Darwin’s Mindil Beach came alive on Saturday night (May 16) as BASSINTHEGRASS 2026 delivered another edition of the annual music festival, drawing close to 12,000 attendees to one of Australia’s most distinctive live music settings.

More than 20 international and Australian artists performed across the night, with US rapper Denzel Curry, Swedish electronic duo Galantis, the UK’s Venjent and Morty, US act AYYBO and South Korea’s Oktae joining Australian acts Peking Duk, The Teskey Brothers, The Living End, Ball Park Music and Mallrat for the all-ages event. Tourism and Events NT reported that one in five attendees were visitors to the Territory.

Galantis DJ Christian Karlsson was effusive about the experience. “It’s an absolutely mind-blowing experience,” he said. “I didn’t know anything, but I knew that Australia always, always deliver. I couldn’t even imagine how mind-blowing this would be. Hey, come to Darwin — Darwin is the number one spot.”

Playlunch lead singer Liam Bell was equally enthusiastic about the festival’s unique atmosphere. “It’s been amazing to be on the lineup with all these other amazing acts,” he said. “I’m not even sure we have stuff like this as good in Victoria. We’ve had some laksa, and it’s changed our lives — but also, obviously the people are amazing, the vibes are amazing.”

Tourism and Events NT CEO Suzana Bishop said the festival’s appeal went beyond the music. “Brilliant performances are just part of what makes BASSINTHEGRASS so memorable,” she said. “It’s the combination of world-class live music, Darwin’s natural beauty, warm dry season weather, location on Mindil Beach, incredible food and Top End experiences that makes it unlike any other.”

The festival capped off a massive weekend for Darwin, which also saw just over 11,900 locals and visitors attend the AFL clash between the Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium. Darwin hotel occupancy across the event weekend reached 70%, around 10 points higher than the previous year.

Bulgaria has claimed its first-ever Eurovision Song Contest victory, with pop star Dara taking out the 2026 Grand Final in Vienna on Saturday night (May 17) with “Bangaranga” — a high-energy electronic anthem infused with Bulgarian folk influences that became one of the breakout performances of the competition.

Performing at the iconic Wiener Stadthalle alongside 24 other finalists, Dara’s commanding staging and viral live performance propelled Bulgaria to a historic win, ending years of near misses and intermittent withdrawals from the contest. Israel finished in second place, while Romania rounded out the top three.

Results were determined through a combined vote from national juries and viewers across 35 participating countries.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Delta Goodrem delivered one of the night’s most celebrated performances, finishing fourth with her soaring power ballad “Eclipse” — the country’s strongest Eurovision result in several years.

Her cinematic staging transformed the Wiener Stadthalle from a moonlit dreamscape into a radiant gold sunscape, reflecting the song’s themes of transformation and strength. Goodrem wore a custom couture gown by Velani By Nicky and House of Emmanuele, adorned with more than 7,000 Swarovski crystals.

“Representing Australia on the Eurovision stage and being part of this incredible community has been unforgettable,” Goodrem said in a statement. “I’m so grateful for all the love and support from home and around the world — it has carried me every step of the way. Sharing Eclipse with you at this moment feels perfectly timed, and I’m excited to continue the journey we’ve started together and to share new music with you soon.”

“Eclipse” was written by Goodrem alongside Ferras Alqaisi, Jonas Myrin and Michael Fatkin, with Fatkin also producing. One of Australia’s most accomplished performers, Goodrem has previously written songs for Eurovision winner Celine Dion and collaborated with the late Olivia Newton-John.

The Eurovision campaign serves as the launchpad for a major new chapter in Goodrem’s career. She announced her upcoming eighth studio album Pure, set for release Nov. 6 — her first full-length project in five years. The 16-track record balances piano-led intimacy with widescreen cinematic production across themes of clarity, emotion and renewal. Ahead of its release, Goodrem will preview new material through a series of intimate “Pure: Prelude” performances.

