This Week In Music News
From RIPs to reunions and the imminent arrival of rap royalty, this week has been an emotional rollercoaster in music news.
This week in music news brings the tragic passing of Mastodon lead guitarist Brent Hinds, aged 51, who was killed in an accident while riding his motorcycle. Atlanta police reports say a car collided with Hinds’ Harley-Davidson on Wednesday night (local time).
His bandmates in Mastodon released the following statement on social media:
“We are heartbroken, shocked and still trying to process the loss of this creative force with whom we’ve shared so many triumphs, milestones, and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of so many.”
Hinds co-founded Mastodon in 2000 with guitarist Bill Keliher, bassist Troy Sanders and drummer Brann Dailor. In March 2025, it was announced that Hinds would be leaving the band.
Still in the world of rock and metal music news, Good Things Festival have revealed a massive line-up for 2025. Edition six of the festival features headliners prog-metal giants TOOL and geek rock antiheroes Weezer, with Garbage, Refused, Machine Head, All Time Low, New Found Glory and more already announced.
The must-see TOOL were last here in February 2020, just before the COVID pandemic, and this will be their first time headlining an Australian festival since Big Day Out 2011. Weezer’s last visit was in 2023 for a greatest hits tour and to support KISS on their final Australian shows. Good Things Festival is on at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on 5 December, Sydney Showgrounds on 6 December and Brisbane Showgrounds on 7 December.
British boy band Five have thrilled Australian audiences with the announcement the lads will be back in Australia in 2026 for a tour featuring all five original members. The original line-up of Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson, Sean Conion, Abz Love and Jason ‘J’ Brown are reuniting for their first shows together in 25 years.
Five formed in 1997 and became a phenomenon in Australia with top 10 hits like ‘Keep On Movin’’, ‘When The Lights Go Out’ and ‘Everybody Get Up’. The Keep On Movin’ tour plays HPC Stadium in Perth on 13 May, ICC Theatre in Sydney on 16 May, Brisbane Entertainment Centre on 20 May and Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on 23 May.
The new-look Linkin Park are also Australia-bound in 2026, adding new dates to their national From Zero World Tour due to overwhelming demand. This will be the first time Linkin Park have toured Australia since 2013 and the first in their revamped format with new vocalist Emily Armstrong.
Armstrong joined the band in 2024, seven years after the death of founding vocalist Chester Bennington. The From Zero World Tour comes to Brisbane Entertainment Centre 3 and 5 March, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on 8 and 10 March, and Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on 14 and 15 March.
The smoke signals were sent up and Snoop Dogg responded, signing on to perform at this year’s AFL grand final. One of the world’s most recognisable and influential rappers, the one and only D-O-double-G will bring his infamous West Coast flavour to the pre-game entertainment at AFL’s biggest event of the year.
It’s being considered a major coup for the AFL. However, the decision to have Snoop Dogg perform has come under fire in light of Crows superstar Izak Rankine’s four-game suspension for using a homophobic slur. Critics are concerned Snoop’s music, which contains homophobic and misogynistic language and drug references, isn’t aligned with AFL’s demographics. Nevertheless, AFL boss Andrew Dillon has assured audiences it will be a family-friendly affair. The AFL Grand Final takes place at Melbourne Cricket Grounds on 27 September.
