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Subscribe Sound Check: The Latest Music News You Need to Know
The local and global music news hitting all the right notes.
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 festival 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!
Australian Music News: Live Gigs, Festivals, Tour Announcements
Franz Ferdinand Announce Australian Tour
More than five years since their last visit, Franz Ferdinand are set to electrify Australian stages once again in late 2025. The Glasgow indie rock icons will tour Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wollongong, and Sydney, where they’ll perform a landmark show on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Touring in support of their sixth studio album The Human Fear, released in January, the band brings new tracks like “Audacious,” “Night Or Day,” and “Hooked” to life alongside fan favourites including “Take Me Out” and “Do You Want To.”
Produced by Mark Ralph, the new record explores themes of fear in bold, danceable fashion. Expect a high-energy mix of post-punk riffs, infectious grooves, and classic Franz Ferdinand swagger.
Tickets go on sale from 10am (local time) on 14th May
Purchase tickets here
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 28 and Sunday March 1st, 2026
Engie Stadium, Sydney Showgrounds
Kendrick Lamar Announced as Headliner for Spilt Milk 2025
Spilt Milk is back after a two-year hiatus…and its lineup has shocked Aussie fans and festival-goers. Headlining is none other than man of the hour, Kendrick Lamar, who has been in the spotlight recently because of his iconic Superbowl performance. Doechii will be gracing the lineup alongside Kendrick Lamar, as well as hard-techno DJ Sara Landry, TikTok-star-turned-pop-star Nessa Barrett, Rebecca Black, Dominic Fike, Club Angel, and more.Presale is on the 8th of May, however, if you’re a Vodafone customer you can request to secure your tickets now for an allocated price. Taking place in December, this may be the comeback Australia’s festival scene needs, and you’re certainly not going to want to miss your chance to get tickets.
Presale 8th May, sign up here
Ballarat – 6th December
Perth – 7th December
Canberra – 13th December
Gold Coast – 14th December
Tribe Soundsystem at The Night Cat: A Love Letter to Melbourne’s Dancefloor Culture
On the heels of mounting pressure from a potential $60K soundproofing upgrade tied to a yet-to-be-built development, Melbourne’s beloved Fitzroy venue The Night Cat finds itself at a crossroads. In response, Tribe Soundsystem is hosting an all-night session that’s equal parts celebration and cultural stand. Headlined by legendary UK DJ Zepherin Saint, the event promises a deep, soulful journey through house and Afro-rooted rhythms—an homage to the spiritual roots of dance music and the communities it builds.
“This isn’t just about a gig,” says Zepherin. “It’s about preserving the spaces that allow underground music and diverse voices to thrive.” With the venue’s future uncertain, the night takes on added meaning: a dancefloor in defiance, a show of love for one of Melbourne’s most iconic music institutions.
Catch Tribe Soundsystem at The Night Cat—and be part of the movement to protect live music in Melbourne.
May 3rd, 9:30pm to 3am
Purchase tickets here
Has Lorde Just Teased Her Fifth Album?
Lorde is back, baby—and she’s got feelings. After a quiet few years post-Solar Power, the New Zealand pop enigma just dropped a cryptic TikTok featuring a snippet of new music, and yes, the vibes are immaculate. “Since I was 17, I gave you everything…” she sings, walking through NYC like a woman reborn. With her socials wiped clean and fans spiraling into full meltdown mode, all signs point to a new era. No album name, no release date—just Lorde, a haunting hook, and the sense that something big is coming.
Lady Gaga Announces Mayhem Ball Tour Dates
Get ready, Lady Gaga is bringing her electric Mayhem Ball tour to Australia this December, marking her first shows down under since the 2014 ArtRave: The ARTPOP Ball. The pop icon will hit Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on December 5th, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on December 9th, and Sydney’s Accor Stadium on December 12th. Following the smash success of her latest album Mayhem, which debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200, Gaga promises to deliver an unforgettable night of maximal pop.
Presale tickets drop on April 14th—get ready to experience the chaos.
