The week in music: 5 to 11 October 2026

Tours dominated the week, a few big bands changed their plans, and one label took a star to court. Here are the eight stories that mattered from 5 to 11 October 2026, with our full coverage of each.

1. Arijit Singh announces a nine-city India tour for 2027

India's biggest playback voice marks 20 years in music with nine stadium-scale shows between January and May 2027. Presales started on 10 October and general sale opens on 13 October. Dates, cities and tickets.

2. Metallica open their Sphere residency

Life Burns Faster began in Las Vegas on 1 October and runs 24 shows through March 2027, with a No Repeat format that changes the setlist every night. Every date and how it works.

3. Interscope sues Summer Walker for more than $50 million

The label filed in Los Angeles on 9 October, saying she still owes two albums, after her lawyers called her 2017 deal unenforceable. Her attorney says they will defend the case. The details.

4. Rosalía's third SNL turn

On 10 October 2026 the Spanish star performed "Reliquia" en pointe and "Magnolias" in a studio rainstorm, both from her album Lux. What happened on stage.

5. Brian May says Queen will not tour again

The guitarist has said he and Roger Taylor decided about 18 months ago that they no longer want to tour, after the Rhapsody Tour ended in Tokyo in February 2024. The full story.

6. Powderfinger reunite

The Brisbane band last played together on 13 November 2010. Australian shows are coming from September 2027, with cities, venues and tickets due on Monday 12 October. Reunion news.

7. Festival season 2027 starts to take shape

Poland's Open'er added The Chemical Brothers, Ellie Goulding and Adéla to a first wave led by Tame Impala, sombr and RAYE (lineup). In Lagos, the 13-day Detty December Fest runs 18 to 30 December with Wizkid as the first name on the bill (details).

8. The AI streaming fraud case ends in prison

Michael Smith used AI-made songs and bot accounts to collect more than $8 million in royalties. A New York federal judge sentenced him to 18 months on 6 October 2026. The case.

Also worth your time

My Chemical Romance's expanded Black Parade reissue adds three B-sides and three live recordings (story). Kakao Entertainment and Atlantic Music Group will plan K-pop careers together from the earliest stages (story). And "Golden" took Best Song at the 26th World Soundtrack Awards in Ghent (story).

More from the week is on our stories page.