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The Screaming Jets had the first song in the Australian songs Hottest 100. But who did they vote for?
It's been a difficult moment for Australian music. Last month, the federal government's advisory body, Creative Australia, released statistics that showed just how challenging it's become for homegrown artists to have their music heard. Only 8 per cent of the top 10,000 artists streamed in this country were Australian. Today's Triple J Hottest 100 Australian songs of all time seeks to give music fans a clear reminder of the remarkable talent produced in this country. So we asked a bunch of Hunter identities who made their top 10. These Days, Powderfinger A brilliant song. I feel like the movie Two Hands would have been a lesser film without the inclusion of this great song. One Perfect Day, Little Heroes Such an evocative song for people in long-distance relationships. That longing for physical and emotional connection is exacerbated by the tyranny of distance. Not Pretty Enough, Kasey Chambers I absolutely love the songwriting of Kasey. She is a gem and sings with such authenticity. Love her. Overkill, Men At Work A song that has probably exceeded its original release in popularity. The voice of the great Colin Hay and Greg Ham's always amazing brass lines are just awesome. Most People I Know, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs A great song from one of the pioneers of Aussie rock. A true legend who wrote great songs, played guitar like a god and sang with all his might. Mr Damage, The Angels I remember being scared of the menacing undertone of this song when I heard it on my brother's stereo as a 10-year-old. Years later, the fear would be that I'd stuff up the lyrics in front of a rabid live Angels crowd. Baby, I'm Gettin' Better, Gyroscope I loved this band from the moment I heard the song. More evidence that there really is something in the water over in WA. Short Note, Matt Finish A beautiful song. Melancholy, yet strangely uplifting. A great vocal from the sadly departed Matt Moffatt. Squealer, AC/DC Probably a contentious song nowadays, but to me a fine example of Bon Scott's lyrical prowess. Sallie-Anne, Spy vs. Spy A powerful song based on the death of Sallie-Anne Huckstepp, a Sydney sex worker who was killed apparently because she knew too much about the underworld and its connection to high-ranking corrupt police officers in Kings Cross. Across the Night, Silverchair Daniel Johns is one of the most talented musicians alive. The Diorama album is his Magnum Opus; and he's a fellow Newcastle boy. Carrion, Parkway Drive An absolute metal anthem that blows the doors off every time. I remember hearing this for the first time and immediately running to pick up my guitar. To the Moon and Back, Savage Garden They were my first ever live concert at Newcastle Entertainment Centre and you can still catch me singing along to every word. Rhapsody on a Windy Night, The Getaway Plan Matt's [Wright] voice is haunting and this entire album gives me goosebumps. As a kid this band made me realise I will never be as musically talented as these guys are. Prisoner of Society, The Living End As a young teen, these guys gave me a lot of opportunity to scream in my bedroom and feel like I was giving a big middle finger to any sort of authority. Horror Movie, Skyhooks My father's favourite band. I remember listening to old tapes switching between Skyhooks and Cold Chisel. It was my introduction to Aussie rock. The News, The Mission In Motion A band my wife introduced me to when we first met. We saw them live together so many times and hearing their music takes me straight back to when Jess and I were dating. Give it All, The Amity Affliction This song and album got me through a lot of heavy shit when I was younger. If music is therapy, then I owe these guys a lot. Come into My World, Kylie Minogue When you say Aussie pop icon, Kylie is the only answer. I've still got as big of a crush on her now as I did when I was a teenager. Jewels for Eyes, Closure In Moscow Beautiful, ethereal and experimental. Closure is like Bowie meets The Mars Volta. Incredible Australian musicians. Electric Blue, Icehouse Transports me straight back to my childhood in the '80s. My parents playing Icehouse, Dire Straits, The Police and Huey Lewis and the News on cassette tapes, as we hit the road on holidays. Down Under, Men At Work Hard not to include this song in my top 10. Another one that takes me back to the 80s growing up in Australia. Iconic lyrics. Tomorrow, Silverchair Silverchair was big when I was in high school in Port Macquarie. I remember friends heading to Newcastle to see their concert. I loved covering the 30-year anniversary of Tomorrow late last year - their debut EP that continues to resonate and be revered. Pick You Up, Powderfinger A soundtrack to my senior years of high school. Double Allergic and Vulture Street CDs were on high rotation. Difficult Woman, Renee Geyer My dad introduced me to Renee Geyer in my late teens/early 20s. She has an extraordinarily powerful and beautiful voice. Lachlan Tigers, Bushwackers For the first three decades of my life, my dad played in a bush band, as well as a jazz band. The bush band played lots of Bushwackers songs including Lachlan Tigers. Goodbye Blinky Bill, John Williamson When I was small, I would visit the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital with my dad. He would play music and we would pass his Akubra hat around to raise money for the injured koalas. The chorus goes ... "Pass the hat around between your friends, there's no time to contemplate. Maybe if we show some love, maybe it's not too late." Better, Screaming Jets Newcastle's original rockstars and their epic rock anthem. I remember watching this film clip in the early '90s on Rage with my brother. My Island Home, Christine Anu A beautiful song that always makes me smile. It resonates with me ... having grown up in the small coastal community of Bonny Hills. Stalker, The Main Guy and The Other Guys Just like Silverchair, another iconic Newy band that needs to reform. Missing Piece, Vance Joy This song reminds me of how simply being with the right person can make everything feel lighter. Connection doesn't need grand gestures - just sincerity, safety, and shared space. Scar, Missy Higgins This one really resonates deeply with me on quite a few levels ... professionally and personally. I really appreciate authenticity and courage, especially in conversations about mental health and in my personal relationships. Never Tear Us Apart, INXS I just love the intensity and passion of this song. It's about intense connections and unbreakable bonds. Thankyou (For Loving Me at my Worst), The Whitlams I love how this one doesn't shy away from the fact that we all have our worst moments - times when we aren't easy to love - and rather than regretting, it's about being grateful for people who stayed. The Ship Song, Nick Cave This song, for me, is all about invitation and surrender, about offering someone your messy, beautiful world and asking them to stay anyway. Not Pretty Enough, Kasey Chambers It just aches, doesn't it, with the pain of being overlooked, underestimated, or dismissed - not because you lack substance, but because you don't fit the mould. How to Make Gravy, Paul Kelly This song makes me cry. I love that it's about family, forgiveness and finding connection even when people are apart or hurting. In the Summertime, Thirsty Merc I'm playing this a lot right now. I'm so nostalgic (and desperate) for summer. This song feels like lazy afternoons, road trips and the joy of Australian summers. Can't Get You Out of My Head, Kylie Minogue It's bold, playful and iconic - I want words with anyone who doesn't have this on their list. Magic, Olivia Newton John I love this song for so many reasons. Of course, it's about belief being a catalyst for transformation and realised possibilities - trust your intuition. Get Free, The Vines Two minutes of pure rock adrenaline. When it was released in 2002 I thought The Vines could have been anything. The hype didn't last, but my god, it kicked in the back teeth. Purple Sneakers, You Am I My entire list could be filled with Tim Rogers songs. A genius. The lyrics of teenage awkwardness and the search for human connection just resonates above all the others. Straight Lines, Silverchair I met my wife at a Silverchair show and they're Newy's greatest band. I could have chosen Freak or Emotion Sickness, but Straight Lines was melodically Daniel Johns' finest moment. Bye Bye Pride, The Go-Betweens Once again, my list could be entirely filled with Go-Betweens songs. I absolutely adore the chorus, and when Grant McLennan and Amanda Brown's voices combine it simply soars. Blue Sky Mine, Midnight Oil Watching the Oils in 2017 at Hope Estate gave me an entirely new appreciation for the band. The