2026 Queensland Music Awards Winners Revealed
The 2026 Queensland Music Awards were unveiled at Miami Marketta on the Gold Coast, with Brisbane indie rock band Ball Park Music making history by capturing both Album of the Year and Highest Selling Album. Other major honors included Jem Cassar‑Daley’s Song of the Year and Hollow Coves being named Export Artist. The ceremony also highlighted the state’s diverse talent pool, from emerging folk acts to veteran community radio station 4ZZZ receiving a Lifetime Achievement award.
BOY SODA Announces ‘Soulstar Deluxe’, Shares New Track ‘Chase Your Tail’
Australian R&B artist Boy Soda announced a deluxe edition of his debut album Soulstar, slated for June 19, featuring five new songs including the lead single “Chase Your Tail.” The track drops today via Warner Music Australia, coinciding with his...
Amy Taylor Legal Battle Escalates as Photographer Rejects Settlement
Photographer Jamie Nelson has turned down a settlement offer and will press forward with a federal lawsuit against Australian singer Amy Taylor. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges Taylor used Nelson’s...
Violent Soho Return From Hiatus for Exclusive Australian Headline Shows
After a four‑year hiatus, Australian rock stalwarts Violent Soho announced a three‑date headline tour across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in September 2026. The shows, presented by Triple J, will feature local acts Beddy Rays, Teenage Joans and Secret World as support. The band...
Kita Alexander Announces Australian Tour
Australian singer‑songwriter Kita Alexander announced a national tour to support her upcoming album *Rage*, slated for release on June 26 through Warner Music Australia. The tour kicks off at Melbourne’s Northcote Theatre on September 12 and will visit Sydney, Brisbane,...
Madonna Offers Reward for Missing Coachella Outfits: ‘They Are a Part of My History’
Madonna made a surprise appearance at Coachella during Sabrina Carpenter’s set, recreating her iconic 2006 performance by wearing the same boots, corset and jacket from that era. After the show she discovered the vintage pieces had vanished from her personal...
Blur’s Alex James Bringing ‘Britpop Classical’ Tour to Australia
Blur bassist Alex James announced his ‘Britpop Classical’ tour will land in Australia this November, featuring orchestral renditions of iconic Britpop tracks. The six‑city run will start on the Gold Coast and travel through Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth....
The Damned to Farewell Australia and New Zealand With 50th Anniversary Tour
British punk legends The Damned announced a 50th‑anniversary farewell tour that will hit Australia and New Zealand this September. The itinerary begins in Auckland on September 8 and includes a landmark performance at Sydney’s Opera House, followed by shows in Brisbane and...
Keith Urban Names First Rising Star Scholarship Winner: ‘When He Sings, I Believe Him’
Country star Keith Urban announced the first recipient of his Rising Star Scholarship, awarding Australian singer‑songwriter Ethan Calway unprecedented access to Nashville’s music ecosystem. The scholarship, created with the Tamworth Country Music Festival, provides studio time at Urban’s The Sound,...
Inside the Twisted Life of Roald Dahl
Rolling Stone’s Aaron Tracy hosts the ten‑part podcast "The Secret World of Roald Dahl," diving into the author’s multifaceted life—from beloved children’s classics to his antisemitic remarks, Hollywood missteps, and a life‑saving medical invention. The series brings together voices like...
Danny Brown Announces 2026 Australian Tour Dates
Danny Brown announced his 2026 Australian “Stardust” tour, covering Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and a Dark Mofo festival slot in Hobart. The shows run from June 5 to June 11, with tickets on sale April 21 and a pre‑sale beginning April 20. The tour follows...
Katseye Are Finally Coming to Australia
Grammy‑nominated K‑pop girl group Katseye confirmed an exclusive fan Q&A in Sydney on May 6, linked to the pre‑order of their upcoming EP Wild, due out on August 14. The new EP follows their 2025 release Beautiful Chaos, which entered the Billboard 200’s Top 5. Formed...
Marlon Williams Leads 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards Nominations
The finalists for the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards were announced, with Marlon Williams leading the pack with seven nominations thanks to his all‑Māori language album “Te Whare Tīwekaweka.” Global pop star Lorde also appears in multiple categories, including Album of...
