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: Moses Sumney
"An inherently Pentecostal atmosphere took hold as audience members raised their hands in joyful confusion."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Angel Olsen
"Olsen proved unstoppable in her projection of the human condition."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Gizzfest
"Luna Park's Big Top never saw a circus as mad and macabre as this."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: REMI, Baro, Diola
"His bouncy demeanour whipped the Newtown Social audience into as much of a frenzy as they could muster."
Reviews / Arts
The Shadow Box
"The Shadow Box, directed by Kim Hardwick failed to live up to the stunning criticisms garnered in previous versions."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: TLC, DJ Mimi
"An all-encompassing entertainment extravaganza."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Sex On Toast, New Venusians, Cannibal Spiders
"While the sound let down the audience, the band performed like troopers, maintaining their enigmatic stage presence."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Caravana Sun, Nocturnal Tapes, Fripps & Fripps
"Pensive story-centric songs that had the crowd swirling in bouts of bliss."
Reviews / Arts
Antigone (Sport For Jove)
"From the opening, this modern take on one of Classical literature's most revered iterations, Sophocles' 'Antigone', grabs a hold of you."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Ana Popovic, Jesse Redwing, Halfway Homeboy
"Ana Popovic and band filled the modest space with a razor-sharp sound that cut away at the walls."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Yeo, Saatsuma, Take Your Time
"A powerful soul-smeared voice and a diva attitude to match."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Volumes
"Bigger and better."