outro where they sing "in the end the rain comes down" is spine-tingling. Perfect Now, Sarah Blasko A gorgeous performance from one of Australia's best vocalists. The song is about knowing your momentary happiness won't last. A melancholic thought, delivered powerfully. Feels Like We Only Go Backwards - Tame Impala I've enjoyed Kevin Parker's later more electronic material too, but for me, Lonerism and this track were his pyschedelic peak. U Should Not Be Doing That, Amyl & The Sniffers The Melbourne four-piece are the most exciting band Australia has produced in years. This is punk rock with a modern flavour, verve and intelligence. One Crowded Hour, Augie March It's probably the most unconventional Triple J Hottest 100 winner, but one of the most stunning. Glenn Richards' romantic and poetic tale sounds like Jeff Buckley channelling mid-60s Bob Dylan. Jezabel, The Drones Gareth Liddiard is another of my favourite songwriters. This bleak tale about a man scarred by the horrors of Middle Eastern conflicts combines The Drones' discordant power and beauty. Eagle Rock, Daddy Cool The riff is so pervasive - but what's the point of dropping your pants when you should be dancing? Beds Are Burning, Midnight Oil Such a great combination of a driving bass rhythm and a political message. Throw Your Arms Around Me, Hunters & Collectors Because I'm a hopeless romantic. Boys In Town, Divinyls I introduced this to my son when he was 13. He loved it immediately, and suddenly gave me more respect. Star and the Slaughter, Heroes The song that closed the Star Hotel - and started a riot. The Newcastle Song, Bob Hudson I've performed this song to great laughs on stage in Newcastle, Melbourne, Christchurch and in a pub in the west of Ireland. The Biggest Disappointment, Slim Dusty I loved it as a Slim Dusty song many, many years ago, and I loved rediscovering it when Missy Higgins did an acoustic version recently. The Special Two, Missy Higgins A special song from an extraordinary album. Reckless (Don't Be So..), Australian Crawl Wonderful word imagery and music combined. Live it Up, Mental As Anything Such a great upbeat and happy song - you've gotta love it. Torn, Natalie Imbruglia Great song, great singer, great video. Big, Sneaky Sound System A catchy song that I loved when it first came out. It's still in my playlist. Like I'm Falling Down Stairs, Sparkadia I love the melody. It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll), AC/DC It gets the heart pumping. Dumb Things, Paul Kelly Words to live by. Power and the Passion, Midnight Oil An anthem for the politically minded. Better, Screaming Jets Novocastrians represent. Working Class Man, Jimmy Barnes Classic Aussie rock. What's not to like? Hot Potato, The Wiggles What can I say, I'm a dad of three and love a singalong. Perfect for long car trips to get the backseat happy. Eagle Rock, Daddy Cool This one has become a family hit with the kids. Sounds Of Then (This is Australia), GANGgajang Reminds me of life on the farm. Took The Children Away, Archie Roach It just epitomises the tragedy of the Stolen Generation, and it brings a tingle to my spine. Walking On A Dream, Empire Of The Sun I like chilling with a bit of electronica. It's an iconic song that takes you away. Power and the Passion, Midnight Oil I love the politics of the album 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, in particular. It means so much to me. Into My Arms, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds I'm a relatively late convert to Nick Cave. I saw him here at the Civic Theatre [in 2022] in what was one of the most incredible concerts I've ever seen. Fred Astaire, San Cisco It's a song most people have heard and like and it's one I certainly love. Better, Screaming Jets You hear that song and you get up and wanna dance and go hard. Iconic Novocastrians. Straight Lines, Silverchair At one point they were one of the world's biggest bands, and they're Newy. My kids go to Newy High and you walk in and see the photo of them. Just legends. So Caught Up, Teskey Brothers I'm a huge fan of the Teskey Brothers and they fit in perfectly with that blues and soul sound and have iconic voices. London Still, The Waifs One of my best friends is Josh Cunningham's [of The Waifs] brother Saul. I've seen them countless times and watched them go from playing at Moruya to performing to massive sold-out spaces. Follow The Sun, Xavier Rudd If I need to chill out from the stress of politics, I whack that one on and it's got bird calls and whistles. It's been a difficult moment for Australian music. Last month, the federal government's advisory body, Creative Australia, released statistics that showed just how challenging it's become for homegrown artists to have their music heard. Only 8 per cent of the top 10,000 artists streamed in this country were Australian. Today's Triple J Hottest 100 Australian songs of all time seeks to give music fans a clear reminder of the remarkable talent produced in this country. So we asked a bunch of Hunter identities who made their top 10. These Days, Powderfinger A brilliant song. I feel like the movie Two Hands would have been a lesser film without the inclusion of this great song. One Perfect Day, Little Heroes Such an evocative song for people in long-distance relationships. That longing for physical and emotional connection is exacerbated by the tyranny of distance. Not Pretty Enough, Kasey Chambers I absolutely love the songwriting of Kasey. She is a gem and sings with such authenticity. Love her. Overkill, Men At Work A song that has probably exceeded its original release in popularity. The voice of the great Colin Hay and Greg Ham's always amazing brass lines are just awesome. Most People I Know, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs A great song from one of the pioneers of Aussie rock. A true legend who wrote great songs, played guitar like a god and sang with all his might. Mr Damage, The Angels I remember being scared of the menacing undertone of this song when I heard it on my brother's stereo as a 10-year-old. Years later, the fear would be that I'd stuff up the lyrics in front of a rabid live Angels crowd. Baby, I'm Gettin' Better, Gyroscope I loved this band from the moment I heard the song. More evidence that there really is something in the water over in WA. Short Note, Matt Finish A beautiful song. Melancholy, yet strangely uplifting. A great vocal from the sadly departed Matt Moffatt. Squealer, AC/DC Probably a contentious song nowadays, but to me a fine example of Bon Scott's lyrical prowess. Sallie-Anne, Spy vs. Spy A powerful song based on the death of Sallie-Anne Huckstepp, a Sydney sex worker who was killed apparently because she knew too much about the underworld and its connection to high-ranking corrupt police officers in Kings Cross. Across the Night, Silverchair Daniel Johns is one of the most talented musicians alive. The Diorama album is his Magnum Opus; and he's a fellow Newcastle boy. Carrion, Parkway Drive An absolute metal anthem that blows the doors off every time. I remember hearing this for the first time and immediately running to pick up my guitar. To the Moon and Back, Savage Garden They were my first ever live concert at Newcastle Entertainment Centre and you can still catch me singing along to every word. Rhapsody on a Windy Night, The Getaway Plan Matt's [Wright] voice is haunting and this entire album gives me goosebumps. As a kid this band made me realise I will never be as musically talented as these guys are. Prisoner of Society, The Living End As a young teen, these guys gave me a lot of opportunity to scream in my bedroom and feel like I was giving a big middle finger to any sort of authority. Horror Movie, Skyhooks My father's favourite band. I remember listening to old tapes switching between Skyhooks and Cold Chisel. It was my introduction to Aussie rock. The News, The Mission In Motion A band my wife introduced me to when we first met. We saw them live together so many times and hearing their music takes me straight back to when Jess and I were dating. Give it All, The Amity Affliction This song and album got me through a lot of heavy shit when I was younger. If music is therapy, then I owe these guys a lot. Come into My World, Kylie Minogue When you say Aussie pop icon, Kylie is the only answer. I've still got as big of a crush on her now as I did when I was a teenager. Jewels for Eyes, Closure In Moscow Beautiful, ethereal and experimental. Closure is like Bowie meets The Mars Volta. Incredible Australian musicians. Electric Blue, Icehouse Transports me straight back to my childhood in the '80s. My parents playing Icehouse, Dire Straits, The Police and Huey Lewis and the News on cassette tapes, as we hit the road on holidays. Down Under, Men At Work Hard not to include this song in my top 10. Another one that takes me back to the 80s growing up in