
Audience member steps up to perform in La La Land in Sydney
A 21-year-old student’s impromptu performance saved a Sydney show after the scheduled musician fell ill, earning praise from composer Justin Hurwitz.
Media, ideas, entertainment, and the cultural currents moving audiences and institutions.

A 21-year-old student’s impromptu performance saved a Sydney show after the scheduled musician fell ill, earning praise from composer Justin Hurwitz.





A Year Without Summer features an all-nude, all-female cast exploring the intersection of medical science and nature, running until 31 May at the Arts Centre Melbourne.

Based on Elle Kennedy’s novels, the series starring Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright has captivated millions by subverting traditional tropes with a tender, honest portrayal of university romance.

Paul McCartney’s latest record, produced by Andrew Watt, blends childhood memory with modern rock intensity, drawing on influences from The Beatles to Oasis.

The series, airing on Channel 4 in the UK and HBO Max in Australia, follows a former director helping people create bizarre low-budget films.

Published by Text Publishing, the new work frames its narrative as a fable, exploring how individuals make meaning when faced with the unknowable.

The band’s sixth studio record, *For Love of Grace & the Hereafter*, trades the anthemic structures of their recent work for a streamlined, gleeful sound that juxtaposes upbeat melodies with visceral lyricism.

A midlife comedy drama co-created by Tina Fey, Tracey Wigfield, and Lang Fisher returns with a sharper script and darker themes, earning praise for its poignant exploration of long-term relationships.

The legal action against the environmentalist and activist has ignited a public relations crisis for the company, which claims it acted to protect its intellectual property after years of failed negotiations.

At 60, Davies reflects on childhood abuse, 1990s excesses, and a recent cancer diagnosis, finding that therapy and fatherhood have replaced the ‘hell-raising’ of his youth with a quieter, happier life.

Filmed in black and white with an optional colourisation feature, the show stars Cage as Ben Reilly, supported by Brendan Gleeson and Karen Rodriguez in a fast-paced narrative that leans heavily on hard-boiled tropes.

Creators Zoe Pepper and Fiona Wright say audiences are responding strongly to works that mirror real-world rental stress and the disconnect between generations.

As the film becomes available on Australian streaming platforms, critics note its thematic parallels to Frank Capra’s 1936 original and its status as one of Sandler’s most overlooked lead roles.

From the destruction of his childhood home to viral hits in Doha, Marwan Abdelhamid’s career illustrates the complex tension between cultural celebration and political vigilance in the Arab world.

The saxophonist, who collaborated with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk and received the National Medal of the Arts, has died at his home in New York
Announced at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, the project aims to deploy lifesized avatars on touchscreens in the US and UK, asserting that the late rocker’s father had discussed such digital preservation concepts before his death.

Following breakout success on ‘Taskmaster’ and ‘Last One Laughing’, Campbell stars as a pompous director in a show-within-a-show format that defies conventional narrative logic.

In a Guardian interview, Manilow discusses his recovery, his 45-year partnership with Garry Kief, and the enduring appeal of his music to ‘fanilows’ across the globe.

From Malala Yousafzai to Matt Haig, prominent figures at the UK’s literary gathering share personal selections spanning memoir, fantasy, and history, aiming to restore the joy of books.

In an exclusive excerpt from The Make-Believe, Murray describes a period of delusion where she believed she was a 'Ritual Master' and the saviour of the planet, viewing medical intervention as a test to keep her from her spiritual destiny.

In a recent interview with The Guardian Culture, the Booker Prize-winning author discussed the origins of *The Women Behind the Door*, his advice to emerging writers, and his upcoming appearance at the Sydney Writers’ Festival on 23 May.

From explicit sex scenes to intense dialogue, Bell reveals why he found the former easier, his empathy for Niall’s codependency, and his upcoming role as Duke in the Peaky Blinders sequel.

The Guardian reports that the “trash-pop” movement, driven by artists like Cobrah and Kim Petras, offers a cathartic escape from the pressure of feminine respectability, resonating deeply with LGBTQ+ audiences and influencing global markets including South Korea.

Derek Jacobi discusses his determination to reach 100, his struggles with memory, and the domestic dynamics of a half-century relationship.

The newcomer’s breakout performance anchors Ryan Calais Cameron’s play, which dramatises a 1950s meeting between the film legend and an NBC lawyer amid anti-communist hysteria.

Angela O’Keeffe’s latest work, published by University of Queensland Press, blends the tradition of object-centric storytelling with a deeply human narrative about Isabel, Lewis, and the power of observation.

Despite nine consecutive years as the highest-rated late-night programme, financial and political pressures precipitate the end of Stephen Colbert’s era, with a retrospective highlighting his most significant cultural and political moments.

The Guardian’s latest critique of the Netflix series highlights how the Duffer Brothers’ latest project blends monster tropes with poignant reflections on ageing, mortality, and community.

‘The Tone: Taiba’s World of Hair’ at the Sarabande Foundation challenges perceptions of Black identity, the natural hair movement, and the boundary between craft and fine art.

From a farewell event at the Ed Sullivan Theatre to the looming presence of a $8 billion merger, the cancellation of The Late Show reveals the complex intersection of media, politics, and commerce.

As the animated franchise enters a prolonged hiatus, the latest short-form content has drawn comparisons to simpler children’s programming, raising concerns about the show’s future direction following creator Joe Brumm’s potential departure.

From bicycle handlebars to reclaimed timber, local creators explore functionality, illusion, and cultural convergence in a comprehensive digital showcase.

In a candid three-part series, Minogue discusses keeping her condition secret during her Grammy-winning resurgence and advocates for routine health checks

The novel, published by And Other Stories, is praised for balancing postcolonial critique with romance, marking a significant shift in the prize’s linguistic diversity.

From its cult status and killer soundtrack to its influence on modern malaise-lit cinema, the film remains a defining entry in 90s culture, now available for streaming.

Opening at the Museum of Contemporary Art on 21 May, the exhibition invites the public to donate racist memorabilia to Albert’s Brisbane collection
The late actor’s personal effects, from original scripts to menswear and self-made collages, go under the hammer in New York.

As Florentina Holzinger’s *Seaworld Venice* dominates the Venice Biennale, the artist reflects on the irony of real bodies being deemed more shocking than historical art, and the unintended consequences of digital documentation.

As the UK’s streak of poor Eurovision results continues, The Guardian reviews the nation’s most notable failures, from Jemini’s historic nul points to the recent performances of James Newman and Sam Battle.

Filmed at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre, the hour-long set is available on HBO Max from 22 May in the UK and US, and 23 May in Australia.

Following a surprise Newtown set and global validation from icons like Flea and Fred Durst, Vandal’s second record arrives on 22 May as a deliberate pivot away from short-form trends.

From the rigours of solo performance to the realities of Hollywood casting, Shawn reflects on a career defined by artistic integrity and political clarity.

In a recent piece for The Guardian, Hardy critiques the dominant Western narrative structure, proposing that chronic illness is better understood as a looping spiral rather than a story with a neat ending.

British writer Jack Thorne discusses his new Channel 4 love story Falling, his decision to step back from high-volume commissions, and his urgent campaign for AI regulation and talent investment.