Avenged Sevenfold Announce Australia Tour
Live Nation announced that heavy‑metal veterans Avenged Sevenfold will return to Australia and New Zealand for the first time in 12 years, launching a three‑city Australian leg on October 16, 2026 followed by a New Zealand show on October 23. The tour features opening acts...
Justin Bieber’s Coachella Set Floored Lizzo and Confused Zara Larsson in the Best Way
Justin Bieber returned to a major stage at Coachella, delivering his first public performance in four years. The set mixed live songs with a montage of viral internet clips, prompting strong reactions from fellow artists. Lizzo hailed the show as...
Watch Young Thug Perform With Camila Cabello, Ty Dolla $Ign at Coachella
Young Thug headlined Coachella with a star‑studded set that featured Camila Cabello, Ty Dolla $ign, and NAV, delivering surprise collaborations and a live debut of his new Jamie xx/Popcaan track. The performance was marked by high‑tech visuals, drones and a...
Clipse’s Thoughtful Hip-Hop Hit Hard at Coachella, With an Assist From Travis Barker
Clipse delivered a powerful hour‑long set at Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre, culminating with the heartfelt track “The Birds Don’t Sing” from their Grammy‑nominated comeback album Let God Sort Em Out, their first release in 15 years. The performance featured Blink‑182 drummer...
Alison Wonderland Announces 2026 Australian Tour
Alison Wonderland announced her Ghost World Tour for June 2026, marking her first full‑album circuit in Australia in several years. The schedule features intimate shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, plus a one‑night Wonderland Warehouse Project at Carriageworks in Sydney...
Ninajirachi, Ecca Vandal & More Aussie Acts Take Over Coachella 2026
Australian artists dominated several Coachella 2026 stages, with electronic star Ninajirachi unveiling a new Porter Robinson collaboration and Ecca Vandal showcasing tracks from her forthcoming album. Punk‑hip‑hop hybrid The Chats and indie‑pop duo Royel Otis also delivered memorable sets, while...
David Byrne Took Us Home Where ‘Life During Wartime’ Is Bleak, But Coachella Set Offered Hope
David Byrne headlined Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre in April 2026, delivering a theatrical set that merged his latest solo material with Talking Heads classics. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, he opened with “Everybody Laughs” from ‘Who Is the Sky?’ before moving...
WATCH: The Kid Laroi Joins Justin Bieber On Stage at Coachella
Justin Bieber headlined Coachella 2026, delivering his first U.S. concert in four years and bringing out Australian star The Kid Laroi for a live rendition of their hit “Stay.” The set also featured a surprise appearance by Dijon and showcased tracks...
Turnstile Open Coachella Set With Video of Brendan Yates’ Father Following Murder Attempt
Turnstile delivered a high‑octane hour‑long set at Coachella, opening with the synth‑driven “Never Enough” and closing with the pounding anthem “Birds.” The performance unfolded under the shadow of a recent criminal case in which former guitarist Brady Ebert was arrested for...
Backstreet Boys’ Ex Manager Admits to Undermining Band to Help ‘NSYNC: ‘I’m Going to Turn All My Guns Against You’
Veteran manager Johnny Wright confessed in the Investigation Discovery docuseries "Boy Band Confidential" that he deliberately undermined the Backstreet Boys to elevate ‘NSYNC during the late‑1990s boy‑band rivalry. He swapped stadium dates for arena shows, booked ‘NSYNC at the American...
FISHER’s OUT 2 LUNCH Festival Postponed: ‘I’m Really Bummed’
The 2026 edition of Fisher’s OUT 2 LUNCH Festival has been postponed after TEG Live cited a severe diesel shortage linked to Iran‑related fuel import disruptions and a broader cost‑of‑living crisis. Australia imports roughly 90% of its fuel, and the...
Radio Free Alice Cover Usher for Like a Version
Australian indie band Radio Free Alice delivered a gritty, guitar‑driven version of Usher’s 2010 hit “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love” for Triple J’s iconic Like a Version segment. The reinterpretation swaps glossy dance‑pop production for post‑punk edges, reflecting the group’s signature sound. The band recently...
