The Music Show

Recorded (largely) as-live in Sweden, with a group of that country's indie luminaries, Robert Forster's latest album Strawberries shows the singer-songwriter in a playful mood and embracing the role of storyteller. Speaking to Andy for the first time in quite some time, Forster explains why he made the trip and why he refused to tour the album until he could bring the band over to play it with him. With up to thirteen singers and ten drummers, all clustered around a giant communal drum, the Red Spirit Singers produce a huge sound. The group, composed of members of the Ute Nation in Utah, have been performing their music for almost 40 years, with multiple generations involved over that time. Founder AJ Kanip talks about that history and about the importance of the songs, old and new. Music heard in this program: Title: Bear DanceArtist: Red Spirit SingersComposer: Red Spirit SingersAlbum: Land of the SunLabel: Independent release Title: StrawberriesArtist: Robert ForsterComposer: Robert ForsterAlbum: StrawberriesLabel: Tapete Records Title: DiamondsArtist: Robert ForsterComposer: Robert ForsterAlbum: StrawberriesLabel: Tapete Records Title: All Of The TimeArtist: Robert ForsterComposer: Robert ForsterAlbum: StrawberriesLabel: Tapete Records Title: Veteran's SongArtist: Red Spirit SingersComposer: Red Spirit SingersAlbum: Land of the SunLabel: Independent release Title: Meet Me At The Ute PetroleumArtist: Red Spirit SingersComposer: Red Spirit SingersAlbum: Land of the SunLabel: Independent release Title: You're The VoiceArtist: John FarnhamComposer: Andy Qunta, Chris Thompson, Keith Reid, Maggie RyderAlbum: Whispering JackLabel: Wheatley Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich, or 'Kelso', of the great all-woman Australian rock band Camp Cope, is also a phenomenal writer. Her new book It's Not For You is part memoir, part feminist journalist project, in which she traces her own musical beginnings alongside conversations with a cross section of women and gender diverse musicians. She joins Andy to talk about the book. Noongar composer, violist, conductor and programmer Aaron Wyatt returns to the show to talk about Decolonising the Bells, a collaborative project with Speak Percussion that looks at the Federation Hand Bells and their complex history. Plus new music from The Buoys from their upcoming album Concrete Cowboy. Decolonising The Bells is at Monash University's Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts on Saturday 5 September. Music heard in the show: Title: The OpenerArtist: Camp CopeComposer: Maq, GeorgiaAlbum: How To Socialise and Make FriendsLabel: Poison City Records Title: Perfect NowArtist: Sarah BlaskoComposer: Blasko, Sarah; Cranny, Roger FAlbum: The Overture and the UnderscoreLabel: Dew Process Title: SoonArtist: Angie McMahonComposer: McMahon, AngieAlbum: SaltLabel: Dualtone Records Title: Alone in VegasArtist: The BuoysComposer: Catterall, Zoe; Geddes, Hilary; Cunningham, Courtney; Wilkin, Tessa; Matthews, FletcherAlbum: Concrete CowboyLabel: Sony Music Title: Decolonising the BellsArtist: Aaron Wyatt, Speak PercussionComposer: Aaron Wyatt, Eugene UghettiCourtesy of the composers and Speak Percussion Title: Under the CanopyArtist: Melbourne Chamber OrchestraComposer: Aaron WyattCourtesy of ABC Classic Title: Tell It Back To MeArtist: Robert ForsterComposer: Forster, RobertAlbum: StrawberriesLabel: Tapete Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

Belinda Webster, the producer, engineer and singular force behind Australia's art music label Tall Poppies died this month at the age of 74. Across 278 releases, Webster recorded and released music by many of Australia's best classical and jazz musicians, often playing Australian music. In 2006, Andy visited Belinda at her home in Kangaroo Valley for a wide-ranging conversation about her passion and approach to music. Music heard in this program: Title: Come, My LoveArtist: Ian Munro & Jane EdwardsComposer: Katherine ParkerAlbum: CD Sampler Label: Tall Poppies Records Title: The TrystArtist: David StanhopeComposer: Jean Sibelius (arranged by David Stanhope)Album: David Stanhope – A Virtuoso RecitalLabel: Tall Poppies Title: Heritage Overture Artist: Sydney Symphony Orchestra, David PiperComposer: Sandra FranceAlbum: Sandra France – Fluctuating States Of CalmLabel: Tall Poppies

