Sound Check: The Latest Music News You Need to Know

The world of music is always evolving, and whether you’re following the latest global hits or keeping tabs on local talent, there’s no shortage of exciting music news to keep you on your toes.

From surprise album drops to festivals and highly anticipated tour announcements, there’s something for every fan. Stay tuned as we break down the freshest updates from your favourite artists, both near and far, and dive into the stories behind the hits that are shaping the soundtrack of our lives.

Ready to turn up the volume? Let’s dive in!

Yes, Jeff Goldblum Is Touring With a Jazz Band

Hollywood charisma meets smooth piano and brass, Jeff Goldblum is bringing his jazz ensemble, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, to Australia this April and May. On the Night Blooms World Tour, he’ll play dates in Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and a special one-off at the Sydney Opera House with a full orchestra. It’s jazz, but not as you know it (which makes sense given it’s powered by Jeff Goldblum’s unmistakable charisma). Tickets go on sale 6 February at 10am local time.

• Palais Theatre, Melbourne – 24 April
• Riverside Theatre, Perth – 28 April
• Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane – 30 April
• Festival Theatre, Adelaide – 2 May
• Sydney Opera House, Sydney – 5 May

K-Pop Superstar Audrey Nuna Is Coming to Australia

K-Pop Demon Hunters star Audrey Nuna is heading to Perth, delivering a one-night-only live performance for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Opening Ceremony. Fresh off Oscar nominations, Golden Globe wins, and five Grammy nods for the blockbuster film’s soundtrack, Nuna will take the stage at Perth Stadium on 1st March, ahead of the Matildas’ opening clash with the Philippines.

What can you expect? A high-voltage, in-stadium exclusive set created just for the tournament!

With global star power and a blockbuster opener, opening night is shaping up as one of 2026’s biggest moments.

Lock in your tickets here

1st March 2026

Perth Stadium, Perth

Charlotte de Witte Brings a Thunderous One-Night Techno Takeover to Sydney

Get ready — techno royalty is landing in Sydney. On 6th March 2026, Charlotte de Witte will take over Hordern Pavilion for a one-night-only headline show, fresh off her set at Pitch Music & Arts Festival. With a decade of shaping techno’s sound and a reputation built on throat-gripping basslines and dark, unrelenting energy, this night promises sheer sonic force. From underground clubs to global mainstages — this is techno at its purest, and it hits Sydney hard. If you love floor-shaking beats and live sets that leave the heart pounding, this is one show you don’t want to miss.

Tickets on sale Monday 8th December

Book tickets here

6th March, 2026

Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Faithless Announce Long-Awaited 2026 Australia–NZ Tour

Fifteen years since their last visit, Faithless aren’t just touring again — they’re reopening a chapter of dance music history. In March 2026, the legendary outfit return to Australia and New Zealand with a show built to shake stadium rafters and hit every festival memory at once. The era-defining anthems – Insomnia, God Is a DJ, We Come 1 — will collide with new cuts from 2025’s Champion Sound, their first post–Maxi Jazz album, for a set that feels less like a gig and more like a full-scale revival for the Faithless generation and anyone ready to be converted.

Presale: 10th December, 12pm; sign up here

General sale: 11th December, 12pm

13th March — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
14th March — PICA, Melbourne
18 March — Tivoli, Brisbane
21 March — Synthony Festival, Auckland

Foo Fighters Choose Launceston for 2026’s Big Moment

Foo Fighters are dialling up Tasmania’s summer, returning for one night only at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium on Saturday, 24th January. It’s their first Launceston show — and their first Tassie appearance since 2015 — with Dave Grohl and the band set to deliver the kind of electrifying, marathon performance that has defined their global reign. Rising favourites Full Flower Moon Band and local trio Spooky Eyes join the bill. With presales kicking off on 5th December and general tickets dropping on 10th December, this one will move fast.

Saturday 24th January, 2026

Presale tickets and general tickets here

UTAS Stadium, Launceston

It’s Official: Tomorrowland’s Iconic CORE Festival Is Coming to Melbourne in 2026

From the enchanted forests of Belgium to the rhythm-fuelled nights of Colombia, CORE — Tomorrowland’s most transcendent stage — is going global. In 2026, this sensory fever dream lands in Melbourne for the very first time, bringing with it an immersive collision of deep house, cutting-edge techno, and hypnotic stagecraft on Saturday, November 28.