Australia. Iconic lyrics. Tomorrow, Silverchair Silverchair was big when I was in high school in Port Macquarie. I remember friends heading to Newcastle to see their concert. I loved covering the 30-year anniversary of Tomorrow late last year - their debut EP that continues to resonate and be revered. Pick You Up, Powderfinger A soundtrack to my senior years of high school. Double Allergic and Vulture Street CDs were on high rotation. Difficult Woman, Renee Geyer My dad introduced me to Renee Geyer in my late teens/early 20s. She has an extraordinarily powerful and beautiful voice. Lachlan Tigers, Bushwackers For the first three decades of my life, my dad played in a bush band, as well as a jazz band. The bush band played lots of Bushwackers songs including Lachlan Tigers. Goodbye Blinky Bill, John Williamson When I was small, I would visit the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital with my dad. He would play music and we would pass his Akubra hat around to raise money for the injured koalas. The chorus goes ... "Pass the hat around between your friends, there's no time to contemplate. Maybe if we show some love, maybe it's not too late." Better, Screaming Jets Newcastle's original rockstars and their epic rock anthem. I remember watching this film clip in the early '90s on Rage with my brother. My Island Home, Christine Anu A beautiful song that always makes me smile. It resonates with me ... having grown up in the small coastal community of Bonny Hills. Stalker, The Main Guy and The Other Guys Just like Silverchair, another iconic Newy band that needs to reform. Missing Piece, Vance Joy This song reminds me of how simply being with the right person can make everything feel lighter. Connection doesn't need grand gestures - just sincerity, safety, and shared space. Scar, Missy Higgins This one really resonates deeply with me on quite a few levels ... professionally and personally. I really appreciate authenticity and courage, especially in conversations about mental health and in my personal relationships. Never Tear Us Apart, INXS I just love the intensity and passion of this song. It's about intense connections and unbreakable bonds. Thankyou (For Loving Me at my Worst), The Whitlams I love how this one doesn't shy away from the fact that we all have our worst moments - times when we aren't easy to love - and rather than regretting, it's about being grateful for people who stayed. The Ship Song, Nick Cave This song, for me, is all about invitation and surrender, about offering someone your messy, beautiful world and asking them to stay anyway. Not Pretty Enough, Kasey Chambers It just aches, doesn't it, with the pain of being overlooked, underestimated, or dismissed - not because you lack substance, but because you don't fit the mould. How to Make Gravy, Paul Kelly This song makes me cry. I love that it's about family, forgiveness and finding connection even when people are apart or hurting. In the Summertime, Thirsty Merc I'm playing this a lot right now. I'm so nostalgic (and desperate) for summer. This song feels like lazy afternoons, road trips and the joy of Australian summers. Can't Get You Out of My Head, Kylie Minogue It's bold, playful and iconic - I want words with anyone who doesn't have this on their list. Magic, Olivia Newton John I love this song for so many reasons. Of course, it's about belief being a catalyst for transformation and realised possibilities - trust your intuition. Get Free, The Vines Two minutes of pure rock adrenaline. When it was released in 2002 I thought The Vines could have been anything. The hype didn't last, but my god, it kicked in the back teeth. Purple Sneakers, You Am I My entire list could be filled with Tim Rogers songs. A genius. The lyrics of teenage awkwardness and the search for human connection just resonates above all the others. Straight Lines, Silverchair I met my wife at a Silverchair show and they're Newy's greatest band. I could have chosen Freak or Emotion Sickness, but Straight Lines was melodically Daniel Johns' finest moment. Bye Bye Pride, The Go-Betweens Once again, my list could be entirely filled with Go-Betweens songs. I absolutely adore the chorus, and when Grant McLennan and Amanda Brown's voices combine it simply soars. Blue Sky Mine, Midnight Oil Watching the Oils in 2017 at Hope Estate gave me an entirely new appreciation for the band. The outro where they sing "in the end the rain comes down" is spine-tingling. Perfect Now, Sarah Blasko A gorgeous performance from one of Australia's best vocalists. The song is about knowing your momentary happiness won't last. A melancholic thought, delivered powerfully. Feels Like We Only Go Backwards - Tame Impala I've enjoyed Kevin Parker's later more electronic material too, but for me, Lonerism and this track were his pyschedelic peak. U Should Not Be Doing That, Amyl & The Sniffers The Melbourne four-piece are the most exciting band Australia has produced in years. This is punk rock with a modern flavour, verve and intelligence. One Crowded Hour, Augie March It's probably the most unconventional Triple J Hottest 100 winner, but one of the most stunning. Glenn Richards' romantic and poetic tale sounds like Jeff Buckley channelling mid-60s Bob Dylan. Jezabel, The Drones Gareth Liddiard is another of my favourite songwriters. This bleak tale about a man scarred by the horrors of Middle Eastern conflicts combines The Drones' discordant power and beauty. Eagle Rock, Daddy Cool The riff is so pervasive - but what's the point of dropping your pants when you should be dancing? Beds Are Burning, Midnight Oil Such a great combination of a driving bass rhythm and a political message. Throw Your Arms Around Me, Hunters & Collectors Because I'm a hopeless romantic. Boys In Town, Divinyls I introduced this to my son when he was 13. He loved it immediately, and suddenly gave me more respect. Star and the Slaughter, Heroes The song that closed the Star Hotel - and started a riot. The Newcastle Song, Bob Hudson I've performed this song to great laughs on stage in Newcastle, Melbourne, Christchurch and in a pub in the west of Ireland. The Biggest Disappointment, Slim Dusty I loved it as a Slim Dusty song many, many years ago, and I loved rediscovering it when Missy Higgins did an acoustic version recently. The Special Two, Missy Higgins A special song from an extraordinary album. Reckless (Don't Be So..), Australian Crawl Wonderful word imagery and music combined. Live it Up, Mental As Anything Such a great upbeat and happy song - you've gotta love it. Torn, Natalie Imbruglia Great song, great singer, great video. Big, Sneaky Sound System A catchy song that I loved when it first came out. It's still in my playlist. Like I'm Falling Down Stairs, Sparkadia I love the melody. It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll), AC/DC It gets the heart pumping. Dumb Things, Paul Kelly Words to live by. Power and the Passion, Midnight Oil An anthem for the politically minded. Better, Screaming Jets Novocastrians represent. Working Class Man, Jimmy Barnes Classic Aussie rock. What's not to like? Hot Potato, The Wiggles What can I say, I'm a dad of three and love a singalong. Perfect for long car trips to get the backseat happy. Eagle Rock, Daddy Cool This one has become a family hit with the kids. Sounds Of Then (This is Australia), GANGgajang Reminds me of life on the farm. Took The Children Away, Archie Roach It just epitomises the tragedy of the Stolen Generation, and it brings a tingle to my spine. Walking On A Dream, Empire Of The Sun I like chilling with a bit of electronica. It's an iconic song that takes you away. Power and the Passion, Midnight Oil I love the politics of the album 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, in particular. It means so much to me. Into My Arms, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds I'm a relatively late convert to Nick Cave. I saw him here at the Civic Theatre [in 2022] in what was one of the most incredible concerts I've ever seen. Fred Astaire, San Cisco It's a song most people have heard and like and it's one I certainly love. Better, Screaming Jets You hear that song and you get up and wanna dance and go hard. Iconic Novocastrians. Straight Lines, Silverchair At one point they were one of the world's biggest bands, and they're Newy. My kids go to Newy High and you walk in and see the photo of them. Just legends. So Caught Up, Teskey Brothers I'm a huge fan of the Teskey Brothers and they fit in perfectly with that blues and soul sound and have iconic voices. London Still, The Waifs One of my best friends is Josh Cunningham's [of The Waifs] brother Saul. I've seen them countless times and watched them go from playing at Moruya to performing to massive sold-out spaces. Follow The Sun, Xavier Rudd If I need to chill out from the stress of politics, I whack that one on and it's got bird calls and whistles. It's