Tina Arena Plots New EP, Tours, And Documentary For 50th Anniversary Celebrations

After almost five decades in the spotlight, venerated ARIA Hall of Famer Tina Arena has announced the beginning of her newest era, with big plans on the way for her 50th anniversary celebrations.

News of Arena’s upcoming undertakings were unveiled on Friday, September 5th at Canberra’s National Portrait Gallery, where a portrait of the artist by acclaimed photographer Georges Antoni was similarly unveiled.

Per a press release, the diptych captures Arena’s enduring presence, strength and character, underlining her role as a born performer and an artist whose work has resonated for decades.

As part of the celebrations, Arena also performed her own interpretations of Max Q's Way Of The World and New Order's True Faith, being joined by ARIA Award-winning producer Francois Tétaz (Gotye, Kimbra) and acclaimed pianist-composer Luke Howard (Royal Ballet, Lior).

These renditions served as something of a teaser for what’s to come for Arena, with both tracks set to appear on a forthcoming EP, which in turn will be the first release via her newly-launched POSITIVE DREAM Records label.

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It’s all part of a massive series of plans dubbed TINA 5.0, which will be a celebration of Arena’s 50 years in the music business.

Alongside a series of domestic and international tours, Arena will also be sharing her aforementioned EP and “other upcoming releases,” while a “deeply personal” documentary which chronicles her life and career will also be unveiled.

Though no specific dates for any of the above have been announced as yet, it’s all set to roll out across 2026 and 2027.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been fifty years since I first stepped into the spotlight at just eight years old as a contestant on Young Talent Time,” Arena said. “To have that journey honoured by the National Portrait Gallery is incredibly special. But what excites me most is that there is still so much more to come.

“This next artistic chapter is about freedom, creativity and sharing my truth and experiences on my own terms and want my beautiful loyal fans to celebrate with me”.

As Arena mentioned, her career first began as an eight-year-old on Young Talent Time in 1976, releasing an album as Tiny Tina with John Bowles the following year.

Following years completing her schooling, honing her craft, touring, and working on cementing her place within the music industry, Arena returned in full force in 1990 with her Strong As Steel album.

This would be followed up by chart-topping records such as 1994's Don't Ask and 1997's In Deep, with singles such as I Need Your Body, Chains, Sorrento Moon (I Remember), and Burn helping carve out her place within Australian music history.