BALL x PIT has been a full-blown “just one more run” menace since launch, and now it’s getting its first major content drop. The Regal Update is free and available now, adding two new characters, eight new balls, and the big headline feature players have been yelling about since day one. Endless Mode.
Also, yes, the game recently hit one million copies sold, which is an absurdly fitting milestone for a roguelite that’s basically made of dopamine and bad decisions.
Two New Characters, Two New Ways To Cause Problems
The Regal Update adds The Falconer and The Carouser, and both sound like they were designed in a lab to ruin your self-control.
The Falconer fires two balls launched by birds flanking the screen, giving your attacks a wide, swooping spread. The Carouser comes with a personal gravity field that can tug ball trajectories off their usual path, turning your run into a physics experiment with consequences.
Eight New Balls, Including One That Hits Like A Truck
The update adds eight new balls overall, and a few are already doing the rounds as instant favourites.
Fireworks bursts outward in unpredictable patterns, scattering damage everywhere
Stone Ball hits hard on impact, then slowly crumbles as it keeps bouncing
Landslide triggers a cascading wave of debris from the first impact point and leaves lingering damage
If your current approach to BALL x PIT is “I wonder what happens if I fuse these two ridiculous things together,” this update is basically a catered event.
Endless Mode Is Here, And It’s As Dangerous As It Sounds
Endless Mode is now live as a post-game unlock. Once you finish the game, you can push each level beyond its limit, keep going after the boss, and descend deeper as long as you can stay alive and choose to continue.
This is either the best news you’ve had all week, or a direct threat to your sleep schedule. Possibly both.
Where To Get It
The Regal Update is out now on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2.
What we can confirm from public listings as of 28 January 2026 (features may vary by platform/version).
Category
Feature
Options
Notes
Subtitles
Subtitles Available
Confirmed
Steam lists 10 supported languages, with full audio in English and subtitles available in the listed languages.
Audio
Full Audio Language
Confirmed
English full audio is listed.
Motion
Screen Shake Toggle
Reported
Reported as toggleable in settings.
Controls
Remapping
Reported
Reported as available, with full control over button mappings.
Audio Options
Audio Sliders
Reported
Reported as adjustable via audio settings.
Text & UI
Text Size / UI Scaling
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed. Check in-game settings.
Visual
Colourblind Settings
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed.
Motion
Camera Shake / Motion Toggles
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed beyond third-party reporting.
Disclaimer: Accessibility features may change with updates and differ across platforms. If a specific option is essential for you, double-check the in-game settings (or ask the developers) before purchasing.
TLDR;
The Regal Update is free and out now for BALL x PIT.
Adds The Falconer and The Carouser, plus eight new balls, including Fireworks, Stone Ball, and Landslide.
Endless Mode is live as a post-game unlock, letting you push levels indefinitely if you can survive.
Available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and Switch 2.
Geralt of Rivia is returning on 25 February 2026 – but this time, your destiny hangs on a swipe.
Nerial and Devolver Digitalhave teamed up with CD PROJEKT REDto unveil Reigns: The Witcher, the latest mutation of the smash-hit swipe-’em-up series, set amidst the merciless, monster-strewn landscapes of The Witcher universe. Instead of a straight retelling of Geralt’s journey, the story is filtered through the gilded tongue of his oldest friend, Dandelion.
Swipe Your Destiny
If you’ve played Reigns, you know the deal. Swipe left or right to make decisions, then live with the consequences. Or don’t. In Reigns: The Witcher, those consequences carry weight across the Continent – from contracts and conspiracies to angry villagers and hotheaded sorceresses.
A casual swipe might win you renown among nobles, enrage a rabble of mages, or leave you knee-deep in drowners. As any good witcher knows, few requests are as simple as they first appear.
Familiar Faces, Slightly Exaggerated Disasters
Along the Path you’ll find the company of Yennefer, Triss, Vesemir, and a roster of other beloved allies and adversaries. But remember, when everything’s filtered through Dandelion’s quill, even the most mundane errand can become an audacious epic, or a slightly exaggerated disaster.
Songs, Swords, And Swipes
Players will weave Geralt’s legend through branching stories, bardic embellishments, and thousands of narrative combinations, with Dandelion conducting the chorus of fate.
Between verses, the White Wolf still gets plenty of work done. Combat minigames pit Geralt against ghouls, rotfiends, and other foes both real and (according to Dandelion) “curiously improvised”.
