What do Baker Boy, Missy Higgins, and Client Liaison all have in common?
They all got their start as part of the St Kilda Festival New Music Competition.
St Kilda Festival is thrilled to reveal the finalists for the 2025 New Music Competition, celebrating the next wave of homegrown Aussie talent. Now in its 18th year, the competition has long been the launchpad for emerging artists.
St Kilda Festival
- 15 – 16 February 2025
- The New Music Stage will feature on Big Festival Sunday on 16 February 2025
- stkildafestival.com.au
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Proudly presented by City of Port Phillip, St Kilda Festival returns in 2025 with two days of summer fun on 15 – 16 February. Recognised as Australia’s largest free music festival, St Kilda Festival showcases Australia’s most exciting emerging and established artists. Ahead of the full lineup announcement in January, St Kilda Festival is thrilled to announce the 10 acts who’ll take to the New Music Stage on Big Festival Sunday in 2025.
The finalists are:
YARA is a Naarm (Melbourne) based singer-songwriter and producer who migrated from Palestine at the age of 12. Her sound is a melting pot of Soul, Pop, Indie R&B and Jazz, with heavy influence from Amy Winehouse, Lianne La Havas and Beyoncè.
Velvet Bloom transcends genres, offering an otherworldly odyssey through cosmic soundscapes guided by Maddy Herbert, the band’s vibrant lead vocalist and visionary songwriter. Their debut EP ‘Glimmer’ sparked national tours and Spotify playlist success. Appearing on ABC’s Spicks and Specks and selling out shows in prestigious venues around the country, their fusion of soul, pop, jazz, and indie-rock captivates audiences worldwide.
Jamie Lena is an emerging artist from Tarndanya, South Australia, known for her soul-stirring blend of alt/folk music. Her evocative vocals and poignant songwriting delve into themes of introspection, collaboration, and the delicate balance of this human experience. Jamie has been acknowledged for work with the opportunity to play at WOMADelaide 2024, and recognition in APRA’s top 10 Regional Charts for her recent single, Dissolve.
Leroy Macqueen is quickly making a name for themselves with their powerful voice, introspective lyrics and emotional songs. Their live performances are a thrilling mix of undeniable charisma, infectious energy, and off-the-cuff humour that leaves audiences wanting more.
One Spirit Africa crosses various genres such as Afro High-Life, Reggae, Afro-Beats, and Jazz. The band performs with what can only be described as massive engaging energy, reflecting colourful traditional culture costumes. They combine Ghanaian lyrics with English language, fusing African rhythms in a vibrant percussive style, whilst the traditional West African drums create an amazing dance-vibe.
Mansplainers are a fresh voice on the indie-rock scene, with members being inner-city high school students drawing inspiration from artists Merpire, Carla Geneve and Wet Leg.
Name UL is a hip-hop artist originally from New Zealand, who blends introspective lyrics with genre-defying production. Known for his reflective storytelling and dynamic stage presence, he has toured across Europe and the UK, supporting artists like Chance The Rapper and Mac Miller.
R.em.edy is a genre-blending chameleon reminiscent of early Doja Cat and SZA. Known for her raw honesty and advocacy for artists like herself with disabilities such as ADHD, autism, and POTS/EDS, R.em.edy is on the rise. With over three million streams and support from Australian icon Illy, who she opened for on his ‘The Long Way Around’ tour, R.em.edy is proving that unsigned means unstoppable.
Dyan Tai makes electronic hyperpop music fused with Beijing opera and Southeast Asian soundscapes as the self-described Gaysian Empress of Sydney. Named as one of the outstanding acts to watch at BigSound 2023 (NME) and praised by Flume for their “sound design” (Triple J).
Dizzy Days (pictured right) has ignited the scene with their disco-dance pop anthems that resonate with young and old fanbases alike. This fiery four-piece band crafts a unique sound that stands out from their contemporaries and artists surrounding them alike.
According to Sullivan Patten, St Kilda Festival Lead: “Once again, the New Music Competition has been a huge success, receiving 330 entries from a wide range of incredible artists from across the country, which is a testament to the quality of emerging talent we have on our doorstep. The judging panel had the unenviable task of selecting just 10 acts from the overwhelming level of impressive submissions we received to perform at St Kilda Festival in February.
“The New Music Stage is always one of my choice destinations on Big Festival Sunday. If you are looking to discover your new favourite artist, I’d recommend spending some time at the New Music Stage getting acquainted with the emerging soul, pop, indie, hip hop, disco and rock artists performing,” said Sullivan.
The artists performing in the New Music Competition are vying for a $5,000 cash prize and a coveted spot performing at the festival in 2026. Last year’s winner, Mudrat, will perform on the Catani Gardens North Stage at 4.15 pm on Big Festival Sunday.
St Kilda Festival’s diverse program features live Australian music, dance performances, workshops, community group activities, food and market stalls, extended business trading, roving entertainment and a dedicated family-friendly stage. Renowned as one of Australia’s largest and longest-running free music and cultural events, the Festival brings significant economic benefits to St Kilda while celebrating and promoting Australian talent. The Festival has seen many formats since its inception more than 40 years ago and currently runs across two-days comprised of First Peoples First, a celebration of First Peoples music, culture and community on Saturday, followed by Big Festival Sunday, the traditional St Kilda Festival day that brings the whole suburb to life. The event regularly attracts more than 350,000 visitors to the foreshore each year.
For all the info head to stkildafestival.com.au.
