Culture
Music
Kamala is brat: How a pop phenomenon took over culture and politics
A Charli XCX and Kamala Harris collab was probably not on many of our bingo cards for this year.
- by Nell Geraets
Latest
★★★★
Streaming
Pop goes the weasel: The sham behind boy bands *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys
The documentary series Dirty Pop is a fascinating look at one of the longest-running and most elaborate swindles in music.
- by Karl Quinn
‘What I was put on this Earth to do’: One-handed pianist to perform with MSO
British concert pianist Nicholas McCarthy is a champion of left-hand alone repertoire – and next year will be performing with the MSO.
- by Elizabeth Flux
Opinion
Protests
Tenacious D thrive on black humour. So why gag themselves now?
Jack Black and his musical partner, Kyle Gass, called off their Australian tour after an “improvised” joke about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Too soon?
- by Bill Wyman
Tenacious D pushed boundaries for 30 years, but one joke brought them undone
The self-proclaimed “greatest band on Earth” enjoyed a proud history as political provocateurs. Now the group is on the brink of demise.
- by Thomas Mitchell
She just played Wembley with Taylor Swift. This pop sensation’s rise has been dizzying
With her debut album Vertigo, British pop star Griff is navigating intense new heights.
- by Nick Buckley
Updated
Live music
Jack Black ends Tenacious D tour after bandmate’s Trump assassination joke
Black said all future creative plans for the musical-comedy duo are on hold following a bad taste joke at a Sydney gig on Sunday.
- by Karl Quinn
Could a single guitar change history? The Stratocaster did just that
From Smoke on the Water to Like a Virgin, the 70-year-old guitar shaped some of world’s biggest hits.
- by Barry Divola
Tenacious D's Newcastle show cancelled as fans queue outside venue
The show was called off without explanation the day after Kyle Gass made a ‘Don’t miss Trump’ comment at the Sydney show. CREDIT: CROWSAVER (TIKTOK)
Katy Perry is back with a ‘feminist’ anthem. It’s a train wreck
Katy Perry’s much-anticipated new single begins with the lyrics “sexy, confident, so intelligent”. Unfortunately, it is none of those things.
- by Meg Watson
These music festivals defied the trend and sold out. What’s the trick?
Defying the gloomy trend of cancellations, Strawberry Fields, Mundi Mundi Bash and Harbourlife have all sold out. Is there a pattern here for festivals to emulate?
- by Karl Quinn