December 13, 2018

It’s been a big year for Australian music.

While the next generation of stars are bubbling up to the surface, here’s six Australian staples who continued their global expansion, with some expectedly huge results. See it all below:

GANG OF YOUTHS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSpS10IyBAY

2017 was largely Gang of Youths’ year, with their album Go Farther In Lightness hitting #1 on the charts and receiving eight ARIA nominations, with the Sydney band taking home half of those. The effects trickled well into 2018: Go Farther In Lightness was certified Gold in February, and their Say Yes To Life tour sold a staggering 33,000 tickets across the country, including eight shows in Melbourne.

The band was also hand-picked by Foo Fighters to support them over in the States, made their US television debut on Late Night With Seth Meyers, became the first band to perform at Australia’s MTV Unplugged, and threw their own mini-festival called A More Perfect Union in Brisbane. If that isn’t enough, they’ll also be playing Laneway next year.

ALISON WONDERLAND

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJlGYmPAV3Q

Alison Wonderland may have just toured Australia with Manu Crooks, but many of her 2018 wins took place overseas, where she’s been solidifying her profile for the past few years. She became the highest billed DJ in Coachella history this year, while also churning out tunes at world-class events including EDC, Tomorrowland and Lollapalooza. Her album Awake also dropped in April, featuring the crafty pop of ‘Church’ and appearances from hip-hop heavyweights like Trippie Redd and Chicago drill specialist Chief Keef.

SKEGSS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuMpKyzPe4I

The Skegss train continues to roll on with strong momentum, with the coastal rock trio releasing their debut album My Own Mess back in September, reaching an impressive #2 on the ARIA charts. Their national tour included four sold-out shows at The Metro Theatre, while their international escapades have included stage dives and riffs in Berlin, Paris and London. Skegss aren’t taking a break, though: They’ll return home to tour Australia once more as part of Laneway Festival in February 2019.

AMY SHARK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K4KwuV2l4s

Amy Shark released a collaboration with Mark Hoppus of Blink 182 back in June. That in itself would’ve warranted her inclusion in this list, but Shark went on to do a whole lot more. The next month, she released her debut album Love Monster which peaked at #1 on the ARIA charts, earning gold certification and picking up three ARIA Awards at the recent ceremony. Of course, the sold-out national tour only bolstered her profile as Australia’s reigning queen of pop. She’ll kick of 2019 at Sydney festival Field Day on NYD.

RÜFÜS DU SOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8H7O-1RBKY

While the world is still obsessed with ‘Innerbloom,’ it’s fair to say that the world is ready for more RÜFÜS DU SOL. After touring across the United States & Europe (and undergoing an official name change) the band began dropping tracks from what would become their third album, Solace. Once again, RÜFÜS DU SOL proved themselves to be one of the country’s best electronic exports, and proof that you can still excel in the field without relying on formulaic EDM.