1964 ES-335 Clapton played during his time with Cream, the company says. Guitar Center will also induct an artist into its RockWalk during the event, with the honoree to be announced later. The festival marks the 28th anniversary of Crossroads Centre Antigua, the addiction treatment and education facility that the event benefits, with Gibson Gives continuing its support of the organization.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Libby Coffey, primeprgroup.com.

Sanremo Music Festival will introduce explicit restrictions on generative AI for its 77th edition in February 2027, requiring that lyrics and music be exclusively the result of human creativity. The rules exclude AI systems that could replace or distort the primary human contribution to a song, following a request from Italian music industry body FIMI (Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana), the country’s national affiliate of IFPI.

The move aligns Sanremo’s competition rules with principles FIMI adopted in July 2026 for the Top of the Music by FIMI/NIQ charts, under which AI-assisted recordings can qualify only if the AI tool used is authorized and lawful, the track is substantially human-created, and there are no concerns about streaming or chart manipulation. FIMI says the festival, which airs on Rai and served as a model for the Eurovision Song Contest, reached an average of just over 10 million viewers and a 63% share across five nights in 2026, according to the announcement, with the final night drawing 11 million viewers and a 68.8% share.

FIMI CEO Enzo Mazza called the decision a historic milestone, saying the organization does not oppose generative AI as a creative tool but wants to ensure it does not replace human creativity. The 77th Sanremo edition will be led by artistic director Stefano De Martino, with the 24 competing songs yet to be announced.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Rossella Lo Faro, fimi.it.

Sharon Gault, a celebrity makeup artist who worked with performers including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Rihanna, died September 16, according to an official family obituary. She was 61.

Gault’s career took off in 1990 when she joined Madonna’s Blond Ambition World Tour handling hair for dancers and singers, an experience documented in “Madonna: Truth or Dare,” where she earned the nickname “Mama Makeup.” She later worked with Michael Jackson during his Dangerous World Tour and went on to contribute to shoots for Vogue, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone and other outlets, as well as music videos and ad campaigns, per the announcement.

The obituary highlights her decades-long creative partnership with photographer David LaChapelle, who called her a close collaborator and muse in a statement included with the release. Within the professional makeup community, Gault was widely known as a mentor to younger artists, the announcement says. She is survived by her daughter, Adelaide Gault, and a grandson, Leo.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Nicole Poulos, sideways-media.com.

The Green Events & Innovations Conference (GEI), organized by sustainability group A Greener Future, will relocate to The O2 in London for its 19th edition, scheduled for February 23, 2027. The event will be held across indigo at The O2 and the O2 Blueroom, according to the announcement. GEI had previously been held for the past decade alongside ILMC at London’s Royal Garden and Royal Lancaster hotels.

GEI describes itself as the leading conference for event sustainability, bringing together artists, environmentalists and industry figures to discuss climate action in live entertainment. Past speakers cited in the announcement include Brian Eno, Moby, Aurora, Jacob Collier and Declan McKenna, alongside climate scientists, policymakers and executives from organizations including AEG and the UNFCCC.

According to A Greener Future, GEI will remain closely tied to ILMC, taking place the day before ILMC in the same city and available as a package to ILMC delegates. Last year’s edition drew more than 450 delegates from 26 countries, the organization says. The 2027 event will again conclude with the International AGF Awards, sponsored by Skydiamond, honoring sustainability efforts across festivals, venues and tours; last year’s winners included M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, DGTL in the Netherlands, and Sam Fender’s People Watching tour.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Nikki McNeill, globalpublicity.co.uk.

Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS) has announced the first wave of artists for its 2027 showcase festival and conference, set for Jan. 13-16 in Groningen, Netherlands. The initial lineup includes 42 acts from 31 European countries, selected in partnership with 28 European Broadcasting Union member radio stations. Artists in the first wave include Aaron Rowe, Gwenifer Raymond, Erika Vikman, HVNDS and MICHA, among others spanning multiple genres and languages.

According to the announcement, the selection follows a record number of submissions, with nearly 6,000 artists applying before the Sept. 1 deadline. ESNS said the response reflects the scale of new talent emerging across the European music scene.

The festival will also introduce a new delegate-only programme at De Oosterpoort on the opening Wednesday, before the event opens more broadly across venues in Groningen. Names for Noorderslag, the festival’s Dutch-focused counterpart, are expected to be announced separately. Tickets for both festivals go on sale Sept. 25.

Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Nikki McNeill, globalpublicity.co.uk.