Music festivals
Pill testing to go ahead at NSW summer music festivals
After years of calls for pill-testing services, a 12-month trial in time for the summer music festival season in early 2025 will be unveiled on Thursday.
- by Michael McGowan
Latest
Analysis
Australian music
In Bluesfest we trust? The art, and cost, of Peter Noble’s backflip
At a time when many music festivals are doing it tough, comments by Bluesfest founder Peter Noble have done no favours to the sector.
- by Karl Quinn
Updated
Crime
Good Things festival accused of ignoring groping, upskirting and harassment reports
One email to organisers includes claims of witnessing “men filming up girls’ skirts the whole day” and seeing people being groped.
- by Courtney Kruk
Summer of thrifty ride: Government brings back free transport, flags public holiday change
In an event-studded Perth weekend, the state government has announced a repeat of last year’s free public transport over summer.
Exclusive
Live music
The text messages that reveal the pandemonium behind a cancelled music festival
The festival made headlines for being “disrespectful”. Now, the organisers are demanding compensation.
- by Harriet Alexander
Exclusive
Live music
Aussie musicians’ international incomes are at an all-time high. But the picture at home is not so healthy
Australia is at risk of a “musical brain drain” as artists head overseas in search of better money.
- by Penry Buckley
Exclusive
State Parliament
Police strip-searched 51 children in a year despite Labor’s promised review
It has been 12 months since the NSW police minister promised to review the strip-searching of children. She has held only three meetings.
- by Michael McGowan
Thongs and crowd-surfing: Why live music events can’t afford insurance
A federal inquiry has heard from insurers about rising premiums for venues and festivals. They say unpredictable weather events – and crowd behaviour – are partly to blame.
- by Penry Buckley
Smashing the brass ceiling: Women take on music’s most blokey genre
Freewheeling it may be, but jazz has been stubbornly conservative when it comes to gender. This year’s Melbourne International Jazz Festival line-up reflects a change of tempo.
- by Jane Cornwell
SXSW Sydney: here’s everything you need to know (including whether to bother)
The music, film, tech and gaming festival from Austin, Texas, is returning for a second year.
- by Penry Buckley
Brat summer is coming: Charli XCX heading to Australia for festival
Prepare to see a lot of lime green on the scene with news that pop star Charli XCX is coming to Australia next year.
- by Thomas Mitchell
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/music-festivals-1lzf