With a recent concerto for amplified accordion and orchestra and another for more than 60 recorders Holly Harrison clearly loves a challenge. She shares why she enjoys writing for new instruments, and how she composed a work that will be performed by everyone from virtuosos to second-grade students. Hamed Sadeghi has released two albums this year, each of which fuses his instrument, the Persian tar, with different Western traditions. The latest, Comfortable, features some of Sydney's best jazz musicians, and Hamed talks to Andy about collaboration, improvisation, and poetry. InsideOut, composed by Holly Harrison, will be featured in upcoming concerts by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra , Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra , and Western Australian Symphony Orchestra , all featuring James Crabb. The world premiere of Harrison's Frog Hollow will be performed at the Sydney Opera House on September 23, as part of the Festival of Instrumental Music . Hamed Sadeghi will be performing Comfortable at the City Recital Hall in Sydney on September 5. Music heard in this program: Title: Slack RopeArtist: Hamed SadeghiComposer: Hamed SadeghiAlbum: ComfortableLabel: Independent release Title: bend/boogie/breakArtist: Offspring Ensemble Composer: Holly HarrisonAlbum: Offspring Bites 3: En MasseLabel: Independent release Title: Balderdash for String QuartetArtist: Goldmund QuartetComposer: Holly HarrisonAlbum: Live Recording Title: Los Ojos Del CondorArtist: Hermanos GutiérrezComposer: Hermanos GutiérrezAlbum: Los Ojos Del CondorLabel: Easy Eye Sound Title: InheritanceArtist: Hamed SadeghiComposer: Hamed SadeghiAlbum: ComfortableLabel: Independent release Title: Before the StormArtist: Hamed SadeghiComposer: Hamed SadeghiAlbum: ComfortableLabel: Independent release Title: StrawberriesArtist: Robert ForsterComposer: Robert ForsterAlbum: StrawberriesLabel: Tapete Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci

Dolly Parton said she wrote over three thousand songs, so we can barely begin to honour her extraordinary songwriting in just one hour. From her early country duets with Porter Wagoner, to the extraordinary purple patch that brought us Jolene and I Will Always Love You (allegedly written on the same day), to lending her voice and country music bona fides to Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter record, her impact on the musical landscape is hard to overstate. Her image was genuinely iconic, modelled after sex workers in her Tennessee hometown, and her impact on literacy, public health, and human rights will be felt far beyond Appalachia for generations to come. She inspired working class people, women, and the LGBTQIA+ community, and did it all by being herself, on purpose. Singer songwriter Fanny Lumsden , and musician and broadcaster (and sometimes host of The Music Show) Alice Keath are Andy’s guests to unpack Dolly Parton’s musical and cultural impact. Music heard in the show: Dumb Blonde from Hello, I’m Dolly (1969) Coat of Many Colours from Coat of Many Colours (1971) Just Someone I Used to Know from Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca (with Porter Wagoner, 1970) Jolene from Jolene (1974) I Will Always Love You from Jolene (1974) 9 to 5 from 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (1980) Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) from 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (1980) The Seeker from Dolly (1975) After the Gold Rush from Trio II (1999) Little Sparrow from Little Sparrow (2001) Long As I Can See the Light (feat. John Fogerty) from Rockstar (2023) TYRANT, DOLLY P, JOLENE (Beyonce, featuring Dolly Parton) from COWBOY CARTER (2024) Light of a Clear Blue Morning from New Harvest… First Gathering (1977) The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci, Tim Jenkins, and Tim Traeger

"I think if we saw every conversation as music, we would drastically shift the course of history." So says the poet and performer aja monet. For her latest record, the color of rain , monet worked with Meshell Ndegecello, Justin Brown, and a whole host of musical collaborators to create something that spans genre, but has seen her named as one of the early headliners of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival . From the quietest footsteps to the loudest explosions, foley artists craft the sounds that shape a movie, but their work usually leaves them behind the scenes. In his latest composition, Hollywood Parsifals, Thomas Meadowcroft is putting 2 foley artists centre stage with the MSO, and exploring what happens when you combine their skill at sound generation with a full orchestra. Rubiks Collective is presenting Thomas Meadowcroft's Love Songs Without Subjects at the Melbourne Recital Centre on August 25. Music heard in this program: Title: Love Songs Without SubjectsArtist: asamisimasa, Ditte Marie Bræin, and Thomas Meadowcroft Composer: Thomas MeadowcroftAlbum: Love Songs Without SubjectsLabel: Sofa Music Title: say it with your chestArtist: aja monetComposer: Aja Monet, Burniss Earl Travis IIAlbum: the color of rainLabel: Drink Sum Wtr Title: i know that i don't knowArtist: aja monetComposer: aja monet, Justin BrownAlbum: the color of rainLabel: Drink Sum Wtr Title: for the CongoArtist: aja monetComposer: aja monet, Justin Brown, Abe RoundsAlbum: the color of rainLabel: Drink Sum Wtr Title: hollyweirdArtist: aja monetComposer: aja monet, Burniss Earl Travis II, Daniel Mintseris, Josh Johnson, Justin BrownAlbum: the color of rainLabel: Drink Sum Wtr Title: War Western Thriller Horror Romantic Comedy Crime Science Fiction, Hollywood ParsifalsArtist: MSO, John Simpson, and Eugene UghettiComposer: Thomas MeadowcroftAlbum: Live recording The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Harvey O'Sullivan

James Ellis Ford is better known as James Ford, producer for artists like Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, Florence and the Machine and Fontaines D.C. When you add the Ellis, he's a solo artist making his own music and he joins Andy to talk about his latest album Lost In Another World, and the War Child charity album HELP(2) which he made during his time as a 'boy in the bubble' of a quarantined chemotherapy ward. Cafe of the Gate of Salvation are old friends of The Music Show: a gospel choir celebrating their 40th birthday. They join Andy to sing live in the studio, and look back at their history. And Andy remembers Belinda Webster, the producer, engineer and singular force behind Australia's art music label Tall Poppies. She died last week at the age of 74, and we'll hear her interviewed on The Music Show in 2006. Celebrate Cafe of the Gate of Salvation’s birthday with them (if you can get a ticket!) on Sunday 23 August at the Factory Theatre in Sydney. Music heard in the show: Title: Polonaise for keyboard in F major, BWV Anh. 117aArtist: Geoffrey TozerComposer: Bach, J.S. (maybe)Album: For ChildrenLabel: Tall Poppies Title: The lovely dawnArtist: Aura Go, Ian MunroComposer: Komalkova, EkaterinaAlbum: I was dancing with a gnatLabel: Tall Poppies Title: Did You Ever Want To Go To Your Own Funeral?, OvertonesArtist: James Ellis FordComposer: Ford, James EllisAlbum: Lost in Another WorldLabel: Domino Title: Sunday MorningArtist: Beth GibbonsComposer: Reed, LouAlbum: HELP(2)Label: War Child Records Title: Be ThankfulArtist: Cafe of the Gate of Salvation, Lisa Spence (soloist)Composer: Yancy, Marvin; Jackson, ChuckPerformed live in The Music Show studio Title: One StepArtist: Cafe of the Gate of SalvationComposer: Vails, DonaldPerformed live in The Music Show studio Title: say it with your chestArtist: aja monetComposer: monet, ajaAlbum: the color of rainLabel: drink sum wtr The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Harvey O’Sullivan

Kate Miller-Heidke's new album, the first since 2020's Child In Reverse is a very theatrical and sometimes funny slice of gothic-folk called The Kiss and the Abyss. In between live performances of two new songs, Kate talks about referencing Handel and planning for the end of the world. Pianist Maki Namekawa has an enduring relationship with Philip Glass - performing the world premiere of several of his pieces, including the Piano Etudes. Namekawa is in Australia to perform the first 10 of those Etudes, and shares her experience of working with the renown composer. And selected highlights from a conversation with Philip Glass on-stage at the Perth Festival in 2013, when the Etudes were premiered in their entirety. Kate Miller-Heidke is on tour from Aug 27 - full dates available here Maki Namekawa is performing as part of the Now Or Never festival on August 22nd. Music heard in this program: Title: Etude 9Artist: Maki NamekawaComposer: Philip GlassAlbum: Philip Glass: The Complete Piano EtudesLabel: Orange Mountain Music Title: ButterfliesArtist: Kate Miller-HeidkeComposer: Kate Miller-Heidke & Kier NuttallAlbum: The Kiss & The AbyssLabel: EMI Title: HolidayArtist: Kate Miller-HeidkeComposer: Kate Miller-Heidke & Kier NuttallAlbum: The Kiss & The AbyssLabel: EMI Title: Love Sweet LoveArtist: Kate Miller-HeidkeComposer: Kate Miller-Heidke & Kier NuttallAlbum: The Kiss & The AbyssLabel: EMI Title: Lascia Ch’io PiangaArtist: Emma Matthews & NZ Chamber OrchestraComposer: George Frideric HandelAlbum: Handel AriasLabel: Artworks Title: Little AntsArtist: Kate Miller-HeidkeComposer: Kate Miller-Heidke & Kier NuttallAlbum: The Kiss & The AbyssLabel: EMI Title: Etude 1Artist: Maki NamekawaComposer: Philip GlassAlbum: Philip Glass: The Complete Piano EtudesLabel: Orange Mountain Music Title: Dance VIIIArtist: Philip Glass & Michael RiesmanComposer: Philip GlassAlbum: In The Upper RoomLabel: Orange Mountain Music The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci and Brendan O’Neill

Grace Cummings ’ latest album is called Bloodhorse! and it's fantastic and fantastically strange. Her ragged, bluesy voice floats through a lush, ornate sound world on tracks like 'The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Morphine', and 'WITCH! WITCH! WITCH!', the latter of which was recorded whilst Grace wielded a grim reaper style scythe in the studio. She joins Andy to take us into the highly-strung world of the record. Anna Maria della Pieta was a Venetian orphan who was taught, celebrated and written for by Antonio Vivaldi. Her musical life is the subject of a new production by the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, with American historical violinist Augusta McKay Lodge leading. Augusta joins Andy to tell the story of Anna Maria. Plus new music from Mara , who is playing Phoenix Central Park in Sydney on 18 August. Vivaldi’s Legacy is on in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 12 - 25 August. Music heard in the show: Title: Violin Concerto in E Major, RV 267a 'per Anna Maria'; I. AllegroArtist: Théotime Langlois de Swarte, Orchestre Le ConsortComposer: Vivaldi, AntonioAlbum: Vivaldi: Concerti Per Una VitaLabel: Harmonia Mundi Title: The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of Morphine, WITCH! WITCH! WITCH!, My God, John LennonArtist: Grace CummingsComposer: Cummings, GraceAlbum: Bloodhorse!Label: ATO Records Title: Loosening My GripArtist: Mara, feat. Abby SundbornComposer: Schwerdtfeger, MaraAlbum: Air Leak/Loosening My GripLabel: Pure Space Title: Violin Concerto in E Major, RV 267a 'per Anna Maria'; II. AndanteArtist: Théotime Langlois de Swarte, Orchestre Le ConsortComposer: Vivaldi, AntonioAlbum: Vivaldi: Concerti Per Una VitaLabel: Harmonia Mundi Title: Violin Sonata in A Minor: I. –Artist: Augusta McKay LodgeComposer: Pisendel, Johann GeorgAlbum: Beyond Bach and Vivaldi: Rare Unaccompanied Works for the Baroque ViolinLabel: Naxos Title: A Certain PanicArtist: Kate Miller-HeidkeComposer: Miller-Heidke, Kate; Nuttall, KierAlbum: The Kiss and the AbyssLabel: EMI The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci and Brendan O’Neill

Can you tell the history of the world in fifty pieces of music? No, but BBC Radio 3 presenter and writer Tom Service has given it a red hot go in A History of the World in 50 Pieces: The Classical Music That Shapes Us . He joins Andy to talk through the surprising stories behind some of those pieces, from Handel to Happy Birthday. Music heard in the show: Title: Overture from The Marriage of FigaroArtist: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Riccardo MutiComposer: Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusAlbum: Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro K492Label: Warner Classics Title: Psalm 130: ‘Du fond de l'abîme’Artist: Ann Murray, BBC Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, Yan Pascal TortelierComposer: Boulanger, LiliAlbum: Faust et HélèneLabel: Chandos Title: “Gente, Gente!”, and “Questo giorno di tormenti” from The Marriage of FigaroArtist: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Riccardo MutiComposer: Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusAlbum: Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro K492Label: Warner Classics Title: Scena II. Ruggier de danni asprissimi, from La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'AlcinaArtist: Huelgas-Ensemble, Paul Van NevelComposer: Caccini, FrancescaAlbum: Caccini, F: La liberazione di Ruggerio dall'isola di AlcinaLabel: Deutsche Harmonia Mundi Title: Fuera, Fuera! Haganles lugar!Artist: Florilegium, Arakaendar Bolivia Choir, Ashley SolomonComposer: Chavarria, Roque Jacinto deAlbum: Bolivian Baroque Volume 3Label: Channel Classics Title: Gruppen, for 3 Orchestras (extracts)Artist: WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Bruno Maderna, Michael GielenComposer: Stockhausen, KarlheinzAlbum: Gruppen, PunkteLabel: BMC Title: The Rumble, America from West Side StoryArtist: Leonard Bernstein; Kiri Te Kanawa; José Carreras; Tatiana Troyanos; Kurt Ollmann; Marilyn HorneComposer: Bernstein, LeonardAlbum: Leonard Bernstein Conducts West Side StoryLabel: Deutsche Grammophon Title: MbubeArtist: Solomon Linda’s Original Evening BirdsComposer: Linda, Solomon Album: Single, 1939Label: Gallo Title: WimowehArtist: The WeaversComposer: Linda, SolomonAlbum: The Weavers at Carnegie HallLabel: Vanguard Title: The Lion Sleeps TonightArtist: The TokensComposer: Linda, Solomon; Peretti, Hugo; Creatore, Luigi; Weiss, George David; Stanton, AlbertAlbum: The Lion Sleeps TonightLabel: RCA Victor Title: The Lion Sleeps TonightArtist: Billy Eichner and Seth RogenComposer: Linda, Solomon; Peretti, Hugo; Creatore, Luigi; Weiss, George David; Stanton, AlbertAlbum: The Lion King (2019)Label: Walt Disney Records Title: The Lark AscendingArtist: Tasmin Little, BBC Philharmonic, Andrew DavisComposer: Vaughan Williams, RalphAlbum: The Lark AscendingLabel: Chandos Title: America: A Prophecy, Op. 19 Artist: Susan Bickley, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, Thomas AdèsComposer: Adès, ThomasAlbum: Adès: America A ProphecyLabel: Warner Classics The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

All The Grateful Dead are one of the iconic bands of the last century, not just for their music, but for their extended tours, which saw their fans follow them across America and create a very special sort of travelling community. Mischa Richter shares stories from the road and explores his new documentary Summer Tour. Don Walker talks basement recordings, lessons from Nashville, and his new album Love Songs, plus he shares a memory of Glenn A Baker. And in a church in Germany, an organ is 25 years into a 639 year performance of John Cage's piece As Slow As Possible. The notes change rarely, only every couple of years, and one of those changes has just happened. Director of the John Cage Trust Jeffrey Lependorf tells Andy what it felt like to be there as an A natural was added to the sound. Summer Tour is screening as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival Don Walker is on tour in October - dates here Music heard in this program: Title: As Slow As PossibleArtist: John CageComposer: John CageAlbum: Live Performance Title: The Wheel (Live in Chicago - 1976)Artist: Grateful DeadComposer: Jerry Garcia; Robert HunterAlbum: So Many RoadsLabel: Grateful Dead Records Title: Dark Star (Live At the Fillmore West)Artist: Grateful DeadComposer: Jerry Garcia; Robert HunterAlbum: Live/DeadLabel: Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records Title: LuckArtist: Don WalkerComposer: Don Walker, Thomas Busby, Jason IsbellAlbum: Love SongsLabel: Sony Music Title: Breakfast in ParisArtist: Don WalkerComposer: Don WalkerAlbum: Love SongsLabel: Sony Music Title: Could You Still Be HereArtist: Don WalkerComposer: Don WalkerAlbum: Love SongsLabel: Sony Music Title: Fly AwayArtist: Don WalkerComposer: Don WalkerAlbum: Love SongsLabel: Sony Music The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tegan Nicholls