The Grand Final airs in primetime on SBS and SBS On Demand on Sunday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Sydney metalcore outfit Ocean Sleeper have signed a new global recording deal with Rise Records and BMG, the band and label announced Friday (May 15). Their new single “Break the Cycle” is out now as the first release under the partnership.

The signing represents an expansion of Ocean Sleeper’s existing relationship with BMG, which previously partnered with the band across their debut album Don’t Leave Me This Way and EPs Maybe Death Is All I Need and Is It Better Feeling Nothing. The addition of Rise Records — home to Spiritbox, Sleeping With Sirens, Sum 41, Polyphia, Dance Gavin Dance and Memphis May Fire — gives the band a significant new foothold in the international heavy music market.

“We could not be prouder to announce we have signed a new global record deal with Rise Records & BMG,” the band said in a statement. “The essence of this band has always been independent and driven by a DIY attitude, but we are ready to level up with a team who we trust with our vision. Partnering with both a powerhouse in the industry and a label behind all our core favourite bands is an absolute honour.”

Heath Johns, President of Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia at BMG, called Ocean Sleeper “one of Australian heavy music’s best kept secrets” and said the combined resources of Rise Records and BMG would be taking the band “to every corner of the planet.” Sean Heydorn, SVP of Rise Records, praised the band’s “relentless work ethic, creative ambition, and a deep connection with their audience,” adding that Ocean Sleeper have “emerged as one of Australia’s standout metalcore bands.”

Since forming, Ocean Sleeper have built a devoted international following through sold-out headline tours in Australia and the U.S., appearances at Good Things Festival, and supports alongside Northlane, Parkway Drive, Polaris, Make Them Suffer and Thornhill. The band joins a BMG Australia and New Zealand roster that includes Chet Faker, Dope Lemon, Crowded House, Hockey Dad, The Cat Empire, Pacific Avenue and Ladyhawke.

Baker Boy headlined the second night of NBA House Australia on Friday (May 15), closing out the evening session at The Timber Yard in Melbourne with a live performance — marking one of the more unexpected but fitting intersections of Australian music and American basketball culture in recent memory.

The Northern Territory rapper and dancer, whose real name is Danzal Baker, took the stage at 8:30 p.m. as part of the NBA’s inaugural Australian fan experience, which is running across four days from May 14–17 at the Port Melbourne venue.

The 6,000-square-metre space features playoff viewing parties, basketball challenges, an NBA 2K26 gaming zone, streetwear showcases, photo opportunities with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and appearances from NBA players.

Friday’s programming also included appearances from Atlanta Hawks center and Australian NBA representative Jock Landale, who participated in a “Courtside Stories” fan engagement session at 12:30 p.m., and four-time NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, who appeared for crossover appearances in the afternoon before hosting another “Courtside Stories” session and photo opportunities in the evening. The Sacramento Kings Dance Team and Dunk Team also performed across the day.

NBA House Australia is headlined across the weekend by All-Stars Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cousins, who are appearing across the event for meet-and-greets, fan sessions and scheduled programming.

Jackson Jr. said ahead of the event: “I know Australian fans are some of the most passionate in the world, and I look forward to celebrating the excitement of the NBA Playoffs with them.”

The NBA appearance comes during a strong stretch for Baker Boy. The six-time ARIA Award-winner recently wrapped a 10-date Australian album tour behind his second record DJANDJAY and has been debuting new anthem “CURSE” in his live sets ahead of the forthcoming DJANDJAY (Deluxe), due later this year via Island Records/Universal Music Australia.

“Everyone has been going mad for it,” Baker Boy said of the track. “You know you got something good when people haven’t ever heard the track before, but you can see the whole crowd bouncing to it.”

Written and produced in Melbourne by Baker Boy alongside longtime collaborators Pip Norman (Troye Sivan, Missy Higgins) and Rob Amoruso (G Flip, Thelma Plum), “CURSE” also features acclaimed Toronto-based songwriter and producer WondaGurl (Rihanna, Travis Scott, SZA), who joined the sessions as part of the inaugural ARIA Collab Initiative.