Tributes from across Australia’s music and media sectors continue to emerge following the death of James Valentine, with artists including Jimmy Barnes and Iva Davies reflecting on his wide-ranging impact.

Valentine, a saxophonist best known for his work with Models before becoming a longtime broadcaster with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, died at age 64 using voluntary assisted dying at home two years after a cancer diagnosis, according to ABC.

Barnes shared a tribute on social media, writing, “James and I have known each other a long time. He loved music and I heard him play the saxophone many times with the Models. He was a funny and insightful interviewer, and I will miss hearing his gentle voice on ABC radio every afternoon. RIP James. You will be missed.”

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Davies, frontman of Icehouse, also shared a detailed statement reflecting on their decades-long connection. “The ICEHOUSE team and I were very saddened to hear of the passing of James Valentine yesterday,” he wrote. “We’d known James since the early ‘80s when we met him on the road with Models. He was a great musician and I asked him to play saxophone on our Code Blue album, which he did with his renowned sense of skill and joy.”

He continued, “His move to be an innovative and much loved broadcaster at Australia’s ABC radio network meant we’d cross paths regularly – he was always engaged and fun to be around with a story or anecdote to share. James will be missed by many tens of thousands, by our ICEHOUSE team and by me. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Members of INXS also paid tribute, recalling their shared history on the Australian Made tour in the mid-1980s. “We are very much saddened to hear of the passing of our old mate James Valentine,” the band wrote. “James was an incredible musician and an amazing human. Always smiling, always positive, caring and involved.”

The statement continued, “Our lives crossed paths during the ’80s and we all became mates with James on the Australian Made tour in ’86-87 when he was a member of the Models. He of course then became a member of Absent Friends with Garry for an album and live performances.”

They added, “James later had an amazing career in TV and radio and as a writer — his wit and warmth was loved by everyone. Our sincere condolences to Joanne, Ruby and Roy. Travel safe mate — we miss you.”

The responses highlight the dual nature of Valentine’s career, which spanned both music and broadcasting. As previously reported, he performed on Models’ Out of Mind, Out of Sight, which peaked at No. 84 on the Billboard 200 and produced the single “Out of Mind, Out of Sight,” a Billboard Hot 100 entry in 1986. His work as a session and touring musician extended across multiple Australian acts throughout the decade.

In later years, Valentine became a defining voice on ABC radio, hosting programs for more than three decades, including a long-running tenure on 702 ABC Sydney’s Afternoons show. His conversational style and curiosity-driven interviews helped him build a broad national audience, expanding his influence well beyond the music industry.

Additional tributes from across the industry have emphasized that crossover impact. Valentine’s ability to move between performance and broadcasting roles positioned him as a rare figure within Australia’s creative landscape — equally at home onstage and behind the microphone.

His passing also comes amid renewed recognition of his contributions. Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn recently confirmed that Valentine had been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), acknowledging his service to both music and media.

For industry figures, the response to his death reflects not only his legacy as a musician, but also the enduring reach of his broadcasting career, which brought his voice into the daily lives of listeners for decades.

Valentine is survived by his wife and two children.

The Otis Redding Foundation is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Otis Redding Center for the Arts (ORCA) this month. The momentous occasion was formally recognized with an open house (April 11), attended by Redding’s widow Zelma Redding and R.E.M. bassist/composer Mike Mills, 2025’s recipient of the Otis Redding Spirit of Community Award. In tandem with the celebration, registration for upcoming summer sessions of Otis Music Camp (June 1-20) and Camp Dream (July 20-31) was announced.

Named after the soul icon behind classics such as “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and “Respect,” ORCA offers music and arts programs to students ages 5-18. In addition to the aforementioned camps, the multipurpose space provides private lessons and workshops. Its curriculum covers the creative and business sides of the music industry through content creation, performance, entertainment law, engineering, graphic design and touring. The 15,000 square-foot facility also houses the O3 Recording studio and the Zelma Redding Amphitheater.

In comments emailed to Billboard, Ms. Redding explained why it’s so vital to continue paying it forward to the next generation of industry creatives and executives:

There’s something different about walking into a space that carries your family’s name — your family’s work, your family’s spirit. At the Otis Redding Center for the Arts, that feeling is everywhere. It’s not just pride — it’s responsibility. The kind you feel in your chest.

