The Music Show

Middle of the Air: The Music Show at Sydney Writers' Festival 17.07.2026 54min

Ziggy Ramo, Leah Senior, and Kate Fagan join Andy to talk about the art of turning poetry into song. Recorded live at the 2026 Sydney Writers' Festival, in partnership with Red Room Poetry. Songs performed live: Ziggy Ramo: Little Things (after Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly) Leah Senior: The Arbour (text by Giles Watson) Kate Fagan: Child Upon the Road (trad. with new verses by Kate) The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci and Harvey O'Sullivan

"An ecosystem for song people": 25 years of Koori Radio 10.07.2026 54min

Guringai writer and creator Kaylene Langford is behind the mic for NAIDOC Week, with a celebration of Koori Radio for its 25th anniversary. "It's an ecosystem for song people" says Stiff Gins' Nardi Simpson, one of the acts championed by Sydney's Indigenous station. From beginnings in a Redfern terrace with a knocked-through wall to a cornerstone of Indigenous culture, it's a story of local connection and global solidarity. Kaylene is joined by co-founder Cathy Craigie, program manager Gavin Ivey, and musicians including Stiff Gins, Casey Donovan, and DOBBY who have championed and been championed by the station. Tune in to Koori Radio Discover music and performances by our guests: Stiff Gins Casey Donovan DOBBY (new album MARSHMALLOW out 31 July) Gina Williams Sunny Luwe Music heard in the show: Title: Nutbush City Limits Artist: Casey Donovan Composer: Tina Turner Album: Countdown: Live at the Sydney Opera House Label: ABC Music Title: Whossat on the Wassat Artist: Wire MC Composer: Wire MC Album: Single Label: Independent release Title: Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe Artist: Barry White Composer: White, Barry Album: Single Label: Philips Title: Mr. Wendal Artist: Arrested Development Composer: Arrested Development Album: Single Label: Chrysalis Title: Big Mood Artist: BARKAA feat. Kobie Dee Composer: Quayle, Chloe; Duncan, Kobie; Turier, Jacob Album: Big Tidda Label: Bad Apples Title: Shake It Artist: Casey Donovan Composer: Dimataga, Carl; Rollins, John Benjamin Album: Single Label: Cee Dee Title: Same Old Song Artist: Nokturnal Composer: Nokturnal Album: Single release Label: Sputnik Records Title: Bindi Bindi Artist: Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse Composer: Gina Williams, Guy Ghouse Album: Bindi Bindi Label: Independent release Title: It Won’t Be Long Til I See You Again Artist: Sunny Luwe Composer: Luwe, Sunny Album: Feeling Good Label: Independent release Title: Sabotage! Artist: DOBBY (feat. Josh Pyke) Composer: Clapham, Rhyan Album: MARSHMALLOW Label: ABC Music Title: Something About A Cake Shop Artist: Stiff Gins Composer: Briggs, Kaleena; Simpson, Nardi Album: Crossroads Label: Gadigal Music Title: Close Your Eyes Artist: Stiff Gins Composer: Briggs, Kaleena; Simpson, Nardi; Donovan, Emma Album: Origins Label: Gadigal Music Title: Yadingji Artist: Cooee Composer: Saunders, Kirli; Harding, Mark Chester Album: Messengers Label: Independent release The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tim Jenkins

ELISION Ensemble turn 40 and Rosie McDonald on The Go Twos and Nigel Lever 10.07.2026 54min

ELISION Ensemble began as a Melbourne new music ensemble, but have gone on to become international in both focus and reputation, building enduring collaborations with some of the world's best modern composers. Elision turns 40 this year and the artistic director Daryl Buckley reflects on the ensemble's history and their birthday celebrations. The Go Twos began as a collaboration between Rosie McDonald and Nigel Lever - a blend of traditional Celtic and more contemporary folk, along with bluegrass. They recorded a new album - Kurrawarra - last year and released a few early singles, but Nigel passed away late in 2025, before the full record was released. Rosie talks about the album and about Nigel. Elision Ensemble performance dates available here. Music heard in this program: Title: Hejira Artist: The Go Twos Composer: Joni Mitchell Album: Kurrawarra Label: Independent release Title: Negatives I; Delta Artist: Elision Ensemble Composer: Richard Barrett Album: Richard Barrett: Chamber Works Label: Etcetera Title: Athena’s Trumpet Artist: Elision Ensemble & Jeannie van de Velde Composer: Liza Lim & Barrie Kosky Album: Singing in Tongues Label: NMC Title: Lay Down Your Weary Tune Artist: The Go Twos Composer: Bob Dylan Album: Kurrawarra Label: Independent release Title: Days Warm Breeze Artist: The Go Twos Composer: The Go Twos Album: Kurrawarra Label: Independent release The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tim Jenkins

