Round-up Sound Of The Down Under-ground

We’ve been noticing a trend in 2018. From highlights of showcase festivals such as The Great Escape to the buzziest London shows of the year so far, a majority of the most exciting musical happenings have had one thing in common: they’ve all come from Australia.

For a good while now, the majority of music from down under that’s made its way to our shores has been distinctly Kevin Parker-shaped. Tame Impala’s lead has seen the emergence of the likes of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Methyl Ethel, Pond and more; bands with escapism at their core, and a psych-heavy, otherworldly quality.

Alongside the likes of Courtney Barnett and Julia Jacklin - who have also proven Australia as a hotbed for wonderfully dry but affecting singer-songwriters, there’s been a definite face to the country’s musical output.

This year, though, has seen a brilliantly strong, diverse and socially-conscious new crop of bands cutting through the woozy, dream-like jams the country’s become known for, and giving the Australian youth a new voice.

From the beautiful, biting alt-folk of Stella Donnelly to the gritty, unhinged punk of Amyl & The Sniffers via the brilliantly fun, bratty pop of Haiku Hands and Hatchie’s drive-time pop-rock, the new Australian wave comes in all shapes, sizes and genres. We’ve spoken to the lot of them to find out just why the country is producing some of the world’s most exciting new bands.