The Bard’s Encore
From taverns to far-flung villages, Reigns: The Witcher invites you to expand Dandelion’s ever-growing repertoire. Perform new “greatest hits” across the land, and shape the saga of the White Wolf.
Reigns: The Witcher will be available on 25 February 2026 on PC and mobile for €5.99 (regional pricing may vary).
What we can confirm from public listings as of 28 January 2026 (features may vary by platform/version).
Category
Feature
Options
Notes
Gameplay
Adjustable Difficulty
Confirmed
Listed under Accessibility Features.
Audio
Custom Volume Controls
Confirmed
Listed under Accessibility Features.
Input
Single-Input Play Options
Confirmed
Keyboard-only, mouse-only, and touch-only options are listed.
Text & UI
Text Size / UI Scaling
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed. Check in-game settings.
Controls
Remapping
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed.
Visual
Colourblind Settings
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed.
Motion
Camera Shake / Motion Toggles
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed.
Disclaimer: Accessibility features can change with updates and may differ between platforms. If a specific option is essential, double-check the in-game settings (or ask the developers) before purchasing.
TLDR;
Reigns: The Witcher launches 25 February 2026 on PC and mobile.
It’s the Reigns swipe-choice formula set in The Witcher universe, with Dandelion narrating Geralt’s legend like it’s performance art.
Expect branching stories, familiar faces (Yennefer, Triss, Vesemir), and combat minigames between your terrible, terrible swipes.
Price is listed at €5.99 (regional pricing may vary).
Absolum has officially cracked 500,000 copies sold, and Dotemu is celebrating the only sensible way. By giving us more ways to get absolutely wrecked (affectionate). Dotemu (alongside co-developers Guard Crush Games and Supamonks) has announced Threads of Fate, a free content update landing on 12 February, bringing a brand-new game mode, nastier post-game zones, and a bunch of new rewards.
If you’ve been treating Absolum like your “one more run” comfort game (dangerous behaviour, no judgement), this update looks tailor-made to keep your hands glued to the controller.
Threads of Fate lands on 12 February
Dotemu’s calling Threads of Fate a generous free update, and honestly, the feature list makes a solid case.
Mystic Ordeal: The “You Asked for Pain” Mode
The headline addition is Mystic Ordeal, an all-new game mode built around dozens of modifiers. In plain English: It’s designed to remix your runs into tougher, stranger scenarios that contrast with the core adventure.
“Mystic Ordeal looks like the kind of mode that turns ‘I’m pretty good at this’ into ‘I have made several mistakes today.'”
If you’ve already rolled credits and your brain is still hungry for a bigger bite, Corrupted Regions add optional post-game threats and rewards. You’ll discover these corrupted areas while travelling through Absolum’s world, and if the name didn’t tip you off, they’re not there to be your friend.
More rewards, new mounts, and improvements
Threads of Fate also adds new rewards, new mount types, and a pile of improvements. Basically, more shiny stuff to chase, more ways to move around, and fewer reasons to yell at your screen for the wrong reasons.
Dotemu’s first original IP (how?!)
Dotemu has earned a strong reputation for classically inspired brawlers and sharply crafted adaptations, but Absolum is its first original franchise. The game was nominated for Best Independent Game at The Game Awards and has also picked up nominations from other award bodies and festivals.
What is Absolum?
If you’re new here: Absolum blends arcade-style melee combat with spells, counters, and upgradable abilities, wrapped in a fantasy adventure built for replayability. Expect branching paths, quests, characters to meet, and bosses that will absolutely humble you. Simply put, it’s a super fun game.
The overall vibe channels classic brawlers like Golden Axe and Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara, but with a modern, run-based structure where you’re unlocking items, quests, and permanent upgrades as you go.
PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Price
€24.99
Accessibility Snapshot
What we can confirm from public listings as of 28 January 2026 (features may vary by platform/version).
Category
Feature
Options
Notes
Subtitles
Subtitles available
Confirmed
Listed across 12 languages (English + 11 more).
Audio
Full audio language
Confirmed
Full audio listed as English only.
Dialogue
Voicing & subtitling
Reported
Listed as partially voiced and some speech subtitled.
Saving
Save options
Reported
Save anytime.
Difficulty
Difficulty selection
Reported
Select difficulty level.
Difficulty
Difficulty customisation
Reported
Customise difficulty.
Controls
Button-mashing reduction
Reported
Rapid repeated pressing optional; no repeated pressing listed as supported.
Audio Options
Mix controls
Reported
Balance audio levels.