Anita O'Day was a jazz singer who lived 'the jazz life'. She's been compared to people like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald: an incredible singer, storyteller, and a deeply troubled drug user and alcoholic. Despite the turmoil of her personal life, she's one of the most precise singers of her generation, on the beat and right in tune for every note. Author James Gavin, who knew O'Day, returns to The Music Show with his fresh biography, Cool Heat: Anita O’Day and Her Dangerous Jazz Life . Music heard in the show: Title: Let Me Off UptownArtist: Gene Krupa Orchestra, Roy Eldridge, Anita O’DayComposer: Bostic, Earl; Evans, ReddAlbum: Let Me Off UptownLabel: Okeh Title: Tea For TwoArtist: Anita O’DayComposer: Youmans, VincentAlbum: Anita O’Day At Mister Kelly’sLabel: Verve Title: What Is This Thing Called Love?Artist: Anita O’DayComposer: Porter, ColeAlbum: Anita O'Day Swings Cole Porter with Billy MayLabel: Verve Title: Angel EyesArtist: Anita O’Day, Johnny MandelComposer: Brent, Earl; Dennis, Matt Album: Waiter, Make Mine BluesLabel: Verve Title: Don't ExplainArtist: Anita O’Day, Johnny MandelComposer: Holiday, Billie; Herzog, Arthur Jr.Album: Travelin' LightLabel: Verve Title: Boogie Blues Artist: Anita O’Day, Gary McFarland OrchestraComposer: Krupa, Gene; Biondi, RayAlbum: All the Sad Young MenLabel: Verve Title: Old Devil MoonArtist: Anita O’DayComposer: Harburg, Yip; Lane, BurtonAlbum: Mello'dayLabel: GNP Crescendo Title: In A Mellow ToneArtist: Anita O’DayComposer: Ellington, Duke; Gabler, MiltAlbum: In A Mellow ToneLabel: DRG The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Emrys Cronin and Ross Richardson

American composer William Basinski's very long and much celebrated avant-garde electronic work The Disintegration Loops was born from the gradual decay of magnetic tape. It was created over a month in August and September 2001, during which time Basinski witnessed the collapse of the World Trade Centre from his New York apartment. 25 years later, the piece is being presented in its entirety in Melbourne, with Basinski hosting a sleepover of sorts as part of the Now or Never Festival . Will Swenson has been part of many Broadway revival casts - from Hair to Les Misérables to Assassins - but playing Neil Diamond in his prime is a different sort of revival. He joins Andy to talk about the jukebox musical A Beautiful Noise , and getting the real Neil's blessing. And we remember Glen Hansard, the Irish musician, actor and co-composer of the Oscar-winning film Once and its stage adaptation, who has died at the age of 56. Plus it's National Poetry Month and The Music Show launches Middle of the Air for 2026, our competition in partnership with Red Room Poetry. Throughout August entries are open to submit a poem, which may be chosen by newly-announced partner artists Missy Higgins and Ziggy Ramo to transform into two new songs. Music heard in this program: Title: DLP 6Artist: William BasinskiComposer: William BasinskiAlbum: The Disintegration Loops IVLabel: 2062 Title: CratersArtist: Missy HigginsComposer: Missy HigginsAlbum: The Second ActLabel: Eleven Title: BanambaArtist: Ziggy RamoComposer: Guyala Bayles, Lewis Mitchell, Macario De SouzaAlbum: Human?Label: Impressed Recordings Title: Crunchy Granola SuiteArtist: Neil DiamondComposer: Neil DiamondAlbum: Hot August NightLabel: MCA Records Title: I Am... I SaidArtist: Neil DiamondComposer: Neil DiamondAlbum: StonesLabel: MCA Records Title: Kentucky WomanArtist: Will SwensonComposer: Neil DiamondAlbum: Live Performance Title: What Happens When The Heart Just StopsArtist: The FramesComposer: Glen Hansard & The FramesAlbum: For The BirdsLabel: Little Big Music The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Emrys Cronin & Ross Richardson