December 2025
Kita Alexander Announces Australian Tour
After lighting up stadiums as the support act for Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism tour, Australian alt-pop darling Kita Alexander is stepping into the spotlight with her own headline run. The Press Pause tour will hit major cities this July and August, bringing her shimmering hooks, emotional lyricism and magnetic stage presence to the Northcote Theatre (Melbourne), Princess Theatre (Brisbane), The Factory (Sydney), Lion Arts Factory (Adelaide) and The Rechabite (Perth). Expect pure pop catharsis and big feels. Tickets are on sale now — don’t sleep on this one.
July and August 2025
Busselton’s One Night Stand: Sold-Out Festival Promises Epic Beats and Unforgettable Vibes
Busselton, WA, is about to become the ultimate destination for music lovers on May 24 as Triple J’s One Night Stand hits town. With tickets snapped up in under 24 hours, this festival has proven its magnetic pull. Expect electrifying performances from Spacey Jane, Ruby Fields, LUUDE, and more, all set against the stunning backdrop of Barnard Park. Last year’s festival in Warrnambool brought powerhouse acts like G Flip and Ruel, cementing One Night Stand as a highlight on the Aussie festival circuit. If you were lucky enough to score tickets, you’re in for a night to remember—this one’s going to be legendary.
Join the waitlist here
Saturday May 24th
Busselton, WA
The Fray Are Bringing Their Heart-Wrenching Anthems Back to Australia—Get the Tissues Ready
It’s been 20 years since How to Save a Life took over our iPods, soundtracked every Grey’s Anatomy heartbreak, and turned The Fray into the kings of sad bangers. Now, they’re finally coming back. This December 2025, The Fray will tour Australia for the How to Save a Life 20th Anniversary Tour, performing their era-defining debut album in full. Expect every lyric to hit like a gut punch, every chorus to send you spiraling, and maybe even a sneak peek at new music.
Presale starts Thursday March 27th—brace yourself!
Perth – December 3rd – Metro City
Brisbane – December 5th – Eatons Hill Hotel
Sydney – December 6th – Enmore Theatre
Melbourne – December 7th – The Forum
Lime Cordiale and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Get ready for a musical mash-up that’ll hit you right in the feels. Pop-rock powerhouse Lime Cordiale is teaming up with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a once-in-a-lifetime show. Imagine their anthems—Robbery, Temper Temper, Dirt Cheap—exploding into lush, cinematic soundscapes, backed by a full orchestra. This isn’t your typical gig; it’s a symphonic rollercoaster of electrifying riffs and soaring strings. With conductor Vanessa Scammell steering the ship, this high-energy collaboration promises to take you on a wild ride.
Tickets go live on Thursday March 27th—don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic.
If you have a presale code, click here
Teddy Swims Goes Big: Massive 2025 Aussie & NZ Tour Announced
Teddy Swims is making damn sure Australia and New Zealand feel the love, announcing his biggest tour yet this October. The GRAMMY-nominated vocal powerhouse is bringing his ‘I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour’ to arenas across the country, fresh off global domination with his chart-topping album. With a voice built to shake stadiums and a setlist packed with soul-drenched anthems, this is one show you don’t want to sleep on.
Tickets drop Monday, March 24th via Frontier Touring—don’t miss out.
Tour dates to be announced for Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide & Perth
Bloc Party Is Bringing Silent Alarm & Greatest Hits to Australia & NZ!
Indie rock royalty Bloc Party is heading down under for an electrifying 20th-anniversary tour in August 2025. Fans will be treated to Silent Alarm in full—yes, every heart-racing riff, every anthemic chorus—alongside their biggest hits. As if that wasn’t enough, they’re bringing Young The Giant along for the ride. Get ready to scream Banquet at the top of your lungs. Tickets won’t last—grab yours here!
The International Acts Touring in March, April & Beyond…
Australia’s 2025 concert season is turning up the heat, with a lineup of international stars ready to electrify stages from mid-March onward. Cyndi Lauper is leading the charge, bringing her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour down under for one last hurrah in April. Expect anthems, nostalgia, and a theatrical showcase from one of pop’s most beloved icons. Meanwhile, NIKI, the Indonesian pop sensation, will be weaving her signature mix of R&B and heartfelt lyricism into Australian venues in March as part of her Buzz World Tour, riding high on the release of her third studio album.
