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

Ben Nicol, Journalist

Ben Nicol

Ben Nicol is a Wollongong-based writer with nine years experience covering gigs across Sydney, the Illawarra and beyond. His love for live music began as a starving and dehydrated fourteen-year-old attending the 2010 Big Day Out music festival, camping in the mosh pit all day to see his favourite band, Muse. Some say he has been chasing this high his whole life, some say his favourite food is pizza. 

Reviews / Live
Live Review: Methyl Ethel, Totally Mild, Felix Lush
"It was a delight to see a promising band beef up their set-list with stellar new material..."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Ball Park Music, The Jungle Giants
"The band turned inwards and lost themselves completely during this experimental prog-rock jam."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: The Cat Empire, Xavier Rudd, Harts, Ocean Alley, Sahara Beck
"The Cat Empire proved to be not only dance-friendly, but also superhuman musicians."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: RUFUS, Lanks
"The Sydney trio stuck to their working formula - non-stop bangers, with no filler."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Cameron Avery, Slow Dancer
"The ex-Pond member finished on a crooning high with 'C'est Toi'."
Features / Music
The Music 2016 Writers' Poll: Ben Nicol
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Julia Jacklin, Morning TV, Ainsley Farrell
"The singer and guitarist subdued her attentive audience into an immersive melancholic pleasure."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: The Tallest Man On Earth
"True, effortless showmanship."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: The Temper Trap, Tash Sultana
"Punters emphatically mimicked the wordless chorus of 'So Much Sky.'"
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Matt & Alex - 5 Raves In 5 Days
"Co-host Alex Dyson's mantra was simple: "Rave safe but rave hard."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Mansionair, PLGRMS
"The stage-encompassing haze from the smoke machine created a mystique that placed the trio in the shadows."
Reviews / Live
Live Review: Julien Baker, Emma Russack, Elizabeth Hughes
"The Tennessee singer let her vocals flourish amid echoing guitar-lines."
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