Live Nation to bring Ones To Watch Showcase to the Gold Coast

Live Nation’s Ones To Watch showcase will head to the Gold Coast this month.

The live event will feature live performances from Saint Lane, WIIGZ and Hoodzy.

The Ones To Watch showcase launched in October last year with an event in Adelaide.

It aims to create a more open stage for local emerging artists and connect them with music lovers and industry insiders.

This month’s event, in partnership with Gold Coast City Council, will be held at Burleigh Bazaar on February 23.

Live Nation said the city has a rich and passionate relationship with music and can boast being the birthplace and chosen city of many incredible artists.

Live Nation said the three selected artists are locals who are spearheading the local music scene and preparing to launch on the global stage.

Saint Lane, who signed with Good Intent earlier this year, was dubbed a “heavy weight within the Australian hip-hop scene”.

“Bringing an electric mix of pop and rap, Lane’s music is commanded by his incredible raw storytelling abilities. Lane’s contemporary powerhouse is being recognised globally, after pandemic touring with Lime Cordiale and a set with Ultra Korea, one of Asia’s biggest music festivals,” Live Nation publicity said.

WIIGZ, meanwhile, featuring Zoe Hilditch and Hannah Brydon is “taking over the Brisbane music scene”.

“WIIGZ embodies electrifying live performances and audio-visual art collectives, creating a one of a kind viewing experience for audiences,” Live Nation said. “Blending disco, funk, soul and pop, the girls deliver a groovy mix that captivates audiences.”

The final act, Hoodzy, is a 17-year-old MC who “has a lyricism and flow like no other in Australia”.

“[She] boasts the skills and passion of a veteran with a young person’s steez energy, which she’s flexed recently with her new singly ‘Jumpy’, fresh from its debut on triple j’s Good Nights program on Monday.”

Gold Coast mayor, Tom Tate, said music was part of the destination’s DNA, and had been so for the past 60 years.

“Great bands, great venues and amazing artists have put the coast on their touring schedules,” he said. “At the heart of this has been our city’s focus on supporting local talent, so I applaud Live Nation for its commitment to home-grown talent.”

Chris Akavi, Live Nation tour promoter and curator of Ones To Watch, said the program plays an integral role in developing the next wave of emerging talent.

“The program launches up-and-coming artists onto an international stage, connecting them with an array of music fans across the globe.

“Ones To Watch and Live Nation are thrilled to host the Ones To Watch showcase on the Gold Coast, which is quickly becoming a bustling live entertainment hub.

“We look forward to shining a light on an incredible line-up of Gold-Coast based artists and developing local talent within Queensland.”