The Autumn 2025 Gold Coast New Music Playlist

WORDS: Glenn Tozer PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Fresh Sounds from the Coast: A New Wave of Talent to Watch in 2025

The first quarter of 2025 has already been filled with an exciting array of Gold Coast music. If only the same could be said for the weather! Amid the chaos brought on by Cyclone Alfred, it’s been a welcome reprieve to dive into the vibrant new tunes coming out of the Gold Coast. From rising stars to established talent experimenting with new sounds, here’s a snapshot of what’s hitting the airwaves this season.

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The Rise of New Gold Coast Talent

First up, we’re diving into the world of Kirsty Abrahams and her burgeoning indie management group, Konnection Artist Assistance, which is quickly gaining recognition for nurturing a fresh roster of talent. Bianca Hinton, known to many as @thatcameragal, has made a name for herself in the visual arts, working with big names like Sheppard, Jaguar Jonze, and Casey Barnes. But now, she’s stepping into the spotlight as an artist herself, releasing “Hold On (Psycho)” under the stage name Albii. This catchy pop/rock track taps into the all-too-familiar theme of a past relationship that didn’t quite go as planned.

Konnection is also representing a rising artist discovered by the Madden brothers of Good Charlotte when he was just 15. Now recording in the US, Parker has already picked up the Youth award at the 2024 Queensland Music Awards. His latest track, “Hang Up, Move On”, features Californian indie-pop star Naomi Jane, continuing the broken relationship theme, while offering a refreshing sound to start the year off right. The Konnection roster also includes Ollie Twohill, an indie rocker whose new material is set for release in August 2025.

Parker

Beyond the Konnection label, the Gold Coast’s musical talent continues to shine across various genres.

A Diverse Musical Landscape

In the world of jazz, young Charlie Mitchell has just released his latest EP, “Bright Lights”, which features collaborations with renowned LA Wrecking Crew producer Louie Shelton. The title track, in particular, is a must-listen for any jazz enthusiast.

Over in dance-pop, Logan Priest is already making waves with his upbeat track “Welcome to the New World”. The track has been gaining traction with radio programmers across the country and is sure to get listeners moving.

First Nations artist Birren, who has followed in the musical footsteps of his award-winning cousin Budjerah, has also released the beautiful “Summer”. Though the release coincided with the season’s change, there’s no denying that Birren’s popularity is only heating up as the months go by.

Alternative folk band These Idle Hands, a six-piece act that has previously graced smaller stages around Brisbane and the Gold Coast, are back with a self-titled album. Their third release since 2020, it’s an introspective album driven by frontman Murray Webber’s striking vocals. One standout track is “Stringy Mangoes”, which perfectly captures the melancholic beauty of the final days of summer. Benny D Williams, a talented instrumentalist known for his solo work, also showcases his skills as a pianist on this album.

Beats

Expanding the Horizons of R&B, Hip-Hop, and Pop

Moving into the realms of R&B and hip-hop, the album dasteWORLD from Daste offers the perfect soundtrack for those lazy Sunday afternoons. The album’s title track invites listeners to metaphorically “jump in the river” with them, setting the tone for a laid-back, reflective journey.

Saint Lane has also been busy this year, collaborating with Gold Coast Music Award winner mattymadeit on “Flashback”and indie pop artist Lily Papas on “How to Fall in Love”. Both tracks add a fresh take to their respective genres and are worth a listen.

For emotional alt-pop fans, Lyric has released a follow-up to her Nostalgia EP with a powerful new ballad, “Friends”, which explores the complexities of the friend zone. Similarly, Alisha Todd, one half of the duo Geniie Boy, has turned down the tempo with her hauntingly beautiful track, “Don’t Let Me Down”. Her vocal performance is truly unforgettable.

Gold Coast Gossip

Lily Grace

In other exciting news, emerging country artist Lily Grace, hailing from Mudgeeraba, has recently relocated to Nashville, setting her sights on cracking the American market. With her incredible talent, Lily Grace is definitely an artist to watch closely in 2025.