Sam Gay

August 31 has marked some of the most defining moments in music history, from legendary releases to unforgettable events. On this day, Bob Dylan returned to the stage at the Isle of Wight Festival after three years away, Oasis unleashed their era-defining debut Definitely Maybe, and Coldplay elevated their global status with A Rush of Blood to the Head. It is also remembered for Michael Jackson’s Bad topping the UK charts, Metallica’s Black Album dominating in the US, and the tragic passing of Princess Diana in 1997, which inspired Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997,” the biggest-selling single of all time. August 31 stands as a day of reinvention, triumph, and loss in music’s rich timeline.

August 30 has long been a milestone date in music history, bringing with it landmark releases and unforgettable moments. Bob Dylan’s Highway 61 Revisited arrived on this day, reshaping rock songwriting with “Like a Rolling Stone,” while Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, and Judas Priest also released career-defining albums. The first Isle of Wight Festival in 1968 cemented itself as a cornerstone of British rock culture, and decades later Kanye West’s Late Registration and Lana Del Rey’s Norman Fucking Rockwell! set new creative benchmarks. From classic rock to modern icons, August 30 showcases music’s constant evolution across generations.

The Environmental Music Prize, an award that celebrates artists using music to connect people to nature and drive environmental action, is now open for entries for 2025 – but not for long. Submissions close this Sunday, 31 August 2025.

August 28 stands out in music history as a day of endings, beginnings, and cultural milestones. It was on this date that The Beatles played their last official concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park, closing the book on their touring years, while Bob Dylan first crossed paths with the band, sparking a new creative direction. Tammy Wynette recorded her defining anthem “Stand by Your Man,” and Tina Turner reached No.1 in the US with “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” cementing her comeback. The day also brought landmark albums from Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Velvet Underground, and R.E.M., while later generations would see Beyoncé and Florence Welch born on this date. August 28 continues to resonate as a turning point where legacies were launched and legends redefined.

The Australian live music industry is built on the people who work behind the curtain. From the audio engineer who balances the mix to the lighting technician who sets the stage ablaze with colour, live shows depend on skilled crew. Now, a new initiative spearheaded by CrewCare is giving the next generation of backstage talent the chance to break into the industry with real training and real jobs.

Here are the major music events, births, deaths and album releases on this day in music for 27 August:

Here are the major music events, births, deaths and album releases on this day in music for 26 August: