Beat the Drum: Celebrating 40 Years of Triple J

Overview

It’s hard to believe that triple j was born in the same year that Gough Whitlam copped the old heave-ho as PM. The beloved radio station began its life as 2JJ back in 1975, with a broadcast that served the Sydney metropolitan area only. Four decades on, it's become the nation's chief music tastemaker, and (thankfully) hasn't wavered from its commitment to homegrown tunes.

At Sydney Festival, triple j will celebrate its 40th birthday with a gargantuan, seven-hour long shindig, featuring performances from friends new and old, including Vance Joy, The Presets, Ball Park Music, The Preatures, Hilltop Hoods, Tkay Maidza, You Am I, The Cat Empire, Courtney Barnett, Remi, Nina Las Vegas, KLP, Adalita and more.

If you're a never-fail triple j listener, you won't want to hear about this one on Saturday morning radio — get there.

Beat the Drum is one of our top ten picks of the Sydney Festival. Check out our other favourite events over here.