Music

Australian music started 60,000 years ago, with the music of the indigenous tribes of the aborigines. Some of the songs and rhythms still exist today with modern Australian songwriters and artists.

However, Australian music is known for its more modern, famous exports, who we all know and love, most notably Kylie Minogue, Rolf Harris and his didgeridoo, INXS, Nick Cave, AC/DC, The Bee Gees, Jet and Silverchair.

However, there are also a number of new and up-and-coming bands making it big Down under, including Angelas Dish, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, The Drones and hip hop band The Herd. Visit ‘Undercover – Your Daily Music Fix‘ for more about the Aussie music scene.

Country Music

Australia has a very strong country music scene, dating back to the days of Irish, English and Scottish occupation of Australia. Much Australian country music is known as Bush Music, and the most famous example of this is the song Waltzing Matilda. Regarded by many as Australia’s unofficial national anthem, this song was influenced more by Celtic than American or Western country music.

More recent decades have seen country and modern music fused into a more Americanised version of Bush Music and this has proved hugely popular in recent years. Some of the most famous Australian country music singers are, Kasey Chambers, John Butler Trio, Keith Urban and Shannon Noll.

Aboriginal music

The Aborigines have been making music for social, ceremonial and cultural reasons for as long as 60,000 years. The instrument most associated with aboriginal tunes is the didgeridoo, regarded by many as being the world’s oldest instrument.

Aboriginal music encompasses many clan songs, detailing the history of the tribe or family, and also local stories and myths. Find out more about the history of aboriginal music.

Watch a traditional aboriginal song on YouTube.