Tonight, the inaugural Australian Music Week kicks off in Cronulla, NSW, for some four days of conferences and showcases. As with any event of this nature – be it BIGSOUND, SXSW or the recent WAM Festival in Perth – there are dozens upon dozens of incredible acts out there for you to discover. It’s almost impossible to know where to begin. Well, here at the AU we have plenty of favourites of our own.
So to get you started with some of your own discoveries, here are fifteen acts we think you shouldn’t miss…
A Tribe Called Red
One of Canada’s most talked about and original groups are finally touring Australia. They are not to be missed. You can learn about more about them in our interview with the group HERE.
November 20, 2015 at 3:50 pm | AMW – Mall Stage – North
Demi Louise
Fresh from touring the world, Melbourne based Demi Louise is an artist few in Australia are familiar with – but certainly should be – so this is your chance to find out why this artist has garnered a loyal following of fans from Korea to the States and back again…
November 19, 2015 at 5:00 pm | AMW – Blind Bear
November 20, 2015 at 5:15 pm | AMW – Shucked – Sounds Like Cafe
November 20, 2015 at 9:40 pm | AMW – Croydon Lane
November 21, 2015 at 4:10 pm | AMW – Zinc
Ed Wells
Destined to be one of the most well known artists in the country, here’s your chance to jump on the bandwagon before everyone else does…
November 19, 2015 at 9:25 pm | AMW – Croydon Lane
November 20, 2015 at 7:50 pm | AMW – JD’s Bar
November 21, 2015 at 5:10 pm | AMW – Rydges – Sofar Presents
November 21, 2015 at 7:00 pm | AMW – 2230
Emma Beau
The lovely Emma Beau has us hooked to her music and to her live show. She, like Ed Wells, was without question one of the highlights of our AU sessions series this year. If you missed her there, or have never had the chance to see this emerging talent before, she’s giving you more than a few options during the festival!
November 19, 2015 at 5:50 pm | AMW – Zinc
November 20, 2015 at 3:55 pm | AMW – Shucked – Sounds Like Cafe
November 20, 2015 at 7:50 pm | AMW – 2230
November 21, 2015 at 1:40 pm | AMW – Mall Stage – South
Flamingo Jones
This Melbourne artist has us all kinds of excited at the moment – and for many of us at the AU, AMW will be our first chance to see his live show. He’s also taking part in the Captured Australia competition, so you should be hearing plenty from this artist across the festival… Though there’s only one showcase:
November 20, 2015 at 11:10 pm | AMW – Northies
Hein Cooper
This AU Live Music Award nominated artist first impressed us when we caught him overseas, and we simply couldn’t recommend him enough.
November 19, 2015 at 3:15 pm | AMW – Rydges – Sofar Presents
November 19, 2015 at 8:10 pm | AMW – Brass Monkey
November 19, 2015 at 10:35 pm | AMW – Croydon Lane
November 20, 2015 at 8:20 pm | AMW – Zinc
Krista Polvere
This Americana artist has given precedence to her genre by relocating to the USA, and has recently been hard at work on her third full length record (which will be self-titled) in Virginia. Producing this release will be Bryan Elijah Smith who, with The Wild Hearts, has been making some pretty amazing music of his own. We can’t wait to get a taste of it all.
November 19, 2015 at 2:35 pm | AMW – Rydges – Sofar Presents
November 19, 2015 at 4:30 pm | AMW – 2230
November 20, 2015 at 4:00 pm | AMW – Blind Bear
November 21, 2015 at 6:30 pm | AMW – Brass Monkey
Maples
Never turn down an opportunity to catch this incredible Sydney artist. And since we missed her album launch on Tuesday night in Sydney, we definitely won’t be making the same mistake during Australian Music Week. Luckily, we’ll have a couple of chances:
November 19, 2015 at 8:50 pm | AMW – Croydon Lane
November 21, 2015 at 9:00 pm | AMW – Brass Monkey
Nicole Brophy
Once kidnapped by Kate Miller Heidke’s band, this rockin’, moody, bluesy, Country laden artist really does have it all.
November 20, 2015 at 6:00 pm | AMW – Mall Stage – South
November 21, 2015 at 5:00 pm | AMW – Zinc
Rin McArdle
This recent AU sessions performer will show us all a thing or two about how it’s done. A truly exciting emerging singer/songwriter.
November 19, 2015 at 5:15 pm | AMW – Shucked – Sounds Like Cafe
November 19, 2015 at 7:20 pm | AMW – Brass Monkey
November 19, 2015 at 10:00 pm | AMW – Croydon Lane
November 20, 2015 at 4:35 pm | AMW – Shucked – Sounds Like Cafe
November 21, 2015 at 3:10 pm | AMW – Rydges – Sofar Presents
November 21, 2015 at 5:50 pm | AMW – Zinc
Royal Chant
Royal Chant are Sydney’s best kept rock n’ roll secret. Perhaps after this showcase, however, this will no longer be the case…
November 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm | AMW – Sting Bar
The Cairos
Brisbane’s Cairos are back! And we couldn’t be more excited to hear what they’ve been up to…
November 20, 2015 at 3:20 pm | Rat Bag & Friends Showcase Party
November 20, 2015 at 9:40 pm | AMW – El Sol
The Morrisons
One of Australia’s finest Bluegrass bands, The Morrisons are one of the finest live bands you’re likely to experience.
November 21, 2015 at 6:20 pm | AMW – Mall Stage – North
Tuka
Don’t miss your chance to catch AU Live Music Award nominated hip-hop artist Tuka show why he’s one of Australia’s finest live talents of any genre.
November 19, 2015 at 1:30 pm | It’s All About The Song
November 21, 2015 at 10:40 pm | AMW – Northies
Zefereli
This has to be one of the most exciting musical projects in the country right now. It’s the brainchild of Alistar Richardson from The Cairos (who appeared earlier on the list) and though relatively new, has already been nominated for an AU Live Music Award for QLD Artist of the Year. Find out why at one of his five AMW showcases:
November 19, 2015 at 4:20 pm | 123 Showcase Party
November 19, 2015 at 7:30 pm | AMW – Zinc
November 20, 2015 at 1:50 pm | AMW – Queen Margherita – Sounds Like Cafe
November 20, 2015 at 4:50 pm | AMW – Blind Bear
November 21, 2015 at 3:50 pm | AMW – Rydges – Sofar Presents
Oh, and one more thing… If you’re at the festival, in addition to the artists, don’t miss yours truly speaking at 11.45am tomorrow morning on the panel “Digital Marketing: Are You On Facebook?”. You’ll also be able to see the world premiere of Captured Australia exclusively at the festival, with screenings at the opening party tonight, and 5pm on Friday – with more to be announced!
For tickets and more details on Australian Music Week, which runs until November 22nd, head to http://australianmusicweek.com/.
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