Hitmaker Sarah Aarons adds more silverware to her heaving collection by snagging several Billions Awards, presented to APRA AMCOS’s songwriter members and their publishers in recognition of a song surpassing one billion streams.
The Los Angeles-based, Melbourne-raised Aarons earns two awards for her breakup song “I Miss U, I’m Sorry,” co-written with and performed by folk-pop darling Gracie Abrams. Her second award is for another love song “Love Me Not,” performed by Ravyn Lenae and co-written with Anderson Paak, Brent Reynolds, Christian Farlow, Craig Balmoris, Dahi, Dominic Angelella, Jaelen Irizarry, Julian Nixon and Spencer Stewart. Aarons is published by Sony Music Publishing.
Just last month, Aarons was on hand at the 2026 APRA Music Awards, where she won the international recognition award, for her work with the likes of Tame Impala, BTS, Flume, Gracie Abrams, ROSÉ and Maren Morris. All told, she has won sixth APRA Awards, included the coveted songwriter of the year at the 2019 APRAs.
Meanwhile, sibling duo Amy and George Sheppard, along with co-writer Jay Bovino, collected their first Billions Award for “Geronimo,” recorded by the Brisbane-based pop group Sheppard. The song won two APRA Music Awards in 2015 for most played Australian work and pop work of the year, and cracked the Billboard Hot 100 in 2014, peaking at No. 53. The Sheppards are published by Mushroom Music Publishing.
“It’s been an amazing journey for us, and to have the amazing team that we’ve had, getting to bring joy to people for the last 14 years, it’s a dream come true,” comments George Sheppard. “Thank you so much for this amazing honor.”
Sneaky Sound System‘s Connie Mitchell is feted for the hip-hop song “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” co-written with DJ Toomp and Kanye West. Following its release in 2007, “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” peaked at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Also in the winners’ circle is Kota Banks (published by Gaga Music) and Taka Perry (published by Concord Music Publishing ANZ) for their work on KATSEYE’s “TOUCH.” Other co-writers on the song were Blake Slatkin, Caroline Ailin, Magnus Holberg and Omer Fedi.
“We wrote ‘TOUCH’ a few years ago at my old studio in Glebe,” explains Perry at a special presentation for the Billions Awards. “At the time I was a huge K-pop fan and I wanted to write some K-pop demos. I hit up Kota (Banks), and I was like, ‘do you want to come to the studio and work on a few songs together?’ And one of those songs was ‘TOUCH.’ I think we probably wrote it in an hour or two. It was just one of those things where it was the right song, in the right place.”
The eighth recipient is Los Angeles-based, Scottish songwriter and producer Stuart Crichton (published by Concord Music Publishing ANZ), who enters the 1,000,000,000 List with Kygo’s “Stargazing,” which he wrote back in 2017 alongside Kygo, Jamie Hartman and Justin Jesso.
Crichton, who called Australia home in the 2000s, and is represented by Concord Music Publishing ANZ, enjoyed APRAs glory last month with most performed dance/electronic work for “Tell Me,” recorded by Sonny Fodera and Clementine Douglas.
The Billions Award takes into account streaming numbers from the major services, including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
“When APRA’s founding publishers first met 100 years ago in 1926, they could never have imagined we’d be here in 2026 celebrating songwriters and publishers for reaching one billion streams,” comments Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement, especially given the sheer volume of music released every day – both human and AI-generated. We’re incredibly proud to have been able to support these eight members throughout their careers and now see their songs connecting with huge audiences around the world.”
SYDNEY, Australia — Young Australian music creators and their teachers have a new award to pursue.
Established by experienced music industry executive Milly Petriella, the NUMAs (Next Up Music Awards) are a youth-led celebration of emerging talent in schools supported by student internships, and are designed to strengthen the pathways connecting young creators and the contemporary music industry.
