Black Label Society have confirmed the release of a new studio album, Engines Of Demolition, due out March 27, 2026 via Spinefarm. The record marks the band's first full length studio release since 2021's Doom Crew Inc. and arrives after several years of constant touring, writing and personal reflection for founder, guitarist and vocalist Zakk Wylde.

Dune Rats have fired the first local rock shot of 2026 with the release of their new single Shark, unveiling both the track and its accompanying video as they continue a busy start to the year on the road. The Brisbane trio are easing into the new calendar year with intent, using Shark to set the tone for what comes next while staying firmly connected to the audience that has carried them from sweaty suburban rooms to festival main stages.

There are tribute acts that faithfully recreate a catalogue, and there are those rare projects that reinterpret a body of work so convincingly it opens new cultural space around the songs themselves. GayC/DC sit firmly in the latter category. This February, the Los Angeles based outfit billed as The World's First And Only All-Gay Tribute To The Music Of AC/DC will tour Australia for the first time, bringing their high voltage celebration of rock history to six intimate venues across the country.

Byron Bay Bluesfest has unveiled a major new wave of artists for its 2026 edition, confirming Parkway Drive, Erykah Badu and The Wailers as headline additions to an already formidable bill. The announcement reinforces Bluesfest’s long held reputation for programming that spans generations, genres and cultures, united by musicianship, legacy and the power of live performance.

Fed Square will again become Melbourne's summer living room this February with the return of Open Air At The Square, a free, month-long program that places music, film and performance at the centre of the city's cultural life. Running from February 2 to February 28, 2026, the festival draws together local voices and internationally recognised artists across live music, outdoor cinema and participatory performance, transforming warm summer nights into shared experiences in the heart of Melbourne.

In January 1976, Peter Frampton released an album that not only altered the trajectory of his own career but also reshaped the commercial and cultural standing of live records. Frampton Comes Alive! is now 50 years old, a milestone that underlines its status as one of the most important live albums in rock history and a defining document of the 1970s arena era.

In 1974, music writer Jon Landau famously said, “I saw rock and roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen.” Landau became Springsteen's manager soon after and still is today. It has been a long time since rock produced anything truly meaningful on that scale. Dominic Harrison, better known as Yungblud, feels like the real thing. He is the future, ordained by the past. His recent collaborations with The Smashing Pumpkins and Aerosmith feel less like guest spots and more like a symbolic passing of the torch.

Australian singer-songwriter and producer Gordi has opened 2026 with the release of a new single, High Line, alongside confirmation of an extensive Australian headline tour that will take her across the country from February through to May.

Poison The Well have confirmed their long awaited return with Peace In Place, the first new studio album from the influential Miami metalcore pioneers in more than 16 years. The album will be released on March 20 via SharpTone Records, marking a significant new chapter for a band whose legacy is deeply woven into the foundations of modern heavy music.

After years of anticipation from a global fanbase, BTS have formally confirmed their return to the concert stage with a vast world tour spanning 2026 and 2027. The announcement signals a defining moment in modern pop, marking the group's first full-scale headline tour together since the conclusion of Permission To Dance On Stage in 2022 and their subsequent period of military service and solo activity.

The story of one of Australia's most distinctive and influential bands is heading to the big screen. Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story will receive a nationwide theatrical release on 5 March 2026, arriving as Mental As Anything reform to mark their 50th anniversary and prepare for a national tour led by original members Reg Mombassa and Peter O'Doherty.

Jack White has officially unveiled Jack White Collected Lyrics and Selected Writing Volume 1, a comprehensive anthology that spans the full breadth of his career, from his seminal work with The White Stripes to The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, and his solo recordings. Available now at Third Man Records storefronts, thirdmanbooks.com, and book retailers across the United States, the UK edition is set for release on February 2.

American indie-rock trailblazers Goose have confirmed a return to New York City's iconic Madison Square Garden with a two-night stand on June 19 and 20, marking one of the most eagerly awaited stops on their 2026 live schedule.

Blake Shelton has added another milestone to a career already defined by record-breaking chart success, marking his 31st number one single at country radio with “Stay Country or Die Tryin'”. The track, taken from his BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville album For Recreational Use Only, was penned by Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis, and Beau Bailey. With its driving guitars and unapologetic celebration of rural pride, the single has resonated instantly with fans, cementing Shelton's place as one of country music's most enduring figures.

TEG Dainty has confirmed that Grammy and Academy Award-winning musician, songwriter, and performer Bret McKenzie will return to Australia in March 2026 for a series of live performances celebrating his new album, Freak Out City. The tour will see McKenzie perform in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience his signature blend of music, storytelling, and humour in an intimate theatre setting.

Asteroid Ekosystem, the Australian all-instrumental ensemble led by ARIA Award-winning composer and keyboardist Alister Spence, have announced their second studio album, Sounds Have Dreams, along with two rare Sydney performances in March.

Ethel Cain has confirmed New Zealand duo Elliot & Vincent as special guests for her upcoming The Willoughby Tucker Forever Tour, set to run across Australia and New Zealand in February 2026. The announcement comes as demand for the eleven-date run continues to surge, with multiple shows already sold out ahead of the tour's arrival in the region.

Port Fairy Folk Festival has unveiled a substantial fourth artist announcement for its 49th event, further shaping what is already one of the most expansive and culturally rich programs in the festival's recent history. Taking place across the Labour Day long weekend in March 2026, the iconic Victorian gathering continues its long tradition of blending international voices, First Nations storytelling, Australian songwriting excellence and deeply rooted community participation.

As Danish alt metal innovators MØL edge closer to the release of their third studio album Dreamcrush, the Aarhus based band have unveiled Crush, a new single and video that sharpens the emotional and sonic focus of the record ahead of its January 30 arrival via Nuclear Blast Records.

After more than a quarter century of reshaping the language of modern jazz, The Bad Plus have announced they will bring their career to a close in 2026. Founding members Reid Anderson and Dave King have confirmed the decision marks the end of one of the most distinctive and influential ensembles in improvised music, a band whose identity evolved across multiple lineups while maintaining a singular creative vision.

Melbourne's iconic rock 'n' roll block party LuliePalooza is set to return on Saturday 21 March 2026, transforming Victoria Park into a pulsating hub of music, mayhem, and community energy. Now in its fifth edition, the festival promises its biggest iteration yet, with a reworked layout, expanded audience space, and accessibility upgrades designed to make the day more inclusive than ever.

Silverwoods Resort Yarrawonga is set to host an electrifying weekend of golf and live music on Sunday 25 January 2026, as Blitz Golf makes its long-awaited debut in Victoria. The world's only professional short-format golf league will bring its rapid-fire, fan-focused competition to the Black Bull Golf Course, paired with a lakeside festival atmosphere and an evening concert headlined by Australian music icon DIESEL.

Philadelphia emo outfit Sweet Pill have unveiled their latest single, “Glow,” the second preview from their upcoming album Still There's A Glow, due March 13, 2026 via Hopeless Records. Accompanied by a striking video directed by Johnny Komar, the release follows the lead single “No Control”.

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.