Culture
Music
‘It’s still cutting edge’: Groundbreaking all-female Australian jazz group reforms
It has been 30 years since Morgana’s trailblazing formation, and about 20 years since the quintet decided to part ways.
- by Nell Geraets
Latest
‘I’m in gay heaven’: A night with the (wannabe) Spice Girls
The UK’s premier Spice Girls tribute show is touring Australia this month – meaning, yes, millennials have officially aged into the tribute show circuit.
- by Meg Watson
★★★★
Arts
‘So much talent and energy that it’s hard to imagine anyone having a bad time’
This wrap of reviews of shows around Melbourne includes Hairspray the musical, a Sigur Rós concert, and a beloved book adapted for the stage.
- by Billy Burgess, Cameron Woodhead and Tony Way
★★★
Review
Arlo Parks review: Sydney gig as gentle as a summer breeze
The sea of heads calmly bobbed to one breezy song after the other, but that means no big waves are made and no boats are rocked.
- by James Jennings
★★★★★
Review
Sigur Ros review: Dread, foreboding and a spiritual communion
It is not an easy show, but something extraordinary lived and breathed on this night.
- by Shamim Razavi
★★★★
Review
Amyl and the Sniffers review: There’s a riot going on
It’s like being in someone’s living room at about 1am when things have really kicked in.
- by Bernard Zuel
Why did Olivia Newton-John make it in the US when so many others didn’t?
The so-called “gumnut mafia” were a powerful group of Australian managers and producers that helped propel Olivia Newton-John to the world stage.
- by Michael Dwyer
Analysis
Live music
This is what a Great British Rock Band looks like now
Rock is no longer a dominant mode of youthful musical expression - to be expected, perhaps, as it is effectively over 70 years old. But it may be better to think of rock as in a state of metamorphosis.
- by Neil McCormick
The power in King Princess’ horny odes to queer love
After the breakthrough hype of her 2019 debut Cheap Queen, the pop superstar-in-waiting has just released one of the year’s best albums.
- by Annabel Ross
Dua Lipa to headline new two-month long Victorian music festival
Dua Lipa, one of the biggest pop stars in the world, will play a one-off show at St Kilda’s Palais Theatre in October as part of a new state-sponsored, two-month-long music festival.
- by Rachael Dexter
★★★★
Review
Piano virtuoso listens then speaks with brilliance
Visitor Javier Perianes brought fluid momentum, interest and originality to his playing.
- by Peter McCallum