Cover Story: Can’t Buy Me Love 03.07.2026 54min

It’s almost impossible to choose a Beatles song for Cover Story (we’ve been putting it off for three series). The band’s productivity in 1964 alone would give us ten good options. It was the year of their first - and second! - US tours, their one Australian tour, and the film A Hard Day’s Night. Can’t Buy Me Love inspired a wide and wild range of covers, so strap in with DOBBY and Vanessa Hughes for jazz, bossa nova, and raunchy madrigal takes on the classic. Every great song gets covered. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes badly, and sometimes by people who clearly should have known better. Cover Story, returning for its third series, hunts down the best, the worst, and the downright strange versions of classic songs, and asks the question: why does this version give us goosebumps while that one makes our skin crawl? Can’t Buy Me Love By Paul McCartney, credited to Lennon/McCartney. First performed by The Beatles Released as a single 1964 Versions heard in the show: The Supremes - A Bit of Liverpool (Motown, 1964) Ella Fitzgerald - Hello, Dolly! (Universal, 1964) Stanley Turrentine - Mr. Natural (Blue Note, recorded 1964, released 1980) Peter Sellers - A Hard Day’s Night (recorded 1965, released 1993) Chet Atkins - Chet Atkins Picks on the Beatles (RCA Victor, 1966) The King’s Singers - New Day (Warner Music, 1980) Blackstreet - Another Level (Interscope, 1996) Tahta Menezes - Relaxing Bossa Lounge 3 (Charm Music, 2009) Leo Sayer - Northern Songs (Edsel Records, 2022) Paul McCartney - Tripping the Live Fantastic (Parlophone, 1990) Catch up on every episode of Cover Story Technical production by Isabella Tropiano The show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

Stephen Foster: The bicentenary of the father of American music 03.07.2026 54min

Stephen Foster's songs remain among the best known music to come out of the United States, with classics like Oh! Susannah, Hard Times (Come Again No More), and Old Folks At Home still covered to this day. He wrote with an ear to melody that saw his songs performed both in minstrel shows and in the parlour, and with an ambiguity that led to his lyrics being claimed by both sides prior to the civil war. July 4 marks 200 years since Foster's birth and, on his bicentenary, Christopher Lynch, author of Formulating Foster, will explore the music, the myths, and the man behind them. Music heard in this program: Title: Hard Time Artist: Emmylou Harris and The Nash Ramblers Composer: Stephen Foster Album: At The Ryman Label: Reprise Records Title: Old Folks At Home Artist: Paul Robeson Composer: Stephen Foster Album: A Lonesome Road Label: ASV Title: Oh! Susanna Artist: 2nd South Carolina String Band Composer: Stephen Foster Album: Hard Road Label: Independent release Title: Camptown Races Artist: 2nd South Carolina String Band Composer: Stephen Foster Album: Hard Road Label: Independent release Title: Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms Artist: John McCormack Composer: Thomas Moore Title: Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair Artist: Jan DeGaetani & Gilbert Kalish Composer: Stephen Foster Album: Songs By Stephen Foster Label: Nonesuch Title: Beautiful Dreamer Artist: Broderick Smith Composer: Stephen Foster Album: Crayon Angels Label: ABC Music Title: Hard Times (Come Again No More) Artist: Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band Composer: Stephen Foster Album: Live at Nassau Coliseum Label: Independent release Title: Sabotage! feat. Josh Pyke Artist: DOBBY Composer: Rhyan Clapham Album: Marshmallow Label: ABC Music Technical production by Isabella Tropiano The show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