Co-op Support
Co-op modes
Confirmed
Online co-op and shared/split-screen co-op (useful for supported play).
Text & UI
Text size / UI scaling
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed. Check in-game settings.
Controls
Remapping
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed.
Visual
Colourblind settings
Not confirmed
Not publicly listed.
Disclaimer: Accessibility features may change with updates and differ across platforms. If a specific option is essential for you, double-check the in-game settings (or ask the developers) before purchasing.
TLDR;
Absolum has passed 500,000 copies sold.
Free update Threads of Fate lands 12 February.
Adds Mystic Ordeal (modifier-driven challenge mode), Corrupted Regions (post-game dangers and rewards), plus new mounts, rewards, and improvements.
Loreen is back with a new single. ‘Feels Like Heaven’ is out now via Polydor France, and it’s co-written by Sia, arriving as the latest taste of Loreen’s upcoming album Wildfire, due 27 March 2026.
If you’ve been clocking the “mother is coming” teasing across socials and the projections that popped up in London, Paris, and Berlin, this is the payoff. A new era with big feelings, big voice, and a rollout that knows exactly what it’s doing.
‘Feels Like Heaven’ is built on slow-burn tension that gradually opens out into something release-y and cathartic. Loreen’s delivery starts tight and controlled, then cracks wider as the track climbs. It’s that specific Loreen sweet spot: emotional intensity without going melodramatic, like she’s singing from inside the storm rather than reporting on it after. Full twister mode.
The hook leans into repetition on purpose (the “surrendering” refrain circles back like a thought you can’t shake), and the production keeps things glossy but not sterile. It’s pop with big ol’ chompers.
The writing room went off
Alongside Sia, the track is co-written/produced by Jesse Shatkin, with Calum Landau also on writing, and additional production from Myles Avery. It’s a lineup that makes sense for a Loreen single, because everyone involved specialises in turning big emotion into something you can play on repeat without it losing its punch.
Loreen’s own take on the song
Loreen describes ‘Feels Like Heaven’ as a song about surrender and the idea of “heaven” as an inner state you arrive at through safety, love, and letting go. It’s very her.
“Feels Like Heaven is about surrender… we suffer when we resist, and we heal when we surrender.”
‘Wildfire’ arrives in March, with ‘Tattoo’ on the tracklist
Wildfire lands 27 March 2026, and it’s positioned as a full-spectrum Loreen record: pain, desire, anger, release, all of it. The album will be available digitally and physically, including CD and three vinyl variants: Day, Dusk, and Midnight editions (availability varies by location).
The tracklist also includes ‘Tattoo’ and ‘Is It Love’, tying this new chapter back to her recent high points while still moving forward.
Wildfire Tracklist
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE
FEELS LIKE HEAVEN
WEAPONS
IS IT LOVE
CANT PULL ME DOWN
MELT
WILDFIRE
COMING CLOSE
SET ME FREE
TATTOO
LOSE THAT LIGHT FT. 6LACK
KISS THE SKY
TRUE LOVE
Drag Race UK fans, mark your calendar
Loreen is also set to appear as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK on 27 January, which is extremely correct, honestly. If anyone belongs on that panel, giving cosmic pop-oracle energy, it’s her. Not a single crumb will survive.
TL;DR
Loreen has released a new single, ‘Feels Like Heaven’, co-written by Sia
New album Wildfire drops 27 March 2026
Guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK on 27 January
The album includes ‘Tattoo’, ‘Is It Love’, and ‘Lose That Light’ ft. 6LACK
Death Cab for Cutie have officially signed to ANTI- Records for future releases, and they’re rolling into this new chapter with a full North American summer tour announcement. Nearly 30 years deep and still making emotionally devastating indie rock for people who feel things too loud (hi), the band’s next era looks… extremely promising.
Alongside the label news, Death Cab’s summer run kicks off July 10 in Minneapolis, includes two nights at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, and brings Japanese Breakfast, Nation of Language, and Jay Som along for select dates. Presale starts Wednesday, January 28, at 10 am local time, with general onsale Friday, January 30, at 10 am local time.
Death Cab x ANTI- Records:
Death Cab joining ANTI- feels like a clean, confident move: A band with a long legacy choosing a label known for artists who do their own thing, properly. They’re joining a roster that includes names like Tom Waits, Mavis Staples and Neko Case, alongside newer (but no less beloved) indie heavy-hitters.
Ben Gibbard put it plainly: They’re thrilled to be there, excited to work with the team, and they’ve been working on stuff they want to share soon. That “soon” is doing a cheeky little wink at new music, and we’re politely but intensely staring back.
