Music
Hall of fame
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: NWA, Chicago, Cheap Trick, Steve Miller and Deep Purple are in
![N.W.A. (minus the late Easy-E, wearing shades) will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next April.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7094163/Thumbnail1003996064gi2dzhimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glr4bk.png1450417010553.jpg-90x60.jpg)
PHILIPPA HAWKER 5:59pm Cheap Trick are in. So are Chicago and N.W.A. Janet Jackson is not. And, for the tenth time, Chic has been snubbed. This is the verdict of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, an institution that singles out bands and individual artists for their "unquestionable musical excellence" without exactly making a rush to judgment.
Spa baths, champagne breakfasts and gourmet food: music festivals go luxe
![The Brand New Heavies (featuring N'Dea Davenport) and Leftfield share top billing at the Secret Valley music festival at Dixons Creek.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7093689/Thumbnail1003990930glqynximage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glr0cy.png1450413544699.jpg-90x60.jpg)
MICHAEL DWYER 3:42pm The luxury festival market heads back to nature with Secret Valley, the first outdoor music event at Yarra Valley Estate, Dixons Creek, on February 20 and 21.
Soul mates Nina Ferro and Brendan Reilly to light up Bennetts Lane
![American jazz musician Brendan Reilly will be performing at the opening night of Bennetts Lane's 2016 program.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7093751/Thumbnail1003990540glqynoimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glr024.png1450414515775.jpg-90x60.jpg)
MICHAEL DWYER 3:56pm Not every singer can hold their own on Aretha Franklin's turf but that's where Nina Ferro and Brendan Reilly bonded, in a show celebrating the soul giant at London's Hideaway Club.
Metacritic.com pushes music's horizons in 2015
![Rhiannon Giddens was rated well by metacritic.com.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7093569/Thumbnail1003989025glqyn6image.related.thumbnail.320x214.glqyw1.png1450411706970.jpg-90x60.jpg)
MICHAEL DWYER 3:09pm The horizons of new music grew significantly in 2015, judging by the end-of-year number crunch from online reviews monitor metacritic.com.
Why music festivals fail
Soundwave cancellation: Maybe Soundwave was a disaster waiting to happen
![The hardcore fans who attend Soundwave are among the biggest losers in the festival's failure.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7093823/Thumbnail1003984684gixuucimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glqvjg.png1450423832957.jpg-90x60.jpg)
BERNARD ZUEL 6:00pm There's a whole lot of reasons why music festivals fail and a whole lot of people who pay the price for it.
Ticket stoush
Soundwave cancellation: Eventopia promises to pay refunds once AJ Maddah returns ticket sales
![Hands up if you want a refund?
Music fans are in limbo waiting to hear about refunds on their now useless Soundwave 2016 tickets.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7093265/Thumbnail100397964113l7jvimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glqrnd.png1450413704286.jpg-90x60.jpg)
PETER VINCENT 3:53pm Eventopia, the company which sold Soundwave music festival tickets, has laid the blame for the hold-up over paying refunds after the event was cancelled at the feet of promoter AJ Maddah.
Copyright Ruling
Pandora to pay more to musicians after Copyright Royalty Board decision
![Pandora to dig deeper to pay musicians in US copyright decision.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7092651/Thumbnail1003939654gjwx2pimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glpwsm.png1450396607833.jpg-90x60.jpg)
10:57am Musicians and bands win a modest increase to royalty payments from internet radio streaming services.
Spinning truths: Nine Christmas songs that don't tell lies
![MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 18: Paul Kelly performs with Vika and Linda at Greville Records as part of World Record Day celebrations on April 18, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Luis Ascui/Fairfax Media)](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7094435/th-923895224-90x60.jpg)
PETER VINCENT 12:56pm Did two words ever divide a room of people as much as 'Christmas music'?
Deep blues: Gary Clark Jr breaks the mould
![Gary Clark Jr has become a father for the first time with his Australian partner Nicole Trunfio.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7093390/Thumbnail1003966406glqhqzimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glqhfq.png1450407839266.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Martin Boulton 2:05pm He's already collaborated with some of the biggest names in rock - the Foo Fighters and Rolling Stones among them - and that's just the start of Gary Clark Jr's story.
Music review: Australian Haydn Ensemble – Haydn's Esterhazy Orchestra
![Erin Helyard was the soloist in Haydn's Harpsichord Concerto in D Major.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7092372/Thumbnail1003965967glqh7wimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glqh3j.png1450389728128.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Jennifer Gall 9:04am These musicians performed with passion and sophistication.
End of year sounds
Music reviews: New albums from Dylan Joel, Toni Swain, Chewee, Adam Simmons and more
![Toni Swain makes blues and southern soul from Queensland.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/18/7093677/Thumbnail1003695180glko2dimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glko5o.png1450413172420.jpg-90x60.jpg)
3:34pm New sounds for the soon to be old year from Dylan Joel, Toni Swain, Chewee, Adam Simmons and Nick Tsavios, Oneohtrix Point Never and the Ocean Party.