The latest in our Music Now & Then series with composer Liza Lim, who first appeared on The Music Show in its early years when she was in her mid twenties, where both her youth and the 'difficulty' of her music were remarked upon. As her opera The Oresteia is remounted by Sydney Chamber Opera and ELISION Ensemble, Andy speaks with Liza on stage about revisiting works and ideas over more than thirty years. The Oresteia is staged at Sydney's Carriageworks 24-31 July. Music heard in the show: Title: The Oresteia: The Furies; Positions of a memory theatre (Cassandra’s Dream Song); Athena’s TrumpetArtists: Jeannie van de Velde, Julie Edwardson, Deborah Kayser, Andrew Muscat-Clark, Tyrone Landau, Grant Smith (singers), Elision Ensemble/Sandro GorliComposer: Lim, LizaAlbum: Mother TongueLabel: BR Klassik Title: The Compass, II. – Artist: William Barton (digeridoo), Carin Levine (flute), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Christoph PoppenComposer: Lim, LizaAlbum: Musica Viva Vol. 47Label: BR Klassik Title: A Sutured World, IV. Simon Says. Alle Vögel fliegen hochArtist: Nicolas Altstaedt (cello), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Edward GardnerComposer: Lim, LizaAlbum: Musica Viva Vol. 47Label: BR Klassik The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Harvey O’Sullivan, Mickey Grossman and Ann-Marie Debettencor

The Veils frontman Finn Andrews joins Andy to talk about love, death, and Sinead O'Connor, all features of their latest and aptly named album Fragile World. Married couple Anna Maria Friman and Arve Henriksen are both Norwegian musicians who've benefited from Norway's remarkably genre-blind attitude to making music. She's a classical vocalist (one third of Trio Mediæval), he's a jazz trumpeter, and together they're teaming up with the Australian Chamber Orchestra for a program of Nordic music. The Veils are in Melbourne and Sydney 20 & 21 August , the new album Fragile World is out now. From Winter's Stillness with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Trio Mediæval and Arve Henrikson is on tour around Australia 25 July - 9 August . Music heard in the show: Title: Lungs, Aurora, Little White Bird, High HopesArtist: The VeilsComposer: Andrews, FinnAlbum: Fragile WorldLabel: V2 Records Title: Det lisle bånetArtist: Trio MediævalComposer: Trad.Album: Folk SongsLabel: ECM Records Title: AcceptanceArtist: Arve HenriksenComposer: Henriksen, ArveAlbum: Mental FatigueLabel: Arve Maria Music Title: St Magnus Hymn (Nobilis Humilis)Artist: Arve Henriksen, Trio MediævalComposer: Trad.Album: RímurLabel: ECM Records The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Harvey O’Sullivan, Mickey Grossman and Ann-Marie Debettencor

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 (Kate Fagan, based on Child Ballad #3, The False Knight Upon the Road) The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci and Harvey O'Sullivan

