If 2025 proved anything, it’s that the music and entertainment industries remain as unpredictable as ever; equal parts chaos, comeback, cancellation, and cultural moments that rip far beyond the stage. From blockbuster tours derailed mid-run to beloved festivals hitting pause, tour rumours and legends signalling their return, these were the stories that dominated conversation, comment sections, and group chats across Australia and New Zealand this year.
Here are the top ten headlines that dominated Rolling Stone AU/NZ in 2025:
1. Drake Abruptly Pulls the Plug on His Australia & New Zealand Tour
Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images
Drake’s ‘Anita Max Win’ Tour was meant to be a victory lap. Instead, it ended early. Just weeks into his sold-out run, four remaining Australia and New Zealand dates were postponed due to what reps described as a “scheduling conflict.” The surprise announcement landed amid an already headline-heavy visit that included a rare Perth stop, a secret Melbourne club show, and a whirlwind of ultra-exclusive appearances. While fans were assured dates would be rescheduled, the timing — overlapping with Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl mic-drop moment — only fuelled speculation and discourse.
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2. Splendour in the Grass Officially Sits Out 2025
Splendour in the Grass
One of Australia’s most iconic festivals confirmed what many feared: Splendour in the Grass would’t return in 2025. Live Nation told Rolling Stone AU/NZ the festival was taking more time to reset following its abrupt 2024 cancellation, which came just days after tickets went on sale. While organisers promised new projects and a future comeback, the absence of Splendour for a second straight year felt symbolic, a stark reminder of how fragile even legacy festivals have become in the current live music climate.
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3. AC/DC Set Their Sights on a Long-Awaited Homecoming
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A decade on from their last Australian stadium run, AC/DC officially geared up to return home. Sources confirmed to Rolling Stone AU/NZ that the rock giants would tour Australia in late 2025, following massive European and North American dates in support of Power Up. With past tours shifting hundreds of thousands of tickets and a catalogue that’s permanently wired into Australia’s cultural DNA, the news signalled one thing loud and clear: Acca Dacca still move mountains.
The iconic rock legends did, in fact tour Australia in late 2025 — their ‘Power Up’ tour hit our shores in November and December.
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4. Flight of the Conchords Confirm They’ll Tour Again
After years of “maybe someday” energy, Bret McKenzie finally made it official: Flight of the Conchords aren’t done. Speaking to Rolling Stone AU/NZ, McKenzie confirmed the duo will tour again, even as they grapple with the challenge of writing fresh material after decades of comedy gold. With their HBO series still revered and their legacy oddly growing through absence, the prospect of a Conchords return — even with a healthy dose of classic songs — felt like a genuine win for fans on both sides of the Tasman.
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5. Slipknot Launch Knotfest Australia Amid Emotional Absence
Slipknot performing at Knotfest Australia
Slipknot’s Knotfest Australia tour began in Melbourne under heavy circumstances, with founding member Shawn “Clown” Crahan absent due to a family emergency. Frontman Corey Taylor addressed the crowd directly, setting a sombre but united tone for the night. While the band delivered a career-spanning set packed with deep cuts and first-time live performances, the scaled-back theatrics and emotional weight of the moment made the show feel different for fans present.
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6. Daniel Johns Sends Fans Down the Rabbit Hole (Again)
Daniel Johns didn’t so much announce a comeback in 2025 as he hinted at one. Through a series of cryptic Instagram posts referencing time travel, 1994, and unfinished business, the former Silverchair frontman sparked renewed speculation about his next move. The intrigue deepened when Johns quietly appeared at a small Port Elliot show celebrating Frogstomp’s 30th anniversary, jamming at soundcheck before disappearing just as mysteriously. With no official statement and a trail of breadcrumbs pointing backwards through Silverchair history, Johns once again proved that few Australian artists can command such attention without saying a word.
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7. Tomorrowland Responds to Australia Rumours… Sort Of
When a viral TikTok appeared to tease Tomorrowland’s arrival in Australia, the internet did what it does best. But hopes of a full-blown festival landing locally in 2026 were quickly tempered after organisers told Rolling Stone AU/NZ they’re only exploring the possibility of bringing Tomorrowland’s jungle-themed CORE stage to Australia, not the flagship event itself. Still, even that prospect was enough to excite dance fans, especially after a dramatic 2025 edition in Belgium that survived a last-minute stage fire thanks to help from Metallica. Not the answer fans wanted, but not a flat no, either.
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8. Ryan Adams Apologises After Melbourne Show Implodes
Ryan Adams’ Melbourne concert unravelled in real time — and so did the fallout. After storming off stage mid-show at Hamer Hall, audience accounts flooded online, detailing a chaotic second half marked by aborted songs, rambling monologues, and visible frustration. Adams later issued a public apology, citing a medical condition triggered by phone camera flashes that caused panic and disorientation. The incident reignited long-running conversations around Adams’ live performances, audience behaviour, and accountability, casting a heavy shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory 25th anniversary tour of Heartbreaker.
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9. ‘The Office Australia’ Is Axed After One Season
Despite strong viewing numbers, Amazon Prime quietly pulled the plug on The Office Australia after just one season. The decision surprised many, given the show became the platform’s most-watched local production and performed strongly overseas. Still, mixed critical reception and fierce comparison to its UK and US predecessors proved difficult to shake. The cancellation underscored a familiar truth in 2025: success on paper doesn’t always translate to longevity, especially when doing a local reboot of a global juggernaut.
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10. Ronnie Radke Reported to Police After Targeting Local Councillors
Falling in Reverse, Melbourne, 2025
Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke ended their Australian tour at the centre of a serious controversy after directing abuse at Launceston councillors on social media. Following criticism of a photo taken with the mayor — and broader concerns raised about Radke’s past — the singer responded with a series of Instagram videos encouraging followers to harass elected officials. The City of Launceston condemned the behaviour, confirming Tasmania Police had been contacted, while calling Radke’s actions “dangerous and irresponsible.”
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