Taking the slow road
Slow music revolution: why Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings are in no hurry
![Gillian Welch.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/14/7081307/Thumbnail100374903212cuyrimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glltpk.png1450331543038.jpg-90x60.jpg)
BERNARD ZUEL 12:15am For nearly 20 years this influential couple have made music that reflects America's past and present in a timeless style. After 11 years they return to Australia. What's the rush?
A musical mixing pot
Review: Blurring musical lines means the end of genres
![Colm Mac Con Iomaire: Crossing borders between genres.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/15/7084904/Thumbnail1003792331glmsxmimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glmr4b.png1450147908200.jpg-90x60.jpg)
John Shand 12:15am The borders between musical genres are increasingly blurred, as the best musicians take from everywhere to create new sounds.
Electronic, Classical and Rock
Spectrum reviews: Marcus Marr and Chet Faker, Lush and Lisa della Casa
![Marcus Marr (left) and Chet Faker: Unashamed Bee Gees influence.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/15/7084779/Thumbnail1003817597glnb9limage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glnam5.png1450144760009.jpg-90x60.jpg)
12:15am An Anglo-Australian experiment, a Swiss soprano taking on German classicism and the resurrection of some mysterious English.
Top gigs for the week of December 18-24, 2015
![Pop/punk veterans Bodyjar are to play at the Prince Bandroom.
Bodyjar Image 1.jpg](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/17/7090591/Thumbnail1003933829glpueyimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glpsat.png1450322830866.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Mary Mihelakos 12:15am Top gigs in Melbourne this coming week.
Albums of the year
Album of the Year 2015: To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
![Album of the Year is Kendrick Lamar's <i>To Pimp a Butterfly</i>.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/17/7089943/Thumbnail1003671309gloe12image.related.thumbnail.320x214.glk5ql.png1450388394162.jpg-90x60.jpg)
BERNARD ZUEL 8:42am From all corners, from all comers, from Depreston to Compton and back again: the verdict is in on the best releases of 2015 and which album tops them all.
2015 Song of the Year: Let it Happen by Tame Impala
![Tame Impala's <i>Let it Happen</i> dwarfs everything that follows on their album <i>Currents</i>.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/14/7081807/Thumbnail1003797403glmvi4image.related.thumbnail.320x214.glmv17.png1450345876189.jpg-90x60.jpg)
CRAIG MATHIESON 11:45pm Some of the very best songs in 2015 were a step beyond or a left turn away from the expectations that birthed them.
Skipping Girl Vinegar to play at National Folk Festival for first time
![Mark Lang (middle) with Skipping Girl Vinegar who will perform at the 2016 National Folk Festival for the first time.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/15/7083992/Thumbnail1003830085glnk4ximage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glnk91.png1450236071456.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Arne Sjostedt 11:45pm Their music is uplifting, contagious, full of truth and celebration – and they're coming to the National Folk Festival for the first time.
Ticket stoush
Soundwave cancellation: A.J. Maddah, Eventopia each deny responsibility for ticket refunds
![Soundwave fan pictured at the Melbourne event this year.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/17/7091761/Thumbnail100395947713l8k5image.related.thumbnail.320x214.glqc39.png1450397220641.jpg-90x60.jpg)
PETER VINCENT Punters attempting to get their money back on their ticket for the cancelled Soundwave music festival have been told the ticketing agency, Eventopia, would not pay.
Festival disaster
Soundwave music festival cancelled
![AJ Maddah's Soundwave hasbeen cancelled.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/17/7091474/Thumbnail100393904313mbrsimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glpwbn.png1450350535395.jpg-90x60.jpg)
PETER VINCENT Australia's biggest rock festival, Soundwave, has disastrously been cancelled.
Jennifer Gall: Top five Canberra concerts for 2015
![The Griffyn Ensemble: from left, Kiri Sollis (flute), Holly Downes (double bass); Michael Sollis (mandolin); Chris Stone (violin); Laura Tanata (harp); Susan Ellis (singer).](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/16/7087755/Thumbnail1003884960gloqzsimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.gloqlc.png1450338735808.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Jennifer Gall With contributions from many including The NOISE and The Griffyn Ensemble, there was a lot of fine music making in 2015.
Nicki Minaj asked to cancel Angolan trip over human rights abuses
![Nicki Minaj:](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/16/7088900/Thumbnail1003914391gjxqhximage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glpdav.png1450260711875.jpg-90x60.jpg)
PETER VINCENT Superstar rapper Nicki Minaj has been asked to cancel a performance in Angola over concerns about human rights.
