Ticketmaster names 10 Aussie artists to watch in 2021

Ticketmaster Australia has released its New For 2021 list, which identifies 10 local artists it predicts will take the local live scene by storm this year.

The list is comprised of Beddy Rays, Ijale, Kee’ahn, Sycco, Tina Says, Hallie, JK-47, Sloan Peterson, Teenage Joans, and Yours Truly.

The ticketing company said the list showcases its passion and commitment to supporting homegrown Aussie talent.

Gavin Taylor, managing director of Ticketmaster Australia, said it’s fantastic to see the quality of homegrown talent on this year’s list.

“Ticketmaster is proud to be supporting the return to live for all live music fans, and we can’t wait to see these artists who will no doubt have a massive year, as they step on stages across the country,” he said.

Gloria Brancatisano, the company’s content manager and new music champion, said all the artists are ready to take their careers to the next level.

“Ticketmaster’s New For 2021 is all about giving these artists a leg-up in what is a hugely competitive industry, and we can’t wait to see where they play next,” she said.

“From artists like Kee’han who has been turning heads with just one song, Ijale and JK-47 who give an important voice to their culture and communities, and bandroom sellouts like Beddy Rays, Teenage Joans, and Yours Truly, all the artists in our list are ready to take their careers to the next level.”

Ticketmaster provided more information on each of the artists, which is listed below.

Beddy Rays: Brisbane party-starters with mosh-ready singalong choruses and bucket-loads of heart. Tradies by day, surf-rock riffers by night, they welcomed a legion of new fans in 2020 thanks to their cracking single ‘Sobercoaster’ – landing at landing at #57 in triple j’s hottest 100 earlier this year.

Hallie: Brisbane pop rocker combining guitar-led grooves with light-hearted lyrics. After winning triple j unearthed’s Bigsound Competition in 2019, Hallie released her debut EP, Wink Wink Nudge Nudge. Since then, she has toured with the likes of Spacey Jane, Stella Donnelly, Eliza & Delusions, Charlie Collins, Geowulf and Holy Holy. Kicking into 2020, Hallie fired out of the gates with her latest single ‘Sympathy’.

Ijale: Nigerian-born, Melbourne based emcee and producer showcasing his swagger with brainy bars and complex beats. Taking influence from, and blending together, a melting pot of Afro-centric sounds and western influences – from African percussion to layered electronic textures, to jazz, soul, R&B, and hip-hop – his music is a direct reflection of his Nigerian heritage, Australian upbringing, and influence of the internet.

JK-47: Tweed Heads South-based, Bundjalung hip hop artist sharing his powerful voice with honesty and self-assuredness. 2020 was quite the year for JK-47, releasing his debut album Made For This, garnering huge praise from fans, music tastemakers and critics alike, and being awarded the triple j Unearthed Artist of the Year Award.

Kee’ahn: Melbourne-based, Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Badu Island singer-songwriter with an enchanting voice and soulful grooves. Off the back of her lockdown-penned debut single ‘Better Things’, Kee’ahn earned herself a swag of awards and industry nods including winning the Archie Roach Foundation Award at last year’s National Indigenous Music Awards and being nominated for the night’s New Talent of the Year and Song of The Year awards, and for best emerging artist at the 2020 Music Victoria Awards.

Sloan Peterson: Sydney-based indie-pop dreamer combining the sounds of ‘50s guitar-pop and ’60s French rock with modern electro-pop. From fronting punk band The Black Zeros, to supporting The Kooks with Sloan Peterson (the band), her latest chapter sees Sloan Peterson (the artist) dive into alt-pop storytelling, showcased via debut single ‘Nightmare’.

Sycco: Brisbane pop singer-songwriter demanding attention for her soulful voice, observant lyrics, and undeniable charisma. A string of incredible singles kicked off by 2019’s ‘Peacekeeper’ and followed into 2020 by ‘Nicotine’, ‘Dribble’, and ‘Germs’, saw Sycco – AKA Sasha McLeod – win praise from the likes of Spotify, Apple Music, Billboard, Cool Hunting, Atwood Magazine, NME, Ones to Watch, and triple j. Her huge 2020 was capped off with ‘Dribble’ landed at #29 on the Hottest 100.

Teenage Joans: Adelaide indie-punk duo with huge riffs, quotable lyrics, and big personality. Last September, the teenage duo – made up of Tahlia Borg and Cahli Blakers – won the triple j Unearthed High competition thanks to their incredibly catchy anthem ‘Three Leaf Clover’. That same single also landed at #87 on this year’s triple j Hottest 100. Their huge tour log – alongside the likes of Ruby Fields, Jess Day, Towns – saw them named Best Live Act in SA at 2019’s National Live Music Awards.

Tina Says: Perth-based producer and DJ who makes energetic, sun-soaked, summer anthems all year round. One of the country’s most exciting selectors and producers, on stage is where she truly shows her craft,. With more than 150 shows under her belt, she has shared the stage with Fatboy Slim, Fisher, ShockOne, What So Not, Slumberjack, KLP, and more, and played at festivals including Splendour In The Grass, Wonderland, Castaway, WA Unlocked, and Southbound.

Yours Truly: Sydney pop-punk band with huge melodies with vulnerable, heartfelt lyrics, and an electric live show. Their 2019 EP earned them slots on some of the biggest punk and metal festival stages around the world including Download UK, Riot Fest, Slam Dunk, Good Things, and Sad Summer, while their 2020 debut album Self Care saw them take their music to a whole new level.