The New Sound Of The West: WA's Ones To Watch Revealed
Ones To Watch will make its Western Australia debut tonight in Fremantle.
Ghost Care, Mariae Cassandra, and Ullah (Source: Supplied)
In an exciting moment for Western Australia, Live Nation’s Ones To Watch series will be making a splash with their debut showcase on the West Coast, boasting a truly enviable lineup.
Taking place at Mojo’s Bar in Fremantle tonight, this iteration of Ones to Watch will feature rising talents Ghost Care, Mariae Cassandra, and Ullah.
An incredible incentive by Live Nation to support emerging artists, Ones To Watch was originally launched in the US in 2012 - it is now the perfect jumping off point for Australian superstars in the making, and a perfect avenue for discovery when it comes to fans and influential industry members being able to be there in the room before these artists take the next pivotal step in their career.
Alumni include global superstars Halsey, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, Lewis Capaldi, and more. In Australia, Ones To Watch has platformed artists including Blake Rose, Sophisticated Dingo, STUMPS, Forest Claudette, Teenage Joans, Carla Wehbe, ZPLUTO, WIIGZ, Hoodzy, East AV3, Colourblind, J-MILLA and Saint Lane at events around the country.
As Western Australia is celebrated for being a diverse melting pot of musicians and producers who have become national favourites, it is only fitting that Ones To Watch should finally make its Perth debut with such a promising array of young artists.
Ullah, for example, has emerged as a prominent act and performer throughout Perth and Fremantle since 2021 and has impressed on stages alongside Great Gable, Billie Marten and Fool Nelson, while also drawing praise from performances in support of international names such as Tom Jones and James Taylor.
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Ghost Care have toured consistently across Australia, enjoying sold-out headline shows in Perth and supporting the likes of The VANNS, Spacey Jane and more. The band have made an impactful start to 2025 with their singles Better Off and LCD.
And teenage indie sensation Mariae Cassandra took out the triple j Unearthed High competition in the second half of 2024, and her debut single, Cassie, has reached over 100,000 streams.
The WA event will be hosted by the Gen Z voice of Australian music media, Tait McGregor, and is one to look forward to (or watch).
Live Nation Australia states, “Western Australia has long punched above its weight in shaping Australia’s sound, and there’s something electric happening in WA right now. With Ones to Watch finally landing in WA, we’re proud to tap into that creative current and spotlight the next wave of world-class talent.”
Read The Music’s Q&A with the up-and-coming artists below, where they weigh in on the intricacies of WA as a fascinating music ecosystem:
What’s your experience been as a musician in one of the most isolated, yet most exciting, music scenes in the country? What are the challenges, and what are the benefits?
Ullah
For me, the Perth music scene has always felt like a special one. With the isolation of it as well as the size, it has always felt like a supportive, tight-knit community, as it doesn't feel big enough for everyone to separate into different niche scenes. On one line-up, you can have three different bands who fit into three very different genres.
I also think due to the smaller size, and everyone knowing everyone, there feels like a heavier emphasis on individuality and having something to set you apart. It has led to a whole city of strong artistry.
Being a part of the Perth music scene is knowing your community is celebrating your wins, as you do to theirs.
Ghost Care
Well, it's incredible to be honest. I grew up in Victoria but was born in Perth. I had a need for the ocean, and Perth is such a great way to live by the ocean and be in the city where it's all happening. Having grown up near Melbourne, I know how much competition there is and how hard it is to find a community. Here, you have a tight-knit community, and we can help each other and celebrate each other.
There is so much luck involved in getting to the next level and next horizon (whatever that may be and whatever level that may be). It's always gonna be hard when most opportunities are on the East Coast. For instance, our biggest problem right now is making sure that we can afford the opportunities that arise over there when they come. Flights aren't getting cheaper, and the difference between a flight to Melbourne from Sydney or from Perth is a huge difference.
Definitely the lifestyle [is a benefit]. Definitely, the people in Perth, we get to work with. We have the most underrated and talented people in the country, who again would probably be known more if they were on that other coast. But look at WA. Coming out with some banging bands for years and years, and it's only growing. I think the future is bright :)
The challenges being when it does feel like the right time to play in other cities and enter the larger Australian music scene, the cost can be detrimental.
Another challenge being the lack of venues. After COVID, so many venues had to close, and I think we are still feeling the impacts of this. The less venues there are means less gigs, meaning less opportunities, but I do believe this is slowly changing, and we are slowly recovering.
I do not believe I would be the artist I am today, if it wasn't for the Perth music scene.
Mariae Cassandra
Personally, I LOVE being a musician here. Yes, it can be isolated, but I think that’s our strength; we can show what talents are hiding from around here and appreciate it more.
Sure, there have been some downsides like not being able to witness the artists that are overseas visit here often, or the fact that it’s quite expensive to even fly interstate - or overseas. But there’s amazing things like a close-knit community and the fact that everything feels like home. But that’s just me loving Australia.
Head to the Ones To Watch website to find out more about the program.
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