Sui Zhen
From Sui Zhen to Susan: the birth of a social media-inspired musician
![Sui Zhen as her alter ego on the cover of her album Secretly Susan.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/16/7088915/Thumbnail1003907173glp7j4image.related.thumbnail.320x214.glp7qd.png1450405287622.jpg-90x60.jpg)
ANNABEL ROSS Inspired by the way we curate our identities on social media, musician Sui Zhen has created an alter-ego known as Susan.
Sticky Carpet
Sticky Carpet: Gasometer adopts an open-roof policy for summer
![Lanie Lane will be looking to stay cool when she plays with the roof open at the Gasometer.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/16/7088859/Thumbnail1003900795glp539image.related.thumbnail.320x214.glp2t7.png1450311390492.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Mary Mihelakos Collingwood's Gasometer Hotel ditches the roof for summer, St Kilda Festival announces first acts, Spiderbait book a second anniversary gig.
Soak
Meet Soak, the skater musician bowling them over
![Bridie Monds-Watson, the Northern Irish musician better known as Soak.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/15/7086279/Thumbnail1003861540glo9pvimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glo8is.png1450311862162.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Anthony Carew Briony Monds-Watson has two great loves, music and skateboarding. On a good day, she tells Anthony Carew, she manages to combine them both.
Music review: Messiah by Canberra Choral Society at Llewellyn Hall
![Tobias Cole conducting Messiah in 2015.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/14/7081699/Thumbnail1003789959glmpggimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glmpaf.png1450170588982.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Jennifer Gall Handel's oratorio remains as popular to perform as to hear and Canberra Choral Society's performance helped show why.
Saving music
Steve Jobs and Apple's iTunes gutted the music industry, Pandora CFO Mike Herring claims
![Blamed for the downfall of the music industry ... the late Steve Jobs.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/14/7082433/Thumbnail1003805455gikcd6image.related.thumbnail.320x214.gln18v.png1450098118180.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Pandora's CFO has accused Apple's iTunes of 'eviscerating' the music industry with a product people did not subscribe to.
2015 Musicians of the Year: Courtney Barnett, Taylor Swift, Jamie xx
![Courtney Barnett](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/14/7081905/Thumbnail1003800084gjhhopimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glmx3o.png1444328550483.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Bernard Zuel and Craig Mathieson Three very different artists defined the musical soundscape this year: Australia's Courtney Barnett with her mix of easy-toned garage rock and dry pop; the all-conquering Taylor Swift and Britain's Jamie xx, whose music said it was OK to dance by yourself.
Byron comes to Sydney
Spectrum Now festival gets rather Splendour-ed with Jesus And Mary Chain
![Headlining Spectrum Now's music festival, Jim Reid, singer of the Jesus and Mary Chain.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/13/7079795/Thumbnail1003769219glm99himage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glm9ab.png1450126830546.jpg-90x60.jpg)
BERNARD ZUEL A big tent, some big names and the wackiest pub quiz on TV and stage – year two of this arts and culture festival is feeling like the perfect way to end the summer touring season.
'It was a glorious time' – Kylie chokes up as she recalls Michael Hutchence
![Kylie Minogue.](http://web.archive.org./web/20151218113005im_/http://images.theage.com.au/2015/12/14/7080605/Thumbnail1003784595gl7qxnimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.glml5f.png1450028442467.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Kylie Minogue has choked up while talking about her ex-boyfriend Michael Hutchence during a radio interview in Britain.
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Brandenburg Orchestra: A possum attack, a slice of pizza and the maestro
The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra's guest director Riccardo Minasi is no stranger to the odd dangerous encounter when in Australia.
Columns
Sticky Carpet
Your weekly wrap of music news.
The Crate
Chris Johnston digs into his music collection for a record a week.
Photos
AC/DC
Even in their 42nd year, there remains no more powerful, iconic and entertaining live force in rock music than AC/DC. Photos by Edwina Pickles. Follow us at http://twitter.com/photosSMH
KISS Army celebrate 40th anniversary tour kick-off in Perth
The legendary glam rock band kicked off their Australian tour at the Perth Arena on Saturday night.
Ringo Starr shares his Beatles photos
Who better to take pictures of The Beatles than a member of the band? You get great access and the inside story. Ringo Starr delivers just that in his new book Photograph, which also includes images from the very early days of The Beatles. Head to https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/books/photograph/.
Splendour In The Grass
Splendour In The Grass is upon us yet again, with revellers from across Australia and abroad descending on Byron Bay to join the festivities over the weekend. The iconic arts and music festival kicked off on Friday at North Byron Parklands in northern New South Wales and is expected to host more than 30,000 people over the three-day event.
Rolling Stones Exhibitionism
A selection of images from the upcoming Rolling Stones 'Exhibitionism' event at Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London.