The tour: Dates, supports, and the two-night Greek Theatre moment
The headlining tour begins July 10 and runs through August 7, with a festival appearance in Denver beforehand on May 29. Supports rotate by date, which is basically a gift if you’re the type who plans your year around who’s opening (again: hi).
North American Summer Tour 2026 (with supports)
Date
City
Venue
Support
May 29
Denver, CO
Outside Days (Festival)
—
Jul 10
Minneapolis, MN
Armory
Jay Som
Jul 11
Milwaukee, WI
Miller High Life Theatre
Jay Som
Jul 12
Indianapolis, IN
Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
Jay Som
Jul 14
Cincinnati, OH
MegaCorp Pavilion
Jay Som
Jul 15
Cleveland, OH
Jacobs Pavilion
Jay Som
Jul 17
Philadelphia, PA
Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts
Japanese Breakfast
Jul 18
Canandaigua, NY
CMAC
Japanese Breakfast
Jul 19
Toronto, ON
RBC Amphitheatre
Japanese Breakfast
Jul 21
Columbia, MD
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Japanese Breakfast
Jul 22
Raleigh, NC
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Japanese Breakfast
Jul 24
St. Louis, MO
Stifel Theatre
Nation of Language
Jul 25
Bentonville, AR
The Momentary
Nation of Language
Jul 26
Council Bluffs, IA
Harrah’s Stir Cove
Nation of Language
Jul 28
Fort Collins, CO
Washington’s
Nation of Language
Jul 29
Sandy, UT
Sandy Amphitheater
Nation of Language
Jul 31
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Financial Theatre
Nation of Language
Aug 2
Los Angeles, CA
The Greek Theatre
Nation of Language
Aug 3
Los Angeles, CA
The Greek Theatre
Nation of Language
Aug 4
San Diego, CA
Gallagher Square at Petco Park
Nation of Language
Aug 6
Las Vegas, NV
The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
—
Aug 7
Paso Robles, CA
Vina Robles Amphitheatre
—
Ticket Info: Presale and onsale (set your alarms)
Presale: Wednesday, January 28 — 10 am local time
General onsale: Friday, January 30 — 10 am local time
Early access sign-up: linked via the tour announcement (“sign up for early access to tickets”)
If you’re the kind of person who “just checks” at 10:07 am and then has to emotionally recover, please treat this as a loving intervention.
Quick context: Yes, they’ve earned the victory lap
This tour announcement lands right after a massive, sold-out run celebrating 20 years of ‘Transatlanticism’ (a sentence that made an entire generation sit down abruptly). They’re also coming off the acclaim for 2022’s ‘Asphalt Meadows’, which proved they’re still allergic to phoning it in.
And if you want the tidy little timeline moment: the band started out indie (Barsuk), went major (Atlantic), and now they’re circling back into indie-land with ANTI- — with the kind of confidence you only get after surviving decades of people projecting their entire emotional history onto your back catalogue.
Where to next?
The most important line in the whole announcement is the simplest: “Stay tuned for news on new music soon.” We are tuned. Our ears are moisturised. We are sitting respectfully in the waiting room.
TL;DR
Death Cab for Cutie have signed to ANTI- Records for future releases
A North American summer tour kicks off July 10 in Minneapolis
Japanese Breakfast, Nation of Language, and Jay Som support on select dates
Presale: Jan 28, 10 am local; general onsale: Jan 30, 10 am local
Tour includes two nights at The Greek Theatre in LA (Aug 2–3)
Laneway Perth is close enough to taste, and I have two pieces of information for you:
It is going to be hot, loud, beautiful, and extremely A Lot (affectionate).
I am a lesbian, and seeing Chappell Roan in a 90-minute full set situation is going to do permanent damage to my nervous system in the best way.
This guide is built for the people who love festivals but also need a plan. The neurodivergent crowd. The anxious girlies. The queer crew. The “I will have fun but only if I know where the toilets are” faction. The “I need to sit down or I will simply evaporate” community.
Save it. Share it. Screenshot it. Print it. Use it to bully your group chat into arriving at a reasonable time.
