The Australian Open is bringing a lot more than just tennis to Melbourne in 2018. For the sports fan who wants some music on the side, there’s the star-studded AO Live Stage. The lineup will rival the action on the court, with days headlined by R&B icons TLC, UK hitmakers Rudimental, hip-hop success story Illy, synth-poppers Client Liaison, national treasure Tina Arena and many more.

Nothing says summer more than the Australian Open, so you need a fitting playlist. It has to be breezy, upbeat, catchy and even a little bit tennis-themed. Here are ten songs – several by artists you can catch on the AO Live Stage – to set the mood for those long, lazy January days.

Lorde — ‘Tennis Court’

It’s only right that ‘Tennis Court’ kicks off this list, even it’s not exactly a song about tennis courts. One of the mega-hits from Lorde’s 2013 debut album Pure Heroine this sly look at the dark side of newfound fame quickly became a fan favourite. Thanks to that earworm chorus and crisp electronic production, it still works as a summer jam. (There’s also the beloved Flume remix if you need an extra shot of adrenaline).

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Rudimental — ‘Sun Comes Up’

Rudimental knows that ‘sun’ in a song title is a summer playlist power move. The UK group’s balance of pop hooks and electronic energy has produced a string of hits since 2011, and this year’s ‘Sun Comes Up’ nails the formula. With singer-songwriter James Arthur out front, it’s bright, buoyant and feel-good all the way. Play this one when the sun’s already up.

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TLC — ‘Way Back’

2017 marked the return of TLC, the iconic R&B group responsible for classics like ‘Waterfalls’ and ‘No Scrubs’. T-Boz and Chilli – who continued TLC after the untimely death of third member Left Eye in 2002 – used Kickstarter to fund their new self-titled album. Its first single, ‘Way Back’, is all about celebratory summer vibes, with a fun guest spot from Snoop Dogg and just the right dose of nostalgia. It’s good to have TLC still doing it.

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Tennis — ‘I’m Callin’

You can’t make a tennis playlist without Tennis, the Denver, Colorado duo known for its shimmery indie-pop. Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore make music for easing into summer afternoons, and this highlight from the 2015 album Ritual In Repeat fits the brief to a tee. Slinky, warm and instantly likeable, it suits the most leisurely of tennis matches.

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Illy feat. Vera Blue — ‘Papercuts’

‘Papercuts’ combines the talents of two acts hitting the AO Live Stage in 2018: Melbourne’s own Illy and Sydney-based singer-songwriter Vera Blue. Arguably Illy’s biggest hit to date, it’s got slick production, to-the-point rhymes and a chorus that stays lodged in your head. It came in at No. 7 in 2016’s triple j Hottest 100 and won’t be leaving the rapper’s live setlists any time soon.

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The Herbaliser — ‘Game Set And Match’

Despite its very appropriate title, it’d be a stretch to call ‘Game Set and Match’ a tennis-themed song. However, this underrated 2008 cut from esteemed London producers The Herbaliser definitely has the right energy for your pre-match playlist. With Canadian rapper More Or Les delivering the rapid-fire lines, it’s a winning cross-continental team-up.

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Bliss N Eso feat. Watsky — ‘Tear The Roof Off’

Bliss N Eso are old hands at hype-up anthems, and ‘Tear The Roof Off’ is one of their rowdiest. On this cut from 2017’s Off the Grid, the trio has the added firepower of fast-rapping guest Watsky. The LA-based lyricist fits neatly into their roof-tearing formula, and you can easily imagine this bumping from a car on a blazing hot January day.

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DJ Khaled feat. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller — ‘Wild Thoughts’

Your playlist needs at least one summer song that everyone already knows, and in 2017 that’s ‘Wild Thoughts’. All parties here are laser-focused on making a huge hit, from Rihanna’s relaxed, crowd-pleasing turn to the Santana riff that DJ Khaled somehow knew would work. You won’t win any points for playlist originality, but expect a “wild, wild, wild” sing-a-long.

 

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Client Liaison feat. Tina Arena — ‘A Foreign Affair’

‘A Foreign Affair’ is another pairing of AO Live Stage performers in one shimmering, synthy package. ’80s-loving indie-pop duo Client Liaison really dial up the kitsch for this one, recruiting none other than Australia’s favourite chart-topper Tina Arena as a copilot. Arena – who memorably joined Client Liaison at Splendour this year – slots happily into the band’s gauzy throwback world. This song is best enjoyed while wearing an Andre Agassi-style ’80s headband.

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Carly Rae Jepsen — ‘Cut To The Feeling’

Power pop hero Carly Rae Jepsen delivered one of the year’s best sugar rush singles with ‘Cut To The Feeling’. An offcut from her EMOTION album sessions, it stands perfectly well as its own anthem. This might not register as an obvious tennis mood-setter, until you imagine it soundtracking countless TV highlight reels. (In fact, it’s on the soundtrack for a kids’ movie called Leap, which also makes perfect sense.)

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(Lead image: Lorde/Tennis Court)

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The most exciting event of the summer, Australian Open 2018, is almost here with plenty on offer for everyone, from live music to great food and spectacular tennis. Book tickets through Ticketek here.