Cover Story: Never Tear Us Apart 26.06.2026 54min

Never Tear Us Apart began its life as a bluesy demo by INXS’s keyboardist and songwriter Andrew Farris. Frontman Michael Hutchence gave it lyrics, producer Chris Thomas gave it synthesisers, and the public gave it a place on every Australian Music best-of list. And the covers come from far and wide: you’ll hear English, American, Welsh, French and Lanarkshire accents amongst the covers. Andy’s guests are ABC Classic’s Alice Keath, and Double J’s Al Newstead. Every great song gets covered. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes badly, and sometimes by people who clearly should have known better. Cover Story, returning for its third series, hunts down the best, the worst, and the downright strange versions of classic songs, and asks the question: why does this version give us goosebumps while that one makes our skin crawl? Never Tear Us Apart Words by Michael Hutchence, music by Andrew Farris First performed by INXS On the album Kick, 1987 Versions heard in the show: Joe Cocker - Respect Yourself (2002) Tom Jones feat. Natalie Imbruglia - Reload (1999) The National - Songs for Australia (2020) The Ten Tenors - Wish You Were Here (2017) Courtney Barnett - Rehearsal Room Recording (2018) The Twilight Sad - single (2011) Paloma Faith - John Lewis Ad (2012) INXS with Ben Harper and Mylene Farmer - Original Sin (2010) Next time on Cover Story: The Beatles’ Can’t Buy Me Love. Technical production by Tegan Nicholls The show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

Embracing the choir: Alina Pash returns to Ukraine and Kristina Olsen takes up choral composition 26.06.2026 54min

Alina Pash was last on the show back in 2021, before the Russian invasion of her country began. At that point, Pash said that she wanted to stay in Ukraine and be part of a strong emerging music scene there. Circumstances changed and Alina is now based in the USA, but she returned home last year with the Belgian-Canadian producer Apashe. Together, they recorded with local choirs in Kyiv, drawing on the traditional music of Ukraine to create something very modern. Singer-songwriter Kristina Olsen has been a regular guest on the Music Show over the years, playing folk, jazz, and blues. But her latest work sees her taking on a new challenge - choral compositions. With a suite of works inspired by the equinoxes and solstices, Olsen is connecting with local choirs on her latest tour across Australia. Kristina Olsen's full tour dates are available here Music heard in this program: Title: Winter Solstice Eve Artist: Kristina Olsen, Angie Doctor, Kim Scanlon, Ed Johnson, Avi Jacobson Composer: Kristina Olsen Title: Kyiv Artist: Apashe & Alina Pash Composer: Apashe & Alina Pash Album: Hymns of Resilience Label: Majestic Collective Title: Everest Artist: What So Not ft. Alina Pash Composer: Chris Emerson, Alina Pash Album: Everest single Label: Independant release Title: Portal Artist: Alina Pash & David August Composer: Alina Pash Album: Alina Pash Coven Deluxe Label: Bad Witch Good Corporation Title: Voyager Artist: PJ Harvey Composer: PJ Harvey Album: Voyager Single Label: Partisan Records Title: I Still Do Miss You Pierre (live) Artist: Kristina Olsen Composer: Kristina Olsen Album: Live performance Title: Maybe Better (live) Artist: Kristina Olsen Composer: Kristina Olsen Album: Chemistry Label: Take A Break Productions Title: Never Tear Us Apart Artist: INXS Composer: Michael Hutchence, Andrew Farris Album: Kick Label: WEA The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls and Marcus Hobbs

Cover Story: Wonderwall 19.06.2026 54min

A love song, a football anthem, and a weapon of war for men with acoustic guitars: Noel Gallagher said he thought Wonderwall was an annoying song when he wrote it. Cover Story dips more than a toe into the world of Britpop with composer and ex-Go-Between Amanda Brown, and conductor, composer and singer Dan Walker. Every great song gets covered. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes badly, and sometimes by people who clearly should have known better. Cover Story, returning for its third series, hunts down the best, the worst, and the downright strange versions of classic songs, and asks the question: why does this version give us goosebumps while that one makes our skin crawl? Wonderwall Words and music by Noel Gallagher First performed by Oasis On the album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, 1995 Versions heard in the show: The Mike Flowers Pops - single (1995) Cat Power - John Peel Session live at the BBC (2000) Bring Me the Horizon, single (2025) Paul Anka - Rock Swings (2005) Brad Mehldau - Brad Mehldau Trio Live (2008) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Music of Oasis (1997) Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell (2004) The Killers - Live At Lollapalooza Chile (2018) Oasis - Live in Dublin August 2025 Next time on Cover Story: the nation’s favourite Australian song, Never Tear Us Apart by INXS. Technical production by Antonia Gauci The show this week was made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

