Love Aussie Music? It's Time to Turn Up the Volume!

We love our homegrown music legends, but new figures reveal Australians are listening to less local music than ever before. Now, a national campaign backed by some of our biggest artists is asking us to put our playlists where our hearts are.

We love to claim our own, don't we? From belting out John Farnham's You're the Voice at the top of our lungs to singing along to Kylie Minogue, INXS or Cold Chisel, Australian music has provided the soundtrack to some of our most memorable moments.

But here's something that might surprise you. Despite our affection for homegrown talent, Australians are streaming less Australian music than ever before.

In fact, according to APRA AMCOS, Australian-made music now accounts for just 8.5 per cent of all audio streaming, with predictions that figure could plummet to a rather depressing five per cent by 2030.

And it's not because we've suddenly stopped loving our local artists.

A recent Music Australia survey found that 84 per cent of Australians associate an Australian song with a defining moment in their lives, while 71 per cent say they feel proud when they hear local music.

Yet just 27 per cent of respondents said they'd streamed an Australian artist in the past year.

So, what's going on?

We've Got the Love. We're Just Not Showing It.

It turns out there's a rather significant difference between loving Australian music and actually listening to it.

Over the past five years, Australians have streamed local music 31 per cent less, while the number of Australian acts appearing among the country's 10,000 most-streamed artists has fallen from 932 to 773 between 2021 and 2024.

Part of the problem comes down to how we discover music.

Streaming algorithms, international playlists and the sheer volume of music coming out of larger markets mean Australian artists are increasingly competing for our attention.

And while we might happily sing along to an Aussie classic when it comes on the radio, we're not necessarily seeking out the next generation of homegrown talent.

That's where Ausify comes in.

It's Time for a Little PDA

Now in its second year, Ausify is a national campaign encouraging Australians to make their love for local music impossible to ignore.

And this November, it's asking us to indulge in a little PDA.

No, not that kind.

We're talking Public Displays of Ausify.

Think sharing your favourite Australian song on Instagram, wearing your favourite band's merchandise, telling your friends about an incredible new artist or singing along at a concert like nobody's watching.

The idea is refreshingly simple: if you love Australian music, show it.

And some pretty impressive names are getting behind the movement, including Missy Higgins, Ben Lee, Ruel, Budjerah, Fanny Lumsden, Ayesha Madon, Nooky and a host of emerging Australian artists.

Ben Lee Wants Us to Make Some Noise

Australian singer-songwriter and Ausify ambassador Ben Lee believes our local music scene deserves a lot more attention.

"Australia produces some of the best music in the world. We punch well above our weight in terms of international success, global influence and underground artists on the forefront of culture. It doesn't make a lot of sense - but there has always been something magical about the music that comes out of this country."

And according to Lee, the campaign isn't about persuading Australians that our musicians are talented. We already know that.

It's about doing something with that appreciation.

"The Ausify campaign this year isn't about convincing people that Aussie music is incredible - everyone already knows that. This year it's about being loud and proud about the music we listen to and love."

Lee, who describes himself as a professional music fan, is encouraging Australians to share their musical discoveries with anyone willing to listen.

"I'm basically a professional music fan in that I can't help myself sharing what I love with everyone around me."

And if that means enthusiastically recommending your favourite new band to your friends, he's all for it.

Why It Matters for the Next Generation

It's easy to forget that behind every great Australian song is an artist trying to build a career.

And while established performers might have loyal audiences and decades of recognition behind them, emerging musicians face a very different landscape.

Getting noticed, building a following and convincing people to listen can be an uphill battle, particularly when streaming platforms are dominated by international superstars.

But every stream, shared song, concert ticket and recommendation can help introduce Australian music to a wider audience.

And with so many talented musicians performing in pubs, clubs, festivals and live music venues across Sydney and the Northern Beaches, supporting local music doesn't have to mean travelling far or spending a fortune.

Sometimes it's simply choosing an Australian artist when you open your favourite streaming app.

So, How Can You Get Involved?

The beauty of Ausify is that you don't need to be a musician, industry insider or diehard music fan to take part.

You could create an Australian-only playlist for your next barbecue, share a song by an emerging artist, buy tickets to a local gig or introduce a friend to a musician they've never heard of.

And if you've got children or teenagers whose playlists are dominated by international artists, why not introduce them to some Australian talent?

The campaign kicked off with seven Australian artists performing a karaoke rendition of Love Is in the Air, setting the tone for a month dedicated to celebrating homegrown music.

It's a fitting choice, really.

Because if there's one thing Australians have never been short of, it's love for a good song.

We just need to make sure we're showing that same enthusiasm for the artists creating the next generation of Aussie classics.

So, this November, turn up the volume, share your favourites and give Australian music a little extra love.

After all, the next big Australian music star might be sitting in a bedroom somewhere, hoping someone will press play.

Ausify is an initiative of Music Australia, part of Creative Australia, supporting Australian contemporary music and helping local artists reach audiences at home and overseas.