Maintaining a center like this, especially as part of the Otis Redding Foundation, is deeply personal. This isn’t just about programs or schedules. It’s about legacy. It’s about honoring the life and vision of Otis Redding — not only the music the world knows, but the man who believed in giving back, in lifting others up, and in creating opportunity where it didn’t always exist.

For our family, the arts have never been just entertainment. They’ve been a pathway to confidence, expression and possibility. So when we talk about maintaining this space, we’re really talking about protecting that pathway. Making sure a young person can walk through these doors and feel like they belong here, whether they’ve grown up around music or are just discovering it for the first time. Students finding their voice. Families finding community. Artists pouring into the next generation. That’s what turns a building into something meaningful. That’s what makes it feel alive.

Legacy doesn’t take care of itself. It requires intention, care and a willingness to keep growing. What Otis started, and what the foundation continues to build, is bigger than any one moment. For me, this work is about making sure that legacy keeps reaching forward. That it stays open, accessible and real. Because if we’re doing it right, the Otis Redding Center for the Arts won’t just reflect where we’ve been … It will help shape where we’re going.

More information about the Otis Redding Center for the Arts and its programs is available here.

Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment has named industry veteran Allison Jones as executive vp of A&R. Jones will lead all A&R efforts across the roster, which includes Riley Green, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Aaron Lewis, Cole Goodwin, The Jack Wharff Band and Greylan James.

Jones joined Big Machine in 2008 and has played a key role in signing artists including Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Riley Green, Carly Pearce and Midland, and contributing to the success of artists including Tim McGraw, Lady A, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift.

“I’ve worked with Scott [Borchetta] since 1997, when we opened DreamWorks Nashville together, and have spent the past 18 years at Big Machine in the trenches making history (with lots of celebrations and core memories made!),” Jones said in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud of the music we’ve created. It’s been an honor to be part of building one of the most impactful and successful labels in the history of the music business. Scott is a true visionary who never settles for anything less than winning. I’m incredibly excited and proud to do it all over again as we rebuild the new Big Machine!”

“Allison is the consummate A&R executive,” said Big Machine Records/Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment founder, chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta. “She knows every artist, every song, and every publisher, and is obsessed with being on the sharp end of pop culture. Big Machine simply would not be what it is today without Allison by my side, and I’m so thrilled that we get to continue together in this new season.”

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There’s a long list of music events going on in 2026, from Las Vegas residencies to K-pop groups making worldwide pilgrimages.

Up next on the docket, we’ve got Ariana Grande’s 41-show The Eternal Sunshine Tour, ENHYPEN’s ‘BLOOD SAGA’ world tour, Kid Cudi’s 33-date “Rebel Ragers” North American tour and Foo Fighters’ Take Cover tour, just to name a few. Not to mention the slew of festivals taking place this summer, from the 2026 Governors Ball taking place in June, along with Los Angeles’ Head in the Clouds in Aug. and Lollapalooza in July.

In short. No matter what kind of music you’re into, there is bound to be something upcoming that will fit your vibe. Unfortunately, tickets to said events can be costly, and that doesn’t take into account the stress of getting a presale code (when applicable).

Thankfully, we have resale ticket sites that usually have ongoing deals and promos that give folks the option to score cheap tickets to all those juicy events. Rather than purchase overpriced tickets from scalpers, numerous third-party sites will provide budget-friendly concert tickets, plus, we’ve got Billboard exclusive promo codes just for you that’ll make those ticket prices for upcoming concerts and festivals even sweeter. Keep reading to learn more.

What Are the Best Cheap Ticket Sites?

Whether you’re on the hunt for last-minute BTS Arirang tour tickets or just need some weekend plans, these ticket sites usually come with backed-up, protected sales featuring lower prices than what most scalpers are selling for. Before you make your purchase, check the buyer’s guarantee — which most of these sites feature — to see how your purchases will be protected.

To take the work out of researching where to find reliable resale tickets, ShopBillboard did the work and rounded up the best cheap ticket sites so you can see your favorite artists live while avoiding emptying your wallet.

Keep reading to see where to score affordable tickets to concerts and festivals.

