Today
Melbourne Symphony sued in battle of ‘brand v human rights’
Jayson Gillham’s suit against the MSO shapes as a test of anti-discrimination laws against the rise of “morals clauses” in employment contracts, says a leading workplace lawyer.
September
Women-only gallery’s court win: ‘30 seconds to squash the patriarchy’
Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art will be allowed to reopen its Ladies Lounge and exclude men after Tasmania’s Supreme Court found it didn’t breach anti-discrimination law.
It’s the Kylie and Troye show as ARIAs go for the masses again
After a concept album about a cockroach won in 2023, the industry voters for Album Of The Year in 2024 have picked more mainstream fare.
People don’t want ‘challenging’ music, says Peaceful Piano king
Chad Lawson writes music to improve your mental health – which has meant this stalwart of Spotify’s Peaceful Piano playlist repressing some of his own creative impulses.
Seven must-see shows this October
From a Bette Davis cabaret, to Celine Dion on the Titanic and a takeover in the Adelaide Botanic Garden, there are plenty of reasons to leave the house this month.
The 10 most culturally powerful people in Australia in 2024
What does it mean to be Australian right now? These 10 people made the biggest mark on our national culture this year.
Teenagers slam dancing to 1990s heroes Spiderbait? It happened here
The rock veterans from Finley, NSW still play like a band thirty years their junior - and attracted many fans that age to the Enmore Theatre on Saturday night.
Melbourne Symphony review after Gaza furore to cost $700k
Peter Garrett’s probe into the decision-making around a pianist’s onstage remarks on the Gaza war is set to cost some 7 per cent of the orchestra’s annual box office.
Awkward season launch for Opera Australia as musicals muscle in
A record four musicals are programmed for OA’s 2025 season, highlighting tensions between art and commerce that saw artistic director Jo Davies leave in August.
Gloves beat McNuggets for rich sculpture prize
Gloves reshaped into romantic rabbits have won the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, besting an earrings and necklace set made from Maccas and its packaging.
‘I was levitating’: Why Brett Clegg paid for Sydney Dance Company work
The public relations mogul’s love affair with dance began when he sent an unsolicited novella to a British electro musician in 2011.
Developer to display Baker’s music trove after paying $314k
Amateur drummer Paul Lambess has already rejected requests to sell parts of journalist Glenn A. Baker’s 80,000 records and CDs.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra rejects pianist’s claim for compensation
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s fight with a pianist it cancelled after he made political comments onstage has led to an exchange of aggressive legal letters.
August
Opera Australia artistic director gone amid rift with boss
Australia’s largest performing arts company is in turmoil, with Jo Davies resigning after just nine months in the role amid a split with CEO Fiona Allan.
Inside the board meeting showdown at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Contradictory accounts have emerged of a May meeting called to discuss a documentary about MSO chair David Li, underlining divisions at the orchestra.
- Exclusive
- Art
How the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is tearing itself apart
War erupted on the board of one of Australia’s most prestigious arts institutions long before the public upheavals over a pianist’s remarks about Gaza.
Save the date for a feast of shows in September
From Spiderbait to Sweeney Todd, Oscar Wilde to David Williamson, our pick of the best shows around the country will put a spring in your step.
- Breaking
- Workplace
Melbourne Symphony sacks chief, taps Peter Garrett for review
The besieged orchestra has let go its managing director, and hopes the Midnight Oil singer’s independent review can help restore public confidence.
- Exclusive
- Performing arts
New talent booking platform raises millions to cut out middle men
Try to book big names for an event, and you’ll face a dozen sites claiming to represent them. That scourge may now end for artists such as Casey Donovan.
Sharing a $6.40 birthday cake with star Sarah Brightman
The world-famous performer is not too grand to enjoy a treat from Woolies as she promotes her role in Sunset Boulevard.