Designed entirely in-house by Tomorrowland’s visionary creative team, the CORE stage is a cult icon in the dance world — a towering sculptural face framed by forest, drenched in light, and pulsing with sound. Expect a bold, boundary-blurring line-up of global heavyweights and local disruptors. CORE Melbourne isn’t just a festival — it’s a full-blown ritual.

Pre-register now at core.world and sign up to our newsletter for all the drops.

November 28th, 2026

Reneé Rapp to Headline AO LIVE 2026 — Her First Ever Australian Show

Mark your calendars — Broadway’s baddest girl turned pop powerhouse is coming to Melbourne. US singer and actor Reneé Rapp will make her long-awaited Australian debut at AO LIVE 2026, hitting the John Cain Arena stage on Saturday, 31st January. From Mean Girls royalty to chart-topping hits like Snow Angel and Not My Fault, Rapp’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Her latest album, Bite Me, landed at #3 on the ARIA Albums Chart — and now, she’s bringing that raw, razor-sharp energy to the heart of the Australian Open.

Sharing the bill with The Kid LAROI, Peggy Gou, Sofi Tukker, Spacey Jane, and The Veronicas, Rapp will light up Melbourne Park in a set that fuses pop confession with main-character attitude — think heartbreak anthems, cinematic vocals and a touch of chaos (the good kind).

Because let’s be honest — seeing Reneé Rapp live and watching the AO Women’s Final in one day? That’s the ultimate summer flex.

Sign up for tickets here

Tickets from $99

Saturday 31st January, 2026

Ed Sheeran Drops Support Acts for 2026 Loop Tour

Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour is set to take over Australia next summer — and with hundreds of thousands of tickets already sold, it’s gearing up to be one of the biggest tours of 2026. Joining the global superstar on stage is an incredible lineup of talent. Aussie favourite Vance Joy brings his anthemic hits like ‘Riptide’ and ‘Fire and the Flood’ home, while rising star and ARIA-nominated Mia Wray joins fresh off her debut album hi, it’s nice to meet me. Irish folk collective BIIRD will add their electrifying twist on traditional sounds in Perth, while soulful Irish newcomer Aaron Rowe will round out the bill with his viral hit ‘Hey Ma’ in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. With a brand new album, Play and a spectacular new live production, Ed’s return down under promises to be a show for the ages.

Optus Stadium, Perth | January 31st & February 1st, 2026
Tickets available via Ticketmaster

Accor Stadium, Sydney | February 13th, 14th & 15th, 2026
Tickets available via Ticketek

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | February 20th, 21st 22nd, 2026
Tickets available via AXS

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne | February 26th, 27th & 28th, 2026
Tickets available via Ticketmaster

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | March 5th, 2026
Tickets available via Ticketek

Pitch Music & Arts Returns — And the Lineup Is Absolutely Wild

Pitch Music & Arts will return for its ninth edition beneath the majestic Gariwerd Ranges — and this lineup might just be its most electric yet. From techno titan Charlotte de Witte and euphoric duo Eris Drew & Octo Octa to Job Jobse, Yung Singh, Detroit legend Moodymann, and Girls Don’t Sync, the Grampian Plains will pulse to a global rhythm from 6th to 10th March, 2026.

Also on the bill: hypnotic sets from DJ Nobu, Palms Trax, and Sama’ Abdulhadi, alongside homegrown heroes CC:DISCO! b2b DJ JNETT, Sleep D b2b Jennifer Loveless, and C.FRIM.

Beyond the music, Pitch unveils its most immersive setup yet — including the new Pitch Rock Pool, a sculptural swimming and wellness space designed for sun-drenched resets between sets. Here, festival-goers can cool off, recharge, and soak in the landscape beneath open skies. Add in architectural stages, a reimagined Pitch Black arena, and Tom Supple’s art curation, and 2026 is shaping up to be Pitch at its most transcendent.

6th to 10th March, 2026

Moyston, Victoria

Mighty Hoopla Lands in Australia

London’s most glittering pop party is crossing oceans. The beloved queer music festival Mighty Hoopla will make its Australian debut on 21st February 2026 at Bondi Beach, bringing its signature mix of high-octane pop, camp theatrics and unapologetic joy to local shores. Headlined by Kesha, the one-day event promises sequins, nostalgia and pure pop euphoria, landing just ahead of Sydney Mardi Gras.

Get set drag royalty, throwback anthems and feel-good chaos under the summer sun — a technicolour celebration of music and inclusivity Australia’s been waiting for.