A solo debut from Trials and Isobel D'Cruz Barnes is working In Shadows 19.06.2026 54min

As one-half of A.B. Original, Trials was responsible for one of the key moments in Australian hip-hop over the last decade with the album Reclaim Australia. Away from that collaboration he’s worked with everyone from Paul Kelly to the Hilltop Hoods. His latest work though marks a debut of sorts - his first solo release, called Hendle. Shadow puppetry, dance theatre, and music are all part of a new show called In Shadows, featuring a live composition by Hantu. Isobel D’Cruz Barnes explores the myths and traditions behind her latest work. Music heard in this program: Title: Tree of LIfe Artist: Hantu Composer: Hantu Album: In Shadows Label: Live Recording Title: run to the river Artist: Trials Composer: Daniel Rankine Album: hendle Label: Universal Music Australia Title: whistle while I walk Artist: Trials Composer: Daniel Rankine Album: hendle Label: Universal Music Australia Title: what’s the colour of love? Artist: Trials Composer: Daniel Rankine Album: hendle Label: Universal Music Australia Title: That's How I Pray Artist: Vika & Linda Composer: Vika Bull, Francesca De Valence, Karen Jacobsen, Mark Sholtez Album: Where Do You Come From? Label: Mushroom Title: Party Artist: Hantu Composer: Hantu Album: In Shadows Label: Live Recording Title: Tree of LIfe Artist: Hantu Composer: Hantu Album: In Shadows Label: Live Recording Title: Wonderwall Artist: Oasis Composer: Noel Gallagher Album: (What's The Story) Morning Glory? Label: Epic The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci

Cover Story: Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow 12.06.2026 54min

Cover Story makes a long overdue visit to the songwriting of Carole King, who with her then-husband Gerry Goffin wrote Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow as songwriters-for-hire in the Brill Building music factory of 1960s New York. Originally recorded and made famous by The Shirelles, King's own version of the song on 1971's Tapestry might be its most famous iteration, but there are many brilliant, unforgivable, and indefinable versions for Andy and his guests, Felix Cross and Laura Case, to dig their teeth into. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow Music by Carole King, lyrics by Gerry Goffin First released by The Shirelles on Tonight’s The Night, 1960 Versions heard in this episode: Carole King - Tapestry (1971) Johnny O’Keefe - B-side to single ‘Rock'n'Roll Will Stand’ (1964) Linda Ronstadt - Silk Purse (1970) Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures (2011) Taylor Swift - Carole King Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction (2021) Dana Valery - single (1976) Andy Gibb/P.P. Arnold - Andy Gibbs Greatest Hits (1980) Ann Hampton Callaway - Slow (2005) Carole King & James Taylor from Live at the Troubadour (2010) Next time on Cover Story: Oasis's britpop anthem Wonderwall Technical production by Tegan Nicholls The show was made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

David Mills' glamour and despair and Lawrence Power shines a light on British music 12.06.2026 54min

Comedian David Mills takes his acerbic humour into the world of cabaret for this year's Adelaide Cabaret Festival. He joins Andy to talk about pessimism, storytelling, and picking the right song for the moment. Violist Lawrence Power joins the Australian Chamber Orchestra this month for a program wending its way through the rolling hills of English music, from Thomas Tallis and Henry Purcell to Jonny Greenwood and Kate Bush. Music heard in this program: Title: The Man With The Child In His Eyes Artist: Kate Bush Composer: Kate Bush Album: The Kick Inside Label: EMI Title: The Snake Artist: Oscar Brown Jr Composer: Oscar Brown Jr Album: Tells It Like It Is! Label: Columbia Title: Pirate Jenny Artist: David Mills Composer: Kurt Weill & Bertolt Brecht Album: Live Recording Label: Supplied by artist Title: Mothersong Artist: Leah Senior Composer: Leah Senior and Jesse Williams Album: Pt. Roadknight Label: Third Eye Stimuli Title: Flos Campi - Moderato alla marcia Artist: BBC National Orchestra of Wales ft. Lawrence Power Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams Album: Ralph Vaughan Williams/McEwen: Flos Campi & Viola Concerto Label: Hyperion Title: Flos Campi - Andante quasi lento Artist: BBC National Orchestra of Wales ft. Lawrence Power Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams Album: Vaughan Williams/McEwen: Flos Campi & Viola Concerto Label: Hyperion Title: Symphony, for double string orchestra - Allegro molto Artist: London Symphony Orchestra/Vernon Handley Composer: Elizabeth Maconchy Album: Elizabeth Maconchy: Selected works Label: Lyrita The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