Purity Ring Announce First Australian Headline Shows in a Decade
Canadian electronic pop duo Purity Ring will headline their first Australian shows in a decade, performing at Sydney’s Metro Theatre, Melbourne’s Northcote Theatre, and festival slots in Brisbane and Hobart in June 2026. The tour coincides with the release of...
3% Return with Powerful New Single ‘Welcome 2 Country’
Australian Indigenous collective 3% released the single “Welcome 2 Country” on April 10 via Believe, confronting the modern practice of Welcome to Country ceremonies. The track pairs Nooky and Dallas’s incisive rap verses with guest vocalist Mi‑kaisha’s gospel‑infused chorus, backed by...
Melanie C Shares Club-Ready Anthem ‘Attitude’ Ahead of ‘Sweat’ Album Release
Melanie C released the club‑ready single “Attitude” on April 10, a preview of her forthcoming ninth studio album Sweat, which drops on May 1 via Virgin Music Group. The track channels the confidence and rave‑era energy that defines the album’s dance‑floor focus. Sweat...
Machine Gun Kelly Puts on a Cocky and Confident Australia Tour Opener
Machine Gun Kelly opened his Lost Americana tour at Perth’s RAC Arena on April 8, turning early ticket‑sale doubts into a sold‑out show. The performance combined pop‑punk anthems, hip‑hop flair, and elaborate stagecraft, including a descending guitar and pyrotechnics. While his...
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Cover the Clash’s ‘Clampdown’ for First Time Since 2014
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band surprised fans at the Kia Forum by performing the Clash’s protest anthem “Clampdown” for the first time since a 2014 stint with Tom Morello. Morello, filling in for Steve Van Zandt, shared lead...
Conrad and Grace Sewell Perform Exclusive Acoustic Version of ‘Firestone’
Conrad Sewell teamed with his Grammy‑nominated sister Grace for an exclusive acoustic rendition of his 2014 hit “Firestone,” filmed for Rolling Stone AU/NZ. The stripped‑back performance arrives as Sewell prepares to launch his “Bloodline Tour” across Australia this June. “Firestone,”...
‘INTROS’ Season 5: Georgia Lines Meets Geneva AM
Rolling Stone AU/NZ’s music web series INTROS returns for its fifth season, hosted by rising Kiwi pop star Georgia Lines. The latest episode pairs Lines with Auckland‑based artist Geneva AM, whose debut album Pikipiki placed in the top three of Rolling...
Courtney Barnett Announces Australian Album Tour
Australian indie rock stalwart Courtney Barnett announced a three‑city Australian tour for November 2026, supporting her freshly released album *Creature of Habit*. The itinerary includes shows in Brisbane’s Tivoli, the iconic Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, and Melbourne’s Palais Theatre....
‘I Said I Wasn’t Going’: Wu-Tang Clan’s Method Man Slams Promoters After Skipping Australia Tour
Method Man clarified he never committed to the Australian leg of Wu‑Tang Clan’s farewell "Final Chamber" tour, accusing promoters of advertising "all living members" despite his prior notice that he was booked elsewhere. He cited acting obligations and other commitments...
U2 Surprise Release Six-Song Spiritual EP ‘Easter Lily’
U2 has quietly dropped a second surprise EP, “Easter Lily,” featuring six new tracks available on YouTube and all major streaming services. Unlike the politically charged “Days of Ash,” this collection leans into spirituality, friendship, loss and hope, with the...
New Michael Jackson Documentary Series Coming to Australia and New Zealand
The Michael Jackson Story, an eight‑part documentary produced by Fremantle’s Emmy‑winning 72 Films, will debut on the BBC before rolling out to Australia’s Nine Network and New Zealand’s Sky TV. The series combines never‑seen archive footage with fresh interviews from La Toya...
‘Heartbreak High’ Final Season Debuts at No. 1 in Australia and New Zealand on Netflix
The third and final season of Netflix’s Australian reboot *Heartbreak High* launched at No. 1 on the platform’s Top 10 English‑language lists in both Australia and New Zealand, and entered the global Top 10 at position 10 with 2.4 million views in its first week. The...