21st February, 2026

Bondi Beach

Peggy Gou Announces One-Night-Only Sydney Show This Summer

Fresh off a breakout year and the release of her acclaimed debut album I Hear You, global dance sensation Peggy Gou is returning to Australia for an exclusive headline show at Sydney’s Carriageworks on Saturday, January 31st, 2026. Presented by Untitled Group, the show precedes her appearance at AO Live alongside The Kid LAROI, Spacey Jane, The Veronicas and Sofi Tukker.

Presale opens at 12pm on Monday October 13th, with general sale following on Tuesday, October 14th.

Sign up here.

Sydney’s Beloved Open Air Concert Returns

This summer, the Sydney Opera House invites audiences to rediscover the thrill of live performance with Opera on the Steps; a breathtaking outdoor concert staged on the Opera House Forecourt. Across multiple nights, audiences can catch performances from chart-toppers and crowd favourites including Chet Faker, Parcels, Ruel, and Jimmy Barnes. Blending the intimacy of a live gig with the grandeur of Sydney’s most iconic backdrop, each show offers an unforgettable mix of atmosphere, sound, and harbour views.

Book tickets here.

AO LIVE 2026: The Grand Slam Goes Full Disco Mode

The Australian Open is turning the volume way up this summer. AO LIVE returns in 2026 bigger, bolder, and louder than ever — five nights, global icons, and more energy than Rod Laver on match point. From homegrown hero The Kid LAROI to dancefloor deity Peggy Gou, indie darlings Spacey Jane, pop provocateurs The Veronicas, and Grammy-nominated powerhouse Sofi Tukker, the lineup reads like a festival fever dream.

Curated by Untitled Group — the minds behind Beyond the Valley and Pitch — this year’s series transforms Melbourne Park into a music-meets-tennis playground, complete with spritzes, street eats and that unmistakable summer-in-Melbourne buzz. Tickets start at just $99, granting access to the AO’s electric atmosphere and the world’s biggest acts — all within serve’s distance of centre court. Game, set, groove.

Tickets on sale October 7th via Ticketmaster

Olivia Dean’s New Album The Art Of Loving Is Finally Here

After teasing us with singles like “Man I Need” and “Nice To Each Other”, UK’s soul darling is ready to drop her full second album The Art Of Loving — and we are more than ready to hit play.

Releasing on all music platforms and retailers this Friday 26th of September, Olivia Dean’s new album is a tender deep dive into love and life that delivers gentle vulnerability, mellow grooves and undeniable pop polish. The 12-track album features a mix of already released tracks from her Man I Need EP, alongside a string of new listening gems to get stuck into.

Sydney listeners can get a sneak peek on Thursday 25th September at Jam Record Bar, with the DJ spinning it in full from 6pm. You might want to get in early to secure a seat!

To catch the album live in all its glory, grab final tickets for Olivia Dean’s upcoming Aussie tour this October.

Presave The Art Of Loving on Spotify

Purchase the exclusive pink vinyl

Purchase tickets to Olivia Dean’s upcoming Australian tour

Laneway Festival 2026 Has A Lineup Worth Losing Your Voice Over

Laneway has always punched above its weight, but for its 21st birthday it’s gone for the jugular. Chappell Roan headlines — a coup that places the festival squarely in pop’s most thrilling moment — alongside PinkPantheress, Wet Leg, Jensen McRae, Wolf Alice and Role Model. It’s a bill that reads like the internet’s current mood board: eclectic, stylish, a little chaotic, and very now.

The Queensland stop trades Brisbane for the Gold Coast’s Southport Sharks on February 7th, signalling a refreshed era for the festival. Across every city, expect Laneway’s trademark alchemy: the joy of discovery stitched seamlessly with the thrill of seeing your most-played artist live, loud, and impossible to forget.

See the full lineup here

Register for pre-sale here

Hilary Duff Announces Music Comeback

Hilary Duff is making her long-awaited return to music — and honestly, this is what dreams are made of! From her Lizzie McGuire days to the chart-topping Metamorphosis era, Hilary was the voice of a generation, soundtracking sleepovers, car rides and teenage daydreams everywhere. Now, she’s stepping back into the studio with new music that’s set to hit all the right nostalgic notes while carving out a fresh chapter for fans who grew up right alongside her. The details are still under wraps, but one thing is for certain: we’re ready to hit play.

