Live Nation’s ONES TO WATCH returns to champion the next wave of Australian music, where emerging talent, culture and craft collide. Rooted in the creative community, the program celebrates the connection between artists and audiences while continuing to support developing talent both on and off the stage.
Returning to Melbourne on Wednesday 5 August, the globally renowned music discovery event is set to hit the inner north’s latest music hotspot, the newly launched Smith St. Hotel. Positioned in the heart of a Melbourne corner synonymous with live music and nightlife, the venue will welcome punters back through its doors at the end of July, just days before hosting the showcase.
Showcasing their talents at this edition of ONES TO WATCH are three incredible artists whose foundations of influence are diverse as they are captivating.
Fusing a love for hip hop, jazz, soul and alternative together with an innately personal brand of storytelling, the now Melbourne-based artist MILES NAUTU has been enjoying a prolific rise within the Australian space across the last year. HIs debut EP the front introduced audiences to a vital young songwriter and performer. Inspired by the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Yasiin Bey and Joey Bada$$, Nautu’s output has seen the Indigenous Australian/Fijian artist perform at the Sydney Opera House for VIVID Live this year, as well as the upcoming Move My Way Festival in October, alongside genre trailblazers including Ezra Collective and Freddie Gibbs.
Sydney alt-pop artist GAZAL has emerged as one of the East Coast’s most commanding new voices, with a presence on record and stage reminiscent of fka Twigs, Doechii and Lykke Li. The Lebanese/Australian performer has become known for her music, emotionally charged and fearless, as well as her songwriting pen. Collaborations with the likes of Dan Gleyzer (SZA, Sabrina Carpenter), Aidan Hogg (G Flip), George Alice, Vera Blue and more have only sharpened GAZAL’s songwriting perspective and artistry. With over 15 million TikTok views and global support for her latest EP Gods Into Frauds, GAZAL is stretching her wings further into 2026.
Melbourne’s LARA BUCHANAN has drawn sonic comparisons to artists including Ethel Cain, Wolf Alice and Lorde, yet as her sound has continued to evolve in recent years, it’s evident that this young artist is pushing herself into new territory with each release. Her lyrics are deeply personal, observations on the world and life experiences as a young adult navigating the world and change. Projects like the Sugar Coated Fantasy EP introduced audiences to Buchanan’s commanding sound and as 2026 continues, the excitement surrounding this artists continues to build.
“American Apparel® has long been the unofficial uniform of the local music scene, making it a natural fit for ONES TO WATCH and its mission to spotlight artists who are redefining the status quo”
David Hillen – Director, Gildan Brands APAC.
Paul Lynch & Emily Taylor, Promoters, ONES TO WATCH, Live Nation APAC said: “ONES TO WATCH exists to champion developing artists at pivotal moments in their careers. It’s been great to see our partnership with American Apparel® come to life, and we’re excited to build on that momentum in Melbourne—giving more emerging talent a platform to be seen, heard and discovered.”
ONES TO WATCH BACKED BY AMERICAN APPAREL®
Wednesday 5 August Smith St. Hotel MELBOURNE
MILES NAUTU
GAZAL
LARA BUCHANAN
ABOUT ONES TO WATCH:
The ONES TO WATCH series has made a solid impact within the Australian music community. In Australia since 2021, the series has been serving industry and fans exclusive opportunities to see some of the country’s best new talent perform in intimate environments across Melbourne, Sydney, Darwin, Brisbane and Byron Bay, highlighting the current wave of artists primed to make their impact in other markets.
Since its establishment in North America, the ONES TO WATCH series has been able to support and promote artists such as Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo and Halsey early in their careers. So far in Australia, ONES TO WATCH has platformed artists including Erica Padilla, DEVAURA, DRIZZ, Salty, Lotte Gallagher, Fletcher Kent, Chanel Loren, J-MILLA, Georgia Lines, Ishan, Adrian Dzvuke, Phebe Starr, J.Tajor, Yung Milla, Juran, Blake Rose, Sophisticated Dingo, STUMPS, Forest Claudette, Teenage Joans, Carla Wehbe, ZPLUTO, WIIGZ, Hoodzy, East AV3, Colourblind, Saint Lane, Say Sue Me, Cifika, Sion, Wah Wah Wah, Ullah, Ghost Care, Mariae Cassandra, Loren Ryan, Dem Mob, Rox Lavi, Dobby, and Lewis Love at events around the country.