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.

Reviews / Live
Live Review: Jess Ribeiro, Magic Steven, Gregor, Venetian Blinds
"Ribeiro channels the likes of Angel Olsen and Sharon Van Etten with her new music all the while staying true to her own unique style."
Features / Music
The Music 2018 Writers' Poll: Joe Dolan
Here's what The Music's writers rated in 2018...
Reviews / Live
Live Review: King Princess, Clea
"It’s wholly refreshing, funny and downright enjoyable to watch Straus hijack “Big Dick Energy” and make it her own."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: 16 Lovers Lane
"No matter who joins them onstage throughout the night, this is a Go-Betweens show."
Reviews / Arts
Dog Show (Cassandra Fumi)
Review: Dog Show (Cassandra Fumi)
Reviews / Arts
Charles Horse Lays An Egg (Cam Venn)
Review: Charles Horse Lays An Egg (Cam Venn)
Reviews / Arts
Review: Maggots (Scungebags)
Review: Maggots (Scungebags)
Reviews / Arts
Community Service (Charity Werk)
Review: Community Service (Charity Werk)
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Thando
"[Thando] Sikwila is not just a prodigy of the jazz and soul styles, she is the embodiment of the genres' most prolific spirits."
Reviews / Arts
Ismo - Words Apart (MICF)
"While Ismo masterfully deconstructs the English language, his comedy is lacking in other areas."
Reviews / Arts
Review: ★★★ Emily Tresidder: No, You Hang Up! (MICF)
"Less like a polished stand-up set and more like a pub catch-up with your funny best mate."
Reviews / Arts
Review: ★★★ Alice Fraser: Ethos (MICF)
"An incredibly fascinating and enjoyably weird piece of theatre."