Olivia Dean Brings The Art of Loving Tour to Australia in 2026

Hearts broke when Olivia Dean announced just one Sydney show this year — but consider them mended: the British soul-pop darling has confirmed a full Australian and New Zealand tour for October 2026. In support of her sophomore album The Art of Loving (out September 26th, 2025), Dean will take the stage at Rod Laver Arena (October 6th), Qudos Bank Arena (October 9th), Brisbane Entertainment Centre (October 13th) and Spark Arena, Auckland (October 17th). Get set for soaring vocals, diaristic detail, and serious star power — tickets are set to vanish faster than your last situationship.

On sale Wednesday 17th September

Pre-order the album for pre-sale access to tickets before 12th September; pre-sale starts Friday 12th September at 11am local time

General sale starts Wednesday 17th September at 11am local time

Purchase tickets here

Badlands, Reborn: Halsey’s Anthem of Defiance Returns Down Under

A decade on, the desert still echoes. Badlands was more than an album — it was an anthem for the disoriented and the defiant, a world built on grit and neon where every lyric felt like a secret scrawled on a bathroom wall. Now, Halsey is pulling us back through that dust-stained portal with the Back to Badlands tour, trading stadium spectacle for intimate rooms where the walls will hum with memory.

Ten years later, the songs still bite, still burn, still belong.

Purchase tickets here

Sydney – Hordern Pavilion – Friday 13th February, 2026
Brisbane – Riverstage – Tuesday 17th February, 2026
Melbourne – Festival Hall – Thursday 19th February, 2026

Harry Styles Is Heading Back to Australia

Melbourne, brace yourselves: Harry Styles is reportedly returning in 2026. Brendan Fevola spilled the tea on air this week, saying a source close to Styles confirmed the singer has finished a brand-new album — apparently typed entirely on a typewriter — and is gearing up for an Aussie tour. Fans last caught him live on the Love On Tour shows in early 2023, and while nothing’s officially announced yet, the timing lines up perfectly with a post-album world tour. If the rumours are true, expect sold-out stadiums, a new era of hits, and plenty of fashion moments to swoon over. Harry’s back, and Melbourne will be ready.

Justin Bieber Drops Surprise Album Swag — And It’s Deeply Personal

He’s back — and this time, it’s personal. Justin Bieber has unveiled Swag, a surprise 20-track album that blends introspection, love, and late-night studio energy into one of his most revealing releases yet. Hailey Bieber, ever the muse, features throughout the cover art and track themes, with their son Jack making his first major appearance in Bieber’s artistic world.

The album is full of nods to mental health (“Therapy Session”), fatherhood (“Dadz Love”), and commitment (“Devotion”, “Forgiveness”), with a few cheeky bangers in between. Features from Gunna, Sexyy Red, and Cash Cobain hint at a moodier, genre-fluid pivot.

It’s a new Bieber era — confident, experimental, and quietly reshaping what modern pop sounds like in 2025.

Oh, and FYI: Word is, the introspective Swag is just the warm-up — a proper pop album is rumoured to follow later this year or in early 2026.

Lorde Announces 2026 ULTRASOUND Arena Tour Across Australia & New Zealand

The alt-pop icon is coming home. Off the back of Virgin’s global chart takeover — and some of her boldest, most luminous tracks to date — Lorde has announced a six-date arena run across New Zealand and Australia this February. It’s her first tour down under since 2023, and fans can expect something intimate, theatrical, and totally Lorde: maximalism in slow motion. Virgin’s raw lyricism and glimmering production will find their natural home onstage, and with stops in Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and beyond, this is a moment for the faithful.

American Express Presale: Tuesday 15th July, 1pm (local)
Frontier Member Presale: Thursday 17th July, 2pm (local)
General On Sale: Fri 18th July, 2pm (local)

Wed 11th February – Spark Arena, Auckland, NZ
Fri 13th February – Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch, NZ
Mon 16th February – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, QLD
Wed 18th February – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Sat 21st February – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Wed 25th February – RAC Arena, Perth, WA

Hilltop Hoods Announce 2026 Tour

Suffa, Pressure and DJ Debris are bringing their ARIA Award-winning hip hop back to the stage with the Never Coming Home tour — and despite the name, SA fans can breathe easy, with stops in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart. The national run comes fresh off the announcement of their upcoming album Fall From the Light, set for release on Augsut 1st. Expect new tracks, old-school anthems and a whole lot of love for the Aussie crowd. Presale tickets go on sale on July 14th, with general allocation to follow on July 17th, 10am local time.