been a difficult moment for Australian music. Last month, the federal government's advisory body, Creative Australia, released statistics that showed just how challenging it's become for homegrown artists to have their music heard. Only 8 per cent of the top 10,000 artists streamed in this country were Australian. Today's Triple J Hottest 100 Australian songs of all time seeks to give music fans a clear reminder of the remarkable talent produced in this country. So we asked a bunch of Hunter identities who made their top 10. These Days, Powderfinger A brilliant song. I feel like the movie Two Hands would have been a lesser film without the inclusion of this great song. One Perfect Day, Little Heroes Such an evocative song for people in long-distance relationships. That longing for physical and emotional connection is exacerbated by the tyranny of distance. Not Pretty Enough, Kasey Chambers I absolutely love the songwriting of Kasey. She is a gem and sings with such authenticity. Love her. Overkill, Men At Work A song that has probably exceeded its original release in popularity. The voice of the great Colin Hay and Greg Ham's always amazing brass lines are just awesome. Most People I Know, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs A great song from one of the pioneers of Aussie rock. A true legend who wrote great songs, played guitar like a god and sang with all his might. Mr Damage, The Angels I remember being scared of the menacing undertone of this song when I heard it on my brother's stereo as a 10-year-old. Years later, the fear would be that I'd stuff up the lyrics in front of a rabid live Angels crowd. Baby, I'm Gettin' Better, Gyroscope I loved this band from the moment I heard the song. More evidence that there really is something in the water over in WA. Short Note, Matt Finish A beautiful song. Melancholy, yet strangely uplifting. A great vocal from the sadly departed Matt Moffatt. Squealer, AC/DC Probably a contentious song nowadays, but to me a fine example of Bon Scott's lyrical prowess. Sallie-Anne, Spy vs. Spy A powerful song based on the death of Sallie-Anne Huckstepp, a Sydney sex worker who was killed apparently because she knew too much about the underworld and its connection to high-ranking corrupt police officers in Kings Cross. Across the Night, Silverchair Daniel Johns is one of the most talented musicians alive. The Diorama album is his Magnum Opus; and he's a fellow Newcastle boy. Carrion, Parkway Drive An absolute metal anthem that blows the doors off every time. I remember hearing this for the first time and immediately running to pick up my guitar. To the Moon and Back, Savage Garden They were my first ever live concert at Newcastle Entertainment Centre and you can still catch me singing along to every word. Rhapsody on a Windy Night, The Getaway Plan Matt's [Wright] voice is haunting and this entire album gives me goosebumps. As a kid this band made me realise I will never be as musically talented as these guys are. Prisoner of Society, The Living End As a young teen, these guys gave me a lot of opportunity to scream in my bedroom and feel like I was giving a big middle finger to any sort of authority. Horror Movie, Skyhooks My father's favourite band. I remember listening to old tapes switching between Skyhooks and Cold Chisel. It was my introduction to Aussie rock. The News, The Mission In Motion A band my wife introduced me to when we first met. We saw them live together so many times and hearing their music takes me straight back to when Jess and I were dating. Give it All, The Amity Affliction This song and album got me through a lot of heavy shit when I was younger. If music is therapy, then I owe these guys a lot. Come into My World, Kylie Minogue When you say Aussie pop icon, Kylie is the only answer. I've still got as big of a crush on her now as I did when I was a teenager. Jewels for Eyes, Closure In Moscow Beautiful, ethereal and experimental. Closure is like Bowie meets The Mars Volta. Incredible Australian musicians. Electric Blue, Icehouse Transports me straight back to my childhood in the '80s. My parents playing Icehouse, Dire Straits, The Police and Huey Lewis and the News on cassette tapes, as we hit the road on holidays. Down Under, Men At Work Hard not to include this song in my top 10. Another one that takes me back to the 80s growing up in Australia. Iconic lyrics. Tomorrow, Silverchair Silverchair was big when I was in high school in Port Macquarie. I remember friends heading to Newcastle to see their concert. I loved covering the 30-year anniversary of Tomorrow late last year - their debut EP that continues to resonate and be revered. Pick You Up, Powderfinger A soundtrack to my senior years of high school. Double Allergic and Vulture Street CDs were on high rotation. Difficult Woman, Renee Geyer My dad introduced me to Renee Geyer in my late teens/early 20s. She has an extraordinarily powerful and beautiful voice. Lachlan Tigers, Bushwackers For the first three decades of my life, my dad played in a bush band, as well as a jazz band. The bush band played lots of Bushwackers songs including Lachlan Tigers. Goodbye Blinky Bill, John Williamson When I was small, I would visit the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital with my dad. He would play music and we would pass his Akubra hat around to raise money for the injured koalas. The chorus goes ... "Pass the hat around between your friends, there's no time to contemplate. Maybe if we show some love, maybe it's not too late." Better, Screaming Jets Newcastle's original rockstars and their epic rock anthem. I remember watching this film clip in the early '90s on Rage with my brother. My Island Home, Christine Anu A beautiful song that always makes me smile. It resonates with me ... having grown up in the small coastal community of Bonny Hills. Stalker, The Main Guy and The Other Guys Just like Silverchair, another iconic Newy band that needs to reform. Missing Piece, Vance Joy This song reminds me of how simply being with the right person can make everything feel lighter. Connection doesn't need grand gestures - just sincerity, safety, and shared space. Scar, Missy Higgins This one really resonates deeply with me on quite a few levels ... professionally and personally. I really appreciate authenticity and courage, especially in conversations about mental health and in my personal relationships. Never Tear Us Apart, INXS I just love the intensity and passion of this song. It's about intense connections and unbreakable bonds. Thankyou (For Loving Me at my Worst), The Whitlams I love how this one doesn't shy away from the fact that we all have our worst moments - times when we aren't easy to love - and rather than regretting, it's about being grateful for people who stayed. The Ship Song, Nick Cave This song, for me, is all about invitation and surrender, about offering someone your messy, beautiful world and asking them to stay anyway. Not Pretty Enough, Kasey Chambers It just aches, doesn't it, with the pain of being overlooked, underestimated, or dismissed - not because you lack substance, but because you don't fit the mould. How to Make Gravy, Paul Kelly This song makes me cry. I love that it's about family, forgiveness and finding connection even when people are apart or hurting. In the Summertime, Thirsty Merc I'm playing this a lot right now. I'm so nostalgic (and desperate) for summer. This song feels like lazy afternoons, road trips and the joy of Australian summers. Can't Get You Out of My Head, Kylie Minogue It's bold, playful and iconic - I want words with anyone who doesn't have this on their list. Magic, Olivia Newton John I love this song for so many reasons. Of course, it's about belief being a catalyst for transformation and realised possibilities - trust your intuition. Get Free, The Vines Two minutes of pure rock adrenaline. When it was released in 2002 I thought The Vines could have been anything. The hype didn't last, but my god, it kicked in the back teeth. Purple Sneakers, You Am I My entire list could be filled with Tim Rogers songs. A genius. The lyrics of teenage awkwardness and the search for human connection just resonates above all the others. Straight Lines, Silverchair I met my wife at a Silverchair show and they're Newy's greatest band. I could have chosen Freak or Emotion Sickness, but Straight Lines was melodically Daniel Johns' finest moment. Bye Bye Pride, The Go-Betweens Once again, my list could be entirely filled with Go-Betweens songs. I absolutely adore the chorus, and when Grant McLennan and Amanda Brown's voices combine it simply soars. Blue Sky Mine, Midnight Oil Watching the Oils in 2017 at Hope Estate gave me an entirely new appreciation for the band. The outro where they sing "in the end the rain comes down" is spine-tingling. Perfect Now, Sarah Blasko A gorgeous performance from one of Australia's best