Australian music seems to be losing its spotlight, with homegrown artists struggling to find a place in the nation’s playlists.
In 2024, only three albums by local artists cracked the ARIA Top 100. Leading the charge were beloved rock veterans Cold Chisel, whose 50 Years – The Best Of compilation landed at No.44.
The Kid Laroi’s debut album The First Time, released in November 2023, came in at No.67, while The Very Best of INXS, a long-time chart staple since 2011, settled at No.81.
The struggle isn’t just limited to albums. ARIA’s Top 100 singles for 2024 paints an equally bleak picture for Aussie music.
Only five tracks by local artists made the cut, and shockingly, none of them were released this year. Even more glaring? Not a single track from a female Australian artist made the list.
Vance Joy’s 2013 hit Riptide remains a favourite, holding strong at No.24 after 11 years.
Cyril, the bucket hat wearing electronic star from Darwin, made waves with his viral 2023 remix of Suzie Quatro’s Stumblin’ In, landing at No.29.
Dance music also held its ground with Dom Dolla’s 2023 hit Saving Up at No.50. PNAU’s Cold Heart remix from 2021 and The Kid Laroi’s Stay featuring Justin Bieber, also from 2021, took No.85 and No.96 respectively.
So, what did Australians tune into in 2024?
Unsurprisingly, Taylor Swift dominated. Her latest double album The Tortured Poets Department claimed the top spot, with 10 other entries from her back catalog also making the list.
Billie Eilish followed closely with her 2024 release Hit Me Hard and Soft at No.2, alongside her other works. Other chart-toppers included Sabrina Carpenter, The Weeknd, Dua Lipa, Luke Combs, Eminem, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Nostalgia also played a massive role. Aussie listeners couldn’t get enough of classics like Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Chronicle, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack, and Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite For Destruction.
Even 90s staples, such as Nirvana’s Nevermind and Dr. Dre’s 2001, made their way into the charts.
The biggest singles of the year were Benson Boone’s Beautiful Things, Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsy), and Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso.
However, it’s been over two years since an Australian artist topped the singles chart, with Joji’s Glimpse of Us being the last in June 2022.
Despite strong efforts from ARIA, which continues to push for greater support of local music on streaming platforms and commercial radio, the disconnect between Australians and their own artists persists.
Even with radio playing heaps of Perth’s Troye Sivan, he couldn’t crack the Top 100, as hits like Got Me Started and Rush were noticeably absent from the year-end charts.
So how can Australia rekindle its love for homegrown music? As the streaming era reshapes listening habits, it’s clear that more needs to be done to get Australian artists the recognition they deserve.
