Back to Newcastle!

It’s just a few more weeks until we’re heading back to the homeland, and we’ll be hitting the region’s favourite festival, THIS THAT once more. With a lineup that spans dance, hip-hop and a sprinkling of hearty rock, it’s a mixed bill that has us super excited for Australia’s best local talents to shine through once more. Ahead of the festival, we slimmed it down to eight tracks that we’re hoping to see live at the event – fingers crossed.

See our picks below, and grab your THIS THAT tickets here:

MOTEZ – DON’T CALL ME BABY (MADISON AVENUE REMIX)

Celebrating 21 years of Vicious Recordings, Motez dropped this absolute belter of a birthday gift, driving Madison Avenue’s classic ‘Don’t Call Me Baby’ further into dancefloor territory with his adrenaline-fuelled take on house. The original’s tangy vocals have been kept in-tact for maximum sing-a-longs, and the BPM basically begs us to cut loose.

CARMADA – MAYBE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FTj0-m0L4w

Two of Australia’s favourite producers, L D R U and Yahtzel have been forging their separate careers at clubs and festivals across the country, but we witnessed their combined powers once more at Audiopaxx recent 5th birthday gig. ‘Maybe’ just might be their flagship anthem, with a wonky, gluggy drop that twists and turns with ease.

WINSTON SURFSHIRT – 21 QUESTIONS (50 CENT ‘LIKE A VERSION’ COVER)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdKwwPs6aRE

Elton John is a huge fan of Winston Surfshirt, which means that you probably will be too! The group recently took to ‘Like A Version’ with the mammoth task of tackling 50 Cent’s immortal romance jam ’21 Questions’ – and while it was polarising, it threw plenty more attention onto the blossoming group. It’s definitely different and smooth as butter.

ALISON WONDERLAND – U DON’T KNOW (FT. WAYNE COYNE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5MMV5qULV0

Australian star Alison Wonderland is now headlining festivals across the globe, and all of her homecomings are a special occasion. This time around, she’ll be bringing her spooky Scarehouse tour to Australia with a special appearance at THIS THAT – and her collaboration with The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne is still a fave from her debut album.

ZEDS DEAD – FRONTLINES (FT. NGHTMRE & GG MAGREE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh0P6krKOw4

We might be a little biased since LWA illustrator Chris Yee crafted the visuals for this track, but Australia’s love for bass crew Zeds Dead is undeniable. ‘Frontlines’ sees them collaborate with like-minded producer NGHTMRE and Australia’s own GG Magree on vocals, which served as her first single – what an introduction.

THUNDAMENTALS – BROTHER (MATT CORBY ‘LIKE A VERSION’ COVER)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By80vyAJk-0

Five years on, ‘Brother’ still stands as one of the most celebrated ‘Like A Version’ tracks in history, with local rap crew Thundamentals blending melody and bars with wonderful results. Since then, Thundamentals have expanded into a four-piece, which means that their live show is even more engaging than ever.

HUCCI – HOUSE PARTY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmJ4EvOE6x0

A clear favourite from the dance/trap fusion that exploded a few years back, Hucci will be bringing rap samples, 808s and bucketloads of bass to THIS THAT. The event might not be a ‘House Party,’ but there’s still plenty of reason to rage like you did in your teenage years.

TIGERILLA – COMING HOME (FT. ALLDAY)

Tigerilla recently unleashed an official remix for Major Lazer as one half of Super Cruel, and this jam he crafted with Allday is still large – sweeping synths give the track a cinematic quality, which we’re hoping will come to life at THIS THAT next month.