Listen Out 2024 took over Centennial Park on Sunday, transforming the lush parklands into a full-day festival, blending hip-hop, house, R&B, and everything in between. The sprawling space became a playground for music lovers who eagerly bounced between the three stages—Atari, 909, and Prophet. With a few last-minute lineup changes, there was plenty of anticipation in the air, but the artists more than delivered, ensuring the crowd was kept on their toes from midday to nightfall.
Arriving early, punters strolled in, drinks in hand, decked out in festival fits that ranged from the bold to the barely-there. The sun was mercifully kept at bay by the stage fronts and sporadic trees stretched across the grounds, providing much-needed relief as the heat started to climb. Festival veterans knew the drill—pace yourself, stay hydrated, and most importantly, catch as many acts as you can.
The Atari stage was the first stop, where Triple J’s NSW Listen Out comp winner BIRDEE王煒 was already lighting things up with her dynamic performance. Backed by dancers, she turned the stage into a live music video, blending synthpop, EBM, and dance beats in a show that kicked off the day in style. Her infectious energy set the tone for what would become a non-stop marathon of music.
Over at the 909 stage, early risers were treated to DJ Bella Backe, spinning an upbeat house set to a crowd that was steadily growing. Meanwhile, the Prophet stage was home to local artist Malfunkt, who was deep in a house groove of his own, pulling in fans with every beat.
As the sun climbed higher, the tempo increased. By the time Miss Kaninna hit the Atari stage, the crowd was noticeably swelling. Known for her sharp lyrics and powerful presence, she commanded attention with every word, cementing herself as a rising star. Her unapologetic energy was matched by the growing heat, with security guards lining the barriers to pour water into the mouths of grateful festival-goers.
The festival hit another high point when YNG Martyr took the Atari stage. Known for his viral hit ‘Nike Ticks’, the crowd erupted the moment he launched into the track. His confidence and stage presence were magnetic, and the audience fed off his energy, making this one of the more unforgettable moments of the day. It was hard not to be swept up in the excitement as arms were raised and people shouted the lyrics back at him.
But if there’s one thing you learn at Listen Out, it’s that you’ve got to move fast to catch the best of both worlds. After YNG Martyr, it was a mad dash back to the 909 stage, where Irish-Jamaican DJ JAZZY was deep into her dance-pop set. Her rhythm had the crowd hooked, blending carefree beats with an undercurrent of high-energy vibes.
Gold Fang, a late addition to the lineup, quickly followed, bringing his blend of dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop. His charismatic stage presence kept the crowd on edge, hanging onto his every word as he teased the audience and thanked them for choosing his stage.
As the afternoon began to cool, the emotions ran high when Jessie Reyez took to the Atari stage. Known for her raw, heart-wrenching vocals, she didn’t disappoint. Tracks like ‘Figures’ had the audience captivated—her ability to balance cheeky charisma with soul-stirring emotion left the crowd hanging on her every word. Her stage props, two giant hands, felt almost symbolic of the way she was holding the audience in the palm of hers.
Meanwhile, on the 909 stage, Disco Lines had gathered a massive crowd, his pulsating beats sending the audience into dance mode. The Blessed Madonna stepped in seamlessly after him, delivering an electrifying set of house and disco that kept the late-afternoon energy at a perfect simmer. Her track selections were flawless, a masterclass in pacing as she pulled the crowd deeper into the music.
Then came one of the night’s most anticipated acts: Sampa The Great on the Atari stage. From the moment she stepped on, the energy was unmistakable. With a blend of hip-hop and African rhythms, she owned the stage, backed by dancers who elevated the performance to another level. Midway through, she brought out BARKAA, one of Australia’s most exciting rap talents, and the crowd roared with approval. It was a perfect example of how Listen Out knows how to celebrate homegrown talent in the grandest way possible.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. Over at the Prophet stage, the UK garage scene was alive and well as Conducta spun a set that had the crowd swaying. Meanwhile, the Atari stage erupted with up-and-coming Lithe’s performance, complete with pyrotechnics that signalled the party was far from over. And then came the heavy hitters.
The American duo EARTHGANG took the Atari stage next, their playful energy radiating across the field. Comprised of Olu and WowGr8, the pair brought their signature fusion of Southern hip-hop and conscious rap, commanding the stage with tracks like ‘Top Down’. They had the audience grooving from the start, feeding off the crowd’s excitement as they bounced between melodic hooks and powerful verses. Their chemistry and contagious energy made their set one of the day’s most feel-good performances, leaving everyone primed and ready for the final acts.
Skepta’s arrival on the Atari stage was nothing short of explosive. The grime icon stormed the stage with a relentless flow that whipped the crowd into a frenzy. His set, packed with hits like ‘Shutdown’ and ‘That’s Not Me’ had the audience in full force, shouting back every lyric as if their lives depended on it. The 15ft projection behind him made sure no one missed out, but it was Skepta’s sheer stage presence that turned the performance into one of the most powerful moments of the festival. His mastery of the crowd was undeniable, as he kept everyone moving, locked into his every word.
Just as Skepta’s final beats echoed into the night, fans sprinted across the grounds to catch John Summit on the 909 stage. Social media had been buzzing in the weeks leading up to the festival over the clash between Skepta and Summit’s set times, but Listen Out’s organisers adjusted the schedule so fans didn’t have to choose. Summit’s arrival on stage was met with chants of “Johnny! Johnny!” and the scene was electric. His booth was dwarfed by the massive light show and lasers, but it only added to the thrill. Summit looked genuinely moved as he locked eyes with the sea of fans reaching out to him, delivering a house set that had the entire crowd under his spell.
For those avoiding the packed 909 stage, the Prophet stage had English electronic performer Koven holding down her set with live vocals and expert mixing, proving that even on a side stage, Listen Out delivered across the board.
The final act of the night, 21 Savage, brought an epic close to the festival. After a lengthy wait, with his DJ Marc B hyping up the crowd, Savage finally hit the stage. The atmosphere was charged as he launched into his set, backed by gory classical art projections that felt hauntingly at odds with his flow. It was a thrilling contrast.
Listen Out 2024 kept the vibe alive all day and night, from the local scene to international stars. And while hot dogs might have been $18, at least the water was free, and the memories were priceless.
