Culture
Music
How Australia’s music cartels are driving up the cost of live shows
The ACCC has told a parliamentary inquiry that “vertical integration” adds as much as 20 per cent to the cost of live music events in Australia.
- by Karl Quinn
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Her pop career became soul-destroying. So she torched it and rebuilt it on her own terms
With Burnt Tapes, Eves Karydas shows young female musicians a path beyond sexist industry expectations.
- by Robert Moran
His metal band was huge, his rock memoir tackles something bigger
Serj Tankian was frontman for System of a Down and his new memoir is already a bestseller. Don’t expect to read about the parties though: “I’m telling real stories here,” he says.
- by JP O'Malley
Meet the breakthrough artists defining a new generation of pop
Pop music seems to have lost a lot of its energy recently, but a new generation of artists are filling the void by releasing songs that are both catchy and candid.
- by Nell Geraets
Country pop has taken over the charts – good god, why?
Genuine musical superstars – exceptional voices, charismatic presences, excellent lyricists – have been dulled and flattened, their voices muted and their lyrics uninspired.
- by Tom W. Clarke
Michael J Fox joins Coldplay, and other things you missed from Glastonbury
From Banksy protests to lip-synching accusations, here are some of the buzziest moments from the UK’s biggest music festival.
- by Nell Geraets
Why it just got harder for Australia to create the next Kylie Minogue or Troye Sivan
Australian musicians are already doing it tough, but a recent US government decision has made it much harder for Aussie acts to showcase their work.
- by Meg Watson
The hidden costs that are killing live music festivals
Pill testing could make attendance at music festivals and events much safer – but it could dramatically increase the financial risk borne by festivals.
- by Karl Quinn
The gold rush is over. Now podcasters are picking up the pieces
Doom and gloom have been hanging over the podcast world for the last 18 months. Is it the end, or a new beginning?
- by Barry Divola
From Dave Grohl to Charli XCX: Five ways to maximise a pop feud in 2024
In today’s saturated pop landscape, feuds are a proven way to boost yourself to viral stardom. Here’s how it’s done.
- by Robert Moran
These are the July gigs that should be on your calendar
From Australian punk-rock royalty to a rapper who now plays the flute, here are the month’s must-see shows.
- by James Jennings