Live music: All the chart-topping artists that could tour Melbourne in 2025

Music fans will likely be in for a treat next year as promoters eye a slew of A-listers to play Melbourne, with rumours the legendary AC/DC could tour Down Under for the first time in 10 years.

AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan are top of concert promoter wishlists as Australia leaps into another year of blockbuster tours.

Tour insiders say the legendary Acca-Dacca are strongly tipped for stadium dates in the last quarter of 2025 as part of their Power Up Tour. Once confirmed, it will be their first run of shows Down Under in 10 years.

Springsteen has been angling for Australian dates after illness and a vocal injury affected his tour plans in 2024. Sources say shows in February or March, 2025, are a strong possibility.

Promoters are also eager to lock in dates with Chappell Roan, a US singer-songwriter who had stratospheric success in 2024, with hits including Good Luck Babe, Hot To Go and Pink Pony Club.

Sabrina Carpenter will likely play a string of shows in Melbourne in 2025. Picture: Getty Images

Roan’s drag queen aesthetic, acclaimed live shows, and open book policy with fans made her the ‘it’ artist of 2024.

Gracie Abrams and Billie Eilish have locked in four shows each at Rod Laver Arena in 2025. Promoters believe Roan, who played at 170 Russell in 2023, is capable of similar business.

“Chappell Roan is a legitimate arena act in 2025, and every promoter wants this tour,” a source said. “In an era of Billie (Eilish), Sabrina (Carpenter), and Gracie (Abrams), that’s saying something. But that’s also why it makes sense.”

Carpenter supported Taylor Swift’s MCG shows last year. But that was before she’d released monster hits, Espresso and Please Please Please. Promoters want Carpenter to return for headline shows in 2025.

Tour promoters are eyeing off US singer-song writer Chappell Roan to tour Down Under in 2025. Picture: AFP

Insiders are “confident” world tour plans by Justin Timberlake, Linkin Park, and Avril Lavigne will extend to Australia.

The latest tour speculation follows upbeat comments from Live Nation’s global boss Michael Rapino about the year ahead. “2025 looks likely to be a big banner year,” he told concert industry press.

Live Nation’s president and chief financial officer, Joe Berchtold, said international markets were a key driver of growth. “We’re seeing an acceleration of the continued globalisation on the demand side, (and) the artist seeing that they can go everywhere in the world.”

So far, Australia’s superstar tour schedule is impressive.

Bruce Springsteen could light up Melbourne in coming months. Picture: Getty Images

The year kicks off with Kylie Minogue (3 arena shows), Drake (4 arena shows), Luke Combs (2 stadium shows), Chris Stapleton (2 arena shows) and Bryan Adams (2 arena shows) in February.

In March, Billie Eilish plays four arena shows, Dua Lipa (5 arena shows), and Green Day (1 arena show)

Cyndi Lauper plays an arena show in April, and Gracie Abrams leads May with four arena shows, then Katy Perry performs 3 arena shows in June.

Tyler The Creator plays four arena shows in August, then Oasis takes over Docklands Stadium in October and November, followed by Metallica.

“All indications are 2025 will be stronger for tours,” a source said. “We are seeing club acts elevate to arena acts, and arena acts elevate to stadium acts. That means greater ticket availability for consumers and — bottom line — profits for promoters.”