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Music Industry

Grammys emerge from flop era as viewership jumps 34 per cent

The Grammys hit a high note this year, drawing an audience of nearly 17 million viewers as the three-hour ceremony focused on celebrating some of the most successful women in the industry.
Lucy kisses her Grammy as Phoebe leans in and laughs as Taylor Swift ducks into the group photo as well.

Taylor Swift's understanding of the element of surprise is her best marketing tool

While Taylor Swift's fans pride themselves on keeping up with her clues, even they were caught off guard by the news a new album is on its way. 
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Taylor Swift holding a Grammy and smiling widely wearing a white sleeveless evening gown and long black gloves

How a racial slur spurred Chong Ali to challenge Asian stereotypes through rap

A schoolyard racial taunt inspires Minh Nguyen's unapologetically Asian rap identity. He hopes it will "interrupt" racism for a bit.
An asian man in an asian cafe

Grammys best moments include Taylor Swift revealing two-year-old secret — a new album

Pop star Taylor Swift announces her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, while collecting her 13th Grammy before winning album of the year. This and other Grammy moments. 
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Taylor Swift wearing a white strapless dress with a thigh slip and a train and black long gloves

What they wore: The good, bad and the ugly from the Grammys red carpet

It's an awards night for the music industry but there's always plenty of drama and theatrics on the Grammys red carpet. 
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A composite of Miley Cyrus, Kylie Minogue, Taylor Swift and Ice Spice at the Grammys. 

Missy Higgins, Hilltop Hoods and Xavier Rudd reflect on why 2003 was so huge for Australian music

Some of the country's biggest artists got their start in 2003. We caught up with many of them to hear about the old days, and how much things have changed. 
Xavier Rudd with a didgeridoo and acoustic guitar, Missy Higgins with arms outstretched, and Katy Steele playing a guitar

Regional venues with less money to pay musicians as their touring costs go 'astronomical'

Music manager Nathan Farrell says performing outside of the big cities is essential to building up a "truly national presence" but some artists are struggling to go the distance. 
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Young woman sits on stage outdoors with a guitar and microphone. She's smiling, wearing a bright red top and black jeans.

The Grammys will feature rare performances from Joni Mitchell and Tracy Chapman. Here's how to watch

From Taylor Swift to Tripod, here are all the nominees and performers to look out for at the Grammys this year. 
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L-R: Kylie Mingue, SZA, Troye Sivan

Universal pulls music from TikTok amid licensing dispute

It's rare for a corporate dispute like this to play out beyond corporate boardrooms – especially one this nasty.
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ABC News Current

Universal Music Group pulls music from TikTok, citing 'bullying' and 'bad deal' for artists

Songs by Taylor Swift, Drake, Billie Eilish and more could vanish from the platform after one of the world's biggest record labels slammed TikTok over "bully" tactics in an open letter.
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Composite image of Drake looking sad and a phone screen with the tiktok app open

How Max Jackson's asthma diagnosis put her on a path to the Golden Guitars

Now nominated for two Golden Guitar awards this coming Saturday, Max Jackson's life could have panned out very differently had she taken a different path.
A woman with blonde short hair wearing a white singlet and jeans with a guitar strapped around her standing in a paddock

Leader of the Pack and lead singer of the Shangri-Las, Mary Weiss, dies at age 75

The lead singer of the 1960s girl group, best known for its tough image and hits such as Leader of the Pack and Give Him a Big Kiss, died on Friday, according to media reports. 
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Four women in blouses and black suits posing

Elton John achieves EGOT status becoming only 19th person in history

Elton John won the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), completing the EGOT 27 years on from his first award.
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Elton John on stage with his hands outstretched

SA government announces cash grants for live music scene, but will it help an industry on its knees?

The South Australian government is offering some live music venues the opportunity to apply for $60,000 grants to help revive the industry that was "decimated" during COVID. But one venue owner says it might not be enough to save the live music scene.  
Electronic duo Flight Facilities perform at the Tivoli in Brisbane in November 2014.

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour expected to stimulate $136 million of activity in Australia

With seven sold-out shows across Sydney and Melbourne, Taylor Swift mania is heading to Australia.
Taylor Swift looking over her bare shoulder, jewels around her neck, messy hair, red lipstick

Security guard to stars lists Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi, Ed Sheeran among favourites to visit Queensland

He's been stabbed twice, shot at, and had to defuse wild brawls. But while Brisbane-based Pedro Arroyo's career has not been all smiles, there have been plenty of "amazing" experiences.
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Pedro Arroyo with hip hop artist Royal El Latino

Taylor Swift fan died of heat exhaustion during Rio concert, report says

The 23-year-old fan had collapsed while attending the first of six shows that Swift performed in Brazil as part of The Eras Tour.
Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour".

Remembering the famous Australians who died this year

From master chefs and iconic artists to sporting legends and trailblazing politicians, Australia lost some of its most loved — and most controversial — icons this year.
Side by side photos of Mary-Louise McLaws, Father Bob Maguire and Barry Humphries dressed as Dame Edna

Why album cover art is still important in the age of music streaming

The digital age may have removed the "tactile experience" of looking at an album cover, but memorable music art lives on, assisted by Australia's vinyl revival.
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Skyhooks album cover featuring caricatures of the band's members.

Jimmy Barnes given all clear to go home for Christmas after major surgery

Less than a week out from Christmas, Jimmy Barnes' wife reveals the rock legend will be out of hospital on Friday.
A man stands smiling while wearing a hospital gown.

Jimmy Barnes all smiles during first Sunday roast since open-heart surgery

The 67-year-old enjoys some fresh air and a family lunch after having open-heart surgery to address a bacterial infection last week.
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Singer Jimmy Barnes smiling with his wife asfter surgery

The Drop festival 'working towards' refunding all ticketholders by end of 2024

Embattled music festival The Drop says it is "working towards" refunding all ticketholders by the end of 2024. Many of its ticketholders have been out of pocket for nearly four years, after shows were cancelled due to COVID restrictions.
The main stage at The Drop festival in Newcastle, 2019

Pennsylvania is in its Taylor Swift 'era', her home state gifts singer birthday honour

The US state recognised Swift for bringing an economic boon via her record-breaking Eras concert tour.
Taylor Swift

Beyoncé and Lizzo bowed to this Aussie princess and now she's taking on Disney

First, she got Beyoncé and Lizzo to rewrite their songs. But Hannah Diviney's crusade to have Disney improve its on-screen representation of people living with disability is proving a tougher fight.
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Hannah Diviney as a child

'A radio hero': Richard Kingsmill announces departure from triple j after three decades with the youth station

Often referred to as "The King", Richard Kingsmill joined youth broadcaster triple j as a producer in 1988.
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Image of Richard Kingsmill