Yesterday
Musicians are disappearing from our big musicals
A software program is behind the shrinking size of pit orchestras in musicals such as The Lion King, even as state governments continue to subsidise the tours.
This Month
Refund complication as Bluesfest collapses owing $5.7m
Poor ticket sales have forced the 35-year-old festival to close just weeks from its 2026 show, with sources saying “bad will” was created by last year’s event.
How Bad Bunny’s promoter could tell he’d sell out Australian stadiums
The Puerto Rican star sings only in Spanish, but his two sellout Sydney shows prove language is no barrier, says the man who brought him to Australia.
February
$3m for a 416-year-old viola is a good buy for this managed fund
A wholesale vehicle for investing in rare string instruments just bought its first viola – for about the price of a house in Edgecliff or Balwyn North.
The sliding doors moment that gave Kylie to the world
Amanda Pelman built a career signing recording artists and casting big musicals on being “open-minded” - then a demo of “The Locomotion” lobbed on her desk.
Meet the man hired to match the voice (and mullet) of John Farnham
Singer Michael Paynter and the Sydney Theatre Company are sweating on the success of new musical Whispering Jack.
January
Why Chrissy Amphlett wanted to be a crow at her final gig
Before cancer claimed her in 2013, the Divinyls’ frontwoman was planning a career-crowning solo show. Now one of the performers she inspired is bringing it to life.
Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst dies at 70
Rob Hirst played with the Oils for an incredible 50 years, from their formation in Sydney in 1972 as an act called Farm, to their farewell concert in 2022.
Top artists call on EU to clamp down on unauthorised ticket reselling
More than 100 artists, agents, managers and festivals argue that the current system for reporting illegal tickets has been ineffective.
December 2025
Singer Budjerah trusts star-making process, despite its frustrations
The Indigenous artist has been hailed as a prodigy for his blend of soul, R&B and pop, but playing the “big music” game has its limitations.
November 2025
TikTok buys naming rights to major Sydney venue in world first
It was once the Sydney Entertainment Centre, and later the International Convention Centre Sydney Theatre. This week, it becomes the TikTok Entertainment Centre.
AC/DC, Metallica tours prove metal is the genre that just won’t die
Families three-generations deep are buying black T-shirts as a season of heavy metal tours helps keep a once-doomed part of the music industry alive.
Real-life opera tragedy leaves Aida stranded on docks
The extravaganza, with a cast and crew of more than 700, was meant to fill Adelaide Oval, but it has been caught out by shipping problems.
How you could score an Oasis ticket for cheap
“Hold up, hold on” proved sound advice for fans as heavily discounted “production hold” tickets were released for the band’s two weekend shows.
The 10 best Oasis songs of all time
Critic and long-time Oasis fan James Hall selects the band’s 10 essential tracks – with a few notable exclusions.
Loss-making Ticketek gave its owners a $310m interest-free loan
The Brad Banducci-led ticketing, touring and data giant has posted steep losses in the past two years after giving a loan to its Singapore-based parent.
Oasis frontman unleashes after flares thrown into crowd
More than 55,000 fans were packed into Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Friday when a flare was thrown from the general admission area into the crowd.
October 2025
Cultural elite (and a Bill Henson fan) turn out for ACO fundraiser
Bankers and fund managers were heavy on the ground at the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s 50th birthday soiree.
New $100m contract could mean more SCG concerts, easier ticket resales
Live Nation subsidiary Ticketmaster has won the right to ticket the Sydney Cricket Ground and six more NSW stadiums from rival Ticketek.
$300m in a single tour: It’s the era of merch madness
With the global merchandise market worth $21 billion last year, the once humble souvenir T-shirt has become a load-bearing column of the music economy.
