Country music is experiencing an unprecedented boom in Australia, with streaming up 115% and festivals seeing a 70% revenue increase. Taylor Swift's return to the genre, alongside US stars, is drawing massive crowds, though concerns remain for local artists.
The Siege of Sevastopol panorama, damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack on June 10, may take between four months and three years to restore. Experts are examining fragments, with 13 depicting plot elements. The restoration timeline is being considered based on past Soviet-era repairs.
The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago opens with a focus on art, featuring works by 30 diverse artists. The $850m privately funded center celebrates African American history and civil rights, contrasting with other presidential libraries and implicitly critiquing Donald Trump's approach to culture.
A personal account of moving to Marseille and exploring the vibrant art scenes of southern France, highlighting cultural institutions, local artists, and unique experiences in Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, and Arles.
The Atlantic has released four databases containing millions of music tracks used to train AI models, including copyrighted songs by artists like Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny. This release could aid legal challenges against AI music platforms that claim fair use for scraping protected content.
Thousands gathered for the DMZ Peace Train Music Festival near the Korean demilitarized zone, an area known for conflict, to sing about peace. The event, in its seventh year, aims to foster peaceful exchanges between North and South Korea.
In Rio de Janeiro's Vila Cruzeiro favela, artists and children repainted Saint Luke's Square with national colours, transforming a site of trauma from a deadly police operation into a symbol of community resilience and national pride ahead of the World Cup.
As Donald Trump turns 80, a collection of public figures offer a mix of sarcastic thanks, sharp criticism, and reflections on his resilience and impact on global politics, finance, and American society.
New Zealand's vibrant music festival scene is facing an unprecedented shutdown, with dozens of events ending due to economic hardship, dwindling funding, and the dominance of international promoters. Splore, a beloved festival, held its final event, highlighting a broader trend affecting local independent festivals.
Nora Fatehi revealed her FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem 'Siir Siir' was inspired by a chant from 70,000 football fans at a tournament in Morocco. The actor-dancer performed the track at the opening ceremony, sharing the stage with global icons and highlighting music's power to connect cultures.
David Hockney, a working-class artist from Bradford, revolutionized art through his synthesis of diverse influences, innovative use of perspective, and embrace of new technologies like photography and the iPad. His monumental landscapes, iconic Los Angeles depictions, and humanizing portraits cemented his status as a pioneering and influential figure.
British artist David Hockney, a global celebrity and key figure in pop art, has died at 88. Known for his vibrant style and exploration of new mediums like the iPad, Hockney passed away peacefully at his London home. His work, including the record-breaking "Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures)", garnered international acclaim.
Artists and cultural figures reflect on the enduring legacy of David Hockney, remembering his vibrant art, boundless curiosity, and joyful approach to life and creativity.
The second FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony will take place in Toronto, Canada, featuring Bollywood star Nora Fatehi and other artists like Alanis Morissette. The event follows Mexico's opening celebrations and a match where Mexico defeated South Africa.
The 2026 World Cup commenced in Mexico City with a colourful opening ceremony at Azteca stadium, featuring performances by Shakira, J Balvin, and others, amidst thousands of excited fans, overshadowing pre-event complications.
The 2026 World Cup has commenced in Mexico City with a vibrant opening ceremony at the Azteca stadium, featuring a performance by global music star Shakira and local cultural displays. Despite previous concerns, excitement is high as Mexico co-hosts the tournament.
Soulja Boy has launched "Rapper University," a Twitch-based program for aspiring artists, inspired by Kai Cenat's "Streamer University 2026." Applications are open via direct message, with details on the program's format and launch date still unknown.
Warner Music Group (WMG) has acquired AI attribution startup Sureel AI, which uses patented technology to create "AI DNA" for songs. The acquisition aims to help WMG track the use of its artists' work in AI-generated content and training models.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will launch with three interconnected opening ceremonies in Mexico, Canada, and the US, featuring artists like Shakira, Burna Boy, and Michael Bublé. This multi-country approach aims to create a historic global celebration of music, culture, and football.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will launch with three interconnected opening ceremonies in Mexico, Canada, and the US, featuring artists like Shakira, Burna Boy, and Michael Bublé. This multi-country approach marks one of the most ambitious tournament launches.
A backlash against AI-generated content, dubbed 'anti-slop', is emerging in the creative industry, emphasizing handmade, DIY aesthetics as a counter to slick but soulless AI creations.
Australian music's presence in annual charts has declined from 30% in the 90s to single digits, with only 5 Australian artists in the 2023 ARIA Top 100, amidst globalisation, shifts to streaming, and changes in music discovery.
A deep dive into the musical landscape of 1976, just before punk's emergence, reveals a forgotten world of fading genres, short-lived trends, and overlooked artists, setting the stage for punk's revolutionary impact.
Two artists in Hong Kong were stopped and detained by plainclothes police while silently commemorating the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident. One artist was stopped for holding a "proposal" balloon, which police later popped, while another released a long red string. Victoria Park, a former major commemoration site, is heavily policed.
