‘I’m scared I can’t do it’: Kidman’s confidence crisis
‘It’s shaping up to be either this enormously brilliant movie or this totally kyboshed turkey,’ one industry figure observed. How would you say it turned out?
Arts
Tina joins roll call of Aussie musical greats at desert Bash
On Wednesday, Tina Arena took a moment to drink in the spectacular sight of a wide open blue sky meeting the rust-coloured sand that dominates the remote Big Red Bash festival.
In a desert delight, no one’s shy at Bashville
In far western Queensland, the pop-up city of 7500 campers known as ‘Bashville’, the home of the Big Red Bash is an oddity in the Australian music festival market.
Mentor Bella ready to square the ledger
For actress Bella Heathcote, winning the Heath Ledger Scholarship was ‘a godsend,’ now she’s ready to return the favour.
2024 Miles Franklin shortlist revealed
Alexis Wright’s Stella Prize-winning Praiseworthy joins works by Gregory Day, André Dao, Sanya Rushdi, Jen Craig and Hossein Asgari competing for Australia’s most prestigious literary prize
Michael J. Fox joins Coldplay on stage at Glastonbury
The Back to the Future actor, who has been battling Parkinson’s since 1991, joined the band for an emotional performance of their 2005 hit ‘Fix You’| WATCH
No set? No worries. Venice coup for Back to Back theatre
Geelong’s Back to Back theatre has received the Venice Biennale Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, making it the third Australian participant in the ‘art Olympics’ this year to take out a top honour.
Oils on film: ‘Never afraid to make a statement’
A new documentary film captures Midnight Oil’s 46 years of ‘stirring the possum’ through its bold activism, larrikin spirit, ‘commando events’ and hook-filled rock ‘n’ roll songwriting.
‘I seek out original manuscripts in monasteries’
Paul Dyer has spent 34 years at the helm of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, which plays Baroque music on period instruments. It involves a lot of musical detective work…
Felling William Crowther’s statue wasn’t the way to right a historical wrong
Not all civic statues are appropriate for all time, but common public space needs to be respected – not vandalised.
Fashion’s mad scientist reveals the formula
Beloved by eccentric and icons such as Bjork and Lady Gaga, polymath Iris van Herpen reveals how her synaesthesia – including ‘seeing’ music – informs her out-of-this-world designs.
Korean writers tackle the fetishization of Asian women
Katherine Min died before she could complete her important book on lust of some Western men for Asian women.
Our readers have it in the bag
Our readers on new books, old feelings and funding shortfalls.
Confessional Interview: Zakir Hussain
Zakir Hussain, 73, on playing with the Grateful Dead and eating yoghurt with George Harrison.
Netflix forced to remove sex scene that offended drug trafficker
Notorious drug smuggler Laureano Oubina will be paid more than $24K for violation of privacy.
Taylor Swift mania reflects a US economy on song
The pop heroine’s tour is testimony to the power of American capitalism and its ability to create new businesses.
‘Rare and special’: 12-year album break serves Dirty Three well
The instrumental trio known as Nick Cave’s favourite live band here feels roughed up and refreshed, as if shaking off the studio cobwebs has inspired a more spontaneous bent overall.
What to read this week
Candice Fox and Nicola Moriarty have new books, plus six more titles in our list of this week’s Notable Books.
Gauguin exhibition begins at his lonely end
The National Gallery of Australia’s Gauguin blockbuster is the first exhibition to focus on the French master’s Oceania period.
Hotel Cocaine: a biting tale of avarice and violence
Chris Brancato’s Hotel Cocaine traces the rise and fall of charismatic gangsters and is promoted with a line that says it all: ‘There’s No Business Like Blow Business’.
The Australian girls who loved Christ
Unconvential Women tells the story of Australian girls who gave up careers and romance for life in a convent, devoted to Christ.
Our critic’s verdict on the 2024 Glastonbury headliners
Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA are top of the festival bill — and it’s all because of Taylor Swift.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts