Live Nation's Ones To Watch Series Secures Spot At UK Festival The Great Escape

Mary Varvaris

Teenage Joans, Ngaiire, and others will perform on Sounds Australia's 'At The Beach' and Ones To Watch collaborative stage.

Ones To Watch x Sounds Australia presenting artists(Credit: Supplied/Ones To Watch)

Teenage Joans

Some of Australia’s most-loved rising stars, including Ngaiire and Teenage Joans, are heading to the UK as Live Nation takes its Ones To Watch program overseas.

Teaming up with Sounds Australia to present the SOUNDS AUSTRALIA AT THE BEACH x ONES TO WATCH STAGE, Australian music will once again be a major highlight at the UK’s annual showcase festival, The Great Escape.

Taking place on Saturday, 16 May, in Brighton, the beachfront music showcase will see Australian acts in front of a global audience.

The line-up includes blues and roots artist Flynn Gurry, indie/alt-rock band Loose Content, enigmatic disco and psychedelic rock-inspired act Salarymen, alternative singer-songwriter Darcie Haven, boundary-pushing Papua New Guinean/Australian artist Ngairre, rising indie-pop voice Charli Lucas, and rock band Teenage Joans.

Check out the set times below.

In a statement, Sounds Australia Executive Producer Esti Zilber remarked that the partnership with Ones To Watch will turn visibility onto Australian acts on the Great Escape stage.

“Showcasing Australian talent on influential global stages is at the core of what we do,” Zilber said. “At a critical moment for the UK live and export market, this partnership allows Sounds Australia and Ones to Watch to work in a truly cohesive way, facilitating direct access for emerging Australian artists to the UK industry, and turning visibility at The Great Escape into impactful, long‑term opportunity.”

Live Nation Australia’s Senior Vice President, Product and Innovation, Michelle Lucia, added that the team-up with Sounds Australia is a “big step forward” for the Ones To Watch program.

“ONES TO WATCH is about backing artists early and putting real opportunities in front of them at the right time,” Lucia said. “Taking this to an international stage with Sounds Australia is a big step forward for the platform. It’s about getting great Australian artists in front of the right people and letting that momentum build.”

Live Nation APAC Promoter Paul Lynch concluded that the artists chosen to represent Australia for the collaboration with Sounds Australia reflect “what’s cutting through right now.”

“There was a really strong group of artists in the mix, many already building momentum internationally,” Lynch said. “From there, it was about shaping a line-up that felt balanced and impactful. The final group reflects what’s cutting through right now, with some artists having previously featured in ONES TO WATCH showcases and now ready to take that next step globally.”

Artists who have benefited from the Ones To Watch program also shared statements alongside the announcement.

“ONES TO WATCH was one of those early moments for us where things really started to move, so getting to come back and play the SOUNDS AUSTRALIA AT THE BEACH x ONES TO WATCH STAGE at The Great Escape Festival feels pretty full circle,” Teenage Joans said.

“Taking that onto an international stage and playing to new audiences overseas is such a cool opportunity, and not something we take for granted. We’re stoked to be part of it again, especially alongside so many great Australian artists.”

Ones To Watch alumni Chanel Loren added, “ONES TO WATCH was a great experience. It’s really special to be platformed by a program that supports artists in the early stages of their career. Since performing at OTW, they’ve put me forward for opportunities that have helped me evolve as an artist and performer.”