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Entertainment

Music

School of Rock The Musical's Jai West.

Rock schoolYoung guitarist Jai West is rocking his way to the limelight

If you think you’re seeing Angus Young on stage at the Port Theatre this week – albeit a version which has come out of a time machine – look again.

Claire Middleton

Opera fans were treated to a free performance on the steps of the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

MusicFree opera draws in crowds to hear homegrown soprano

A free performance of songs from La Traviata attracted lunchtime crowds, to hear Melbourne soprano Stacey Alleaume and Tongan-New Zealand tenor Filipe Manu.

Liz Hobday

Adam Cook, the conductor of the Albany Sinfonia, is getting set to perform all of Beethoven’s symphonies.

Orchestral manoeuvresCook and the Albany Sinfonia get set to roll over Beethoven

The Albany Sinfonia are setting about probably their most ambitious project ever – they are going to roll over Beethoven.

Claire Middleton

Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson plays the king of pop in Antoine Fuqua's film. (AP PHOTO)

MusicMichael biopic moonwalks to record US, global opening

Michael has smashed box office expectations to rake in more than $A304 million globally at its opening, a new high for music biopic debuts.

Jake Coyle

Singer-songwriter Katy Steele photographed at The Rechabite, Northbridge. Katy wears Constance corset top, $88, from Dangerfield, with her own jacket, shorts and boots. Styling: Clare Ryan. Hair: Dan Hemsley for Maurice Meade. Make-up: Hendra Widjaja.

Music Katy Steele at her most raw and real

‘Everything is so complicated and over the top now. There’s comfort in simplicity.’

Jay Hanna

Justin Bieber’s Coachella set lasted forty minutes. A laptop, track pants, minimal production — and a fee, by most reports, that placed him above nearly every other act on the bill.

opinion
opinion
Opinion
opinion
Bieber’s Coachella statement a rejection of the status quo

Justin Bieber’s Coachella set lasted forty minutes. A laptop, track pants, minimal production — and a fee, by most reports, that placed him above nearly every other act on the bill.

Lanna Hill

Hollywood has officially realised that 2026 is the year to stop gambling on the new and start bankrolling the familiar.

EntertainmentHollywood goes all-in on Gen Z nostalgia boom

Hollywood has officially realised that 2026 is the year to stop gambling on the new and start bankrolling the familiar. 

Caitlin Vinci

The singer’s estate is one of the greatest success stories of the 21st century – the deliberate, calculated and carefully managed image rehabilitation has produced a global empire.

MusicInside the lucrative world of Michael Jackson’s $2b estate

The singer’s estate is one of the greatest success stories of the 21st century – the deliberate, calculated and carefully managed image rehabilitation has produced a global empire.

Wenlei Ma

WA Symphony Orchestra present Masters of the Baroque at His Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday, with director-harpsichordist Chad Kelly and soprano Prudence Sanders.

Classical liveMoved, engaged, delighted by heavenly arias

Vim, vigour and virtuosity mark WA Symphony Orchestra’s Masters of the Baroque recital at His Majesty’s Theatre.

David Cusworth

Kim Chandler says he has a cassette tape from just about every genre of music.

MUSICGrandfather’s cassettes strike a chord with family

What began as a simple hobby turned into a treasured pastime for Busselton grandfather Kim Chandler, whose home is filled with 4000 cassette tapes. 

Madelin Hayes

Brass instrumentalist Sarah Stopher is thriving in the Great Southern.

Brass tracksBrilliant trombonist Stopher is blowing in the wind ensemble

Sarah Stopher is not one to blow her own trumpet, but she is a brilliant brass instrumentalist who plays in several of Albany’s wide range of musical outlets

Claire Middleton

Yes, Madonna wants to tour again, her manager has assured fans. (AP PHOTO)

MusicWhy have Madonna fans been told to 'stay tuned'?

Madonna's manager says he was misquoted as saying he was "not sure" if the Vogue hitmaker would tour again.

Staff Writers

Sanjay Sanapala, Rob Forgione and Santino Pietropaolo at Anzac Peace Park where the Foreshore Festival is happening.

Music festivalFestival vibes to expand from Middies to Anzac Peace Park

Albany’s music scene is set to turn up the volume again, with a brand new Foreshore Festival promising bigger crowds, bigger acts and an even bigger atmosphere

Amy Towers

Benjamin Del Borrello and Giuseppe Infantino in A Night at La Scala for Music on the Terrace at Government House Ballroom.

Opera liveA Night at La Scala in the heart of Perth

Instant sensations from Italian opera fill Government House Ballroom, with Music on the Terrace and special guest Giuseppe Infantino.

David Cusworth

Giovanni Consort and artistic director Nick Dinopoulos present Baltic Sounds at Guildford Grammar Chapel.

WA premiereBalts from the blue with Giovanni Consort

Clear skies and crisp autumnal air amplify the sublime ambience of Baltic Sounds.

David Cusworth

It had been 20 years since Madonna had performed at the 2006 Coachella Valley Music Festival. (AP PHOTO)

MusicMadonna makes surprise appearance at Coachella

Madonna has thrilled the crowd at Coachella weekend two with a surprise performance during Sabrina Carpenter's set.

Staff Writers

Jarred Wall, stage name Boox Kid.

Boox KidBoox Kid’s sonic explosion

As Boox Kid, Jarred Wall is blending Noongar culture with high-octane electro pop.

Belle Taylor

Dunsborough surf-rock band Psycho Serene took the title of original soundtrack at California’s Oceanside International Surf Film Festival.

RIDING THE SOUNDWAVEDunsborough band wins big at California Surf Film Festival

Dunsborough surf-rock band Psycho Serene is making waves on the global stage, claiming best original soundtrack at California’s Oceanside International Surf Film Festival.

Madelin Hayes

Fremantle singer/songwriter Finn Pearson.

BusinessBasic income ‘needed’ for WA artists drowned out in stream

Local artists say a weekly income is ‘sorely needed’ to keep the creative industry viable in an age where streaming algorithms have made it hard for emerging musicians to cut through the noise.

Cheyanne Enciso

Stephanie, Julia and Lucinda Nicholls with Elene Wittkuhn and Tresna Stampalia present the Hear Her Now festival launch at UWA's Wigmore Studio.

Classical liveFemale first program for festival

Hear Her Now chamber music festival by Mirabilis Collective offers 100 tunes by 100 women composers in Perth this October.

David Cusworth

Kesha Neve has become the next Australian Idol beating Kalani Artis, left and Harlan Goode.

TVREVEALED: ‘Amazing artist’ crowned as next Australian Idol

The 2026 winner of Australian Idol has been revealed.

Kellie Balaam

Musician Isabel Rumble will tour the South West and Great Southern in April, 2026.

MUSICIsabel Rumble brings new release to South West stages

Indie-folk singer Isabel Rumble is set to make multiple stops in the South West and Great Southern on her upcoming WA tour, with a new single in tow. 

Madelin Hayes

Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter performed at Coachella as the headline acts on Saturday and Friday, respectively.

MusicCoachella’s headline acts ignite furious reaction

The full-on effort of Sabrina Carpenter versus Justin Bieber’s low-key approach has drawn furious reaction with punters pointing out that no female performer would be allowed to get away with what Bieber did.

Wenlei Ma

Jenna Smith takes a bow for Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto with WASO and conductor Riccardo Minasi at Winthrop Hall.

Classical liveHeroic turn for Haydn concerto

Trumpeter Jenna Smith sets the bar high in Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto with WASO and conductor Riccardo Minasi at Winthrop Hall.

David Cusworth