vocalists. The song is about knowing your momentary happiness won't last. A melancholic thought, delivered powerfully. Feels Like We Only Go Backwards - Tame Impala I've enjoyed Kevin Parker's later more electronic material too, but for me, Lonerism and this track were his pyschedelic peak. U Should Not Be Doing That, Amyl & The Sniffers The Melbourne four-piece are the most exciting band Australia has produced in years. This is punk rock with a modern flavour, verve and intelligence. One Crowded Hour, Augie March It's probably the most unconventional Triple J Hottest 100 winner, but one of the most stunning. Glenn Richards' romantic and poetic tale sounds like Jeff Buckley channelling mid-60s Bob Dylan. Jezabel, The Drones Gareth Liddiard is another of my favourite songwriters. This bleak tale about a man scarred by the horrors of Middle Eastern conflicts combines The Drones' discordant power and beauty. Eagle Rock, Daddy Cool The riff is so pervasive - but what's the point of dropping your pants when you should be dancing? Beds Are Burning, Midnight Oil Such a great combination of a driving bass rhythm and a political message. Throw Your Arms Around Me, Hunters & Collectors Because I'm a hopeless romantic. Boys In Town, Divinyls I introduced this to my son when he was 13. He loved it immediately, and suddenly gave me more respect. Star and the Slaughter, Heroes The song that closed the Star Hotel - and started a riot. The Newcastle Song, Bob Hudson I've performed this song to great laughs on stage in Newcastle, Melbourne, Christchurch and in a pub in the west of Ireland. The Biggest Disappointment, Slim Dusty I loved it as a Slim Dusty song many, many years ago, and I loved rediscovering it when Missy Higgins did an acoustic version recently. The Special Two, Missy Higgins A special song from an extraordinary album. Reckless (Don't Be So..), Australian Crawl Wonderful word imagery and music combined. Live it Up, Mental As Anything Such a great upbeat and happy song - you've gotta love it. Torn, Natalie Imbruglia Great song, great singer, great video. Big, Sneaky Sound System A catchy song that I loved when it first came out. It's still in my playlist. Like I'm Falling Down Stairs, Sparkadia I love the melody. It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll), AC/DC It gets the heart pumping. Dumb Things, Paul Kelly Words to live by. Power and the Passion, Midnight Oil An anthem for the politically minded. Better, Screaming Jets Novocastrians represent. Working Class Man, Jimmy Barnes Classic Aussie rock. What's not to like? Hot Potato, The Wiggles What can I say, I'm a dad of three and love a singalong. Perfect for long car trips to get the backseat happy. Eagle Rock, Daddy Cool This one has become a family hit with the kids. Sounds Of Then (This is Australia), GANGgajang Reminds me of life on the farm. Took The Children Away, Archie Roach It just epitomises the tragedy of the Stolen Generation, and it brings a tingle to my spine. Walking On A Dream, Empire Of The Sun I like chilling with a bit of electronica. It's an iconic song that takes you away. Power and the Passion, Midnight Oil I love the politics of the album 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, in particular. It means so much to me. Into My Arms, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds I'm a relatively late convert to Nick Cave. I saw him here at the Civic Theatre [in 2022] in what was one of the most incredible concerts I've ever seen. Fred Astaire, San Cisco It's a song most people have heard and like and it's one I certainly love. Better, Screaming Jets You hear that song and you get up and wanna dance and go hard. Iconic Novocastrians. Straight Lines, Silverchair At one point they were one of the world's biggest bands, and they're Newy. My kids go to Newy High and you walk in and see the photo of them. Just legends. So Caught Up, Teskey Brothers I'm a huge fan of the Teskey Brothers and they fit in perfectly with that blues and soul sound and have iconic voices. London Still, The Waifs One of my best friends is Josh Cunningham's [of The Waifs] brother Saul. I've seen them countless times and watched them go from playing at Moruya to performing to massive sold-out spaces. Follow The Sun, Xavier Rudd If I need to chill out from the stress of politics, I whack that one on and it's got bird calls and whistles. It's been a difficult moment for Australian music. Last month, the federal government's advisory body, Creative Australia, released statistics that showed just how challenging it's become for homegrown artists to have their music heard. Only 8 per cent of the top 10,000 artists streamed in this country were Australian. Today's Triple J Hottest 100 Australian songs of all time seeks to give music fans a clear reminder of the remarkable talent produced in this country. So we asked a bunch of Hunter identities who made their top 10. These Days, Powderfinger A brilliant song. I feel like the movie Two Hands would have been a lesser film without the inclusion of this great song. One Perfect Day, Little Heroes Such an evocative song for people in long-distance relationships. That longing for physical and emotional connection is exacerbated by the tyranny of distance. Not Pretty Enough, Kasey Chambers I absolutely love the songwriting of Kasey. She is a gem and sings with such authenticity. Love her. Overkill, Men At Work A song that has probably exceeded its original release in popularity. The voice of the great Colin Hay and Greg Ham's always amazing brass lines are just awesome. Most People I Know, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs A great song from one of the pioneers of Aussie rock. A true legend who wrote great songs, played guitar like a god and sang with all his might. Mr Damage, The Angels I remember being scared of the menacing undertone of this song when I heard it on my brother's stereo as a 10-year-old. Years later, the fear would be that I'd stuff up the lyrics in front of a rabid live Angels crowd. Baby, I'm Gettin' Better, Gyroscope I loved this band from the moment I heard the song. More evidence that there really is something in the water over in WA. Short Note, Matt Finish A beautiful song. Melancholy, yet strangely uplifting. A great vocal from the sadly departed Matt Moffatt. Squealer, AC/DC Probably a contentious song nowadays, but to me a fine example of Bon Scott's lyrical prowess. Sallie-Anne, Spy vs. Spy A powerful song based on the death of Sallie-Anne Huckstepp, a Sydney sex worker who was killed apparently because she knew too much about the underworld and its connection to high-ranking corrupt police officers in Kings Cross. Across the Night, Silverchair Daniel Johns is one of the most talented musicians alive. The Diorama album is his Magnum Opus; and he's a fellow Newcastle boy. Carrion, Parkway Drive An absolute metal anthem that blows the doors off every time. I remember hearing this for the first time and immediately running to pick up my guitar. To the Moon and Back, Savage Garden They were my first ever live concert at Newcastle Entertainment Centre and you can still catch me singing along to every word. Rhapsody on a Windy Night, The Getaway Plan Matt's [Wright] voice is haunting and this entire album gives me goosebumps. As a kid this band made me realise I will never be as musically talented as these guys are. Prisoner of Society, The Living End As a young teen, these guys gave me a lot of opportunity to scream in my bedroom and feel like I was giving a big middle finger to any sort of authority. Horror Movie, Skyhooks My father's favourite band. I remember listening to old tapes switching between Skyhooks and Cold Chisel. It was my introduction to Aussie rock. The News, The Mission In Motion A band my wife introduced me to when we first met. We saw them live together so many times and hearing their music takes me straight back to when Jess and I were dating. Give it All, The Amity Affliction This song and album got me through a lot of heavy shit when I was younger. If music is therapy, then I owe these guys a lot. Come into My World, Kylie Minogue When you say Aussie pop icon, Kylie is the only answer. I've still got as big of a crush on her now as I did when I was a teenager. Jewels for Eyes, Closure In Moscow Beautiful, ethereal and experimental. Closure is like Bowie meets The Mars Volta. Incredible Australian musicians. Electric Blue, Icehouse Transports me straight back to my childhood in the '80s. My parents playing Icehouse, Dire Straits, The Police and Huey Lewis and the News on cassette tapes, as we hit the road on holidays. Down Under, Men At Work Hard not to include this song in my top 10. Another one that takes me back to the 80s growing up in Australia. Iconic lyrics. Tomorrow, Silverchair Silverchair was big when I was in high school in Port Macquarie. I remember friends heading to Newcastle to see