MAXON RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM ‘TALKING WITH STRANGERS’ OUT TODAY
Melbourne singer-songwriter Maxon today releases her long-awaited debut album Talking With Strangers a deeply personal, open-hearted collection that cements her as one of the city’s most compelling new voices, and sets the stage for a special hometown celebration at The Toff.
Threading together singles Little Blue, Tangerine Dream and 18, the album unfolds as her “loudest love letter so far” traversing heartbreak, healing, longing and radical honesty. Across its runtime, Maxon leans into her signature blend of Americana, ’70s folk-rock and modern pop, crafting songs that feel both intimate and expansive, anchored by her luminous vocals and an instinct for emotional storytelling that lingers long after first listen.
The album’s focus track Stranger captures the heart of the record, a stirring, soul-baring moment that leans into vulnerability and connection, embodying the themes of openness and self-discovery that run throughout the album. It’s a track that feels both deeply introspective and quietly anthemic, showcasing Maxon’s ability to turn personal reflection into something universally resonant.
Meanwhile, most recent single Little Blue stands as one of the album’s most tender moments. Written for her younger brother, the track unfolds with a gentle, pop-folk warmth, luminous vocals set against a sparse, glowing backdrop, swelling into a heartfelt meditation on family, distance and the unspoken ways we care for one another. It’s intimate, comforting and deeply human, offering a soft place to land within the album’s emotional arc.
Created alongside a close-knit circle of collaborators, the album captures the magic of shared experience, from delicate, lived-in instrumentation to moments of collective energy, reinforcing Maxon’s belief in music as a space for healing and belonging. It’s a philosophy that extends beyond the studio, with Maxon widely recognised as a festival favourite, a proud LGBTQIA+ artist and a passionate supporter of women’s communities, bringing that same sense of inclusivity and connection into her live shows.
And it’s on stage where these songs are set to take on new life. To celebrate the release, Maxon will bring Talking With Strangers to The Toff for a special Melbourne album launch, performing with a full six-piece band and inviting audiences into the record’s world of rich harmonies, emotional depth and shared joy. With more intimate shows already turning heads across Victoria in the lead-up, the Toff show promises to be a full-circle moment, a chance to experience the album as it was intended: together.
With Talking With Strangers out today, Maxon delivers a debut that feels both deeply personal and universally felt, an album that invites listeners in, holds them close, and reminds us of the quiet power in being seen, heard and connected.
Stream the album here https://gyro.to/TalkingwithStrangers
THURS MAY 7 | THE TOFF, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from Moshtix
JASON DERULO SET TO BRING ‘THE LAST DANCE WORLD TOUR’ TO AUSTRALIA IN SEPTEMBER 2026
Off the back of the release of his new album, The Last Dance (Part 1), TEG Live is thrilled to announce that global pop and RnB icon Jason Derulo is set to return to arenas around Australia this September with his highly anticipated The Last Dance World Tour, bringing his electrifying live experience to fans across the country.
Kicking off at Brisbane’s Entertainment Centre on Thursday 17 September, the tour will move through to Sydney to play Qudos Bank Arena, and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, before finishing up at RAC Arena in Perth on Wednesday 23 September.
An Artist presale will begin at 10:00am local time on Monday 13 April and a TEG Live presale will begin at 11:00am local time on Tuesday 14 April. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday 15 April at 11:00am local time through Ticketek. Visit www.teglive.com.au/live_tour/jason-derulo/ for tour details.
With a career spanning over a decade, Jason Derulo has become one of the most recognisable voices in contemporary pop, seamlessly blending R&B, dance, and chart-topping hooks. The Last Dance World Tour will showcase a dynamic retrospective of his biggest hits, delivering a high-energy production featuring spectacular choreography and stunning visual effects that bring the full rhythm of his catalogue to life.
Derulo’s new 8 track album, The Last Dance (Part 1) marks a pivotal moment in his career. The project features six brand new songs (including new single Sexy For Me) alongside two previously released fan favourites, capturing the final chapter of one era before an intentional creative evolution begins.
With almost 250 million followers across all social media platforms and over 66 million on TikTok alone, Derulo is the fourth most followed male artist on the platform and he ranks among the biggest musicians across social media, highlighting the hitmaker’s influence on global pop culture.
Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the most exciting live performers of this generation as Jason Derulo brings The Last Dance World Tourto Australia.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday 15 April at 11:00am local time through Ticketek. For tour details, visit https://teglive.com.au/live_tour/jason-derulo/
The Last Dance (Part 1) is out now.
