Live music
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Melbourne live reviews
Lady Macbeth deserves a better fate. Does this play offer that chance?
Horrors both supernatural and human abound in this creative and provocative re-working of The Scottish Play.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Barney Zwartz, Andrew Fuhrmann, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Michael Dwyer, Jessica Nicholas and Tony Way
Latest
An imaginary world that is a delight for fans of Japanese playfulness
Our critics deliver their verdict on the latest shows around town.
- by Chantal Nguyen and Harriet Cunningham
How Australia’s music cartels are driving up the cost of live shows
The ACCC has told a parliamentary inquiry that “vertical integration” adds as much as 20 per cent to the cost of live music events in Australia.
- by Karl Quinn
His metal band was huge, his rock memoir tackles something bigger
Serj Tankian was frontman for System of a Down and his new memoir is already a bestseller. Don’t expect to read about the parties though: “I’m telling real stories here,” he says.
- by JP O'Malley
Perspective
Perspective
‘Small, loud and a bit hot’: Brisbane venues where bands most love to play
From a little studio above a tyre shop to the Aussie Nash – we asked local musicians about their favourite places to play, and this is what they told us.
- by Courtney Kruk
Michael J Fox joins Coldplay, and other things you missed from Glastonbury
From Banksy protests to lip-synching accusations, here are some of the buzziest moments from the UK’s biggest music festival.
- by Nell Geraets
Why it just got harder for Australia to create the next Kylie Minogue or Troye Sivan
Australian musicians are already doing it tough, but a recent US government decision has made it much harder for Aussie acts to showcase their work.
- by Meg Watson
It might be a tale as old as time, but this musical is pure delight
Musical theatre lovers with fond memories of seeing Beauty and the Beast as children will find them refreshed in this production (and kids will love it too).
- by Cameron Woodhead, Tony Way and Jessica Nicholas
The hidden costs that are killing live music festivals
Pill testing could make attendance at music festivals and events much safer – but it could dramatically increase the financial risk borne by festivals.
- by Karl Quinn
From Dave Grohl to Charli XCX: Five ways to maximise a pop feud in 2024
In today’s saturated pop landscape, feuds are a proven way to boost yourself to viral stardom. Here’s how it’s done.
- by Robert Moran
These are the July gigs that should be on your calendar
From Australian punk-rock royalty to a rapper who now plays the flute, here are the month’s must-see shows.
- by James Jennings