their concert. I loved covering the 30-year anniversary of Tomorrow late last year - their debut EP that continues to resonate and be revered. Pick You Up, Powderfinger A soundtrack to my senior years of high school. Double Allergic and Vulture Street CDs were on high rotation. Difficult Woman, Renee Geyer My dad introduced me to Renee Geyer in my late teens/early 20s. She has an extraordinarily powerful and beautiful voice. Lachlan Tigers, Bushwackers For the first three decades of my life, my dad played in a bush band, as well as a jazz band. The bush band played lots of Bushwackers songs including Lachlan Tigers. Goodbye Blinky Bill, John Williamson When I was small, I would visit the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital with my dad. He would play music and we would pass his Akubra hat around to raise money for the injured koalas. The chorus goes ... "Pass the hat around between your friends, there's no time to contemplate. Maybe if we show some love, maybe it's not too late." Better, Screaming Jets Newcastle's original rockstars and their epic rock anthem. I remember watching this film clip in the early '90s on Rage with my brother. My Island Home, Christine Anu A beautiful song that always makes me smile. It resonates with me ... having grown up in the small coastal community of Bonny Hills. Stalker, The Main Guy and The Other Guys Just like Silverchair, another iconic Newy band that needs to reform. Missing Piece, Vance Joy This song reminds me of how simply being with the right person can make everything feel lighter. Connection doesn't need grand gestures - just sincerity, safety, and shared space. Scar, Missy Higgins This one really resonates deeply with me on quite a few levels ... professionally and personally. I really appreciate authenticity and courage, especially in conversations about mental health and in my personal relationships. Never Tear Us Apart, INXS I just love the intensity and passion of this song. It's about intense connections and unbreakable bonds. Thankyou (For Loving Me at my Worst), The Whitlams I love how this one doesn't shy away from the fact that we all have our worst moments - times when we aren't easy to love - and rather than regretting, it's about being grateful for people who stayed. The Ship Song, Nick Cave This song, for me, is all about invitation and surrender, about offering someone your messy, beautiful world and asking them to stay anyway. Not Pretty Enough, Kasey Chambers It just aches, doesn't it, with the pain of being overlooked, underestimated, or dismissed - not because you lack substance, but because you don't fit the mould. How to Make Gravy, Paul Kelly This song makes me cry. I love that it's about family, forgiveness and finding connection even when people are apart or hurting. In the Summertime, Thirsty Merc I'm playing this a lot right now. I'm so nostalgic (and desperate) for summer. This song feels like lazy afternoons, road trips and the joy of Australian summers. Can't Get You Out of My Head, Kylie Minogue It's bold, playful and iconic - I want words with anyone who doesn't have this on their list. Magic, Olivia Newton John I love this song for so many reasons. Of course, it's about belief being a catalyst for transformation and realised possibilities - trust your intuition. Get Free, The Vines Two minutes of pure rock adrenaline. When it was released in 2002 I thought The Vines could have been anything. The hype didn't last, but my god, it kicked in the back teeth. Purple Sneakers, You Am I My entire list could be filled with Tim Rogers songs. A genius. The lyrics of teenage awkwardness and the search for human connection just resonates above all the others. Straight Lines, Silverchair I met my wife at a Silverchair show and they're Newy's greatest band. I could have chosen Freak or Emotion Sickness, but Straight Lines was melodically Daniel Johns' finest moment. Bye Bye Pride, The Go-Betweens Once again, my list could be entirely filled with Go-Betweens songs. I absolutely adore the chorus, and when Grant McLennan and Amanda Brown's voices combine it simply soars. Blue Sky Mine, Midnight Oil Watching the Oils in 2017 at Hope Estate gave me an entirely new appreciation for the band. The outro where they sing "in the end the rain comes down" is spine-tingling. Perfect Now, Sarah Blasko A gorgeous performance from one of Australia's best vocalists. The song is about knowing your momentary happiness won't last. A melancholic thought, delivered powerfully. Feels Like We Only Go Backwards - Tame Impala I've enjoyed Kevin Parker's later more electronic material too, but for me, Lonerism and this track were his pyschedelic peak. U Should Not Be Doing That, Amyl & The Sniffers The Melbourne four-piece are the most exciting band Australia has produced in years. This is punk rock with a modern flavour, verve and intelligence. One Crowded Hour, Augie March It's probably the most unconventional Triple J Hottest 100 winner, but one of the most stunning. Glenn Richards' romantic and poetic tale sounds like Jeff Buckley channelling mid-60s Bob Dylan. Jezabel, The Drones Gareth Liddiard is another of my favourite songwriters. This bleak tale about a man scarred by the horrors of Middle Eastern conflicts combines The Drones' discordant power and beauty. Eagle Rock, Daddy Cool The riff is so pervasive - but what's the point of dropping your pants when you should be dancing? Beds Are Burning, Midnight Oil Such a great combination of a driving bass rhythm and a political message. Throw Your Arms Around Me, Hunters & Collectors Because I'm a hopeless romantic. Boys In Town, Divinyls I introduced this to my son when he was 13. He loved it immediately, and suddenly gave me more respect. Star and the Slaughter, Heroes The song that closed the Star Hotel - and started a riot. The Newcastle Song, Bob Hudson I've performed this song to great laughs on stage in Newcastle, Melbourne, Christchurch and in a pub in the west of Ireland. The Biggest Disappointment, Slim Dusty I loved it as a Slim Dusty song many, many years ago, and I loved rediscovering it when Missy Higgins did an acoustic version recently. The Special Two, Missy Higgins A special song from an extraordinary album. Reckless (Don't Be So..), Australian Crawl Wonderful word imagery and music combined. Live it Up, Mental As Anything Such a great upbeat and happy song - you've gotta love it. Torn, Natalie Imbruglia Great song, great singer, great video. Big, Sneaky Sound System A catchy song that I loved when it first came out. It's still in my playlist. Like I'm Falling Down Stairs, Sparkadia I love the melody. It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll), AC/DC It gets the heart pumping. Dumb Things, Paul Kelly Words to live by. Power and the Passion, Midnight Oil An anthem for the politically minded. Better, Screaming Jets Novocastrians represent. Working Class Man, Jimmy Barnes Classic Aussie rock. What's not to like? Hot Potato, The Wiggles What can I say, I'm a dad of three and love a singalong. Perfect for long car trips to get the backseat happy. Eagle Rock, Daddy Cool This one has become a family hit with the kids. Sounds Of Then (This is Australia), GANGgajang Reminds me of life on the farm. Took The Children Away, Archie Roach It just epitomises the tragedy of the Stolen Generation, and it brings a tingle to my spine. Walking On A Dream, Empire Of The Sun I like chilling with a bit of electronica. It's an iconic song that takes you away. Power and the Passion, Midnight Oil I love the politics of the album 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, in particular. It means so much to me. Into My Arms, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds I'm a relatively late convert to Nick Cave. I saw him here at the Civic Theatre [in 2022] in what was one of the most incredible concerts I've ever seen. Fred Astaire, San Cisco It's a song most people have heard and like and it's one I certainly love. Better, Screaming Jets You hear that song and you get up and wanna dance and go hard. Iconic Novocastrians. Straight Lines, Silverchair At one point they were one of the world's biggest bands, and they're Newy. My kids go to Newy High and you walk in and see the photo of them. Just legends. So Caught Up, Teskey Brothers I'm a huge fan of the Teskey Brothers and they fit in perfectly with that blues and soul sound and have iconic voices. London Still, The Waifs One of my best friends is Josh Cunningham's [of The Waifs] brother Saul. I've seen them countless times and watched them go from playing at Moruya to performing to massive sold-out spaces. Follow The Sun, Xavier Rudd If I need to chill out from the stress of politics, I whack that one on and it's got bird calls and whistles.
SBS Australia
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Are cost-of-living pressures and streaming platform algorithms killing Australian music?