Electropop singer, songwriter and producer Montaigne took the plunge into the world of independent music after over a decade with a big label a couple of years back. Their first offering in the indie era is an album called it's hard to be a fish. But they've not left their earlier music behind entirely: Montaigne joins Andy to talk about taking their 2016 album Glorious Heights on the road in August. Elissa Goodrich is a composer and percussionist whose album Gene Tree is the result of her long-term engagement with climate science and genetics. She and her guitarist Elliot Folvig join Andy to explain how the DNA of moths and butterflies, the patterns of cells dividing and multiplying, and transcriptions of mRNA all part of the creative process. Gin Wigmore's last album was eight years ago. Since then she's got divorced, picked up sticks with her kids and moved from LA to her native Aotearoa New Zealand where she's been writing and recording music and running a deli. The new album is called Beautiful Mess and she performs it live in The Music Show studio. Music heard in the show: Title: Replication SlippageArtist: Elissa Goodrich, Gideon Brazil, Elliott Folvig, Miranda HillComposer: Goodrich, ElissaAlbum: Gene TreeLabel: Independent release Title: Glorious HeightsArtist: MontaigneComposer: Cerro, JessAlbum: Glorious HeightsLabel: Sony Title: so fast in the waterArtist: MontaigneComposer: Cerro, JessAlbum: It’s hard to be a fishLabel: Independent Title: Moth Returns to Mountain Ash I, The Other Moth, Moth Returns to Mountain Ash IIArtist: Elissa Goodrich, Gideon Brazil, Elliott Folvig, Miranda HillComposer: Goodrich, ElissaAlbum: Gene TreeLabel: Independent release Title: Country Diamond, Tip of My TongueArtist: Gin WigmoreComposer: Wigmore, GinAlbum: Beautiful MessLabel: Universal The Music Show is produced on Gadigal, Gundungurra and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Technical production by Antonia Gauci and Harvey O’Sullivan

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 LimitsArtist: Casey DonovanComposer: Tina TurnerAlbum: Countdown: Live at the Sydney Opera HouseLabel: ABC Music Title: Whossat on the WassatArtist: Wire MCComposer: Wire MCAlbum: SingleLabel: Independent release Title: Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, BabeArtist: Barry WhiteComposer: White, BarryAlbum: SingleLabel: Philips Title: Mr. WendalArtist: Arrested DevelopmentComposer: Arrested DevelopmentAlbum: SingleLabel: Chrysalis Title: Big MoodArtist: BARKAA feat. Kobie DeeComposer: Quayle, Chloe; Duncan, Kobie; Turier, JacobAlbum: Big TiddaLabel: Bad Apples Title: Shake ItArtist: Casey DonovanComposer: Dimataga, Carl; Rollins, John BenjaminAlbum: SingleLabel: Cee Dee Title: Same Old SongArtist: NokturnalComposer: NokturnalAlbum: Single releaseLabel: Sputnik Records Title: Bindi BindiArtist: Gina Williams and Guy GhouseComposer: Gina Williams, Guy GhouseAlbum: Bindi BindiLabel: Independent release Title: It Won’t Be Long Til I See You AgainArtist: Sunny LuweComposer: Luwe, SunnyAlbum: Feeling GoodLabel: Independent release Title: Sabotage!Artist: DOBBY (feat. Josh Pyke)Composer: Clapham, RhyanAlbum: MARSHMALLOWLabel: ABC Music Title: Something About A Cake ShopArtist: Stiff GinsComposer: Briggs, Kaleena; Simpson, NardiAlbum: CrossroadsLabel: Gadigal Music Title: Close Your EyesArtist: Stiff GinsComposer: Briggs, Kaleena; Simpson, Nardi; Donovan, EmmaAlbum: OriginsLabel: Gadigal Music Title: YadingjiArtist: CooeeComposer: Saunders, Kirli; Harding, Mark ChesterAlbum: MessengersLabel: Independent release The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tim Jenkins

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: HejiraArtist: The Go TwosComposer: Joni MitchellAlbum: KurrawarraLabel: Independent release Title: Negatives I; DeltaArtist: Elision EnsembleComposer: Richard BarrettAlbum: Richard Barrett: Chamber WorksLabel: Etcetera Title: Athena’s TrumpetArtist: Elision Ensemble & Jeannie van de Velde Composer: Liza Lim & Barrie KoskyAlbum: Singing in TonguesLabel: NMC Title: Lay Down Your Weary TuneArtist: The Go TwosComposer: Bob DylanAlbum: KurrawarraLabel: Independent release Title: Days Warm BreezeArtist: The Go TwosComposer: The Go TwosAlbum: KurrawarraLabel: Independent release The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country Technical production by Tim Jenkins

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.