Nikki Glaser took the stage at the 83rd Golden Globes with a rapid-fire, no-holds-barred monologue that set the tone for a night celebrating film and television, and she did not hold back. From poking fun at Hollywood's biggest names to delivering jokes that were as pointed as they were clever, Glaser's opening remarks reminded everyone why she's one of comedy's most fearless performers.

Country music superstar Jason Aldean has announced his highly anticipated new studio album, Songs About Us, set for release on April 24, 2026. The announcement was accompanied by the release of three surprise tracks, “Help You Remember,” “Hard To Love You” and “Lovin' Me Too Long,” giving fans an early taste of the album's signature storytelling and unmistakable sound.

German symphonic metal powerhouse Beyond The Black have entered 2026 with a defining statement, unveiling their sixth studio album Break The Silence alongside a new music video for Let There Be Rain. The release marks another major chapter for a band that has steadily evolved from promising newcomers into one of the most consistent and internationally recognised names in modern melodic metal.

Jonathan Van Ness is returning to Australia and New Zealand with a brand new live comedy show, Hot & Healed, following a run of globally successful tours that have cemented their reputation as a formidable live performer. The tour opens in Auckland on Monday February 23 before travelling across Australia with dates scheduled for Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

TX2 has unveiled Murder Scene, the latest single from his forthcoming debut album End Of Us, due for release on February 13 via Hopeless Records. Featuring Magnolia Park, the track represents a significant moment for two artists emerging from the current wave of emotionally charged alternative rock, both operating at the intersection of emo, pop punk and modern alternative culture.

For more than three decades, Counting Crows have maintained a rare connection with audiences, built on emotionally detailed songwriting, expressive performances and a catalogue that has become woven into modern rock history. In 2026, the Grammy and Academy Award nominated band will return to Australia and New Zealand with The Complete Sweets! Tour, a run of theatre shows celebrating their legacy while spotlighting their most recent body of work.

Peter Black, widely known as Blackie from The Hard-Ons, has launched into 2026 with renewed solo momentum, unveiling a new single and video and confirming the release of two full length solo albums alongside a comprehensive run of East Coast dates. The new track, Conga Line To The Rest Room, arrives after an already demanding year that saw Black balancing activity across multiple projects, including The Hard-Ons and Nunchukka Superfly, with another intensive touring cycle looming.

US based guitarist and composer Marisa Anderson will return to Australia in February for her first solo tour, bringing a body of work that has steadily positioned her as one of the most distinctive guitar voices of her generation. The tour runs from February 24 to February 28 and follows Anderson's acclaimed 2022 visit for Melbourne's Rising Festival, where she performed alongside Dirty Three drummer Jim White.

K-Pop powerhouse ITZY will return to Australia and New Zealand in April 2026, bringing their ITZY 3RD WORLD TOUR to Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland. The announcement confirms the group's first full five member tour of the region and marks their long awaited return following their sold out 2024 arena debut.

Foo Fighters launched their live calendar for 2026 on 10 January with a landmark performance in León, Mexico, marking both their first show of the year and their first appearance in the city. The concert at Velaria de la Feria carried added significance, introducing guitarist Jason Falkner into the Foo Fighters live lineup as he temporarily replaces longtime member Pat Smear, who is recovering from a broken foot.

Chet Faker will return to Australian stages in March 2026, announcing two headline shows in Brisbane and Sydney timed to coincide with the release of his new album A Love For Strangers. The performances form part of a broader global tour that signals a significant new chapter for one of Australia's most internationally recognised contemporary artists.

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jake Banfield is officially arriving in Australia this week, bringing with him a fresh summer anthem and a genre-defying sound that has quickly captured international attention.

Bob Weir, guitarist, vocalist and founding member of The Grateful Dead, has died aged 78. His family confirmed that Weir passed peacefully on January 10, 2026, following complications from underlying lung issues. He had been diagnosed with cancer in mid-2025 and had successfully completed treatment.

Gibson Films has unveiled a major new music documentary project for 2026 with the worldwide premiere of Volume One of Iommi: The Godfather Of Heavy Metal. The limited docuseries begins streaming globally today via Gibson TV, opening an expansive exploration of the life, work and cultural impact of Tony Iommi, the guitarist whose sound reshaped rock music and established the foundations of heavy metal.

Six decades after The Doors first emerged from Los Angeles to redefine rock music, surviving members John Densmore and Robby Krieger have revisited one of the band's most enduring works through a new global collaboration with Playing For Change. The project brings a reimagined version of Riders On The Storm to life, uniting musicians and dancers from across the world in a performance that honours the legacy of The Doors while reinforcing music's power to connect cultures. The project includes an appearance from Australia’s William Barton.

