Are you ready to give your favourite Australian artists their well-deserved flowers? To celebrate 50 years of triple j, we're cracking open the countdown box for the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs!
It's a big year for the triple j family, so what better way to toast our deep history than by doing our favourite thing: wringing our hands over trying to pick only 10 of our favourite songs released by Australian artists and bands. Nah, it'll be a breeze, right?
On Saturday 26 July, we're taking over the entire triple j network – triple j, Double J, triple j Unearthed and triple j Hottest – to count down the 100 best Australian songs, as voted by all of you.
They've been the playlist to our lives, defined the sound of the nation and echoed across generations, and now we get to champion all the tracks that have lasted a lifetime (or more).
When can I vote?
Voting has CLOSED! If you didn't start your votes, then it's too late. If you opted in for auto-voting, whatever you had in your top 10 selected tracks in your shortlist have been submitted for you.
Whether it's iconic, nostalgia-drenched bangers or current day anthems you can't stop spinning, we wanna hear which Aussie tracks you think are the best of the best.
The only catch: they must have been released before triple j's official 50th birthday - January 19 2025.
Ok, how can I listen to the countdown?
We'll be kicking off the broadcast from 10am Australian Eastern Standard Time on Saturday 26 July.
That means if you're living in Western Australia, you'll want to tune in bright and early at 8am next Saturday. And those in central Australia, you're on from 9:30am.
Nothing like kicking off a countdown with a hot cuppa!
The Hottest 100 of Australian Songs will be simulcast on Double J, triple j Unearthed and the triple j Hottest stations, which means you'll be able to listen in a bunch of ways.
On your radio, on your TV, digital radio, streaming online – we've got you covered.
Who's hosting the countdown this time?
Considering we're celebrating the rich history of Australian music (and triple j is turning 50 this year), we're tapping a bunch of mates from across the triple j family to count down your votes on the big day.
You'll hear from Ash McGregor and Dave Woodhead, Dylan Lewis and Yumi Stynes, Abby Butler and Tyrone Pynor, Concetta Caristo and Luka Muller and Zan Rowe and Lucy Smith across the day.
And who knows, maybe we'll get some familiar faces popping in across the day, too!
Are there venues playing the Hottest 100 countdown?
There sure are! If you don't want to host but still want to party, there's a whole heap of Hottest 100 parties happening at venues around the country – and a couple overseas, too.
Check out the full list here to find your local hoon.
Will there be an afterparty? Kickons?
What you do with the rest of your night post-countdown is up to you. But! If you've registered your Hottest 100 listening party, we might be bringing the hoon to you!
We'll be picking one party to crash with none other than The Presets!
What makes a song eligible for voting?
We know this is going to be contentious so here's some quick pointers for what tracks are actually eligible:
- An eligible song must have had its initial release (online or on-air) before triple j's 50th birthday, on January 19th 2025.
- Like A Version tracks are not eligible. Check out our very own LAV Hottest 100 from a couple of years ago.
- If a song has been significantly reworked (edited/remixed/re-recorded) after its initial release, the reworked song is eligible.
- The song needs to be an overall 50% minimum of Australian artists, so something like: Dom Dolla & MK - 'Rhyme Dust' or Iggy Azalea - 'Fancy [Ft. Charli xcx]' and anything by Crowded House (half of the original band are Aussie) are eligible! But something like: Young Franco, EARTHGANG & Jafunk - 'Lose Control' or Kito, Kah-Lo, brazy & Baauer - 'take your vibes and go' are not eligible.
So why can't I vote for Split Enz then?
They are from New Zealand. Same goes with Lorde, Scribe, Kimbra, Dave Dobbyn, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (and The Mint Chicks), Ladyhawke, Benee, Broods and Bakers Eddy.
What if I start a list but forget to submit?
Your votes aren't lost if you didn't hit submit because we've brought back our auto vote option again! If you're all cool with it, we'll submit your top 10 votes (or whatever is at the top of your voting list).
THESE VOTES HAVE NOW BEEN SUBMITTED!
Is there a Hottest Ticket with this countdown too?
There absolutely is! It wouldn't be a Hottest 100 without a ripper of a prize to win, would it?
This time, we asked what Australian act you'd take an alien (who showed up in your backyard) to see and why.
Everyone who answered is now in the draw to win tickets to every triple j and Double J presented tour between July 2025 and July 2026. Plus, we'll chuck in VIP tickets to Spilt Milk too!
Here's all the T&C's on the Hottest Ticket competition, if you want to get into the nitty gritty.
Check out all the important dates and info below, and get ready count 'em all down with us on July 26.
triple j's Hottest 100 of Australian Songs
- Voting opens: Tuesday 17 June, 8am AEST
- Voting closes: Thursday 17 July, 5pm AEST
- Hottest 100 countdown day: Saturday 26 July from 10am AEST