Listen Out returned in 2024 in a 4-stop tour kicking off 27th September at Caribbean Gardens in Scoresby. Headlining stages in Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney international artists 21 Savage, Skepta, Earthgang, Sampa The Great, Jessie Reyez and a whole heap more brought the heat to the dance/hip-hop tour.

Sydney’s rolling Centennial Park has become THE destination in Sydney for some of the biggest festivals to grace these shores. Listen Out brought some of the newest acts in hip hop and electronica to the field on the Sunday of the October long weekend. The sun biting at the skin of scantily clad patrons seemed to faze none as the crowd danced across the 3 stages with glowing smiles and what the next day would see strange and unfortunate tan marks.

Listen Out kept their reputation intact again delivering a well-curated and managed festival event, the lineup flowed nicely generating an energy that increased as the headliner’s sets approached. Amenities were abundant, there were various culinary options and the bars were large and scattered enough that lines barely had time to form. A variety of event and artist merch was on offer and the event’s VIP section provided space, shade, private bars, seating and elevated viewing platforms of the two main stages.

Dropping on the same Sunday as the NRL Grand Final, hosts accommodated Sports Fans with a screen set up to live stream the game, drawing a large gathering that rivalled the music stage counterparts. NSW Police found this section of the Festival far more interesting than the crowd they were paid to monitor.

Listen Out’s, highlight performance of the day in this reviewer’s opinion was Zambian singer, rapper and songwriter Sampa the Great who brought punching beats, rounded vocals and theatrical dance. Multi-award-winning singer/songwriter Jessie Reyez was a highly anticipated drawcard for Listen Out, bringing her vast vocal range and magnetism to the eager Sydney audience. The EDM contingent in attendance highly anticipated John Summit’s return to Australian stages and he didn’t disappoint. Closing down the event, London-born Trap artist 21 Savage brought in the second largest crowd of the evening, rivalling the NRL homage in a dark set to match the late evening.

Thanks to Fuzzy Events and Morse Code PR for having MFA along

Review by Pieta Clarke

Listen Out 2024