Are you St Kilda Festival's next emerging star?
2025 New Music Competition winner MUDRAT. Image by Josh Forsyth.
From today until 3 September, entrants can apply for a chance to win a cash prize and show off their talents at the 2027 St Kilda Festival.
The New Music Competition has helped launch the careers of major Australian artists including Baker Boy, Missy Higgins and Client Liaison.
St Kilda Festival Lead Sullivan Patten said: “The team and I always look forward to opening the New Music Competition. It’s a joy to experience the strong creativity and incredible talent of Australia’s emerging artists.”
“We take real pride in helping to accelerate the careers of up-and-coming musicians by programming them at a major music festival,” Patten said.
“Audiences get to enjoy a diverse selection of new music, and selected artists get to bring their work to the passionate St Kilda Festival crowd: it’s a huge win-win.”
Up to 10 of Australia’s most talented emerging artists and music acts will be chosen to compete next year.
Acts are evaluated on creative flair, quality, originality and must be unsigned. The selection panel will also be looking for finalists spanning the musical spectrum and who are the right fit for a festival setting.
They will all be invited to perform a 30-minute set of original material on the New Music Stage at the 2026 St Kilda Festival on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February.
The competition winner, as voted for by the audience, will win a $5,000 cash prize and an invitation to take to a key stage at the 2027 St Kilda Festival.
Port Phillip Council annually presents St Kilda Festival – Australia’s biggest free music festival.
The New Music Competition is part of Council’s continuing commitment to supporting live music acts, nurturing new music talent and providing platforms for artists to share their work with an audience.
For more information or to enter, go to: https://www.stkildafestival.com.au/new-music-competition/enter-the-new-music-competition/
Entry is free.