Laneway 2026 Spotify Playlist
Quick Facts: Laneway Perth 2026 at a glance
What
Details
Event
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2026 (Perth)
Country
Whadjuk Boodjar
Venue
Arena Joondalup
Address
Kennedya Dr, Joondalup WA 6027
Date
Sunday 15 February 2026
Ages
16+
Gates
1:00 pm
Finish
10:30 pm
Pass-outs
None (no re-entry)
Cash
Cashless (card/phone wallet)
App
Official Laneway app (iOS + Android)
Youth
App can be used to pre-register a responsible adult (Youth ticketholders)
Laneway can be a sensory theme park. Fun. Chaos. Noise. Bodies. Heat. Smells. Unpredictability. If your brain does the “this is fine” meme until it suddenly is not fine, this section is for you.
Pick your “non-negotiables” now
Choose 2 to 4 artists you refuse to miss, then build everything else around your energy, not your fantasy self.
Try:
One early must-see (before crowds peak)
One mid-afternoon anchor
One “I will ascend” moment (hello Chappell)
One buffer slot for food, water, toilet, and regulation
Give yourself permission to be a festival gremlin
You do not have to be at the rail. You do not have to be social. You do not have to “make the most of it” every minute. You can sit down. You can leave a set early. You can wear ear protection. You can eat the same safe food twice.
You are allowed to have a good time in a way that suits your nervous system.
Build a regulation kit
Earplugs (high-fidelity if you can)
Sunglasses
A hat
Sunscreen
Electrolytes (sealed, unopened, original packaging)
A small comfort item (ring, fidget, soft thing, whatever works)
A portable charger
A snack you know you will eat (if approved via accessibility request for medical needs)
Accessibility: What Laneway Perth offers
Laneway Perth has accessibility supports on-site, but it is still a loud, busy outdoor festival. Knowing what to expect helps you plan around the friction points.
Surfaces and Movement
The site includes grass, concrete, and gravel, with uneven surfaces and slopes in parts. Accessible viewing areas exist around stages for patrons using mobility devices.
Accessible Viewing Decks and Designated Viewing Areas
Laneway provides Accessible Viewing Decks and designated viewing areas for patrons with disability (including non-visible disability) and companions.
Important note: These areas are limited. If a deck reaches capacity, priority may be given to wheelchair and mobility-aid users and patrons who require access-supported viewing.
Also important: Viewing decks are not low-sensory spaces. They can still be crowded, loud, and visually intense.
Low Sensory and Chill-Out Spaces
There are Chill Out Space and Low Sensory Space options on-site. If you’re overwhelmed but not in need of medical assistance, these are the places to regulate.
Medical
Medical outposts will be signposted and shown on the patron map (and in the app).
Companion Cards
If you have an approved Companion Card, you can add an additional ticket during purchase through Ticketek. If you already purchased and did not request it, contact Ticketek directly.
Assistance Animals
Guide and support animals are welcome. You will need documentation confirming your animal is an accredited assistance animal.
Auslan
Auslan interpretation will not be available at Laneway 2026.
Accessibility Request Form
If you need support, specific entry needs, or to bring in required food for allergies or medical requirements, fill out the Accessibility Request Form via the event accessibility section.
Festival rules that will save your day
Start and Finish
Gates open at 1:00 pm. Event finishes 10:30 pm.
Pass-outs
There are no pass-outs. If you leave, you cannot re-enter. Plan your meds, food needs, and regulation breaks with that reality in mind.
Wet Weather
Laneway goes ahead rain, hail, or shine, unless the site is deemed unsafe by authorities.
What to bring (and what not to bring)
Required
Valid ticket on your phone (limited tickets available HERE)
Valid photo ID (check accepted ID requirements)
Highly Recommended
Empty soft water bottle
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
Card/phone wallet (cashless)
Bag no larger than A4
Prescription Medication Rules
Prescription meds must be:
In original packaging
Dispensing label matches the name on the ticket holder’s ID
Only bring what you need for the day
Over-the-counter meds (Panadol/Nurofen) are allowed.
If you want, you can store medication with the medical team after entry (still subject to bag search at gates).
Banned Items List (Perth): The Fast Version
Laneway is strict, and security will search bags. The quickest way to ruin your vibe is bringing something you assume is fine.
Banned Items Include
Glass or breakable containers (including makeup in glass, mirrors, perfumes)
Cans or metal canisters (including metal water bottles, aerosols)
Skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, bikes
Milk crates, bread crates, metal cans/containers
Chairs (folding, camping, portable) and furniture
Clothing with sharp studs/accessories that could injure patrons
Club patches and jackets
Weapons or potential missiles
Flares/fireworks/smoke bombs/explosives
Alcohol
Illicit drugs and paraphernalia (including nangs, bongs, pipes)
Vapes/e-cigs with more than 110mL liquid
Professional cameras with removable lenses (no media accreditation = no)
Sound/video recorders
Laser pointers/lights
Umbrellas (bring a plastic poncho/raincoat instead)
Water pistols
Pets (assistance animals excepted)
Fires/open flames
Sound systems
Eskies/coolers/chilly bins
Culturally insensitive items
Drones/remote control devices
Confetti, shredded paper, register rolls, anything likely to cause environmental issues
Any other item deemed dangerous or a public nuisance
Camera Note
No detachable lens cameras without formal media accreditation. Small digital cameras and handycams for personal use are allowed.