Triple J's Saturday debut of its Hottest 100 of Australian songs has prompted many to reflect on the state of the local music industry — and the sobering reality that perhaps the biggest hurdle is cost. An April report from Creative Australia found 62 per cent of Australians say music is really important to them — but cost is the main barrier to attending live shows. While 66 per cent said they want to hear more local music, many still prioritise saving up their dollars to see international acts — simply because they're rarer. FBi Radio's Tyson Koh says people tightening their hip pockets are having a direct flow-on effect on the industry, especially community radio, which has long been considered a cornerstone of the Australian music scene. FBi Radio — where Koh is managing director — has been an institution in the inner-Sydney suburb of Redfern since 2003, bolstered mostly by community memberships. But in June, it had to cut half its permanent staff after entering a period of "extreme financial distress". It still isn't out of the woods. "We found that in this brave new world of digital streaming and social media, a few people had taken our service for granted," Koh said. "They were still listening to the station — but because they already had several other subscription-based services to keep up with, we'd gotten lost in the mix." Tyson Koh says the cost of living crisis and growth of algorithmic music streaming is affecting community radio stations such as FBi, which could close its doors if not enough funding is secured. Source: Supplied / John Feder As cost-of-living pressures linger, Koh says discretionary spending — such as going to live gigs or subscribing to community radio stations — is becoming harder to justify. "We really need our listeners to show up for us if we are to survive." "I think we have to decide as a society whether music is important … if we can agree on that, then the question comes down to support and participation." Less disposable income, fewer ticket sales Joe Draffen, bassist for Melbourne band Floodlights, says the rising cost of living is also affecting artists. "The current economic climate has made it harder to sell tickets, as many people just don't have as much disposable income right now due to the rising cost of living," Draffen said. "On top of that, our own expenses have gone up, which meant ticket prices had to increase too." Melbourne-based band Floodlights say the cost of living crisis has put pressure on musicians, leading to slower ticket sales and higher touring costs. Source: Supplied / Matt Shaw "Touring's gotten a lot more expensive — flights, accommodation, gear hire, crew — it all adds up." The band has also been impacted by the closure of several music festivals across the country, which would typically bring more exposure and broaden their fan base. More than 25 music festivals across Australia have been cancelled since 2022, according to data from the Australian Festival Association. Community-led efforts still not enough Caitlin Welsh and Joe Hardy run a manually curated gig guide born from the loss of local music press and the lingering effects of Sydney's lockout laws. The guide briefly shut down in June due to a lack of funds, before a flurry of one-off donations and sponsorships allowed Welsh and Hardy to keep going — for now. "People hugely underestimate the amount of time and human labour it takes to manually research and compile the gig guide, as well as put together playlists and post daily lists to socials," Welsh told SBS News. "It's made by a small team of humans — including musicians and creatives who work with us as researchers — who need to be compensated for the amount of labour we're all doing in order to continue living in one of the most expensive cities in the world." Caitlin Welsh and Joe Hardy founded gig guide after frustrations with the diminishing Sydney music scene. But the cost of living is making it difficult for them to continue operating. Source: Supplied / Caitlin Welsh But live music spaces are becoming increasingly rare as venues face even more pressure to keep the doors open. India Wallis is a Brisbane-based musician and head of youth-focused record label Starving Kids, which runs a dedicated 150-capacity all-ages venue in Brisbane, serving musicians who are often booking their first show. "The gap between local acts and established acts seems to be getting wider," she told SBS News. "Brisbane is home to some great large-scale venues, but with more and more small venues closing, there are noticeably less opportunities for artists to cut their teeth." More than 1,300 live music venues and stages across Australia have been lost since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a 2023 report from music rights management organisation APRA AMCOS. Welsh added: "Venues are being bled by insurance premiums and rent and the alcohol excise, and they can't afford to run all-ages shows because they rely on bar sales to support putting on music at all, and punters can't afford to buy as many drinks as they used to because their rent is too damn high." "The narrowing of music participation to people who can afford to treat it as a hobby, or who are forced to accept poverty to keep doing it, is just as creatively flattening as the algorithm." Algorithms placing pressure on industry At the same time, streaming platforms such as Spotify are continuing to grow, with over nine million users in Australia. Date from market research firm Roy Morgan found Spotify had doubled its Australian user base between 2017 and 2020. Since 2017, the platform has moved towards algorithmically creating personalised music recommendations, informed by a user's listening history and preferences. Koh says this means that people are more likely to value platforms like these instead of community radio, which was traditionally a hub for music discoverability. "People lead such busy lives, so the amount of time that people can devote to going on their own musical journey and discovering new artists is getting more and more limited," he said. Koh says this convenience is creating a "giant homogenous culture". "One thing that social media and algorithms can't replace is the experience and joy of seeing a band. That's often where artists find their audiences and the people who they can take on the journey with them throughout their careers." Despite coming off their largest Australian tour so far, Floodlights say it's become harder to be discovered organically — even in the midst of a breakout moment. "There's so much music coming out every day, and unless you're backed by major playlists or algorithms, it's easy to get lost in the noise," Draffen said. Should Triple J be doing more? In the face of so many obstacles, musicians such as Ben Lee — who is expected to chart in Saturday's countdown for his hits Cigarettes Will Kill You and Catch My Disease — have called for the ABC's Triple J to do more to support Australian music, including restricting all Hottest 100 countdowns to only spotlight Australian songs. "At a time when there are so many platforms for international music discovery, I just don't see the logic in a taxpayer-funded station using their platform to promote international acts, many on major labels," Lee told SBS News. He said it was being run like a "commercial station that's constantly bending over backwards to increase listenership", primarily through bigger international artists. Lee added that it should move to play only Australian music across the board. "They could single-handedly lead the way to revitalising the Australian music industry if they wanted to. But it would mean stopping thinking of themselves as a commercial radio station, but rather as a mission-driven government utility," he said. The station has a mandated quota of 40 per cent for Australian music, but typically plays closer to the 50 per cent mark. Last week, Lee made similar remarks on both social media and to The Sydney Morning Herald. Head of Triple J Lachlan Macara told the Herald seeing local artists next to international names was what made the Hottest 100 " so special". He said the program "would love to see even more people and platforms supporting and prioritising Australian artists". Australian musician Ben Lee has called for Triple J to do more to support Australian music. Source: Getty / Martin Philbey But members of the industry are still conflicted over the best path forward. While Floodlights recently played their biggest headline shows across the country, Draffen said it's still difficult to cut through without support from Triple J. "We've really had to double down on staying connected with our audience and finding new ways to reach people but it's hard as Triple J doesn't really play us, which obviously makes it tougher to reach a wider audience in Australia," he said. Wallis said that while artists at her record label have seen "great support" from Triple J Unearthed, which features unsigned local acts, she wanted to see more. "I strongly believe Triple J should be focusing more on a diverse range of homegrown acts, rather than commercial, international acts that already have a platform." Welsh agrees the Hottest 100 should be all-Australian each year, but stopped short of supporting that across the board. "Nobody does more for Australian music than Triple J," she said. "The ones who are letting down Australian music are the commercial stations … There has been zero accountability for commercial radio formats to meet their local music quotas." Koh agreed: "We know that we're doing our bit, and I think Triple J does as well." FBi Radio also operates under a 50 per cent Australian music mandate, with half of that coming from Sydney. "I think it's important to see Australian music in a global context and that local artists just don't exist in a silo."
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Australia's reckoning with Indigenous people takes one cultural glide forward, two political steps back
For several decades First Nations artists have done much of the heavy lifting in Australian cultural diplomacy. And now Wesley Enoch as chair of Creative Australia has to fix a damaged sector. Archie Moore, Tracey Moffatt, Warwick Thornton, Deborah Mailman, William Barton, Tony Albert, Judy Watson, David Gulpilil, Christian Thompson, Ivan Sen, Emily Kam Kngwarray, to name just some of the many who have won accolades for their stunning, original work and taken their place at the peaks of cultural power and influence. Winning hearts and changing minds as they went. Not so long ago this suggested a long overdue reckoning with the First Peoples; a reckoning that the rest of the world was watching in the detached way that those who can be bothered note what is happening elsewhere. Australia is diffident about cultural diplomacy, reluctant to exercise its soft power (in anything other than sport), as the abandonment of ABC Asia Pacific TV demonstrated – although the ABC has since revamped its international service. The global celebration of First Nations artists was a powerful way of showing that modern Australia had thrown off its colonial legacy, had grown into a truly mature and reconciled nation and come to terms with the ancient human heritage that makes it truly unique. Creative Australia put First Nations stories first in its strategic priorities, Dfat's cultural grants emphasised the persuasive power of 65,000 years of unique civilisation, and Australia lobbied hard for Unesco recognition of cultural heritage at Gunditjmara and now Murujuga. Yet as we approach the second anniversary of the decision by most Australians to reject meaningful recognition of First Peoples, the tension at the heart of this international celebration of the talent, stories and unique ways of seeing, being and doing comes clearly into focus. Is it simple hypocrisy or the old Australian way – one glide forward, two quick steps back? There are markers. The silence about discussing the referendum or to even consider national truth-telling. The ratty politics rejecting welcomes to country and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. The patchy reporting of the coronial findings of institutional racism in the NT Police and the Yoorrook inquiry's findings of historic genocide. The federal court's hand-wringing decision that accepted government policies caused wilful destruction of culture and environment in the Torres Strait Islands but that it was unable to do anything about it. These recent events suggest that coming to terms with the enduring impact of the past is at best the latter, two quick steps back. At worst, to me, it suggests further signs of what Jeremy Bentham once called an 'incurable flaw'. All this came to mind as I stood outside Tate Modern waiting in line under an unusually hot summer sun for my bag to be checked. My English friend and I were on our way to the third floor of the vast former turbine to see the Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition. 