Culture
Music
Beyond death and drugs, Bobby Gillespie and Primal Scream return
At 63, the acid-rave legend talks up Primal Scream’s politically charged new album and their upcoming Australia tour.
- by Robert Moran
Latest
Could Countdown be reborn on the ABC?
The landmark music program is celebrating its 50th birthday. Its impact on local artists was undeniable, and there are calls to bring it back.
- by Michael Dwyer
‘Part of that old, weird America’: The visceral sound of harp singing
Musician and composer Pat Irwin has played it all, across six decades. He’s now in Melbourne for a world premiere that draws on a type of singing made famous in the Appalachian hills.
- by Michael Dwyer
It’s time we were all reminded of what Nickelback really are
Are we having fun yet? We are, thanks to the most over-hated band in history.
- by Tom W. Clarke
Why Europe’s most famous song contest wants to put Australia centre stage
Does someone need to tell Eurovision that we’re not part of Europe?
- by Nell Geraets
Beyonce leads Grammy nominations in female-dominated list
Australia’s Troye Sivan and Tame Impala also scored nominations.
Ray Charles, Elvis, Sinatra and Michael Jackson: No matter the genre, Quincy Jones was the man
The musical maestro was born poor, taught himself to play numerous instruments and crafted much of the sound of our times.
- by Neil McCormick
‘I’m pretty boring and sort of straight-laced’ – how sobriety improved a musician’s work
Indie darling turned bona fide star Waxahatchee returns to Australia later this month.
- by Brodie Lancaster
From making gravy to making love, Paul Kelly on his ‘toey’ record
Australia’s greatest songwriter on life, love, lust and learning from Taylor Swift.
- by Thomas Mitchell
Updated
Tragedy
Three charged over death of Liam Payne
The One Direction singer had traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he died, authorities said.
- by Nicolas Misculin and Kate Lahey
The musical ‘chameleon’ taking the guitar places you’ve never considered
Sean Shibe has built a reputation for relentlessly pushing the boundaries of his instrument.
- by Nick Galvin