Doco on Famous Australian Festival Summersault to Screen at Sydney Film Festival
The Best Summer, a documentary directed by Tamra Davis, will screen at the 73rd Sydney Film Festival in June. Built from archival footage of the 1995‑96 Summersault tour, the film features never‑seen performances by the Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, Foo...
Rosé, Ninajirachi, Tame Impala & More Nominated for 2026 APRA Awards
The 2026 APRA Music Awards nominees were announced, featuring Australian heavyweights such as Tame Impala, Rosé, Ninajirachi and a host of emerging talent. Fifty‑two first‑time nominees are on the list, with seven artists receiving dual nominations and five songs competing for...
Watch Chvrches Debut New Song ‘Conman’ at Royal Albert Hall
Chvrches reunited onstage for the first time in nearly three years, debuting the new song “Conman” at Robert Smith’s Teenage Cancer Trust concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The performance was part of a star‑studded lineup that also included Garbage,...
Watch Joni Mitchell Perform ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ With Sarah McLachlan, Allison Russell at Juno Awards
Joni Mitchell was honored with the 2026 Juno Awards lifetime achievement award at the TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, and made a rare public appearance to perform a medley of her classics. She joined Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell for a rousing...
The Used Give Fans a Night to Remember at Sydney Opera House
The Used staged a one‑off concert at Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall, backed by the Metropolitan Orchestra, as the finale of their 25th‑anniversary world tour. Dressed in all white, the band delivered re‑imagined versions of classics such as “Let it...
Hiatus Kaiyote to Celebrate 15th Anniversary With One-Off Australian Show
Australian neo‑soul quartet Hiatus Kaiyote will celebrate their 15th anniversary with a one‑night‑only concert at the Sydney Opera House on July 12. The performance will span their catalogue from the breakthrough 2012 debut *Tawk Tomahawk* to the 2024 album *Love...
Despite No-Shows, Wu-Tang Clan Brought The Ruckus to Melbourne One Last Time
Australian leg of Wu‑Tang Clan’s “Final Chamber” tour kicked off in Melbourne, drawing a sold‑out crowd despite the absence of Method Man, Cappadonna, Raekwon and Young Dirty Bastard. The performance featured RZA, GZA, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U‑God, Masta Killa...
Cardi B Says She Has ‘Reduced’ the Time She Spends Arguing on Twitter
Cardi B appeared on The Tonight Show to promote her Little Miss Drama tour, which has sold out Madison Square Garden and runs from February through mid‑April. She highlighted the show’s party atmosphere, including a risky aerial segment despite a...
CYRIL Has Entered the ‘Fortnite’ Universe
Australian DJ and producer Cyril has secured a dedicated emote in Fortnite for his remix of “There She Goes,” available until 11 a.m. local time on March 26. He becomes the first Australian artist featured with a Fortnite emote this year, joining...
Peter Jackson Teams With Stephen Colbert for New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Film
Peter Jackson announced a new Lord of the Rings film co‑written with late‑night host Stephen Colbert, his son screenwriter Peter McGee, and original trilogy writer Philippa Boyens. The project will adapt the six chapters cut from the 2001 Fellowship of the Ring, aiming...
Jordan Davis Covers James Bay, Chris Stapleton, Matchbox Twenty & More at Sydney Arena Show
Jordan Davis delivered a surprise‑filled set at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, weaving in covers of Matchbox Twenty’s “3AM,” James Bay’s “Let It Go,” Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over,” Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel,” and The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.” The performance...
Iron Maiden’s ‘Run For Your Lives’ Tour Is a 50-Year Celebration of Metal’s Greatest Live Band
British heavy‑metal icons Iron Maiden are launching the “Run For Your Lives” world tour to mark their 50th anniversary. The Australian and New Zealand leg, arriving in November, will feature the band’s first stadium headlining dates in Melbourne and Sydney alongside...
Ex-Pussycat Dolls Member Believes Her Support for RFK Jr. Cost Her a Reunion Spot: ‘I Was a Liability’
Former Pussycat Dolls singer Jessica Sutta says her public support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again movement cost her a spot in the group’s upcoming PCD Forever Tour. The tour will feature a trimmed‑down trio—Nicole...