A US federal judge has ordered the removal of Trump's name from the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, ruling that the Kennedy Center's board acted outside its legal authority when it renamed the venue. The decision also halts plans to temporarily close the Washington DC institution for a major two-year renovation project, marking a significant setback for Trump's efforts to reshape one of America's most prominent cultural landmarks.

A one-night tribute concert celebrating the catalogue of Australian music icon John Farnham will take place at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena on 20 September 2026, bringing together more than 120 performers, a 38 piece orchestra, choir and Farnham's longtime touring band in support of Head and Neck Cancer Australia. The event, titled The Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend The Celebration Concert, will feature Australian and international artists performing songs from across Farnham's career, although organisers confirmed Farnham himself will not perform.

A growing number of artists have pulled out of Freedom 250 Presents: The Great American State Fair, the 16 day event set for Washington D.C.'s National Mall next month, after concerns emerged over the festival's links to Trump and the broader political positioning of the celebration.

by Paul Cashmere The cost of seeing live music has transformed dramatically over the past four decades, with arena and stadium concert ticket prices now outpacing inflation at a rate few other entertainment sectors can match. In the mid-1980s, a major concert ticket typically cost between $12 and $15. In 2026, premium tickets for the world's biggest tours regularly exceed $500, while VIP packages can stretch beyond $1,000. The shift has fundamentally changed not only the economics of touring, but also the behaviour of audiences in Australia, North America and Europe.

by Paul Cashmere The modern music charts used by ARIA, Billboard and the UK's Official Charts Company now measure an entirely different form of consumer behaviour than the charts of the vinyl, cassette and CD eras. While chart headlines frequently compare contemporary streaming milestones with historical sales achievements, industry analysts increasingly acknowledge that the two systems are built on fundamentally incompatible metrics.

The music industry's move away from the physical single helped create record revenues at the end of the 1990s, but many analysts argue the same strategy accelerated the collapse of the traditional music business and permanently changed how audiences consume music.

BTS emerged as Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards 2026, while Sabrina Carpenter secured Album of the Year honours in a ceremony that reflected the increasingly broad genre mix shaping contemporary music.

Stephen Colbert stepped back in front of the cameras less than 24 hours after signing off from The Late Show, resurfacing on Monroe, Michigan public television with a surprise cast that included Jack White, Jeff Daniels and Eminem.

Paul McCartney became the final interview guest on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, using the programme's closing chapter to revisit The Beatles' first American visit and reflect on childhood memories that continue to shape his songwriting.

Ed Sheeran has confirmed he has left Warner Music after 15 years, closing a relationship that took him from pub gigs and sofa surfing to becoming one of the most commercially successful recording artists of the streaming era.

Kylie Minogue's rise from Australian television actor to international pop star did not happen by accident. Her 25 year partnership with manager Terry Blamey shaped one of the most durable careers in modern pop and created a model for taking Australian talent to the world stage. For whatever reason, the following story is ignored in the new Kylie Netflix documentary.

Tash Sultana has signed the first global label partnership of their career, entering an exclusive worldwide recording agreement with BMG after nearly a decade of building an international audience independently.

Karnivool guitarist and songwriter Drew Goddard will headline WAMCon 2026 in Fremantle, bringing more than 25 years of experience in performance, production and artist development to Western Australia's flagship music industry conference.

Crow guitarist and songwriter Peter Archer has died aged 61, just days before the release of the Sydney band's first new music in more than 15 years. Archer's death was confirmed by the band in a statement posted to social media on Sunday night.

The Australian Independent Record Labels Association has announced the nominees for the 2026 AIR Awards, with Ninajirachi, Folk Bitch Trio and Way Dynamic among the most recognised artists ahead of the ceremony in Adelaide this July.

Jet have expanded their long-running relationship with BMG, with the publisher acquiring interests in the catalogue of key members of the Melbourne rock band behind Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Get Born.

Jack Douglas, the American producer and engineer whose credits ranged from John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy to Aerosmith's breakthrough 1970s catalogue, has died at the age of 80 after complications from lymphoma. Douglas was one of the defining studio figures of classic rock, shaping landmark recordings for Lennon, Aerosmith, Patti Smith, Cheap Trick and the New York Dolls.

The Diana Torossian Emerging Songwriter Award has opened entries for 2026, offering Australian songwriters mentorship opportunities with leading industry figures alongside a $3,000 cash prize.

UNIFIED Music Group has officially expanded into New Zealand, appointing veteran artist manager Matt Harvey to lead the company's long-term commitment to developing Aotearoa artists for global markets while strengthening trans-Tasman music infrastructure.

Melbourne's Reclink Community Cup returns on 14 June, bringing Triple R & PBS Megahertz and The Rockdogs together alongside Stella Donnelly, C.O.F.F.I.N and more for a major community fundraiser.

West Australian Music Unveils The 2026 Song Of The Year Nominees With Artist Including Misticia, Phil Walleystack, Unicorn, Streetlights And More Reflecting A Broad Cross Section Of WA Songwriting Talent

Weird Fishes has added rising Australian artist Rageflower to its management roster, marking the first signing since the company launched in August 2025, as Madeleine Powers builds momentum off standout singles Desk Job and Control and a rapidly expanding international live profile.

Peter Garrett joined The Presets to deliver a powerful live rendition of Midnight Oil's Power And The Passion at the 2026 APRA Music Awards, recognising the legacy of Rob Hirst and his impact on Australian music.

This year's standalone event should have got the ARIA Hall of Fame back on track. It hasn't.

APRA marks a century of music rights in Australia with Paul Kelly delivering a standout performance of Flash And The Pan's Walking In The Rain at the 2026 APRA Awards in Sydney

INXS have been honoured with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the 2026 APRA Awards in Sydney, with Jenny Morris delivering a deeply personal tribute reflecting on the band's global impact and enduring legacy.

The City Of Port Phillip has dedicated Jonesy Lane to Spencer P. Jones, marking his enduring influence on Australian rock with a ceremony at St Kilda Cellars.

Amyl And The Sniffers headline a landmark night at the 2026 APRA Music Awards, with Sia, Guy Sebastian and Sarah Aarons also recognised during APRA's 100-year celebration in Sydney

Founding Director Of Neon Tiger Mgmt, Kristie McCarthy, Has Been Awarded The 2026 Lighthouse Award At The Association Of Artist Managers Awards In Sydney, Recognising Her Work Across Australian Music Management And Her Contribution To Artist

Yours And Owls Festival will return to Wollongong in 2026, with organisers reshaping the event across Flagstaff Hill and the city centre for a new two-part experience.