This Month
Grisly to cuddly: How Ozzy Osbourne changed reality TV forever
The heavy metal frontman was known as the Prince of Darkness until his family reality show showed a different side - and became a runaway hit.
Ozzy Osbourne, the godfather of heavy metal, dies at 76
The gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of pioneering band Black Sabbath died just weeks after his farewell show.
Rare Shanghai Symphony tour keeps soft diplomacy flowing
Founded in 1879, Shanghai SO is Asia’s oldest orchestra, surviving even Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution when Western classical music was banned.
Brad Banducci starts to think about Ticketek’s hi-tech future
Months after taking the top job at the ticketing giant, the former Woolworths chief says he is looking forward to something more creative and entrepreneurial.
Why the Oasis reunion is hitting ’90s kids so hard
They were the last band that wanted to be the biggest in the world – and they’re back at a time when we might need that belief more than ever.
3 books to get you in the mood for the Oasis tour
Whether it’s money, nostalgia or the endlessly fascinating double act of Noel and Liam, there is no shortage of reading as the band embarks on its reunion tour.
Oasis brings a fashion supernova from the UK
Reaching a broad audience and riding a wave of ’90s Britpop nostalgia to higher sales in North America, retailers are jumping on the bandwagon.
June
The shows, concerts, exhibitions and festivals lighting up your July
A violin veteran as you’ve rarely seen him, Adelaide lit up and a dancey alternative to school holiday screentime: all the best shows around the nation this month.
AC/DC’s Aussie tickets are about to go on sale (with a loyal promoter)
Angus Young and his band are known for their unchanging, multi-platinum selling rock. But for their first Australian tour in a decade, there’s another constant.
China’s piano man may be the world’s best (and fastest)
The world’s most famous living pianist shows the power of being in the moment as he launches a series of concerts in Australia.
Why Springsteen’s attacks on Trump are so controversial
The interior life of the working man that the veteran rock star made it his job to portray has been exploited by the US president.
Live Nation spends $30m to stop tours skipping one city
Northbridge Music Hall promises to fill a gaping hole in the West Australian capital’s live performance ecosystem.
April
Live Nation boss reveals ‘unspoken secret’ of ticket prices
Veteran promoter Michael Coppel is now the biggest Australian cog in a multinational music machine. He says local fans would be bereft without it.
March
Your concert ticket might soon look like a bill
A federal parliamentary inquiry into reviving the struggling live music industry has proposed itemising the costs that go into the price of a show.
Why the live album is back
The rise of pop and hip-hop almost killed in-concert recordings, but a few factors have led to a revival, with everyone from The Cure to Ed Sheeran releasing them.
February
Meet the rare male soprano shaking up concert halls
Samuel Marino is one of just a handful of professional male singers with the voice type, but his significance is more than musicological.
Falls Festival site going for a song as Live Nation cuts asking price
The entertainment group wanted $4 million two years ago for the site near the Great Ocean Road. It’s less optimistic now on price.
January
Star deal crowns Sydney’s media-shy theatre king
Star’s sale of its Sydney events centre means that by 2026 the city will have three major commercial theatres under the control of one owner, Stephen Found.
Splendour in the Grass cancelled for second year running
One of Australia’s largest music festivals said it needed “more time to recharge” after a last-minute cancellation in 2024, although other music festivals are thriving.
Why Paul McCartney, at 82, cannot let it be
Back on tour last month, the legendary songman is still hungry for appreciation and intent on settling old scores.