Freddie Mercury

When Simple Minds released Once Upon A Time on 21 October 1985, they were no longer the underground art-rock outfit that had emerged from Glasgow's post-punk scene in the late 70s. By this point, they were international chart-toppers, riding the success of Don't You (Forget About Me), the soundtrack anthem that had made them household names across America. But Once Upon A Time would do more than cement their fame, it would define the sound of mid-80s stadium rock and mark the band's full transformation from cult heroes to global icons.

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.

Richard Clapton will return to Sydney’s State Theatre in November for his sixth annual concert this year titled ‘The Best Years Of Our Lives’.