Israel's ambassador to New Zealand hopes to convince Lorde to change her mind during a proposed 'friendly meeting on Israel'.

• COMMENT

Lorde was going to play a concert in Tel Aviv until the internet told her why she shouldn't. But doing the right thing is tricky, as many artists have found.

It's time to pack the tent and the esky and hit the road: music festival season is upon us.

The former Oasis frontman is keen to play Australia's Falls Festival despite the lack of "proper" rock stars these days.

There's a good reason why being a jazz singer is so damned difficult.

Even in a venue where intricacies were lost, the Melburnian hypnotised.

Neil Young & Promise of the Real's The Visitor, Catherine Hewgill and Vladimir Ashkenazy's From Darkness to Light, Toto Bona Lokua's Bondeko, Polymorphic Orkestra's Confluence, Jeremy Neale's Getting the Team Back Together and Plait Ensemble's Chicken Chili Basil

If you ever wondered what happened to the likes of Hanson or mid-2000s pop princess Gwen Stefani, look no further than this year's Christmas albums.

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra has cut ties with Charles Dutoit after the legendary conductor was accused of multiple instances of sexual misconduct.

The rest of the world might think Cecile McLorin Salvant is the hottest jazz singer around right now, but she begs to disagree.

• EXCLUSIVE

Liam and Noel may have made up, but don't expect Oasis to get back together.

Three songs quintessentially define the Australian landscape - all of them fuelled by homesickness. Andrew P. Street explores the history of Icehouse's Great Southern Land, the Go Betweens' Cattle and Cane and the Triffids' Wide Open Road.

Sticky Carpet: It's been a mighty big year in music, here's a few favourite memories.

Mariah Carey fans don't want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing they need.

After just a few years absence, the man known affectionately as the "modfather", is boarding a plane and returning to Australia.

Gotye plays tribute to a revolutionary instrument and an electronic music visionary.

Andy Falkous reckons we're still a step ahead of previous ages.

The musician's restless spirit has been a cornerstone of her career.

Muse know what they're doing every step of the way and their fans couldn't be happier.

Luciano Pavarotti's The Complete Opera Recordings, the Rolling Stones' On Air and Anouar Brahem's Blue Maqams

The lead singer of top South Korean boy band SHINee died in hospital on Monday, leaving fans of the globally-famous K-pop genre devastated at the loss of one of its biggest stars.

The free Australian Music Vault at Arts Centre Melbourne is now open to the public.

Melbourne live music hot spot Ding Dong Lounge to close in January.

The choir was joined by older graduates for some big choral numbers.