Get set for an hour-long dose of pure talent each Sunday on ABC, when The Sound celebrates the best new music, right where it belongs – on free-to-air TV, nationwide.

Premiering this Sunday 19 July at 5.30pm, each week The Sound will shine a light on some of our country’s finest musicians and songwriters, via exclusive pre-recorded live performances, collaborations and artist interviews. Viewers can watch The Sound on the tele each Sunday (5.30pm) and Saturday (12.30pm) on ABC, re-watch it on ABC iview, or catch highlights on social media.   

For over 50 years the ABC has been showcasing Australian music and artists on the small screen. The Sound will continue a music TV tradition started by ABC programs such as GTK in the ‘60s, through Countdown in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Recovery in the ‘90s and most recently The Set.

Each week The Sound will feature segments ‘From The Vault’ (a curated historical clip); ‘Tribute’ (artists collaborating on iconic Aussie tracks) and ‘Introducing’ (where Australia’s next hottest talent is showcased).

Episode One boasts a stellar line-up – including a few big names:

• As the world awaits the global live streaming event of IDIOT PRAYER:  Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Place on July 23, The Sound viewers will be treated to an exclusive preview performance by the great man himself. Cave’s performance was filmed by award-winning cinematographer Robbie Ryan (The Favourite, Marriage Story, American Honey) in Alexandra Palace’s stunning West Hall, and edited by Nick Emerson (Lady Macbeth, Emma)
• Sydney trio DMA’S smashed it in the UK and just released their huge third album, THE GLOW – selling out 18 Sydney shows last week, and announcing four in Brisbane!
• Hunters & Collectors frontman and all round legend Mark Seymour & The Undertow, celebrating their latest release, Slow Dawn
• Aussie favourites Kate Ceberano, Steve Kilbey & Sean Sennett will serve up a slice of their recently released album The Dangerous Age
• Sydney brothers Lime Cordiale, who also just dropped a new album in 14 Steps To A Better You
• Perth trio Eskimo Joe are back with their first song in seven years, ‘Say Something’
• Breakout New Zealand indie pop phenomenon BENEE is behind the excellent ‘Supalonely’ and scored four tracks in this year’s Hottest 100 + 1.7 billion streams!
• Talented writer Jerome Farah will be The Sound’s first ‘Introducing’ artist, performing his politically-charged debut single ‘I Can’t Breathe’

And that’s just the beginning, with even more artists to be revealed on the show.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have prevented our musicians performing concerts but it has not stopped their creativity and willingness to play for Australia. It’s time to get new homegrown music back on our TV screens… The Sound has arrived! Stay tuned for more on each episode – coming soon.