Homegrown artists Sia and Troye Sivan will support the initiative as the first wave of industry patrons, with Mahalia Barnes announced as artistic director alongside DOBBY as First Nations artistic director, and Ruby Rodgers and Myka Champion appointed as the first youth patrons, with a remit to helping shape the program and reflect how music is created and shared today. Others will be announced in due course.
The NUMAs will have its own presentation, too. The inaugural event is slated for Jan. 28, 2027 at venue partner Carriageworks in Sydney.
According to reps, the NUMAs are a response to declining access to music education and growing concern for the future creative workforce and recognizes school-aged recording artists, producers, and songwriters. Moving ahead, the initiative provides a national stage through awards, live performance, mentorship, and paid youth roles behind the scenes.
The spotlight will also shine on educators, with a music teacher of the year awards presented by Music Australia across both primary and secondary categories, recognizing the important role teachers play in guiding the next generation of artists and industry.
And on the way is a paid Youth Intern Program, recognizing young recording artists, producers and songwriters.
“NUMAs is not just an awards program,” comments Petriella. “At a time when so much of our young people’s lives are shaped online, we want this to be a real-world space for creativity, connection and live expression. Through paid internships, mentorship and hands-on involvement in the event, we’re helping young people build skills, confidence and community, whether they see their future on stage, in the studio or behind the scenes.”
NUMAs founder Petriella was lauded in the Australia Day 2024 Honours List with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for “service to music and the performing arts.” That service included a 27-year stint as director, member relations and partnerships at APRA AMCOS, from 1995 to 2022, where she earned a reputation for moving mountains for the PRO’s members.
Over the years, Petriella founded the Vanda and Young Global Songwriting Competition, which has raised over A$2.5 million for Nordoff-Robbins since its launch in 2009; served as creative producer of the APRA Music Awards; championed the SongHubs program; administered the society’s Ambassador program; the Professional Development Awards; the Women In Music Mentorship program; the Vanda and Young Global Songwriting Competition; and grew its Los Angeles, London and Nashville as director, Global Music Export Offices.
Open nationally to students aged 6–18 and their music teachers, nominations and intern applications will open in June 2026 via nextupmusicawards.com.
The NUMAs are backed by the federal government’s Revive Live program, with partners including The Song Room, Carriageworks, and Music Australia, and others yet to be announced.
Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) will go extra-large for its 2027 event in Las Vegas, with a newly imagined “Dusk Till Dawn” concept.
Returning to its home at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, EDC Las Vegas 2027 will spill over two consecutive weekends, across 12 days.
The first of those weekends, “EDC Dusk,” will roll out from May 14-16. The second, “EDC Dawn,” is set for May 21-23, while the full “Dusk Till Dawn Experience” will party on from May 13-24.
According to reps at Insomniac, which produces the festival, the “Dusk Till Dawn” experience will extend beyond the festival grounds with curated EDC-themed events throughout Sin City.
The performers, too, will have a chance to roll the dice. Headliners can choose whether to attend ”EDC Dusk,” “EDC Dawn” or the full program.
“I’m really excited to introduce ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ as the next evolution of EDC and offer new ways for headliners to experience the music, art, connection and community that make this festival so special,” comments Insomniac founder Pasquale Rotella, in a statement.
“We wanted to reimagine EDC as a new type of immersive journey across 12 days and two consecutive weekend celebrations in one city we love.”
This new concept, he continues, gives headliners “the freedom to choose their own path and join us for one or both weekends, while enabling us to continue evolving, experimenting creatively, and sharing new moments Under the Electric Sky.”
Party goers have a full year to get their EDC Las Vegas outfits sorted. The sold-out 2026 edition of EDC Las Vegas was presented last weekend in celebration of 30 years Under the Electric Sky. All told, more than 450 artists took their positions on stage, including Kaskade, Martin Garrix, John Summit, Tiësto, Charlotte de Witte, FISHER, Peggy Gou, Underworld and The Prodigy.
