South Aussie music lovers put a spotlight on local artists
It’s a music countdown like no other, with the best of South Australian music set to be showcased at a live celebration this weekend.
Entertainment
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Local South Aussie music and artists will be thrown into the spotlight this Saturday at the annual Sickest 100 countdown at Unibar.
Founded in 2021, the Sickest 100 boasts a special twist with all of the one hundred songs featured being released by South Australian artists in the last calendar year.
The included tunes are voted on by music lovers who then gather to see where their favourite songs polled in the countdown.
The idea was born after co-founder Ripley Hart and a group of friends felt “disenfranchised” by other countdown offerings.
“We pulled (the first one) together in about two weeks, the whole thing … and we broadcast it from just a house, like in the lounge room,” the 24-year-old said.
“And then everyone, independently from us, organised a beach party.”
Creative industries graduate, Millah Hansberry came on board in 2023 and spearheaded the group’s efforts to make the countdown into a community event coupled with a live gig.
“It was really Millah’s idea to put the gig together and have it live broadcast from the Unibar,” Mr Hart said.
“So that was a really big success last year, but it was still last minute planning so this year is really the first year we’ve had to properly plan it, and we’ve grown it a bit more.”
The 2025 version of the event is set to be bigger and better than previous years with 400 people expected to attend.
“We have live hosts chatting, we’ll have market stalls as well … and then at around 8pm the winner is announced,” Miss Hansberry said.
“And it’s a huge thing, because all of the musicians come together and then get to figure out who won all together … so it’s a beautiful moment.”
With last year seeing the near closing of one of Adelaide’s most iconic live music venues, The Cranker and only 29 Aussie artists appearing in Triple J’s recent Hottest 100 countdown, the organisers said that supporting local music is more important than ever.
“Art makes life worth living and it starts locally,” Miss Hansberry said.
“That’s how every band or artist that’s ever been big has started – gigging in their hometown so having gigs like this can absolutely break local bands, which is just so awesome.”
“No one does it better than local, because they’ve got something to prove,” Mr Hart added. “I’ve seen so many international acts at festivals come in, do a 20 minute set, lip syncing, and then, dash off … and you don’t get that at local shows.”
Tickets for the Sickest 100 live event are currently on sale and will be available on the door from 4pm on Saturday with local bands, LOLA, Townhouse and The Fuss lighting up the stage from 9pm.
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