Music News

Hailing from Warrane/Sydney, Problem Green are a four-piece carving out their place as a genuine “ones to watch” within the city’s underground scene. Blending melodic garage punk with a raw, confrontational edge, the band have built a sound that feels both immediate and purposeful — equal parts grit, energy and emotional weight. Their music leans on tight, punchy garage-punk foundations, but there’s more going on beneath the surface than just volume and attitude. Problem Gree

You can see AC/DC, Queen or Fleetwood Mac in Australia almost any weekend… just not the real ones. And they’re everywhere. Packed rooms, sold-out shows, consistent bookings. Meanwhile, original artists are often fighting to get a slot, let alone draw a crowd. It raises a question that’s been floating around the industry for years, but feels more relevant than ever in 2026. Are tribute bands killing original music? On one hand, it’s easy to see why tribute acts are thriving. T

For Australian music fans, it’s a familiar story. A major international artist announces a world tour, the dates roll out across Europe and North America, maybe a stop through Asia, and then… nothing. Or at best, a couple of shows in Sydney and Melbourne before the whole thing disappears again. It raises the question every time — is Australia simply too far away? On the surface, it feels like the obvious answer. Australia sits a long way from the rest of the touring world, an

In a stirring evolution of indie pop-rock, Kaiyah Mercedes returns with their latest single, ‘3 Month Blackout’. Building on the bold sonic shift of previous releases, Kaiyah Mercedes invites listeners into a raw and unfiltered journey through the aftermath of a whirlwind relationship. The track is anchored by driving guitars and dynamic percussion, capturing the unpredictable rise and fall of emotion that comes with moving on. The song’s structure mirrors the reality of emot

The vibrant pulse of Australia's cultural landscape has long been synonymous with its diverse range of music festivals. These aren't just events; they are economic powerhouses, community anchors, and vital platforms for artistic expression. However, in recent years, a troubling trend of cancellations has cast a long shadow, leading to significant disruption across the nation. While the broader implications are explored comprehensively in our pillar article, 'The Profound Fall

Australian music festivals are more than just events; they are complex ecosystems that underpin a vast network of businesses and livelihoods. Recent cancellations, as detailed in our pillar article 'The Profound Fallout of Australian Festival Cancellations: A Deep Dive', trigger a domino effect that extends far beyond the ticket booth. This piece delves into the profound, often unseen, economic impact on the ancillary industries – the essential backbone supporting these vibra

For more than three decades, Byron Bay Bluesfest stood as one of the defining events on Australia’s live music calendar. First launched in 1990 as the East Coast International Blues & Roots Music Festival, the event grew from a relatively modest blues gathering into one of the country’s most respected and recognisable festivals, drawing major Australian talent, global icons, and generations of music fans to Byron Bay each Easter. Finale of Rockwiz Live at Byron Bay Bluesfest,

Australian singer-songwriter Renee Naccari returns with her most confronting release yet, out March 13th, 2026. The hyperpop-infused dark pop single explores the violent contrast between euphoric highs and devastating lows, blending chaotic party energy with electronic darkness and desperation. The track forms part of her upcoming second studio album Provocative Mood Swings, a concept record designed to sonically replicate extreme emotional shifts inspired by Renee’s lived ex

American alt-rock heavyweights A Perfect Circle  have officially announced their long-awaited return to Australia, confirming a run of headline shows across the country this December. The tour marks the band’s first Australian visit in more than a decade , with fans having last seen the group on local stages back in 2013. Formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel  and Tool  frontman Maynard James Keenan , A Perfect Circle quickly became one of alternative rock’s most distinc

The cancellation of major events is always disruptive, but for a nation like Australia, where vibrant cultural gatherings are intrinsically woven into the social fabric, the fallout from Australian music festival cancellations extends far beyond the disappointed ticket-holder. These decisions, often made due to a confluence of financial pressures, rising operational costs, regulatory hurdles, and challenging market conditions, trigger a cascade of negative consequences that

