The Vanda & Young Global Song Comp has revealed its Top 50 finalists.
Finalist include Tkay Maidza, Royel Otis, San Cisco, Charley, CXLOE, and Telenova, among a stellar lineup of emerging and established talent.
The prestigious competition boasts a total prize pool of over $80,000, with a massive $50,000 first-place cheque, courtesy of APRA AMCOS, Alberts, and Sony Music Publishing.
Entry fees directly support Noro Music Therapy, with more than $2 million raised since the competition launched in 2009.
Runners-up don’t walk away empty-handed—$10,000 (courtesy of Banki Haddock Fiora) for second place, $5,000 (via Aon) for third, and ten emerging songwriters will pocket $1,000 each.
“We are thrilled by the quality and originality of the entries received this year,” said Milly Petriella OAM, Director, and Founder. “From uplifting pop anthems and soul-stirring ballads to edgy indie tracks and inventive sonic experiments, this year’s finalists capture the global landscape of songwriting in today’s musical climate.
She adds, “Our new team of international judges have been blown away by the calibre of entries, with a number of them expressing a desire to meet the writers behind the songs.”
Named after legendary Australian songwriting duo Harry Vanda and the late George Young, the competition champions exceptional songwriting talent worldwide. The pair, best known as members of ‘60s outfit The Easybeats, went on to pen hits recorded by David Bowie, Grace Jones, Tom Jones, and others.
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Past winners include King Stingray, Budjerah, Charley, Genesis Owusu, MAY-A, Baker Boy, Thelma Plum, Ruel, Matt Corby, Sarah Aarons, Amy Shark, Gang of Youths, Mallrat, and Gretta Ray.
This year’s panel of judges includes Aloe Blacc, David Hodges, Pam Sheyne, Loretta Muñoz (ASCAP), Tracie Verlinde (BMI), Andrea Martin (PRS), Randy Grimmett (GMR), Mardi Caught (The Annex), Kathy McCabe (News Ltd), Annabelle Herd (ARIA), Dean Ormston (APRA AMCOS), Marietta Ouzas (A&R, Sony Music + Manager, Tones And I), Gretta Ray, Guy Sebastian, Troy Cassar-Daley and more.
Sponsors this time are APRA AMCOS, Alberts, Sony Music Publishing, Banki Haddock Fiora, Aon Insurance, AMPAL, Australis Music Group (Gibson Guitars), Neumann, Vinyl Group, Vampr and The Brag Media.
Check out the 2024 Top 50 Finalists below (in alphabetical order):
1. Anna Leeworthy – Salt
2.Annie Hamilton – Without You
3.Arjun Kantaria – Album Mode (The Trajectory)
4.Ash Morse – Sunny Haven Avenue
5.ASHWARYA – Why’s It Gotta Hurt
6.Aubrie Mitchell – Secret
7.Ben Swissa – Before It Gets Worse
8.Black Sands – Kid Sydney
9.Boy & Bear and Boo Seeka – Science
10.Bri Clark – Among the Stars
11.Cam Nacson – Forever Thing
12.Charley – Timebomb
13.Chelsea Berman – Where Does That Leave Me
14.CXLOE – Shapeshifter
15.Chris Lanzon – Lilo (with Ber)
16.Daniella Marchio – Sweet
17.David K. Chong – Google You
18.Dean Brady – Falling
19.Edith – Bubble
20.Emma Hughes – Without You
21.Gotzilla – Just Wandering
22.Jazzy Dale – Mr Right
23.Joanna Borne – Hey I See You
24.Jonathan Wyndham – Keep Our Love Alive
25.Josh Hannan – Aftermath (Live)
26.Josh Moreland – One Life
27.Karina Savage – Landslide
28.Kita Alexander – Date Night
29.Laura Rizzotto – SYMPTOMS
30.Lotte Gallagher – Adam
31.Louis Schoorl – 12 Minute Walk (Bow Anderson)
32.Lucy Sugerman – He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
33.Nathan May – It Gotta Start Somewhere
34.OKENYO, Zindzi & The Zillionaires – PIXEL
35.PEPTALK – Forrest
36.Polish Club – Repeating Repeating
37.Royel Otis – Heading for the Door
38.Ruby Rodgers – Crisis
39.San Cisco – Lost Without You
40.Shannon Busch (WILSN) – Give You Love (Jessica Mauboy Feat. Jason Derulo)
41.Shari Short – AMNESIA
42.Spicy Hou – Need You
43.TANISHA – Lights & Sirens
44.Telenova – Discothèque Inside My Head
45.The Rions – Physical Medicine
46.Tiffi – Chemtrails
47.Tkay Maidza – Wasp
48.Vetta Borne – 40-40
49.William H. Carpenter – Walking Into Walls
50.XOE MILES – Mirror
For more details, visit globalsongcomp.com.
