The 2026 edition of Global Media Day unfolded far from the familiar exhibition hall of last year, relocating instead to the largest conference spaces inside the neighboring Hilton rooms typically reserved for high-profile gatherings like the TEC Awards and SheRocks. Altough the day delivered noticeably fewer spontaneous musical moments than past Global Media Days, the setup sparked an optimistic vision by lending the event a more formal tone for media folks.
The evening opened with a performance by The Roundarounds, a band born out of Amazon Prime’s 2025 breakout teen drama. On the show, the characters play instruments and off-screen, the cast members (Axel Ellis, Jesse Golliher, William Lipton, Zendé Murdock, and Jeremy Yun) bring those fictional roots to life with original music from the series. The group performed three songs from the show, though the absence of the second singer during the set meant Axel Ellis stepped in to cover the missing choruses, an adjustment that slightly tempered the otherwise energetic opener.
Momentum picked up with a special presentation from Fender Studios, spotlighting the new DL Baritone. That segued into a video message from John Mayer, who introduced PRS Guitars’ limited-edition Silver Sky Wild Blue in Turquoise, his latest signature model. Another video followed, this time from guitar prodigy Ed Sheeran, who offered his own endorsement of PRS, praising the brand’s consistency and craftsmanship.
Gibson then took center stage with a presentation rooted in acoustic heritage, emphasizing the enduring influence of flat-top guitars on iconic recordings, including Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska. The discussion flowed naturally into Gibson’s 100 Century Collection, brought to life through a performance by Margaret Glaspy, blending history with contemporary expression.
With innovation, quality, and legendary craftsmanship leading the charge, Gibson launches the year by revealing its all-new 2026 lineup. At NAMM, the iconic brand underscored a sharp commercial strategy alongside immersive, carefully curated experiences for both media and fans.
Next, Korg explored the evolution of synthesizers, pairing its talk with a DJ-led demonstration that showcased the company’s ongoing innovations in sound design.
Roland followed, introducing Project Lydia, a musician-powered initiative built on continuous artist feedback. A guitarist demonstration highlighted morph fusion, rhythm creation, and experimental audio effects from the Roland Future Design Lab and Neutone, offering a glimpse into technology still in preview but already sparking excitement.
Yamaha presented the Chris Buck Signature Model, a custom guitar first introduced in 2020, featuring a reinforced neck and specifications tailored directly to the internationally acclaimed guitarist known for his fluid touch and soulful expression. The sound showcases a style Buck has built around the Yamaha Revstar.
The night closed on a warm, resonant note with Martin Guitars, featuring Grammy-nominated artists for Best Americana Album, Little Miss Sunshine, who filled the room with the unmistakable sound of Martin, bringing the audience back to the core of songwriting and tone.
Elsewhere on the Global Media Day floor, John Page Guitars showcased the striking Retablo Guitar, a visual and musical tribute highlighting saints of American Roots Music. The instrument features portraits of foundational artists selected for their historical impact: Robert Johnson (Blues), Huddie William Ledbetter aka Lead Belly (Blues/Folk), Mamie Smith (Jazz/Blues), Sister Rosetta Tharpe (Gospel), Billie Holiday (Jazz/Swing), Mahalia Jackson (Gospel), Bessie Smith (Blues), Howlin’ Wolf (Blues), and Muddy Waters (Blues). Each portrait was painted as a personal expression of gratitude, every brushstroke a thank-you for the immeasurable richness these artists brought to American music and to our lives.