Last year, Insomniac reported that EDC 2026 sold out 24 hours after going on sale, with the fest welcoming roughly 200,000 people each day, placing it in the frame among the world’s largest music festivals. For those EDM fans who missed out this time, next year’s event should provide more opportunities to get in on the fun.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 22 at lasvegas.electricdaisycarnival.com. One weekend passes are priced from $399.99 (general admission all-in) up to $899.99 (VIP all-in), while two-weekend passes start from $599.99 (GA all-in) up to $1,699.99 (VIP all-in). Further details on the lineup, those citywide events and more will be announced at a later date.
Read Billboard’s interview with Pasquale Rotella here.
BRISBANE, Australia — Some bands drop new music to celebrate a label deal. Headweck does that and more, by embarking on a pan-European tour, their first after signing with EMPIRE.
Based in Brisbane, the nu-metal exponents are the first in their genre to join EMPIRE roster, the Bay Area independent label that launched the careers of Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Shaboozey, and others.
“From the first chat, it was clear they get our vision and who we are,” frontman Connor Hickman exclusively tells Billboard while on the road in Europe. “They empower artists to stay authentic and stay true to their genuine selves, and that’s exactly the energy we want behind us. Can’t wait for what’s next.”
With the new deal, the release of “Raindrops,” the followup to their Attitude Adjustment collection which dropped in October last year.
“As we always want our songs to be,” says Hickman of the new single, “it’s fun, catchy, groovy and hard hitting. The song started off with a Jamo riff, that was a meant to be a bit of a joke, with ridiculous guitar scratches and squealies, but the groove and vibe captured everyone in the room when we all sat down to listen to it, and we just couldn’t resist but to turn it into a full song.”
Headweck last week kicked off a tour off the U.K. and Europe in support of Paledusk, a run that includes headline shows leading into their appearance at Download Festival 2026. The tour, their first of the region, is the realization of a lifelong dream for the band, comprised of Hickman (vocals), Jamo Benadie (guitar), Dayne Paix (bass), and Colby Horton (drums).
“This tour is truly a dream come true. And we’re so lucky to be on a big tour bus with all the other bands as well – livin the bunk life,” Hickman tells Billboard. “We’ve also been blown away by the response from the crowds over here so far. It’s insane to us that there are fans of ours on the other side of the world, we are so so grateful and it all feels a little surreal.”
The bandmates are staying mum on U.S. touring plans, offering a delicious hint that “it’s looking quite promising” for a jaunt later this year.
Headwreck has previously supported British metalcore specialists Bury Tomorrow across Australia, and opened for the likes of Northlane, Polaris, The Amity Affliction, Thornhill and more. Their debut headline tour of their homeland in April 2026 was a sell-out, and included five shows across the big three cities: Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Earlier this year, the rockers were anointed as triple j Unearthed Forecast Artist and March Feature Artist.
Headwreck’s signing follows the 2024 launch of EMPIRE’s Australian business, led by Cameron Walsh.
“There’s something undeniably compelling about Headwreck – the immediacy of their sound, the clarity of their identity, and the genuine connection they’re building with fans,” comments Walsh, the music company’s Australian territory manager. “What really stands out is how intentional everything is – from their fully in-house creative to the chaotic energy of their live shows and the way they channel early 2000s heaviness into something far more expansive, at the intersection of metalcore, alternative and electronic-driven sounds. For EMPIRE, it’s about aligning with artists who are shaping culture in real time, and Headwreck are doing that in a way that feels both raw and authentic.”
Adds Peter Kim, director of A&R at EMPIRE: “Headwreck is one of those instinctive decisions—you hear it and just know. There’s a rawness and intensity to what they’re doing that feels both fresh and necessary right now. They’ve got the songs, the identity, and the ambition to break on a global level. We’re fired up to help share their vision with the world.”
ATEEZ are heading to Hyde Park. The eight-member South Korean group have been confirmed as headliners for BST Hyde Park’s June 28 show in London — their only U.K. date of 2026.