JASON DERULO LAST DANCE WORLD TOUR 2026
Thu 17 Sep | Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Sat 19 Sep | Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Mon 21 Sep | Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Wed 23 Sep | RAC Arena, Perth
BACHELOR GIRL SHARE REIMAGINED VERSION OF ‘TREAT ME GOOD’ FT. JESSICA MAUBOY FOR ‘WAITING FOR THE DAY’ ARTIST SESSIONS
Australian pop icons Bachelor Girl return with a bold new take on their 1998 hit, Treat Me Good, teaming up with beloved powerhouse vocalist Jessica Mauboy for the release, out today. Originally unleashed on the duo’s debut album, Waiting for the Day, this mammoth new version is the first taste of the band’s anticipated forthcoming redux album that will feature an epic haul of acclaimed household name artists who bring their prowess to the reimagining of the tracks.
Slated for a June release, Waiting For The Day: Artist Sessions is a complete reinterpretation of the double Platinum album that captivated the world. “We (somewhat audaciously!) began to ask some of our favourite Aussie artists and friends if they would lend their voices and/or instrument to our bucket list project,” beams Tania Doko. “What started with one, became 13 artists on this 15 track Redux album, and we could not be more chuffed they enthusiastically said yes.”
The duo has today also announced their Waiting For The Day Redux tour which will kick off in their home town of Melbourne at Brunswick Ballroom on August 8, before moving through Brisbane, Adelaide and finishing off in Sydney at The Factory Theatre on October 18. Tickets are on sale now from www.bachelorgirl.com.
Treat Me Good with Jessica Mauboy offers a reimagined version of the earlier classic, bringing a modern edge, and blending its nostalgic grooves with Mauboy’s soulful intensity to deliver a vibrant anthem of empowerment and self-worth. It’s a collaboration that proves timeless songs can evolve with heart, purpose and renewed spirit.
Genuinely so gracious to have Jessica Mauboy gifting her voice to this iconic song, Doko said, “Treat Me Good was written 3 decades ago, and we *still mean it. It’s been reinvigorating to create this full circle moment. Jess Mauboy’s contribution is the prize here, with the song now taking on an added sisterhood narrative – standing for the self, AND each other. It’s been humbling to learn how much the song meant to Jess, from her busking Bachelor Girl tunes in Darwin, to singing her face off with us in the studio while 7 months pregnant with Mia. It’s a ‘pinch us’ moment all round.”
“The first twenty seconds of Jess opening her mouth to sing was gob smacking,” adds James Roche. “We all looked like the kid from ‘Home Alone’.”
For Mauboy, one of Australia’s most celebrated and versatile artists, the collaboration adds another milestone to an extraordinary career spanning nearly two decades. A multiple ARIA Award winner and the first Indigenous Australian solo artist to debut at No.1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, she has amassed six Top 10 albums, 16 Top 20 singles and more than 30 combined Platinum and Gold accreditations. Beyond music, she has starred in acclaimed productions including The Sapphires, Bran Nue Dae and served as a coach on The Voice Australia. In 2025, Mauboy was inducted into the NIMAs Hall of Fame, further cementing her legacy as an enduring force in Australian entertainment.
“Treat Me Good has always been one of those songs that instantly takes you back,” says Mauboy. “I grew up hearing Bachelor Girl on the radio, so getting the chance to re-record such an iconic Australian song with them felt really special. What I love most about it is how real it feels, its message about respect and love still resonates today. Recording this new version together was a beautiful way to honour the heart of the original while sharing that emotion with a whole new generation.”
Tania Doko and James Roche of Bachelor Girl have proven their enduring, beloved status in Aussie music culture. Their debut Buses and Trains earned James APRA Song of the Year in 1999 and remains one of the most played Australian compositions since its release. The iconic hit also made waves in Asia, Scandinavia, Europe and the US, including a signing by legendary A&R Clive Davis, Arista records. Their critically acclaimed ARIA winning Waiting for the Day album spawned another four releases still on rotation today, including Treat Me Good, Lucky Me, Blown Away and Permission to Shine. With a catalogue defined by exceptional songwriting and soaring vocals, the duo continue to captivate audiences, recently touring alongside legendary acts including Simple Minds, Icehouse and The Corrs.
Treat Me Good featuring Jessica Mauboy is out today.
STREAM: TREAT ME GOOD FT. JESSICA MAUBOY
BACHELOR GIRL – WAITING FOR THE DAY REDUX TOUR DATES
SAT 08 AUG | BRUNSWICK BALLROOM, BRUNSWICK VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
SUN 23 AUG | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix Outlets
FRI 28 AUG | THE GOV, ADELAIDE SA | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | | All Oztix Outlets
FRI 04 SEP | CUBE 37 FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE, FRANKSTON VIC | ALL AGES U15s W ADULT
Tickets available from https://geelongartscentre.org.au/whats-on/ | 1300 251 200 | Geelong Arts Centre Website
SUN 18 OCT | THE FACTORY THEATRE, MARRICKVILLE NSW | 18+
Tickets available from https://www.factorytheatre.com.au/ | (02) 7208 4482 | Century Box Office