Different versions of Daniel Avery and clipping's experimental approach to hip-hop 05.06.2026 54min

Daniel Avery has been filling dancefloors around the world for more than a decade, both as a dj and with his own critically acclaimed records. On his latest, Tremor, Avery has embraced his love of rock and shoegaze, blending driving guitars with his normal electronics. Not content with one set of songs, Avery completely remixed his own album, turning it back to the dancefloor with his Midnight Versions. There aren’t many musicians who have been nominated for a Hugo - one of the biggest sci-fi awards - but the hip-hop group clipping have had that honour twice, a testament to the narratives that drive their songs. They’re an unusual group musically as well, drawing inspiration from experimental composers and techno music, as well as from their own genre. William Hutson and Jonathan Snipes share how theatre brought the group together, and the very surprising lengths they've gone to in order to get the sounds they want. Daniel Avery is on tour, including date at Rising, Vivid, and Dark Mofo. Details here. Clipping is on tour, including Dark Mofo. Details here. Music heard in this program: Title: Dodger Artist: clipping Composer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William Hutson Album: Dead Channel Sky Label: Sub Pop Title: Haze (with Ellie) Artist: Daniel Avery Composer: Daniel Avery Album: Tremor Label: Domino Title: Until The Moon Starts Shaking Artist: Daniel Avery Composer: Daniel Avery Album: Tremor Label: Domino Title: Until The Moon Starts Shaking (Midnight Version) Artist: Daniel Avery Composer: Daniel Avery Album: Tremor (Midnight Versions) Label: Domino Title: Dominator Artist: clipping Composer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William Hutson Album: Dead Channel Sky Label: Sub Pop Title: Bring The Noise Artist: Public Enemy Composer: Public Enemy Album: It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back Label: Def Jam Recordings Title: Get Up Artist: clipping Composer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William Hutson Album: CLPPNG Label: Sub Pop Title: Run For Your Life Artist: clipping Composer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William Hutson Album: There Existed An Addiction To Blood Label: Sub Pop Title: Ask What Happened Artist: clipping Composer: Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Snipes, William Hutson Album: Dead Channel Sky Label: Sub Pop The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Isabella Tropiano

Cover Story: Jolene 05.06.2026 54min

Every great song gets covered. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes badly, and sometimes by people who clearly should have known better. Cover Story, returning for its third series, hunts down the best, the worst, and the downright strange versions of classic songs, and asks the question: why does this version give us goosebumps while that one makes our skin crawl? According to some Dolly Apocrypha, Dolly Parton wrote Jolene and I Will Always Love You on the same day: a lifetime's worth of goosebump production in a single day. And whilst I Will Always Love You is best known by its Whitney Houston cover, Jolene is Dolly's most covered song. And the variety is stunning. Join Andy and his guests - Adelaide Cabaret Festival's Reuben Kaye and Gillian Cosgriff - to paint a picture of a beauty beyond compare. Adelaide Cabaret Festival runs until 21 June Jolene – Dolly Parton Composed and performed by Dolly Parton Released as a single, January 1974 Versions heard in this episode: Olivia Newton John - Come On Over, 1976 Beyonce - COWBOY CARTER, 2024 Dami Im - Jolene (Acoustic) single, 2018 Nicola Zuraitis, Dan Pugach and his Big Band - single, 2025 Strawberry Switchblade - Strawberry Switchblade, 1985 Darcy Clay - Jesus I Was Evil (EP), 1997 Miley Cyrus - Attention (Live), 2022 and Reuben Kaye and Gillian Cosgriff - live in The Music Show studio, 2026 Next time on Cover Story: Carole King's Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? Technical production by Isabella Tropiano and Angela Grant The show this week was made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