Food and Drink: Feeding yourself like a responsible adult (against your will)
You cannot bring outside food or drink unless approved for medical or allergy reasons through the Accessibility Request Form.
You can bring Hydralyte/electrolytes if they are sealed, unopened, and in their original packaging.
Food vendors with GF/veg/vegan options listed
Baolicious
El Aleman Loco
Dal Pizzaiolo
Nonnos Kitchen
SMOKR BBQ
Taco Daddy
Parmi & Pasta
The Big Slice WA
Craig Brown
Danny’s Food Truck
Con Pebre
Kasama’s Thai Kitchen
Pro tip: If you have a safe food, plan when you will eat it. Hunger plus heat plus crowds equals a meltdown recipe your body did not consent to.
Getting there (Perth): Transport, walks, and why driving is a trap
Public transport is included
All Perth Laneway Festival tickets include Transperth services for three hours before, during, and three hours after the event until end of service.
You do not pay during these times. Just have your event ticket ready to show staff.
From Joondalup Station, it’s around 15 minutes walk (1500m) to the festival entrance on Kennedya Drive.
Walking directions
From the train station, head slightly south to Collier Pass
Walk west along Collier Pass footpath to Joondalup Drive
Cross under Joondalup Drive via the pedestrian underpass
Walk north along Joondalup Drive to Kennedya Drive
Follow directions of traffic controllers, event staff, and police
Taxi and Rideshare
Pick up/drop off zone is on Moore Drive (Westbound only), from the west of Joondalup Drive intersection. Approach from Grand Boulevard.
Expect road closures. Follow signage and staff directions.
Parking
Laneway does not recommend driving. Parking is severely limited. Road closures and restrictions will apply.
If you drive, sort a designated driver in advance.
ACROD
ACROD permit holders can pick up/drop off and park at the designated ACROD area at Arena Joondalup.
Use Waabiyn Way, approaching from Moore Drive (westbound only). Have your permit ready.
Safety, crowd care, and how to survive the pits without losing your soul
Laneway is committed to safety and has a zero-tolerance approach to behaviour that puts others at risk or makes them uncomfortable.
This includes:
Bullying
Fighting
Unwanted physical contact
Throwing items
Verbal abuse
Security, medical, and crowd care teams are on-site all day, especially in high-energy areas like mosh pits.
If you’re going into a busy crowd:
Pick a meeting point with your friends first
Decide what you do if someone gets overwhelmed (Leave set? Chill out space? Medical?)
Keep your phone charged
Drink water before you think you need it
Lost property: What happens if your brain drops your phone into another dimension
If you find something, take it to the Information Tent.
If you lose something, go to the Information Tent.
After the festival:
Only items of value are held (phones, wallets, bank cards, ID, car/house keys)
Fill out the Lost Property Form for anything not registered/collected
Items held at the Event Office until Tuesday, 17 February
Collection available from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm only
Uncollected items disposed of or donated after that date
The Chappell Roan Perth City Guide (Queer businesses to hype your weekend)
Laneway and Chappell Roan Fandemonium put together official city guides for each stop. Perth’s list is a proper little love letter to queer community.
Official Perth Guide Spots
Connections Nightclub
The Flaming Galah (Fremantle)
Dykes on Bikes Perth WA
All Things Queer (RTRFM 92.1FM)
Little Pride Pin Shop
Rabble Books + Games
Perth Frontrunners
Perth Gaymers
If you’re travelling in, or you’re local but want to make a weekend of it, use this list as your “I want to be around my people” roadmap.
Two weeks out: How to plan your day without becoming a crispy little raisin
1) Pre-load everything
Download your ticket
Download the app
Save/set your must-sees
Screenshot the set times
Screenshot the site map (Once available)
Put your meeting point in the group chat
2) Dress for heat and sensory comfort
Perth in February is not here to be kind. Choose fabrics that breathe. Wear shoes you can stand in for hours. Bring sunscreen. Bring ear protection. Bring sunglasses.
