Celebrating its fourth year as one of Australia’s top music streaming services, Spotify shared which of Australia’s artists were the most popular across the country.
While the top 20 list included some already well-known names, it did include some up-and-coming talent by the likes of Troye Sivan who came in as the 11th most streamed Australian artist, just scraping past the top 10.
But ultimately the top 10 most streamed Australian artists consisted of talent who have already been around for quite some time and include…
10 – Angus & Julia Stone (Big Jet Plane):
It shouldn’t come as too big a surprise that the song ‘Big Jet Plane’ made the brother-sister duo one of the top 10 streamed artists on Spotify considering it was the number 1 on Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2010.
Angus discussed the songs popularity at the time, explaining it can be attributed to the song’s simple lyrics and tone as, “You know, it’s pretty cruisy, quite simple. We write songs, we play shows, and people like it. I don’t really know why. But for me, when I hear honest writing I’m always drawn in.”
9 – Tame Impala (Feels Like We Only Go Backwards):
Australian psychedelic rock band Tame Impala came in at number 9 for Australia’s most streamed home-grown artists on Spotify, with its 2012 hit ‘Feels Like We Only Go Backwards’ helping them claim the spot.
8 – Sticky Fingers (How To Fly):
Sydney band Sticky Fingers’ mix of reggae and indie rock secured them a spot as one of Australia’s most popular artists, with its 2012 song ‘How To Fly’ from their sophomore album being one of their most popular songs.
7 – 5 Seconds of Summer (She’s Kinda Hot):
Whether you love them or hate them, pop punk band 5 Seconds of Summer are officially one of the most popular Australian artists on Spotify, thanks to their 2015 single ‘She’s Kinda Hot’.
The song was co-written by the much loved Benji and Joel Madden, and according to the band itself, serves as a “Revolution for our fans…the idea of the ‘new broken scene’ is of a revolution for our fans to get behind. It’s almost for the misfits and stuff like that, and it’s for us to give our fans a place to belong.”
6 – RUFUS (You Were Right):
Having only been released just under a year ago as the lead single from their second album, RUFUS’ ‘You Were Right’ sticks to the Sydney Trio’s electronic tone which made them famous.
Depicting the story of unrequited love, the song had its world premiere on Triple J and was positively received for its blend of elements from both Berlin and Sydney, the two places where the album the song comes off was recorded.
5 – Chet Faker (Talk is Cheap):
It should come as no surprise that Chet Faker was in the top 10 let alone of the top 5 of most streamed Australian artists.
His song ‘Talk is Cheap’ landed him the coveted top spot of Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2015, with Triple J’s Music Director Richard Kingsmill stating it was due to the songs intricate storytelling. “The way the sax starts the song is just magical and sucks you right in. The song sounds simple, until you hear all the instruments and voices at work. You’re kept there right until the end, when Chet’s layered vocals bring the song to a fitting close.”
4 – Vance Joy (Riptide):
Originally released on his debut album EP ‘God Loves You When You’re Dancing’, Vance Joy’s 2013 song ‘Riptide’ has pushed him into the fourth spot of Spotify’s top 10 list.
The concept and lyrics of the song first began all the way back in 2008 but Joy states it took four years for him to revisit it and make it into the hit it is today.
3 – Flume, Kai (Never Be Like You):
Making their way into the top 3 is Flume with their single ‘Never Be Like You’ which features vocals from Canadian artist Kai.
The song was only released quite recently, in January of 2016 but has received widespread attention and acclaim, charting not only in Australia but also internationally, with Disclosure even remixing the song into a club-ready track.
2 – Hilltop Hoods (The Nosebleed Section):
Released in 2003, Hilltop Hood’s ‘The Nosebleed Section’ is one of their most well-known hits and placed at number 9 in the 2003 edition of Triple J’s Hottest 100.
It’s popularity has since proven to only grow since then, with the hip hop group being the second most streamed Australian artist in Australia on Spotify.
1 – Sia (Chandelier):
It should truly come as no surprise that Sia has claimed the top spot of being the most streamed Australian artist in the country, especially with her 2014 hit ‘Chandelier’.
Nominated for in 2014 for the Grammy Song of the Year Award, ‘Chandelier’ serves as a personal narrative depicting the Australian singers battle with alcoholism. Rather than explain any further, if you haven’t heard it already, take a listen to song which made Sia the most popular Australian artist in the country on Spotify below.