Miles Davis: a centenary 31.05.2026 54min

A portrait of the legendary trumpeter Miles Davis on his centenary. We hear how Miles not only changed music but also the lives of those he played with. We've pulled interviews from The Music Show's archives with former bandmates including pianists Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, saxophonists Wayne Shorter and Gary Bartz, guitarist John McLaughlin, bassist Dave Holland as well as big fans of his music like Paul Grabowsky. We move from the Birth of the Cool to Kind of Blue, Nefertiti, Bitches Brew and, finally, to Aura. As a bonus, we'll also hear what it was like working with Miles Davis the actor. In the last ten years of his life he aspired to appear on screen— he only starred in one full-length film before his death in 1991, and that was Rolf de Heer's Dingo. More Information Archive interviews featured Chick Corea (2007) Dave Holland (2007) Wayne Shorter (2016) John McLaughlin (2009) Gunther Schuller (1998) Paul Grabowsky (2019) Herbie Hancock (2007) Rolf de Heer (2020) Gary Bartz (2016) Music played in this program Title: Joshua Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Victor Feldman Album: Seven Steps To Heaven Label: CBS BP233072 Title: Venus De Milo Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Gerry Mulligan Album: Birth Of The Cool Label: Capitol Records T-762 Title: Deception Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Miles Davis Album: Birth Of The Cool Label: Capitol Records T-762 Title: So What Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Miles Davis Album: Kind Of Blue Label: Coronet KLP893 Title: Blue In Green Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Miles Davis Album: Kind Of Blue Label: Coronet KLP893 Title: Nefertiti Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Wayne Shorter Album: Nefertiti Label: CBS SBP 2335 15 Title: E.S.P. Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter Album: E.S.P. Label: CBS SBP 233267 Title: Pharaoh's Dance Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Joe Zawinul Album: Bitches Brew Label: CBS S2BP-220056 Title: Concert on the Runway Artist: Miles Davis and Michel Legrand Composer: Miles Davis and Michel Legrand Album: Dingo: Selections From The Motion Picture Soundtrack Label: Warner Bros. Records ‎- 9 26438-2 Title: White Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Palle Mikkelborg Album: Aura Label: CBS 463351 1 The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Harvey O'Sullivan, Emrys Cronin, Que Nguyen, Nathan Turnbull and Simon Branthwaite Library archivist Sabrina Lipovic

A tribute to Sonny Rollins, Mahalia Barnes sings The Rose, and Cass McCombs live in the studio 30.05.2026 54min

We pay tribute to Sonny Rollins, who died this week at the age of 95. Rollins played with many of the greats of jazz, but was himself something of loner. Driven by ideas of perfection, Rollins played into his 80s, but spent years away the music industry, including a famous three-year sabbatical where he played for no one other than himself on the Williamsburg Bridge in NYC. Andy spoke to Rollins in 2008, and we revisit that conversation here. For some, performing a show taking on the work of Bette Midler could be a little intimidating; Janis Joplin even more so. Mahalia Barnes is doing both at once, performing songs from The Rose as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. She shares what those greats mean to her and what she looks for when she covers a song. Live in the Music Show studio, Cass McCombs performs songs from his latest album Interior Live Oak, and talks about his place in the folk tradition and his time writing folk songs for children Mahalia Barnes performs The Rose is on at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival on the 14th of June Cass McCombs is performing at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid on the 31st of May Music heard in this program: Title: The Rose Artist: Bette Midler Composer: Amanda McBroom Album: The Rose (The Original Soundtrack Recording) Label: Atlantic Title: The Bridge Artist: Sonny Rollins Composer: Sonny Rollins Album: The Bridge Label: RCA Title: Whose Side Are You On Artist: Bette Midler Composer: Charley Williams & Kenny Hopkins Album: The Rose (The Original Soundtrack Recording) Label: Atlantic Title: Stay With Me Artist: Lorraine Ellison Composer: George David Weiss & Jerry Ragovoy Album: Stay With Me Label: Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records Title: I'm On Fire Artist: Mahalia Barnes and the Soul Mates Composer: Bruce Springsteen Album: I'm On Fire single Label: Independent release Title: Priestess Artist: Cass McCombs Composer: Cass McCombs Album: Interior Live Oak Label: Domino Title: Missionary Bell Artist: Cass McCombs Composer: Cass McCombs Album: Interior Live Oak Label: Domino The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Harvey O'Sullivan, Angela Grant, and Brendan O'Neill