The group join a 2026 BST Hyde Park lineup that also includes Garth Brooks (June 27), Maroon 5 (July 3), Mumford & Sons (July 4), Duran Duran (July 5), Pitbull (July 10) and Lewis Capaldi (July 11-12). A full supporting lineup is yet to be announced.
The announcement places ATEEZ in storied company. BST Hyde Park has become the defining stage for K-pop’s global ambitions — BLACKPINK made U.K. festival history there in 2023 as the first K-pop act to headline a major British music festival, followed by Stray Kids the following year as the first male K-pop group to do the same. ATEEZ now take that baton.
The eight members — Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung and Jongho — have built one of the most consistent chart runs in K-pop history since debuting under KQ Entertainment in October 2018, selling out a world tour just four months after their first release.
Their storytelling-driven discography spans four interconnected album series — Treasure, Fever, The World and Golden Hour — and has produced two Billboard 200 No. 1s, making them one of only three K-pop acts alongside BTS and Stray Kids to top the chart more than once.
Nine of their releases have charted on the Billboard 200, with eight landing in the top 10. In the U.K., they became the first South Korean act to place three different releases in the Official Albums Chart top 10 within a single year, achieving the milestone in 2024.
Their most recent release, GOLDEN HOUR: Part.4, arrived in early 2026 led by the high-energy single “Adrenaline,” adding fresh momentum heading into a Hyde Park headline debut that feels less like an arrival and more like a confirmation.
American Express presale begins Monday (May 18) at 10 a.m., with an artist presale on May 20 and general on sale opening May 29 at 10 a.m. local time.
Gorillaz, The Strokes and Twenty One Pilots will headline the 16th edition of the Corona Capital festival, promoter OCESA announced on Monday night (May 18). The highly anticipated lineup for the annual rock gathering, scheduled to take place November 20-22 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, also features The xx, Lola Young, Mumford & Sons, The Offspring, Underworld, Daniel Caesar, James Blake and Lil Yachty.
More than 70 acts will make up the 2026 program, including Mother Mother, Pierce The Veil, The Kooks, Tricky, The Black Crowes, Manic Street Preachers, Yung Lean, Violet Grohl, Chvrches and Johnny Marr.
This year’s edition marks the highly awaited debut of Gorillaz at the renowned festival as part of their international Mountain Tour. It will also be the first time that the legendary band Manic Street Preachers performs in the Latin American country. Meanwhile, New York-based band The Strokes will return to Mexico City after four years.
“In every edition, we strive to strike a balance between legendary artists, contemporary acts, and new talents that are shaping the future of music,” Memo Parra, creator of Corona Capital and current director of international events at OCESA, told Billboard Español. “At the same time, we put a huge focus on fan experience: from production, infrastructure, and gastronomy to comfort, technology, and services within the festival.”
“Today’s audience is much more connected, informed, and demanding, and that forces us to constantly innovate to continue delivering an experience that matches the world’s top festivals,” he added.
Promoters said they expect around 240,000 attendees over the three-day event. The presale for Citibanamex cardholders will take place on May 26, OCESA announced. General ticket will go on sale the following day.
Over its 16 years, Corona Capital has solidified its reputation as the most important international music festival in Mexico and one of the few in Latin America that features prominent Anglo artists, similar to the Chilean and Brazilian editions of Lollapalooza.
“Latin America, and particularly Mexico, has become one of the most important markets for the global live entertainment industry,” Parra noted. “Today, artists understand that there is a very powerful combination here: passionate audiences, a rich musical culture, world-class infrastructure and a level of attendance comparable to the major entertainment capitals.”
In the past, the festival has brought renowned acts such as Paul McCartney, The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Muse, Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, Blur, Portishead, Interpol, Billie Eilish, Pixies and Richard Ashcroft.
Check out the full Corona Capital 2026 lineup below.
