An intense look at women as friends, lovers, inspirations and mysteries takes this folk singer into new emotional and musical territory.

Some people throw a big party when they turn 50; the Magnetic Fields' Stephin Merritt decided to chronicle each year of his life in song, from '66 Wonder Where I'm From through '92 Weird Diseases.

Folk rock, Turkish dance, electronic rock, pop rock and a dash of Liszt.

When musicians experiment with unusual instruments – not to mention noisy household gadgets – the results can delight and surprise.

It was love at first sight – or sound, at least – when Australian multi-instrumentalist David Lewis first encountered French chanteuse Belle du Berry singing with her group La Belle Equipe.

Frankston's Pier Bandroom launches with an outdoor street festival, Kit Warhurst's debut album, Mark Seymour and more.

Hello Melbourne from the other side of half a million Australians who have been there, bought the T-shirt and loved the biggest concert tour of Australia ever.

The mix of vivacity, a girlish voice and an innate sense of groove epitomise the bossa nova style, yet this was by no means a performance of unabashed magic.

There is a push for one of Brisbane's fathers of punk to be immortalised in the neighbourhood of his youth after an ABC doco piqued a resident's interest.

From Brinsmead's setting of Trees to Bernstein's Make Our Garden Grow, green is the theme of this concert.

Bieber's movements, his delivery and his eyes have the haunted feel of someone who has been here so often that he is seeing this show replayed in his nightmares now.

The youthful, revered pianist didn't disappoint in his one-night-only show.

Jordan Rakei took himself a long way out of his comfort zone to more fully explore life and music.

Instead of the original gangster-style video that was filming the day Johann Ofner died, the band dedicated the whole video to him.

Jeff Lang's new album had only one rule to break, and he only broke it once.

A foul-mouthed tirade or a hilarious tribute to Australian television?

There are fresh sounds and fresh faces at the songwriters' awards as the next generation try their luck again.

From rockers Taking Back Sunday to troubadour Jordie Lane, we have live music covered.

Spoon frontman Britt Daniel isn't one for false modesty, he loves the band's new album Hot Thoughts.

Festival-goers lapped up energetic highlights such as the Hot 8 Brass Band from New Orleans, salsa band La Mambanegra and Argentinian Tango orchestra Fernandez Fierro.

Dune Rats singer Danny Beausa says their ARIA chart-topping album won't change them.

Album reviews: Spoon, Frank Carter, Valerie June, Circa Waves and Real Estate.

Whether he's playing Latin drum rhythms, the sounds of nature or an aggressive bassline, Nicolas Jaar nails it every time.

From a '90s love-in with Teenage Fanclub to breakthrough Melbourne artist Olympia, the 11th Golden Plains pleased oldies and young'uns alike.