Hilary Geddes' Redleaf and Kae Tempest's Self Titled 24.05.2026 54min

Hilary Geddes is a guitarist of understated virtuosity, and a composer of music that takes jazz into a rolling, lush, environmental register. Her latest album Redleaf, with the Hilary Geddes Quartet, is a record of the sounds she's heard, the music she's created, and the relationship between the players over the past four years. Kae Tempest returns to The Music Show ahead of his appearance at Vivid Sydney. His latest album Self Titled is his most personal, threading the needle between fury and optimism with the wordy humanity he's known for. He talks to Ce about how the Self in Self Titled has evolved. Tour dates for Hilary Geddes here Kae Tempest’s national tour which includes dates in Perth, Melbourne (Rising) Brisbane (Open Season) and Sydney (Vivid) starts June 4 Music heard in this program: Title: Hyperdistillation Artist: Kae Tempest Composer: Kae Tempest Album: Self Titled Label: Island Records Title: First (solo version) Artist: Hilary Geddes Composer: Hilary Geddes Album: Live performance Title: First Artist: Hilary Geddes Quartet Composer: Hilary Geddes Album: Redleaf Label: Earshift Music Title: Three Five Ten Artist: Hilary Geddes Quartet Composer: Hilary Geddes Album: Redleaf Label: Earshift Music Title: Prayers To Whisper Artist: Kae Tempest Composer: Kae Tempest Album: Self Titled Label: Island Records Title: Breathe Artist: Kae Tempest Composer: Kae Tempest Album: Self Titled Label: Island Records Title: Sunshine On Catford Artist: Kae Tempest Composer: Kae Tempest Album: Self Titled Label: Island Records Title: I Stand On The Line Artist: Kae Tempest Composer: Kae Tempest Album: Self Titled Label: Island Records Title: Blue In Green Artist: Miles Davis Composer: Miles Davis Album: Kind of Blue Label: Island Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Isabella Tropiano and Timothy Jenkins

Barry Conyngham's rarely performed classic & Mogwai and Tortoise both celebrate new music and big anniversaries 23.05.2026 54min

Barry Conyngham’s piece Ice Carving isn’t performed very often, and almost never in its intended configuration - a solo violinist surrounded by an audience, who are then surrounded by 4 string orchestras. It’s finally getting its proper form at The Ian Potter Centre in Melbourne and Barry takes us back to the inspiration, at The Imperial Palace in Tokyo. It's been 30 years since Mogwai released their debut single, Tuner/Lower, and the band have gone from one of the young teams of rock to one of post-rock's longest running groups. Stuart Braithwaite, the band's guitarist and occasional singer, looks back on the band's three decades. Tortoise, another central figure in post-rock, are also celebrating 30 years since one of their biggest albums, Millions Now Living Will Never Die. John McEntire explains how the band decides which drummer will play on a given track, why they're drawn to unusual time-signatures, and why it took 10 years for them to complete their latest record. Ice Carving has three shows on May 29. Details here Tour dates for Mogwai, beginning on May 23 at Vivid in Sydney, are available here Tour dates for Tortoise, beginning May 27 in Sydney, are available here Music heard in this program: Title: Mogwai Fear Satan Artist: Mogwai Composer: Mogwai Album: Young Team Label: Spunk Title: Ice Carving Artist: Sydney Symphony Orchestra & Wilfred Lehmann Composer: Barry Conyngham Album: Live performance Label: ABC Music Title: What Kind of Mix Is This Artist: Mogwai Composer: Mogwai Album: The Bad Fire Label: Rock Action Records Title: Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home Artist: Mogwai Composer: Mogwai Album: Young Team Label: Spunk Title: Oganesson Artist: Tortoise Composer: Tortoise Album: Touch Label: International Anthem Recording Company Title: Glass Museum Artist: Tortoise Composer: Tortoise Album: Millions Now Living Will Never Die Label: Thrill Jockey Title: After Rain Artist: Hilary Geddes Quartet Composer: Hilary Geddes Album: Redleaf Label: Earshift Music The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Isabella Tropiano