'Why is it on now?' he asked. He knows Australia, has spent time in central Australia and understood how the voice referendum hung heavily there. It's a reasonable question. And there are many answers. Some practical, others freighted with meaning. The director of the Tate told the press it was part of her plan to celebrate older female artists who should be considered great masters (mistresses?). The art press buzzed that this was one of three major exhibitions of Indigenous artists in London this summer – the others from Canada and Peru. Indigeneity is 'a thing'. The collaboration to celebrate the 'old lady's' work between the Tate, National Gallery of Australia and the women of Alhalker country began not long after the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, declared there would be a referendum to secure meaningful recognition of First Peoples in the Australian constitution. These big retrospective shows are years in the making, especially ones that require the active involvement of local communities as well as major galleries and high-profile owners around the world. When the extraordinary show first opened in Canberra just months after the vote, there was sadness about what might have been, about how the exhibition might have celebrated a new beginning. In London two years later, this is a barely acknowledged backdrop. Those seeing her work for the first time grapple with what it represents, how someone who only started painting in her 70s produced work as fresh and innovative as any major 20th-century artist – but how it grew out of her knowledge, skill and dreaming. Like all great artists the work is truly hers, grounded in her unique perspective. What comes as a surprise, to those who have only seen her images in books and posters, is their three-dimensional quality. Kngwarray layered paint to evoke stories of such extraordinary depth that they carry a fourth dimension of infinite time, 'everywhen'. It invites the viewer into a unique way of seeing and being. Another Australian artist is also celebrated on level 3 of the Tate. Leigh Bowery, who in his short life became a London gay style icon. Both Emily and Leigh speak to a distinctive Australian sensibility and energy. They prove that from an unlikely starting point anything is possible. Answering my friend's question, I said I wished the curators had projected The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, where flamboyant gay culture meets the outback, on the wall between the two iconoclastic Australians, to help viewers literally join the dots between the two exhibitions. Culture is complicated, cultural diplomacy can take time, but culture might still lead politics. Julianne Schultz an emeritus professor at Griffith University and the author of The Idea of Australia
Sky News AU
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Sharri Markson: Without endorsing antisemitism report's recommendations, Albanese's words are 'smoke and mirrors'
The landmark antisemitism report from special envoy, Jillian Segal, has recommended stripping funding from universities which spread antisemitism and working with the public broadcasters to promote social cohesion. It has nine of the 15 recommendations from our Sky News Antisemitism Summit including screening immigrants for antisemitic views, stripping arts bodies and festivals of government grants if they condone hate and embedding antisemitism in the school curriculum. Albanese welcomed the report and said he would engage with it - but he stopped short of endorsing it. In fact, he did not explicitly support a single recommendation, and he brushed off questions about what he'll commit to. Albanese would only say that he'd consider them carefully. 'We'll now carefully consider the report recommendations," he said. "There's a number of things in here that we're doing. There's a number of things that can be implemented quickly. There are a number of things that will require work over a period of time.' But he refused to say what the "things" are that could be implemented quickly. His comments are, at least, an improvement from his position after our Antisemitism Summit when he refused to consider any of the meaningful recommendations we put forward. Now he officially has to consider them. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was also specifically asked if these recommendations would be put in place within the year - and he was noncommittal. He said Creative Australia already took antisemitism into account when awarding grants. This can't possibly be true. Many organisations that employ hate preachers continue to receive ongoing funding. It's deeply concerning if Burke's attitude is that they're already doing this. Jewish leaders today, including Alex Ryvchin, Colin Rubenstein and Jeremy Leibler have all said that Segal's report needs to be met with comprehensive action and enforcement. Ryvchin said it's critical that Albanese expresses whole-hearted support for the plan. "The Prime Minister should say this is the plan to rescue our country from the scourge of racism directed at Jewish Australians," he said. And that's exactly right. Albanese needs to officially endorse this report so that university leaders, state governments and cultural institutions get on board and make the necessary changes. The Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon echoed this sentiment, saying "the real test now lies in swift and effective implementation.' But there were some positives from today's press conference. Albanese and Burke spoke more forcefully about antisemitism than in the past. The Prime Minister also spoke about the pro-Palestinian protesters who crashed the Melbourne restaurant on Friday night, describing it as criminal behaviour. He said he "saw on the ABC the other night a woman who participated in the trashing and violence that occurred at the restaurant in Melbourne, justifying that, justifying it. There is no justification for that whatsoever. And what's more, the idea that somehow the cause of justice for Palestinians is advanced by behaviour like that is not only delusional, it is destructive.' Burke spoke strongly about the prejudice faced by Jewish Australians in society. 'We want people to be safe and to feel safe," he said. "Being safe and feeling safe is something which antisemitism flies in the face of. And while we might think of this only in terms of some of the more dramatic, violent incidents which we've seen, feeling safe and being safe goes deeper than that.' The Jewish community is sceptical about why the Albanese Government seems to be only considering action now, 21 months after the racism exploded in the wake of Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. There was only one decent question at today's press conference and it came from the Jewish News journalist Carly Adno - who raised this point precisely. She asked: "Prime Minister, the Jewish community has been experiencing these antisemitic attacks for close to two years now. Why is it that it took another arson attack on the synagogues to adopt some of these?" Albanese was defensive. "Well, it didn't, is the answer to that. It didn't." But Adno is correct. Albanese has done nothing but sit back and watch as hatred festered under his leadership. He's made our country a dangerous and unsafe place, and it's utterly unforgivable. He needs to categorically adopt Segal's strong plan, which draws on nine of the 15 recommendations from our Sky News Antisemitism Summit. They include: A permanent policing cooperation between state and federal governments to investigate threats and incidents, and links to terrorism. Embedding Holocaust and antisemitism education in the school curriculum. A judicial inquiry into antisemitism on campus. The investigation and disclosure of foreign funding to universities, which might drive extremist ideologies. Government grants to festivals and cultural institutions have terms of conditions that the recipient does not promote, facilitate or deal effectively with hate and anti-semitism. Remove deductible gift recipient status from any charitable institution which promotes speakers or engages in conduct that promotes antisemitism. Screen visa applicants for antisemitic views or affiliations and ensure the Migration Act effectively facilitates visa refusals or cancellations for antisemitic conduct and rhetoric. Antisemitism training to those involved in processing visa applications to be able to assess antisemitism. Encourage Australian cultural institutions to re-engage with Jewish creatives and members of the Jewish community. Jillian Segal's report also states that if threats escalate, she'd recommend emergency coordination measures, including a standing joint task force and potential national security declarations. That was the first recommendation from our summit - to declare a national emergency and establish a joint counter-terrorism taskforce to mobilise all relevant agencies in the fight against antisemitism before we have a major terror attack in this country. But Segal's report goes further with bold, new ideas including: Work with platforms to reduce the presence or influence of 'bots' that deliberately sow social discord and to reduce the reach of those who peddle hate behind a veil of anonymity. The Envoy Office will work with the publicly funded broadcasters to encourage them to develop programs that add to social cohesion. Withholding government funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against antisemitism. This final measure has already been implemented by United States President Donald Trump. He has famously stripped funding from Harvard University. I fully support this idea but it's hard to imagine the Prime Minister committing to such a courageous idea. Since October 2023, Albanese has not lifted a finger to deal with the rampant antisemitism at campuses. He's hardly going to suddenly strip the universities of funding over antisemitism. My only criticism with the report is that Segal has worded many recommendations so that the onus is on her to implement them, rather than state and federal government or relevant institutions. For example, she puts the onus on herself to solve the many problems, like working with social media companies on reform. She could have simply outlined the reform that's needed in the social media space and then allowed the relevant minister to take charge and deal with the companies. It's objectively too much work for one individual. Efforts to combat antisemitism would be more successful if the objectives were not the sole responsibility of the envoy or Jewish groups to implement. Yes, it's Segal's report, but Albanese says she's his adviser on antisemitism and this is the blueprint or action plan the Federal Government is working from, so there should be more onus on specifically what it can do independently of her personal involvement. Having too much on her plate will delay the serious reform that's needed right now. This is an urgent crisis and we need immediate action. I'm also concerned the Prime Minister will use this report as cover. When the next violent attack happens, as we know it will, Albanese will simply say he's working with the envoy on the antisemitism action plan. And right now, it's all smoke and mirrors. He has had Segal's report in his possession for a full week prior to the press conference, yet he still couldn't bring himself to commit to a single idea in it.
AU Financial Review
10-07-2025
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
Hate has no place? If only that was true
The Albanese government's new plan is a good beginning in the fight against antisemitism. It remains to be seen whether it will ever be implemented. The government says it would consider withdrawing funding from universities and arts organisations that don't take action against antisemitism. Yet, somehow at the same time, Creative Australia is sending to the Venice Biennale an artist whose work appears to glorify a leader of Hezbollah, a terrorist group committed to the destruction of Israel. In the words of Creative Australia, the artist will 'represent Australia'.