Legendary singer and bassist Glenn Hughes has announced the cancellation of his 2026 U.S. tour, citing a “minor health issue that requires his attention over the upcoming months.” The news was shared by Hughes on his social media accounts on Friday, with a statement confirming that ticket and VIP upgrade refunds will be available from points of purchase.

German emo-punk and hardcore outfit Shoreline have unveiled their third studio album, Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After?, set for release on 13 March 2026 through Pure Noise Records. Alongside the announcement, the band released two singles, Sweet Spot and Out Of Touch, giving a first taste of the record's introspective yet dynamic sound.

David Bowie's formative years in south-east London are set to be preserved for fans and music historians alike, with the announcement that his childhood home at 4 Plaistow Grove, Bromley, will open to the public as an immersive cultural experience. The acquisition, made by the Heritage of London Trust, coincides with what would have been Bowie's 79th birthday and the 10th anniversary of his passing, offering a rare insight into the early environment of one of the world's most influential musicians.

Morrissey has confirmed the release of his fourteenth solo studio album Make-Up Is A Lie, marking his first full-length release in more than five years and a significant return to Sire Records. The album will be released on March 6, with the title track Make-Up Is A Lie unveiled immediately as the lead single.

Third Man Records has announced a major new archival release celebrating the creative force of Jimi Hendrix, revealing Valley Of Jams 1969-1970 as the 67th instalment in its long running Vault series. Created in partnership with Experience Hendrix and in connection with Legacy Recordings, the collection stands as a substantial document of Hendrix's improvisational studio work during the final chapter of his career.

Silversun Pickups have unveiled a new recording of Party In My Tummy, offering their own interpretation of the much loved song from the Yo Gabba GabbaLand! Season 2 soundtrack. The release arrives as the Los Angeles quartet prepare for the launch of their seventh studio album Tenterhooks, due out on February 6 via their New Machine Recordings imprint.

Forty years ago, on January 13, 1986, The Bangles released Different Light, an album that would transform the Los Angeles quartet from cult favourites of the Paisley Underground scene into international pop stars. With its slick production, irresistible hooks, and crossover appeal, Different Light remains the band's most successful record and a defining statement of mid-1980s pop rock.

HunterGirl opens 2026 with a release that feels grounded in memory and movement. Somewhere Wild, out now via 19 Recordings, BBR Music Group and BMG Nashville, marks a defining moment for the Tennessee born singer songwriter as she reconnects with the instincts that first pulled her toward music. The song arrives as a slow building, windswept piece that leans into space, reflection and the quiet desire to step away from noise and return to something elemental.

British heavy metal force Sylosis have sharpened their blade once again, unveiling the punishing new single Erased as the latest statement from their forthcoming seventh studio album The New Flesh. Due for release on February 20 via Nuclear Blast Records, the album arrives at a pivotal moment for a band that has spent more than two decades refining a sound built on precision, intensity and unwavering commitment to modern metal.

Finnish rock project Hokka have advanced their emerging mythology with the release of their second single Death By Cupid's Arrow, deepening the cinematic world first introduced on debut track In The Darkness. The new release reinforces the band's intent to operate on a grand narrative scale, combining stark emotional themes with the weight and drama associated with Finland's long tradition of dark, atmospheric rock.

Francis Rossi opens 2026 with renewed momentum, unveiling two brand new songs that mark the first chapter of his next studio album The Accidental, due for release on January 30, 2026. Issued today as a digital double single, Push Comes To Shove and November Again reaffirm Rossi’s enduring presence as one of British rock’s most distinctive voices and guitarists.

Fifteen years after its release, Seahaven's debut album Winter Forever continues to resonate with fans and critics alike. In early 2026, the Californian band will celebrate the milestone with the Winter Forever 15th Anniversary Tour, performing the album live in full for the first time.

Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum global superstar The Kid LAROI has unveiled his first full-length album in two years, Before I Forget, marking a defining moment in the 22-year-old's career. Known for his genre-blending approach and emotive songwriting, LAROI's latest work presents an intimate portrait of vulnerability, introspection, and creative confidence.

Perth rockers Electric State have officially joined the XMusic label family, marking a new chapter for one of Western Australia's most formidable live acts. To celebrate the signing, the band have dropped a high-octane music video for their latest single “What Do You Want”, a track that signals both resilience and relentless momentum.

Across nearly two decades with Busby Marou, Tom Busby’s songwriting has thrived on restraint, melodic patience and an instinctive understanding of place. With his debut solo album Rockhampton Hangover, Busby steps away from the shared harmonies and collective identity of the duo to reveal a more solitary creative voice, one that feels exposed, reflective and grounded in lived experience.