3) Decide your personal “exit plan”
You do not have to stay until 10:30 pm. If you’re cooked, you’re cooked. Your future self deserves you arriving home in one piece.
TL;DR
Laneway Perth 2026 is on Sunday 15 February at Arena Joondalup, gates 1:00 pm, ends at 10:30 pm, no pass-outs.
Public transport is included with your ticket on Transperth (3 hours before/during/after, until end of service).
Accessibility includes viewing decks, chill-out space, and low-sensory space (decks are not low-sensory).
Perth Chappell city guide includes Connections, The Flaming Galah, Little Pride Pin Shop, Rabble Books + Games, and more (use it as your queer pregame map).
Stay unruly.
Olivia Dean at Laneway Festival 2025 in Perth by Unruly Folk
Y’know those songs that creep up quietly, live in your head for months, then suddenly take over the world? Djo‘s ‘End of Beginning’ is officially in that category.
The track has now secured a second consecutive week at #1 on the Official UK Singles Chart, cementing its late-bloom glow-up after originally appearing on Djo’s 2022 album DECIDE. It also recently went double platinum in the UK and passed two billion streams on Spotify, which is… a lot of feelings, statistically speaking.
A Song That Refused to Rush
‘End of Beginning’ previously peaked at #4 back in 2024, quietly gathering momentum before finally claiming the top spot last week. Now it’s holding its ground, and doing so globally.
The single has also landed:
#1 on Billboard’s Global 200
#6 on the Billboard Hot 100
Not bad for a track that’s been patiently waiting its turn.
The Crux Era Is Still Climbing
The chart wins come alongside continued momentum for Djo’s third album, The Crux, and its companion release, The Crux Deluxe. Other tracks from the record are climbing the UK charts too:
‘Basic Being Basic’ at #62
‘Delete Ya’ rising to #72
Released earlier this year via AWAL, The Crux marked a shift in sound for Djo, leaning into guitar-driven arrangements, warm instrumentation, and songwriting that sits somewhere between introspection and dry wit.
The album was written across multiple cities before being shaped at Electric Lady Studios in New York, with longtime collaborator Adam Thein. It’s a record that feels restless, reflective, and surprisingly grounded, especially considering the scale it’s now reached.
A Massive Year on Stage
2025 was also the year Djo took the project properly global. Highlights included:
Debuts at Glastonbury Festival and Coachella
A completely sold-out international tour
Three nights at LA’s Greek Theatre
Three nights at London’s O2 Forum
Not exactly easing into it.
What’s Next
Djo is set to hit major festivals again in 2026, including:
Lollapalooza Argentina
Lollapalooza Chile
Lollapalooza Brasil
Festival Estéreo Picnic (Colombia)
The Crux and The Crux Deluxe are available now.
Djo – End of Beginning (Live at Laneway 2025)
TLDR;
Djo’s ‘End of Beginning’ is #1 in the UK for a second week
The track has passed 2 billion Spotify streams and gone double platinum
‘Haunted’ moves slowly, like it’s feeling its way forward in the dark.
The new single from Crooked Fingers, featuring Sharon Van Etten, is built around repetition, restraint, and a quiet sense of inevitability. The song unfolds in small, deliberate motions. A steady pulse. A melody that barely shifts. Lyrics that circle the same emotional centre until it starts to feel unavoidable.
A Slow Build That Knows Exactly What It’s Doing
Eric Bachmann’s voice sets the tone early, low and measured, carrying the weight of someone speaking carefully because every word matters. When Van Etten enters, she doesn’t change the direction of the song. She settles into it. Her vocal feels like a second perspective in the same room, sharing the same memory, approaching it from a slightly different angle.
The power of ‘Haunted‘ comes from that shared space.
The Aftermath Is the Point
The lyrics focus on the aftermath. Things said too late. Actions that keep echoing long after the moment has passed. Lines repeat, not for emphasis, but because they won’t loosen their grip.
The phrase “every action and reaction coming after is haunted” becomes a refrain that sinks deeper each time it returns, less like a lyric and more like a realisation you can’t shake.
Silence That Pulls You Closer
Musically, the track stays sparse. Nothing rushes in to fill the gaps. The arrangement leaves room for breath, for tension, for the discomfort that comes with sitting inside unresolved feelings.
It’s a song that trusts silence as much as sound.
A Collaboration Built on Patience
That trust extends to the collaboration itself. Van Etten recorded her vocals remotely, sending takes back and forth with Bachmann until something clicked. You can hear that care in the final version. The performance feels patient. Intentional. Both artists were listening closely to what the song wanted.
