Volume #17 | My triple j Hottest 100 predictions, and the night Peking Duk played their A-game.
Mixtape. Happy New Year.
Three, two, one…
Happy New Hear! I’m back, and I’m so glad you’re here with me. How are you?!
It has been a beautiful, busy and blessed hiatus from routine these last few weeks. What day is it? I love that feeling. I indulged in an abundance of quality… chocolates. Oh, and quality time with my kids, hubby, family and friends. Throw in far too much leftover baked ham (hosting Christmas was a dream for those wondering), days on end decluttering our home and some new experiences where memories were made - nothing beats it. It’s a special time of year and it’s good for the soul.
In saying this, I’m champing at the bit to crawl out of school holiday mode. Mixing words with songs and tapping back into my corner of Substack and Spotify is right where I’m meant to be. Hello 2025.
If you’re anything like me, you probably treated your ears to all sorts of audio over the break. That’s the nature of the silly season, where we indulge in the delights of entertainment. Whether it’s music, movies, podcasts or audiobooks, isn’t the downtime perfect for soaking it all in? I finished Jackie O’s biography audiobook The Whole Truth and it is incredibly interesting and personal. I also started curating five new Mixtape playlists, one that is purely for stargazing because I was so enthralled by the twinkling night sky on New Year’s Eve that it needed a Mixtape.
After drowning everyone with my festive playlists (not sorry), I was ready to dominate our speakers with the ultimate chilled out, holiday beer drinking vibes. Turns out, the tunes hardly got a look in because the cricket was on. The continuing formation of sound from Boxing Day onwards went from howzaaatttt to shoooootttt day in, day out. Maybe this is why my husband gifted me a portable speaker for Christmas. Blasting tunes has gone to a whole new level. It’s my little escape.
At 11:55pm on New Years Eve, I could hear my neighbours partying hard. Singing (okay… more like shouting) ‘You’re The Voice’ at the top of their lungs. That song. It never gets old. How timely to be reminded of that anthem and end 2024 on a John Farnham induced high. You can read my deep dive on the Aussie legend below.
Whats next…
I’m really looking forward to where my words, the music and Mixtape will take me this year. Even if it’s a simple, fleeting moment of audio pleasure, or a little slice of musical heaven at a live performance. Take me to the clouds above, I say! Who’s coming with me?
I have two massive gigs coming up; Dom Dolla and Kylie Minogue, plus all the playlists to keep your new year as fresh as a daisy.
In this Mixtape Volume #17…
Peking Duk’s electric live stadium performance
My triple j Hottest 100 predictions. The anticipation is high. I may not sleep tonight!
Live Performance | Peking Duk
New Years Eve was the first time I’d seen the boys from Peking Duk DJ live. Picture Adelaide Oval, 10pm, a huge crowd who had seen a pretty dismal game of T20 cricket. We were all ready for early fireworks celebrations, and the boys absolutely brought it. Supported by singer Nicole Miller, the energy was electric. Songs like ‘Say My Name’, ‘High’ and ‘Take Me Over’ erupted in sync with the fireworks.
I bloody love Adam Hyde, he is this quintessential Australian blend of weird and wonderful with an art of producing tracks that’ll get you out of your seat. That would be my only criticism of this performance, it’s really hard to dance in aisle L of the Western Stand at Adelaide Oval. Get us closer to the action, I say!
Playful Predictions | Hottest 100
One of my favourite days of the year is almost upon us. Saturday 25/1 from 11:30am Adelaide time, we’ll be treated to the countdown of all countdowns with the 2024 triple j Hottest 100 songs, as voted by Aussies. Because, you know, we are music.
Whether you see it as the ultimate competition and you take your ten song votes very seriously (snapshot of mine below for those playing along at home) or simply a great excuse to host a party, crank the tunes and the barbeque; there’s no doubt that the artist who snags the prestigious number one spot gets some serious bragging rights (and a shitload more streams).
It was an elite year of music. I found it incredibly hard to narrow down my song selections when voting. Whoever polls, whoever wins, it doesn’t really matter because on Hottest 100 day - Australia wins. Bring it on.
My predictions are…
Chappell Roan will be number one with ‘Good Luck, Babe!’
Atleast two Like A Version recordings will be in the top ten… Royel Otis version of ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ and my absolute favourite, ‘Cruel Summer’ by G Flip.
‘Messy’ by Lola Young and Billie Eilish ‘Birds of a Feather’ will poll well, top ten atleast. Let’s throw Kendrick Lamar in there too with ‘Not Like Us’.
I am super hopeful for local youngster The Kid LAROI. Amazing artist.
There’s no denying the Sabrina Carpenter effect, she’ll be in the mix for sure and we’ll all be singing along.
Throwing It Out There…
Gracie Abrams will make her debut with more than one song. This absolute queen oozes talent. A sold out tour of Australia and America proves she is rising to stardom with guitar in hand.
Clairo ‘Sexy To Someone’ will also debut. Yeah the girls!
Beyonce, Jungle and Thelma Plum will all get a gig in the Hottest 100.
Computer says no…
If ‘A Bar Song’ by Shaboozey wins, I may chuck a tantrum. Wherever it ends up, that little guitar strum at the start will either have us screaming with joy or hanging our heads. You either love it, or not.
Have a great long weekend!
I am beyond grateful you take the time to read Mixtape. Let me know in the comments who got your Hottest 100 votes. I will debrief in the next volume of Mixtape, that’s a promise!