Ticketmaster’s deals page is offering four deals you can take advantage of, including up to 50% off select shows, Me+3 4-Packs, 2-for-1 tickets and tickets under $40. Check out the deals page here to see what shows and concerts are eligible for the deals. In addition to concerts, current Ticketmaster deals include cheap seats for Broadway shows and musicals, stand-up comedy, sports and more. Some shows will require a promo code to use at checkout, which will be listed underneath the show name.

Rather than wait in a virtual line, Vivid Seats gives you access to thousands of events from live sports to concerts and festivals. You can search based on artist, team, venue and more, whether you’ve scored a travel deal or just want to stay local. When looking at tickets, some sales are verified with a checkmark to show they’re from what the site considers a “super seller,” and the brand guarantees instant delivery to your smart device. Bonus offer: You can score $30 off purchases with the code BB30 at checkout.

TicketNetwork is a non-primary seller that aims to get tickets in your hands without you having to worry about signing up for a presale. You can take advantage of $150 off orders of $500+ when you enter the code BILLBOARD150 at checkout or get $300 off ticket purchases of $1,000+ with the code BILLBOARD300. The brand does notify shoppers that some tickets may be sold at above face value, but it offers a place that helps minimize the risk of being scammed. You can also see a ranking of the most popular shows based on the genre of music.

SeatGeek categorizes everything based on trending shows, genre and what’s going on in your area. Once you click on your desired show, the site breaks down seat choice by using a scale of 1-10 of how great a deal it is. You can also search for seats using the venue map to make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for. If it’s your first time purchasing through Seat Geek, you can snag $10 off orders of $250+ with the code BILLBOARD10.

Looking for cheap last-minute tickets? Gametime has gained attention for providing last-minute verified tickets at a more budget-friendly cost. Whether you’re waiting for day-of tickets or are looking for something to do on a Friday night, this site will show you what’s going on near you, as well as sort by some of the hottest events of the year. Plus, if it’s your first time using the seller, you can get $20 off purchases of $150+ when you enter the code SAVE20 at checkout.

StubHub is another popular choice that people go to when grabbing resale tickets at a more affordable price. The site allows you to search by artists, genre or even in alphabetical order to see all artists playing this year. It also uses a verified Fan Protect system to help shield you from scammers.

Even More Great Cheap Ticket Sites

Today Tix

Today Tix is the destination to go to if you’re on the hunt for last-minute, wallet-friendly Broadway tickets. The site offers everything from plays, Broadway musicals, off-Broadway shows, comedies and select concerts. The site’s deals and offers page will tell you the “hottest deals,” including offers that can save you up to 40%. When you click on a show, the calendar will also show you the lowest prices for each day to help you plan.

Ticketsmarter

TicketSmarter promises a 100% guarantee when selling tickets and allows you to search based on music genre, venue and VIP packages. Tickets available are rated on a scale of “smartness” with the highest number being the best. The site offers additional discounts for select groups such as 8% off purchases for students, graduate students, teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, active military and veterans, charity workers, parents, low-income and those with disabilities. You’ll just have to verify yourself through Student Beans and Beans iD.

Groupon

Groupon won’t just give you a discount on restaurants or a promo on a manicure, the site also offers deals on concerts, festivals and live performances in your area or places you plan on traveling to. You can narrow your search by the type of performance or search for specific shows.

Ticket City

Since 1990, Ticket City has been providing people with a place to buy and sell tickets to some of the most sought out performances. The brand offers 100% guarantee on tickets bought through the site and if that’s not the case, then Ticket City will provide you with comparable or better tickets than you ordered, or you’ll be offered a refund or a credit.

Ticket Liquidator

Ticket Liquidator is another resale ticket site that aims to provide verified and legit tickets to concerts, sporting events and more. The site vets each seller before listing them and backs purchases through their 100% Money-Back guarantee, which means if you don’t receive legit tickets by the day of your event or if the event is cancelled, you’ll receive a 100% refund.

Viagogo

Viagogo is one of the largest reselling sites and provides a place where sellers can go to resell tickets. For buyers, the brand uses security checks to ensure that transactions go smoothly and tickets being sold are legit.

Note: all the promo codes and discounted savings listed above were live at time of this article’s publication but prices could change at anytime.

For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best concert earplugs, venue-approved bags and portable chargers.