February 14th, 2026 | Mystate Bank Arena

February 21st, 2026 | Adelaide Entertainment Centre

February 28th, 2026 | Qudos Bank Arena

March 7th, 2026 | Rod Laver Arena

March 14th, 2026 | Brisbane Entertainment Centre

March 21st, 2026 | RAC Arena

Lenny Kravitz Announces Electrifying Aussie Tour with Special Guests Jet

Brace yourselves, Australia — the inimitable Lenny Kravitz is back and bringing his signature swagger and electrifying stage presence on the Blue Electric Light Tour 2025. From November 18th, the global rock icon will light up some of the country’s wildest, most iconic venues — from Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena to a show-stopping performance at the bp Adelaide Grand Final. Along the way, he’ll be tearing through Newcastle, Brisbane, Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, and even taking his high-voltage show to Mildura’s Sporting Precinct, bringing world-class rock straight to the heart of regional Australia.

The tour is set to be a full-throttle celebration of Kravitz’s decade-spanning career, blending his trademark soulful rock, psychedelic funk, and that unmistakable cool that’s earned him four GRAMMY® Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Expect a night of pure energy, with Lenny commanding the stage like only he can — raw, magnetic, and effortlessly suave.

Joining the party are none other than ARIA Hall of Famers Jet, true Aussie rock royalty known for their explosive, no-holds-barred performances. Celebrating 21 years since their multi-platinum debut, Get Born, Jet will fuel the tour with their gritty, classic rock anthems that have rocked stadiums worldwide.

This tour is poised to be the soundtrack of the summer — a chance to see two generations of rock legends collide in a live experience bursting with power, passion, and pure rock ‘n’ roll soul.

Tickets on sale from Friday 20th June

Join the waitlist here

Tuesday, 18th November, Sydney: Qudos Bank Arena

Wednesday, 19th November, Newcastle: Entertainment Centre

Friday, 21st November, Brisbane: Entertainment Centre

Tuesday, 25th November, Melbourne: John Cain Arena

Friday, 28th November, Mildura: Sporting Precinct

Saturday, 29th November, Adelaide: bp Adelaide Grand Final 

Ed Sheeran Announces 2026 Australian Tour

Ed Sheeran has (accidentally?) confirmed he’s coming back to Australia in early 2026—because why wouldn’t you spill tour secrets in a TikTok comment? The 34-year-old flame-haired chart warlock casually replied “Start of 2026” to a fan’s question, igniting chaos and organ-selling jokes across the internet. With his eighth studio album Play dropping September 12th, 2025—featuring tracks like Azizam and Sapphire — this could be Ed’s most ambitious era yet. Expect new sounds, stadium singalongs, and a whole lot of feelings. Until then, we wait… refresh button armed.

Bad Bunny Is Finally Coming to Australia & Sydney Is the Chosen One

While Bad Bunny was slaying at the Met Gala, Aussie fans were losing it over the real news: the Puerto Rican global icon is headed Down Under for his first-ever Australian shows in February 2026. As part of his massive Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour, he’ll be lighting up Engie Stadium (Sydney Showgrounds) on Saturday February 28th, with a new show announced for Sunday March 1st. That’s two nights of Latin trap, reggaeton, and pop perfection — and only in Sydney. Miss it? No puedo ayudarte. Get ready to vibe, cry, and scream “Yo Perreo Sola” at the top of your lungs.

Tickets on sale now

Saturday February 28th and Sunday March 1st, 2026

Engie Stadium, Sydney Showgrounds

Kylie Minogue’s Legacy Has Been Commemorated with a Star Outside Rod Laver Arena

Kylie Minogue’s legacy just got the gold-star treatment—literally. After 35 years of dazzling Melbourne audiences, the Princess of Pop has been honoured with a star outside Rod Laver Arena, the very stage where she first performed in 1990. With a whopping 386,000 tickets sold across 33 shows, it’s only fitting that her name is now etched into Melbourne Park’s history, right alongside music mogul Michael Gudinski. The momentous tribute arrives as a push to reinstate Kylie’s long-lost statue gains momentum—because, honestly, Melbourne without a Kylie monument? Unthinkable.

Loved our picks of the latest music news that keep your life at an all-time bop? Now it’s time to match those tunes with the perfect setting. Keep the good vibes vibin’ as you unwind at dreamy island destinations and chic European-style escapes. Whether you’re soaking up the sun, sipping cocktails, or just letting the rhythm of the music guide you, these getaways pair perfectly with the soundtrack of your life.