For those after a homegrown fix, Lime Cordiale is back on the road with The Love Is Off The Table regional tour, proving once again why they’re one of Australia’s most infectious indie acts. If rap is more your scene, Central Cee is making waves with his Can’t Rush Greatness World Tour, hitting Australia in June, bringing his smooth flows and hard-hitting bars to eager fans. And while Drake was set to dominate arenas in February and March, his Anita Max Win Tour was suddenly pulled due to “scheduling conflicts”, leaving fans waiting for rescheduled dates.
Whether you’re into pop, indie, or hip-hop, this season’s tour circuit is stacked—better start locking in those tickets now.
Check Tixel
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.
Global Music News
Laufey’s Highly Anticipated New Album A Matter of Time Out 22nd August
Laufey is back, and she’s not holding back. The Icelandic-Chinese jazz-pop prodigy just dropped Tough Luck — a heartbreaker of a single that leads into her sophomore album, A Matter of Time, landing August 22nd. Known for spinning vintage heartbreak into TikTok gold, Laufey’s old-soul-meets-gen-Z sound has hit a nerve, and the new track is no exception: sweeping strings, slow-burn vocals, and a chorus that’ll leave you spinning. If her debut made you cry in style, this one’s here to finish the job. Dramatic? Maybe. Addictive? Absolutely.
File under: torch songs, rainy walks, and texting your ex (but not sending it).
Listen to Tough Luck here
A Matter of Time out August 22nd; pre-order here
BLACKPINK’s 2025 Comeback Is Pure Global Domination
BLACKPINK is back and breaking the internet—again. After a string of solo slays—Lisa in White Lotus Season 3, Jennie’s star turn in The Idol, Rosé teasing solo sounds, and Jisoo’s Dior-fuelled film era—the queens are officially reuniting for a colossal 2025 comeback. New album? Dropping in June. World tour? Kicking off July 5 in Seoul. A rumoured jaw-dropping collab? We’re already screaming. With studio sessions heating up and Coachella whispers swirling, one thing’s clear: the Born Pink era was just the warm-up.
Ariana Grande’s ‘Eternal Sunshine’ Shines Again at No. 1
Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine has made a dramatic return to the top of the Billboard 200, leaping from No. 87 to No. 1 thanks to a deluxe reissue featuring five new tracks. Originally released in early 2024, the album debuted at No. 1 and has remained a consistent chart presence since. This latest surge speaks not only to Grande’s enduring star power, but also to the effectiveness of deluxe editions in reigniting fan interest. How cool is that?!
With refreshed momentum, Eternal Sunshine proves that, in the right hands, a re-release can be just as impactful as a debut.
Lana Del Rey Announces New Album
Our favourite “Summertime Sadness” queen, Lana Del Rey, has officially announced her next album, The Right Person Will Stay, dropping May 21st this year. This 13-track opus promises to be the soundtrack of longing and love, with whispers of country influence still lingering like “a day at the races.”
Fans have been waiting since Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, and it seems Lana’s muse has found a glow-up in her whirlwind romance with gator man Jeremy Dufrene. Lana has given us countless love songs to ache and dream to over the years, and while she’s keeping most of the inspiration behind The Right Person Will Stay under wraps, the title hints at a swoon-worthy, love-soaked masterpiece. We’re ready to dive headfirst into the feels!
Coachella 2025 Lineup Announced
Coachella 2025 is shaping up to be one for the books! With Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott headlining, there’s something for everyone. Lady Gaga’s return promises epic performances, while Green Day’s festival debut is sure to rock the crowd. Post Malone and Travis Scott are bringing their signature vibes, making this the ultimate must-see festival for fans of pop, rock, and hip-hop.
But that’s not all—there’s a lineup of incredible global talent across genres, from K-pop stars to indie icons, ensuring no matter your taste, you’ll find a set to get excited about!
April 11th to 13th and 18th to 20th, 2025
Sabrina Carpenter Teases Aussie Tour
Sabrina Carpenter is giving fans a taste of something sweet—an Aussie tour tease! After serenading crowds as part of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, she’s ready to heat things up Down Under with a solo show. She’s been craving the chance to perform in Melbourne again, and we’re all ready to be Skinny Dippin’ into her dreamy setlist. While exact dates are still a mystery, get ready for a performance that will leave you hooked.
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.
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