Richard Clapton To Mark 40th Anniversary With 6th Annual State Theatre Show

When Simply Red released their debut album Picture Book on 11 October 1985, few could have predicted that it would introduce one of the defining British voices of the decade. Fronted by Manchester's fiery-haired Mick Hucknall, the band's blend of soul, pop and sophisticated R&B gave them a sound that bridged the late 70s' blue-eyed soul movement with the sleek production of the mid-80s. Forty years on, Picture Book remains one of the most polished debut albums of its time, the record that established Simply Red as one of the UK's most enduring musical exports.

On 30 September 1985, Tom Waits released Rain Dogs, his ninth studio album and one that would become a cornerstone of his career. Forty years on, the record still stands as one of the most daring and distinctive works in American music, an album that transformed Waits from a beat-poet barfly into a true avant-garde songwriter.

Scotland’s pop-rock icons Deacon Blue will return to Australia in January and February 2026, celebrating four decades together with their new studio album The Great Western Road and their first visit down under since 2023.

Progressive metal titans Dream Theater will finally return to Australian stages in 2026 for the first time in fifteen years, and this time they’re coming armed with their most celebrated line-up. James LaBrie, John Petrucci, John Myung, Jordan Rudess, and the long-awaited return of founding drummer Mike Portnoy will perform An Evening With Dream Theater across four cities, celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary.

2017 will mark the 40th anniversary since Iva Davis formed Icehouse originally as Flowers in Sydney.

Following the Record Store Day release of the limited edition Starman 7" picture disc, EMI will release a 40th anniversary limited edition 7" picture disc of David Bowie's John, I'm Only Dancing. The disc will be released on September 11 in the U.S. and September 3 in the rest of the world.

Universal music will release a new 40th anniversary edition of the Neil Diamond classic 'August Night'.