Sydney hardcore punk band Speed has made a significant mark in the Australian music landscape by winning the inaugural NSW Music Prize on March 4, 2024. The band triumphed over notable competitors, including Grammy award winners RÜFÜS DU SOL and controversial drill pioneers OneFour, taking home a prize of $80,000.
Guitarist Joshua Clayton expressed the band’s excitement, stating, “We started out with pretty humble intentions of just being a band that existed for the scene that we operate in. To be recognised for something like this is a really awesome thing … something that we appreciate a lot.” This accolade signifies a pivotal moment for Speed, marking their breakthrough into the mainstream music scene.
Celebrating New Talent and Community Impact
The NSW Music Prize was hosted for the first time at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, introducing what is now considered the country’s most lucrative music award. The evening also celebrated other talents, with BARKAA winning the NSW First Nations Music Prize and Ninajirachi being named the NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year, each receiving $40,000.
According to NSW Arts Minister John Graham, the prize aims to provide a substantial career boost for artists and inspire future generations to aim high, with a total prize pool of $160,000 across three categories. Speed’s debut studio album, Only One Mode, was recognized for having the most significant impact over the past year, further solidifying their place in the industry.
Released in July 2023, Only One Mode earned Speed the ARIA Award for best hard rock or heavy metal album, a testament to their growing influence. Just one year after its release, the band made headlines as the first Australian hardcore act to perform at Coachella and attended the ARIA Awards as nominees for Best Australian Live Act.
A Voice for Authenticity and Community
Speed’s music often addresses pressing social issues. Their 2020 single, A Dumb Dog Gets Flogged, critiqued the federal government’s response to the Black Summer bushfires, while their 2024 track, Only Foes, includes the poignant lyric “F— feeling foreign in my own home,” reflecting the experiences of lead vocalist Jem Siow as a first-generation Asian-Australian.
Clayton attributes the band’s success to their commitment to authenticity and community engagement. “I think a lot of those values have been lost in the society that we’re living in these days, and I think that, as people, we really want that connection with each other,” he commented. He believes that today’s youth are increasingly drawn to genuine connections in music scenes.
Commenting on the current state of the music industry during the 2025 ARIA Awards red carpet, various artists highlighted the need for government investment and increased support for local acts. Graham noted the impact of the streaming revolution, emphasizing the importance of supporting local musicians in a competitive landscape dominated by international artists.
Annabelle Herd, CEO of ARIA, stated that the prizes will “open doors to new audiences and real opportunities,” strengthening New South Wales as a vital hub for music. She is also an advisory board member of Sound NSW, which is part of the state government’s ten-year Contemporary Music Strategy aimed at bolstering the local music industry.
As for how Speed plans to use their prize money, Clayton remained somewhat reserved, indicating that discussions are ongoing as the band is currently on tour. He emphasized the need for the funds to benefit the broader music scene, stating, “We consider this not necessarily as an award for us. We really see winning this award as a recognition of hardcore as a genre in Australia right now.”
The success of Speed at the NSW Music Prize not only highlights their journey but also reflects a growing recognition of the hardcore genre within the Australian music landscape.
