Anthony Smith

Spandau Ballet, one of the defining names of 80s British pop, will revisit their origins with the release of Everything Is Now – Vol 1: 1978-1982, a nine-disc box set capturing their most creative and radical formative years. The collection, due September 12 through Parlophone, brings together their groundbreaking debut albums, singles, BBC sessions, demos and rare live footage in the most comprehensive archive of the band’s first chapter ever assembled.

In an unexpected, yet profoundly moving moment this past weekend, Kiwi music icon Neil Finn stepped into Aotea Square, Auckland, and lent his voice to a pro-Palestine rally, delivering a stirring a capella performance of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” to a gathering estimated at 300–500 people braving the elements.

Sydney’s Electric Pandas, the cult pop-rock outfit who made their mark in the mid-80s with one album and a hit song 'Big Girls', are officially back together. Lin Buckfield has revived the Pandas for 2025 with a refreshed line-up, and they’ll share the stage with James Reyne this November.

On July 31, 1985, John Cougar Mellencamp released Scarecrow, his eighth studio album. Reaching #2 on the US Billboard 200, the album became a commercial milestone, eventually earning 5× Platinum certification in the U.S.

Chrissie Hynde, legendary singer-songwriter of The Pretenders, returns with an unexpected, warmly intimate project: Duets Special, issued under the inviting banner Chrissie Hynde & Pals, set for release on 17 October 2025 via Parlophone (and Rhino).

Vernon Reid, the Grammy-winning guitarist best known for his incendiary work with Living Colour, has announced the release of his new solo album Hoodoo Telemetry, due October 3 via Artone / The Players Club Records. Ahead of the full release, Reid has unveiled the single Beautiful Bastard, a song he originally considered for his Yohimbe Brothers project but has now reclaimed for this collection.

Midge Ure’s postponed 2025 Australian tour has been rescheduled for October 2026.