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

Joe Dolan, Journalist

Joe Dolan

In 2016, I was studying professional writing when an email dropped into my inbox with an opportunity to intern with a budding street press magazine (those were a thing back then). By the end of the eight-or-so-week course I was hooked - and for some bizarre reason,The Musicdecided to keep me around.

Since then I’ve gone on to review countless live gigs, albums, standup sets, theatre shows and gotten to interview some bone fide legends along the way too. Nowadays, I even perform and work on the occasional show myself, but I still like to find time to get out amongst the action whenever I can.

If it weren’t forThe Music, I can genuinely say my life would be totally different. Definitely more boring, to say the least.

Features / Arts
Hosting Podcasts Had Unexpected Effects For These Comics...
Podcasters/stand-ups Guy Montgomery, Cameron James and Emily Tresidder tell Joe Dolan all about how being behind two very different mics can influence their craft.
Reviews / Arts
Tom Ballard - Enough
"Ballard expertly projects that raw anger... weaving it into an hour of cathartic hilarity."
Reviews / Arts
Paul Currie – Hot Donkey
"A performance that leaves punters teary with laughter, heartbreak and pure optimism."
Reviews / Arts
Josh Glanc – Glance You For Having Me
"One moment he’s singing into the face of an audience member, the next he’s divulging the often complicated relationship he has with his mother."
Reviews / Arts
New Order
"Pure stand-up enjoyment."
Reviews / Arts
Fringe Wives Club - Glittergrass
"Somehow straddles the line between sparkly silliness and serious subject matter with ease and hilarity."
Reviews / Arts
Tim Vine - Sunset Milk Idiot
"'Sunset Milk Idiot' is the embarrassing dad of the comedy festival: a bit tiresome, very lame, but also rather lovable."
Reviews / Arts
Fern Brady – Power And Chaos
"It’s in the moments of personal clarity where the comic shines brightest."
Reviews / Arts
Tom Allen – Absolutely
"Allen is an incredibly jovial performer."
Reviews / Arts
Stuart Daulman – Masterclass
"It’s both cynical and brilliant, and on every level, it works."
Reviews / Arts
Game Boys - Game Boys Cinematic Universe
"For a show that presents itself as a fanciful walk down memory lane, it’s an incredibly nuanced and pointed performance."
Features / Arts
Ivan Aristeguieta Turned 40 & All He's Got To Show For It Is Anxiety & Rollerblades
Ivan Aristeguieta has had more anxiety living in Australia than he ever did living in the conflict-torn Venezuela. He tells Joe Dolan about the difficult negatives and the surprising positives about turning 40.
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