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
Live Review: Ben Folds and yMusic
"Folds waited until the third song to introduce his characteristic larrikin charm..."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Nadya Golski & The Glorious Sousaphonics
"Delicious off-colour renditions of jazz and blues standards and favourites emanated from this troupe of well-adorned misfits."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Soweto Gospel Choir
"The rhythms were dull and repetitive, the performances tending towards cheesiness."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: The Kills, Cable Ties
"...raw, almost animal."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Goodgod Super Club @ Vivid Live
"A veritable aural feast that teased the ears and incited the rhythms of the night."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Remi, Man Made Mountain, Hau
"...demonstrating why they’re the fastest emerging hip hop act in Australia right now."
Reviews / Arts
As We Forgive
"Each is based on a fundamental human characteristic; namely, vengeance, hatred and forgiveness."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Spookyland, Yeevs
"This was all while Marcus weaved narratives with great weight and measure, seemingly beyond his years."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Katie Noonan & Brodsky Quartet
"A tour de force of artful adaptation, weaving a musical arc around the exquisite rhythms of one of the world's great poets."
Reviews / Arts
The Maids
"It is amateurish in its direction, dissonant in its delivery and torn and frayed long before its denouement."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Kadavar, Child, Mt Mountain, AVER
Kadavar "proved primal in their ability to move a crowd of long-haired neck-bearded faithful."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Sex On Toast, The Cactus Channel, WALLACE
"This colourful band of misfits, dressed in Vegas velveteen leisure suits, are a blast from the past that could only exist now."