The 7 Aussie Acts That Will Crush It Internationally, According To Zane Lowe

Last week, we had a very long chat with one of the music industry’s most respected tastemakers, Apple Music Beats 1 Radio host Zane Lowe.

Lowe has been at the forefront of the music and radio industries for nearly 20 years, first as a presenter for MTV, then as the 13-year host of BBC Radio 1’s evening show (where he coined the Hottest Record in the World segment.)

Needless to say, a shoutout from Lowe is considered gold to most industry execs — so at the end of our interview, we asked him to name some Aussie acts that he thinks will dominate internationally in the coming years.

“I can start with a few no-brainers because we already know that Tash Sultana is going to work internationally — they’re already selling out [London’s] Brixton Academy like crazy,” Lowe said. “What they’re doing right now internationally is incredible. I’m a big fan of what Sultana’s doing.

“I think RÜFÜS DU SOL are ready to break through to the next level, I really do. I think there is real room for artists like that, artists that bring real song structure into dance music.”

He also tips his hat to ‘Waves’ and ‘Be Alright’ hitmaker Dean Lewis, and young Sydney singer Ruel (“I think Ruel is going to have an amazing career”), before mentioning he would love to see more Australian hip-hop crews make their way overseas.

“I also think Mallrat is amazing,” Lowe continues. “I think if Mallrat can get out there and do some shows and tours and connect with people like that, she’ll be huge. I think she has an amazing future pop sensibility. I think she’s fantastic.”

Then there’s Gang of Youths (“They are out there playing all the shows, they’re trying to connect”) and Tasmanian crew Luca Brasi. And that’s just the start, Lowe adds: there are so many more local acts on the way up.

Lowe will be heading our way for the ARIA Awards in late November. Read our full interview with him here.