This Week In Entertainment News Fri 13 March 2026
Court has been in session this week with two high-profile cases brought to a close, another major Australian festival has been cancelled, and Aussie rock royalty celebrate a milestone, plus more entertainment news from Australia and around the world.
In a blow to ticketholders, Live Nation has retained its monopoly on the live event ticketing industry after striking a deal with the Department of Justice. Live Nation Entertainment, parent company of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, reached a settlement with the Antitrust Division of the DoJ allowing them to retain control of both companies while receiving a few slaps on the wrist. It’s a bitter end to a long-running lawsuit that sought to break up Live Nation’s monopoly, having been accused of operating unfairly. Unsealed chat records reveal two Live Nation regional directors openly bragging about gouging consumers and ridiculing them for paying outrageous “ancillary fees”. This is not just a failure of justice for ticket buyers and the live music industry at large, but a further indictment of a system driven by profit and outright disdain for consumers.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Sydney fashion designer Katie Perry has won her high court battle against US popstar Katy Perry. The stoush started in 2009 when Katie (with an i-e) Perry received a cease-and-desist from Katy (with a y) Perry stating the former could not start a designer fashion label under her own name. The Australian High Court thought otherwise, finally ruling in Katie’s favour and issuing a major legal victory.
Bluesfest 2026 has come to an unceremonious and premature end, being cancelled weeks out from the event. A statement from Bluesfest said this decision follows extensive consideration of the current operating environment for major live music events. Rising production, logistics, insurance and touring costs, combined with softer ticket demand and international uncertainties, have made it impossible to proceed with the festival in 2026.
Festival Director Peter Noble OAM said:
“For more than three decades, Bluesfest has brought extraordinary artists and audiences together in Byron Bay while also driving significant tourism and economic activity for the Northern Rivers and New South Wales.
“This makes the decision incredibly difficult. After careful consideration, we concluded we could not proceed in a way that would meet the standard our audiences, artists and partners expect.”
‘GTA VI’ Online could potentially be unplayable for millions of users, including those in Australia. The hugely-anticipated sixth instalment of the ‘GTA’ series is due for release in November. Under Australia’s new age verification laws that require proof of age to play R18+ rated multiplayer games, the ‘GTA Online’ platform could become inaccessible for many players. Age verification has raised legitimate concerns about privacy and the use of biometric data that could compromise a player’s online security. Age verification will not be required for the single-player story mode.
Linkin Park was forced to cancel their Adelaide show this week due to illness. The band announced the news to devastated fans just hours before the show was due to start. “We have made the extremely difficult decision to cancel tonight’s show due to an illness in the band. The Australian tour has been incredible so far and we are devastated that we’re unable to perform for our fans in Adelaide. Unfortunately, the show will not be rescheduled,” the band posted on their Instagram stories. Ticketholders were given full refunds. Linkin Park is partway through the Australian leg of their ‘From Zero’ world tour.
Vale Tommy DeCarlo, the singer for classic rock band Boston who died this week, aged 60. He had been diagnosed with brain cancer in 2025. Tommy served as the singer for Boston from 2007 until his death. An lifelong fan of Boston, he replaced original singer Brad Delp who died by suicide in 2007.
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Aussie rock royalty Mental As Anything are celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band with an Australian tour honouring the band’s extensive legacy and cultural influence. Original members Peter O’Doherty and brother Reg Mombassa have reunited for the first time in 25 years and will be joined by a new band featuring Peter’s son.
At the helm of some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most forward-thinking fusion projects, Sola Rosa has spent more than two decades carving out a sound that moves fluidly between soul, funk, hip hop and modern dance music. In 2026, producer, songwriter and musician Andrew Spraggon returns with his eighth studio album, ‘In The Mids’ due for release 10 April. Moving away from the live band focus of recent releases, ‘In The Mids’ brings Sola Rosa full circle — back to the foundations of the project as a studio-led exploration shaped by modern dance music and heavy grooves.
ARIA-nominated rising pop artist Charley returns with her infectious new single, ‘Bite My Tongue’. The track marks the fourth release from her highly anticipated debut album, ‘The Chronicles of a Serial Idealist’, slated for release on April 17 and available for pre-order here now. Charley is on tour in May.
The next track New Zealand reggae legends Katchafire have lifted from their upcoming ‘Revival 2.0 Guest Edition’ album is a collab with fellow Aoteroan/New Zealander Louis Baker, releasing “Who You With” (13 March 2026). The ‘Revival 2.0 Guest Edition’ brings together an extraordinary lineup – every month leading up to the album drop, a single from their platinum debut album will be released featuring special guest singers including Hawaii’s Mike Love and Australian First Nations voice Emily Wurramara, with more roots and reggae icons set to be unveiled throughout the year.
