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Lauren McNamara

Joined 2025 • 539 posts
Lauren McNamara

Lauren McNamara is a Sydney-based journalist covering music, film, TV, media and pop culture. She began writing for Vinyl Media in mid-2025 and joined the team full time in August 2026. 

Latest stories

Midnight Oil's Rob Hirst Passes Away After Cancer Battle

Midnight Oil's Rob Hirst Passes Away After Cancer Battle

Midnight Oil's founding drummer, Rob Hirst, has died aged 70 after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
Midnight Oil's Rob Hirst Passes Away After Cancer Battle

News

Midnight Oil's Rob Hirst Passes Away After Cancer Battle

Midnight Oil's founding drummer, Rob Hirst, has died aged 70 after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
2charm's 'Boyfriend' Crowned Australia’s Steamiest Bedroom Soundtrack of 2025

2charm's 'Boyfriend' Crowned Australia’s Steamiest Bedroom Soundtrack of 2025

According to new research, music helps create intimacy in the bedroom for 49% of Australians - and here are the "steamiest" songs from 2025.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
2charm's 'Boyfriend' Crowned Australia’s Steamiest Bedroom Soundtrack of 2025

News

2charm's 'Boyfriend' Crowned Australia’s Steamiest Bedroom Soundtrack of 2025

According to new research, music helps create intimacy in the bedroom for 49% of Australians - and here are the "steamiest" songs from 2025.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
Universal Music Group Signs Multi-Year Licensing Deal With China's NetEase Cloud Music

Universal Music Group Signs Multi-Year Licensing Deal With China's NetEase Cloud Music

Universal Music Group has announced a new multi-year license agreement with NetEase Cloud Music, a leading music streaming provider in China.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
Universal Music Group Signs Multi-Year Licensing Deal With China's NetEase Cloud Music

News

Universal Music Group Signs Multi-Year Licensing Deal With China's NetEase Cloud Music

Universal Music Group has announced a new multi-year license agreement with NetEase Cloud Music, a leading music streaming provider in China.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
2026 APRA Professional Development Awards Finalists Unveiled

2026 APRA Professional Development Awards Finalists Unveiled

The 61 songwriter and composer finalists for the 2026 APRA Professional Development Awards have been revealed.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
2026 APRA Professional Development Awards Finalists Unveiled

News

2026 APRA Professional Development Awards Finalists Unveiled

The 61 songwriter and composer finalists for the 2026 APRA Professional Development Awards have been revealed.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
'Going from Strength to Strength': Finely Tuned Founder Reflects on 20 Years at the Heart of Live Music

'Going from Strength to Strength': Finely Tuned Founder Reflects on 20 Years at the Heart of Live Music

The Music Network caught up with Finely Tuned's founder Simon Beckingham to reflect on what has been built over the past 20 years.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
'Going from Strength to Strength': Finely Tuned Founder Reflects on 20 Years at the Heart of Live Music

Features

'Going from Strength to Strength': Finely Tuned Founder Reflects on 20 Years at the Heart of Live Music

The Music Network caught up with Finely Tuned's founder Simon Beckingham to reflect on what has been built over the past 20 years.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 20, 2026
Applications Open for Keith Urban Country Rising Star Scholarship

Applications Open for Keith Urban Country Rising Star Scholarship

Applications for the new Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship are now open, and will close in one month's time.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Applications Open for Keith Urban Country Rising Star Scholarship

News

Applications Open for Keith Urban Country Rising Star Scholarship

Applications for the new Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship are now open, and will close in one month's time.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Young Henrys Named Official Beer Partner for Laneway Sydney

Young Henrys Named Official Beer Partner for Laneway Sydney

Laneway has named Sydney-based brewer Young Henrys as the official beer partner for the 2026 Sydney edition. 

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Young Henrys Named Official Beer Partner for Laneway Sydney

News

Young Henrys Named Official Beer Partner for Laneway Sydney

Laneway has named Sydney-based brewer Young Henrys as the official beer partner for the 2026 Sydney edition. 

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Voting Opens for 2026 QMAs People's Choice Awards

Voting Opens for 2026 QMAs People's Choice Awards

Fans and music lovers can play a crucial role in this year's QMAs, by casting a vote in the People's Choice categories.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Voting Opens for 2026 QMAs People's Choice Awards

News

Voting Opens for 2026 QMAs People's Choice Awards

Fans and music lovers can play a crucial role in this year's QMAs, by casting a vote in the People's Choice categories.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Music and Entertainment Stars Among 2026 Cast of 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' Australia

Music and Entertainment Stars Among 2026 Cast of 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' Australia

Australian audiences are returning to the jungle with a new batch of familiar faces - including several music and entertainment stars.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Music and Entertainment Stars Among 2026 Cast of 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' Australia

News

Music and Entertainment Stars Among 2026 Cast of 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' Australia

Australian audiences are returning to the jungle with a new batch of familiar faces - including several music and entertainment stars.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Lime Cordiale Are Building an Off-Grid Music Festival

Lime Cordiale Are Building an Off-Grid Music Festival

Australian indie favourites Lime Cordiale have announced a brand-new off-grid festival, arriving in Australia in April 2026.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Lime Cordiale Are Building an Off-Grid Music Festival

News

Lime Cordiale Are Building an Off-Grid Music Festival

Australian indie favourites Lime Cordiale have announced a brand-new off-grid festival, arriving in Australia in April 2026.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 19, 2026
Empire of the Sun Release 'Alive (Reimagined)' EP

Empire of the Sun Release 'Alive (Reimagined)' EP

A star-studded list of DJs have taken on Empire of the Sun's iconic 2013 track "Alive", in a new EP released today from the Australian duo. 

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 16, 2026
Empire of the Sun Release 'Alive (Reimagined)' EP

News

Empire of the Sun Release 'Alive (Reimagined)' EP

A star-studded list of DJs have taken on Empire of the Sun's iconic 2013 track "Alive", in a new EP released today from the Australian duo. 

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 16, 2026
Destination NSW Explains SXSW Sydney Cancellation

Destination NSW Explains SXSW Sydney Cancellation

The NSW Government has offered an explanation as to why SXSW Sydney has been axed after only three editions.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 15, 2026
Destination NSW Explains SXSW Sydney Cancellation

News

Destination NSW Explains SXSW Sydney Cancellation

The NSW Government has offered an explanation as to why SXSW Sydney has been axed after only three editions.

By Lauren McNamara - Jan 15, 2026
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