Apple is extending its music strategy beyond streaming, confirming the first eight acts for its new Apple Music Hall in London while a separate leak points to an imminent second-generation HomePod Mini.

The Apple Music Hall, located inside Battersea Power Station, will open on 28 September with Elton John as its first performer. The venue has capacity for just 600 people, giving Apple a much smaller and more intimate setting than a traditional concert arena.

The initial program also includes Baby Keem, Skye Newman, Troye Sivan, Arlo Parks, Burna Boy, Chase & Status and Charli xcx, with performances scheduled through to early December.

Apple plans to livestream performances globally through Apple Music, effectively turning the venue into both a concert space and a content production facility. Artists will also receive Spatial Audio recordings, broadcast-ready mixes and multicamera video from their performances.

That gives Apple another way to link its subscription service with exclusive live content while strengthening relationships with major artists.

Tickets for the first three performances, including Elton John, are due to become available on 28 September, with additional ticket releases to follow.

Apple Music is priced at US$11.99 per month for an individual subscription in the source article, equivalent to around A$17 based on late-September exchange rates, although Australian subscribers should refer to Apple’s local pricing rather than a straight currency conversion.

Meanwhile, another Apple audio product appears to be moving closer to launch.

Code reportedly discovered by MacRumors has revealed what is believed to be the HomePod Mini 2 in five colours: pink, white, green, blue and midnight.

Pink and green would be new additions to the range, while the blue version appears lighter than the shade offered with the existing HomePod Mini.

The original HomePod Mini launched in 2020, initially in white and space grey before Apple expanded its colour options.

Beyond the cosmetic changes, the next-generation HomePod Mini is expected to receive a newer processor and support for Apple’s developing Siri AI features.

Apple has not formally announced the HomePod Mini 2, so pricing, specifications and availability remain unconfirmed.

The timing of the leak has prompted speculation that the speaker could arrive as soon as October, which would line up with the launch month of the original HomePod Mini.

Together, the developments show Apple continuing to build out its audio ecosystem across hardware, streaming and live entertainment, with Apple Music increasingly serving as a platform for both recorded and live content.