Fresh Finds: Class Of 2025 – Aussie Acts To Add To Your Playlist

Shaun Colnan, Journalist

Shaun Colnan

Shaun's been writing with The Music since 2015 and in that time has written on everything from high art to hip hop, from spectacular jazz in grand arenas to burgeoning bands in back rooms at pubs. He's mapped the rise of such acts as Winston Surfshirt and Noname, reviewed musicals, theatre shows and a tonne of music including the reunions of Wu-Tang Clan and TLC.

His one claim to fame is a short-lived time as singer in a band that Julia Jacklin opened for before she was famous. He's interviewed the Tibetan Prime Minister and a radio comedian he can't remember the name of. Outside of reviewing for The Music, he is a full-time English teacher, part-time poet and avid music and literature aficionado/desperado.

Reviews / Live
Maribou State
Live Review: Maribou State @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Maribou State delivered a performance that was as cerebral as it was visceral, as technically masterful as it was emotionally stirring.
Reviews / Live
Denzel Curry
Live Review: Denzel Curry @ Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Denzel Curry left the stage with minds blown and many youngsters exhausted from hours in the pit.
Reviews / Live
Herbie Hancock
Live Review: Herbie Hancock @ Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
The evening's virtuosity matched the glorious groove, while the novelty of watching an 84-year-old wield a keytar was the cherry on top of a magic night.
Reviews / Live
Robert Glasper
Live Review: Robert Glasper @ City Recital Hall, Sydney
Emanating an effortless cool, Robert Glasper commanded the mic while peppering the keys.
Reviews / Live
Genesis Owusu
Live Review: Genesis Owusu @ Tank, Art Gallery NSW
While physically, Owusu was so close you could almost touch him, sonically, he was in another galaxy.
Reviews / Live
Dirty Three
Live Review: Dirty Three @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney
This is the sort of show you can believe the hype over.
Reviews / Live
Yasiin Bey
Live Review: Yasiin Bey Performs MF DOOM @ Carriageworks
This wasn’t a regular concert but an Australian premier homage to the late great mercurial MC, DOOM.
Reviews / Live
Yves Tumor
Live Review: Yves Tumor @ Carriageworks
Yves Tumor brings a much-hyped show boasting a stylish, punky exterior that colours their music with an otherness, an otherworldliness, a scene-streaked flair.
Reviews / Live
AIR
Live Review: AIR Plays ‘Moon Safari’ @ Sydney Opera House
“This transformative sonic sojourn combines ethereal synths, retro-futurist imagery and basslines that hold you in a skybound groove.”
Reviews / Live
Spunk Records Finale
Live Review: Explosions In The Sky, Aldous Harding, The Middle East: Spunk Records Finale @ Sydney Opera House
"Not everyone gets to do a lap of honour… So I just wanted to say thanks."
Reviews / Live
Beth Orton
Live Review: Beth Orton @ City Recital Hall, Sydney
“Orton’s voice is haunting, mesmerising, damaged...”
Reviews / Live
Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds
Live Review: Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds, Loose Fit @ Oxford Art Factory
An eager crowd imbibed all they could of eclectic legend Kid Congo and his latest outfit, The Pink Monkey Birds (with special guest Mick Harvey on bass).