Robbie Williams the chimp doesn’t work, but there are upsides
The primate metaphor for Robbie Williams’ arrested development at age 15 is gimmicky, but the biopic is still entertaining.
Music
Flying high: Peter Pan’s origin story brought to life
Broadway writer Rick Elice talks about his Peter Pan origin story Peter and the Starcatcher, surviving grief and how staging a musical can resemble a military operation.
Brazil judge orders Adele song pulled globally over plagiarism
A Brazilian judge has ordered a song by British pop star Adele, Million Years Ago, be pulled worldwide over an ongoing plagiarism claim by a Brazilian composer.
Dangerous ground: reconciling the two sides to Michael Jackson
In more ways than one, Roman Banks took on the most difficult role on Broadway when he was cast as the treasured and troubled pop icon in MJ: The Musical.
‘I was truly, genuinely OK with it not being successful’
Pop’s biggest underdog broke through in 2024 with the release of Brat — the biggest (and many say best) album of the year. How did Charli XCX do it?
Blue skies ahead for Bluesfest as festival promoter changes tune
When music festival director Peter Noble announced in August that Bluesfest 2025 would mark the finale of the long-running event, he was near the end of his tether. What’s changed?
Sandy Bash returns to desert roots with Williamson sunset gig
While this Queensland tourist attraction is taking a breather for its 2025 edition, organisers have booked one performer for a sunset concert to mirror the desert gig that set it all in motion.
Tina’s unchained melody joins national treasury
Tina Arena’s signature song has been named as one of 10 new additions to Sounds of Australia, a collection of nationally significant audio recordings.
Ex-BBC Philharmonic chief vows to ‘refocus’ MSO
The former general manager of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra will swing the axe and cut jobs at the MSO following the fallout from pianist Jayson Gillham’s comments about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
UB40’s brothers in arms no longer
Frontman Ali Campbell talks about why he split from his siblings and fellow bandmates, touring in the Soviet Union and accusations of cultural appropriation.
The end of an Era: eight ways Taylor Swift’s tour changed everything
The biggest tour of the 21st century has just come to an end. Will concerts ever be the same and where does Swiftmania go next?
Arts companies are in trouble. What can they learn from Richard Tognetti?
His ‘non-elitist approach to classical music’ has helped him rail against ‘northern hemisphere snobbery’ and ‘paltry’ government funding to lead the Australian Chamber Orchestra for 35 years.
Bright, confident indie rock colours King Stingray’s second album
The Arnhem Land band’s celebration of Yolngu Matha language feels right at home with its evolved sound, which ties its rollicking rock energy with new synth-leading influences.
Jack White gives an emphatic lesson in textbook rock ‘n’ roll
Anyone grumbling that rock ‘n’ roll is dead ‘n’ buried needs to park themselves in front of this man and his exceptional band.
Spotify Wrapped reveals top songs and podcasts in Australia in 2024
For the second consecutive year, Taylor Swift is the most-streamed artist on the planet.
Forty-four years after heartbreak hotel, Iva seeks his long-lost axe
For 44 years, Icehouse frontman Iva Davies has been mourning the loss of a dear friend. All these years later, he’s hoping to be reunited – and you may be able to help him.
Waxahatchee live review: a gifted songwriter at the peak of her powers
It’s not too great a stretch of the imagination to picture an alternate universe where Katie Crutchfield’s Americana project is as big a deal as Taylor Swift.
Elton John unable to watch own musical due to ‘lost eyesight’
The 77-year-old revealed he was fighting an eye infection that has caused him to lose his vision.
Kelly applauds film ‘mutation’ of his song How to Make Gravy
On Sunday, Paul Kelly’s 1996 Christmas song — now a treasured Australian classic — will cross creative disciplines when a film adaptation begins streaming on Binge.
Trying on try-hard as an insult? Try again, say these try-hards
In an irresistibly catchy single from his collaborative album with Lance Ferguson, You Am I frontman Tim Rogers offers this rejoinder: ‘Hell yeah, I’m a try-hard / I try harder than you.’
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/page/3