Where to Hear It Next
‘Haunted‘ appears on Crooked Fingers’ upcoming album Swet Deth, due February 27 via Merge Records. If this track is any indication, the record is concerned with emotional residue: what lingers, what repeats, and what refuses to settle.
Watch the Video
TLDR;
Crooked Fingers release ‘Haunted‘ featuring Sharon Van Etten
The song centres on repetition, emotional fallout, and quiet tension
Appears on Swet Deth, out February 27 via Merge Records
Laneway Festival has cracked open the vault one last time. After Sydney and Melbourne sold out at lightning speed, a very limited batch of final-production-hold tickets is being released this Wednesday, 14 January, at 9 am local time.
This is it. No “more later”. No sneaky extra allocation. Just one final chance to get through the gates for Laneway’s 21st birthday edition, and it’s a big one.
A 21st birthday headlined by Chappell Roan
Leading the charge is Chappell Roan, bringing her 90-minute full-length set to Australia and New Zealand, complete with the now-legendary gothic fairytale production. If you’ve seen clips online, yes. It looks that dramatic in real life. We live.
She’s backed by a seriously stacked lineup of Laneway-only exclusives, including:
Wolf Alice
PinkPantheress
Wet Leg
Role Model
Yung Lean & Bladee (rare collaborative set)
Add in Brooklyn breakout band Geese, plus favourites like Lucy Dacus, Alex G, BENEE, Cavetown, Mt. Joy and The Dare, and it’s no mystery why tickets disappeared instantly.
Local heroes, as always
Laneway continues to do what it does best: spotlight what’s next. Flying the flag for homegrown talent are:
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
Blusher
Shady Nasty
The Belair Lip Bombs
Armlock
Djanaba
Laneway turning 21 and still booking like this feels correct.
Ticket info (read carefully, set alarms)
SYDNEY
Waitlist on sale: Wed 14 Jan, 9 am –10 am
General on sale: Wed 14 Jan, 10 am
MELBOURNE
Waitlist on sale: Wed 14 Jan, 11 am – 12 pm
General on sale: Wed 14 Jan, 12 pm
Fans on the official waitlist get first access. Everyone else… May the ticket goddess smile upon you.
Not in Sydney or Melbourne? Auckland, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth still have tickets available.
TL;DR
Final tickets released for sold-out Sydney & Melbourne Laneway shows
Some horror games chase you. Some lock you in a room. Imprinted just sits there, humming quietly, waiting for you to notice what’s wrong. Big time creepin’.
Revealed by European indie studio Cobalt Lane, Imprinted is a slow-burn psychological thriller built around sound, memory, and the creative residue artists leave behind. It’s very deliberately not in a hurry. The game is heading to PC via Steam later in 2026.
If you love analog horror, OS-based storytelling, or games that let atmosphere do the talking, this one feels made to crawl under your skin.
A studio full of echoes and unfinished songs
In Imprinted, you play as Vincent Brandt, a talented but emotionally fried audio engineer brought in to restore lost recordings from Viola Fossati, a mysterious experimental musician who vanished in the 1970s.
At first, the job is straightforward. Clean up damaged tapes. Repair audio. Reassemble fragments.
Then the recordings start pushing back.
What unfolds is not a jump-scare horror experience, but something far more invasive. Through warped tapes, static, and half-finished songs, Vincent begins forming an unsettling connection with Viola. They never meet. They never speak directly. Yet something intimate and obsessive takes root through sound alone.
Cobalt Lane describes it as a ghost story about creativity. Honestly, that tracks.
Sound is the mechanic, not the background
Sound is the toolset, the puzzle, and the narrative spine.
Players will:
Restore corrupted and incomplete recordings from Viola’s archive
Use Vincent’s audio tools to uncover hidden details buried in noise
Piece together unfinished songs and choose what gets brought back to life
Explore a relationship between two artists separated by decades
Experience an original score by award-winning composer Filippo Beck Peccoz alongside ambient and post-folk musicianCharlotte Oleena
Creative Director Filippo Beck Peccoz explains the core idea simply and chillingly. Human experience leaves an imprint on everything, including sound.
This one’s for the slow-burn sickos (complimentary)
If you’re into:
Analog horror aesthetics
Games told through artifacts, logs, and recordings
Psychological thrillers that reward patience
Audio-first storytelling that feels personal and invasive
…then Imprinted is very much your flavour of unease.
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