The cancellation of numerous australian music festivals has sent profound shockwaves throughout the nation, extending far beyond the immediate disappointment of ticket holders. This supporting article delves into the severe economic repercussions and significant community impact, illustrating the multifaceted challenges faced by an industry on the brink. For a comprehensive overview of the broader implications, including regulatory challenges and audience sentiment, readers

The vibrant pulse of Australia's cultural landscape has long been defined by its diverse and dynamic array of music festivals. These events are not merely concerts; they are cultural touchstones, economic drivers, and crucial platforms for artistic expression. However, in recent years, a troubling trend has emerged: a growing number of australian music festivals have been cancelled, often at short notice. This phenomenon has created a ripple effect, the 'fallout' of which ext

Australia’s live music scene has been dealt a major blow, with the iconic Byron Bay Bluesfest officially cancelled for 2026, just weeks before the festival was scheduled to take place over the Easter long weekend. Organisers confirmed the decision on Friday, citing a combination of rising costs and disappointing ticket sales that made the event financially impossible to stage. Festival director Peter Noble described the situation as a “perfect storm” of pressures facing the m

For more than two decades, the Big Day Out was one of the most influential and iconic music festivals in Australia and New Zealand. Known for bringing together international superstars with emerging local acts, the festival became a defining cultural event for generations of music fans. The Big Day Out began in 1992 when promoter Ken West and his partners organised a single-day festival at the Sydney Showground. What started as a relatively modest event quickly became somethi

Goldminds – “Mindreader” Goldminds Photo: via artist Facebook Goldminds bring serious groove on their latest single “Mindreader,”  a slick alternative-pop track built around a pulsing beat and a hook that sticks straight away. There’s a confident energy running through the song, with tight production and a rhythm that keeps things moving from the first verse through to the chorus. Lyrically, “Mindreader” taps into that familiar moment in relationships where you can sense ex

A recent social media reel from Australian artist Ben Lee has sparked an interesting conversation about how live music performances have evolved over the years. In the video, Lee reflects on his early days playing in bands — a time when most groups performed completely live on stage without the use of backing tracks. He also shared that after a recent performance at a festival, several people told him they found his set “refreshing” because it felt completely live and unfilte

Photo by Freebird (CC BY-SA 2.0) Fender has secured a significant legal victory in Europe after a German court ruled that the iconic Stratocaster body shape is protected under copyright law. The decision came after a case against Chinese manufacturer Yiwu Philharmonic Musical Instruments, which had been selling Stratocaster-style guitars online and shipping them into Germany. The Regional Court of Düsseldorf determined that the Stratocaster body design qualifies as a copyrigh

Australian artist Gailla  has sparked a thoughtful conversation about the pressures musicians face when promoting their own work online. In a candid social media post this week, the artist reflected on why she has often struggled to talk publicly about her music, admitting that the fear of being perceived as “trying too hard” has held her back. Australian artist Gailla. Photo : @greengirlphoto / via Gailla Facebook The moment of reflection came while watching the recent red

A Los Angeles court has rejected an attempt by a U.S. photographer to obtain a restraining order against Amyl and the Sniffers frontwoman Amy Taylor, marking the latest twist in an ongoing legal dispute connected to a high-profile fashion photoshoot. Photo: Bruce Baker CC BY 2.0 The case relates to a 2025 editorial shoot for Vogue Portugal , photographed by Los Angeles-based photographer Jamie Nelson. Images from the shoot later became the centre of a disagreement between Tay

Australian pop-rock stars 5 Seconds of Summer have officially announced a highly anticipated run of shows across Australia and New Zealand as part of their upcoming “Everyone’s A Star! World Tour.” The Sydney-formed band will return home for a series of major arena and outdoor performances across the region, with shows confirmed in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The ANZ leg of the tour is expected to be one of the biggest homecoming runs of the band’s career