Folk fixtures: Judy Small's Swansongs, and the National Folk Festival at 60 17.05.2026 54min

Judy Small is a fixture of the Australian folk scene, a writer and performer of songs about politics and people. She joins Andy to recap the thirty-ish years since she was last on the show, including a career in family law and as a federal judge, and the process she's been undertaking of recording some of her last songs (Swansongs) and appearing at the 60th National Folk Festival. And Ce Benedict reports from the festival itself, where transcontinental dulcimer jams, children busking, and bardic reinterpretations of Smashmouth all contribute to one of Australia's most distinctive festival experiences. Music heard in the show: Title: Home Home Artist: Apolline Composer: Hickey, Luisa Album: Home Home Label: Independent Release Title: Stand Or Fall, Within These Walls (Yad Vashem) Artist: Judy Small Composer: Small, Judy Album: Swansongs Label: Independent Release Title: The White Bay Paper Seller Artist: Judy Small Composer: Small, Judy Album: Mothers, Daughters, Wives / Ladies and Gems Label: Independent Release Title: You Don't Speak For Me Artist: Judy Small Composer: Small, Judy Album: Judy Small - Best of the 80s Label: Independent Release Title: Encanto Artist: Maryam Rahmani Composer: Rahmani, Maryam Album: Kamand Label: Independent Release Label: Independent Release Title: Home Home Artist: Apolline Composer: Hickey, Luisa Album: Home Home The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Emrys Cronin and Timothy Jenkins

Xiu Xiu take on Eraserhead and Pinchgut Opera's first murder 16.05.2026 54min

Xiu Xiu has been a leading figure in American avant-pop for more than two decades: combining abrasive noise and extremely dark subject matter with a catchy pop sensibility. It’s perhaps no surprise then that they’ve been drawn to the work of David Lynch, releasing their version of the music of Twin Peaks, and now, appearing at Dark Mofo in Tasmania to present their take on Eraserhead. Jamie Stewart talks passion, performance, and Dolly Parton. in 1707 Alessandro Scarlatti wrote an oratorio called il primo omicidio - The First Murder. It features Cain, Abel, their parents Adam and Eve, and (naturally) God and Satan providing a bit of sung commentary too. Ashlyn Tymms, Madison Nonoa, and Erin Helyard share Pinchgut Opera's approach, which uses a distinctly Australian setting. Pinchgut Opera are performing The First Murder at Roslyn Packer Theatre from May 23 Music heard in this program: Title: Jolene Artist: Xiu Xiu Composer: Dolly Parton Album: Xiu MF'n Xiu Label: Polyvinyl Record Company Title: Common Loon Artist: Xiu Xiu Composer: Xiu XIu Album: 13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto With Bison Horn Grips Label: Polyvinyl Record Company Title: Il primo omicidio, Parte prima; 'La fraterna amica pace' Artist: Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and René Jacobs Composer: Alessandro Scarlatti Album: Scarlatti: Il primo omicidio Label: Harmonia Mundi Title: La Fraterna amica pace Artist: Erin Helyard, Ashlyn Tymms, Madison Nonoa Composer: Alessandro Scarlatti Album: Live Performance Title: The White Bay paper seller Artist: Judy Small Composer: Judy Small Album: Ladies & Gems Label: Crafty Maid The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Emrys Cronin and Timothy Jenkins

The mystery and music of Connie Converse 10.05.2026 54min

American Singer-songwriter Connie Converse would be hard enough to pigeonhole had she not disappeared without a trace in 1974. She wrote folk songs, and art songs, and the story of her life and disappearance is a fascinating one. It's the subject of a biography called To Anyone Who Ever Asks: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse by Howard Fishman, who joins Andy to tell the tale and listen to her wonderful and wonderfully strange songs. Gia Margaret's new album is called Singing, fitting for her first return to vocal music after eight years of having lost her voice. As she tells Andy, adversity led her to finding creativity in instrumental writing, which she's now brought back to the voice for her latest release. And we hear new music by tar virtuoso Hamed Sadeghi from his new album, Convergence. Join us for The Music Show at Sydney Writers' Festival on 21 May with Ziggy Ramo, Leah Senior and Kate Fagan