Already responsible for amplifying some of Australia’s best emerging talent through its ONES TO WATCH series, Live Nation Australia is excited to announce its return to Sydney in 2025.
Taking place at the Oxford Arts Factory on Monday 14 April, industry tastemakers and music fans will be witness to some intimate performances by a curated quadruple act-bill of inspiring artists…this time, all hailing from South Korea.
Live Nation have proudly partnered with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) for the event, an organisation dedicated to bringing Korea’s most exciting emerging artists to international audiences.
As the driving force behind Korea’s creative industries, KOCCA supports the growth and global reach of Korean music, gaming, animation, fashion, and more, helping innovative talent break new ground worldwide. Through collaborations like these, KOCCA continues to champion the next wave of Korean cultural exports, connecting artists with new fans across the globe.
The Asian music market, one that is currently producing globally recognised talent across the genres of pop, rock, indie and hip hop, is one that is so close to Australia’s.
The crossover potential between artists from different cultures has never been more exciting and for this edition of ONES TO WATCH, the spotlight shines on four incredibly talented artists who are set to take it to the next level.
“Live Nation is excited to partner with KOCCA to bring this event to life, showcasing some of Korea’s phenomenal talent to Australian music fans. For years, Asia Pop has been a powerful undercurrent in our music scene, and now, we’re finally seeing it rise to the surface. It’s not a new phenomenon, but a long-overdue recognition of a vibrant genre. After more than a decade in this industry, and two years specifically focusing on Asia Pop at Live Nation, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible surge.”
WENONA LOK, LIVE NATION AUSTRALASIA
Dynamic electronic-pop artist CIFIKA has been blazing a trail all her own since her debut in 2016 with her INTELLIGENSTIA EP.
The Seoul-based artist, performer and producer has become one of the country’s strongest multimedia artists; mixing music with her avant-garde take on visuals and movement artistry. With three studio albums to her name, including 2024’s Bonfire, CIFIKA has proven time and time again her boundary pushing potential and international appeal.
Indie rock/pop group SAY SUE ME were instantly recognised as breakout talent when they introduced themselves to broader audiences outside South Korea in 2018, with the release of their self-titled compilation record.
The project, which married their first record, We’ve Sobered Up (2014), and the following EP Big Summer Night (2015), landed with impact in international markets – earning praise from the likes of Stereogum, Billboard, NPR, MTV and more. The Korean Music Award winners’ latest album – 2022’s The Last Thing Left – coincided with the band’s 10th anniversary, as well as serving as a timely reminder of their legacy potential.
For songwriter and producer SION, his musical career has been completely self-taught. Originally from Germany but based in South Korea, Sion immersed himself in a wide variety of genres, from jazz to indie and pop, ultimately creating the strong bed of influences that have informed his own music today.
His breakout single Braindead landed on Korea’s Top 100 music chart, before viral success with his sound earned co-signs from notable figures in the K-pop scene, including Mark from NCT and V from BTS. With over 19 million streams on Spotify alone, Sion has made a mark for his genre-defying music and production internationally, earning praise from outlets including Rolling Stone Australia, Wonderland Magazine and more.
Psychedelic four-piece WAH WAH WAH is currently one of Korea’s most notable rock bands. Originally launched as the solo project of former DTSQ leader Kim Soo-hyun in 2021, WAH WAH WAH flourished into a full band with the addition of DTSQ bassist Joonseop, Dead Buttons drummer Seo Won-seok and Silica Gel’s Choi Woong-hee and visual director, VJ Ohamking.
With a sound that sits comfortably in the wave of psych-rock artists like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have found home in, WAH WAH WAH’s progressive take on the genre has spawned two albums, Oh Wow!, Midnight Breakfast and Burnt Crispy Beats.