Speed, the flute-wielding hardcore band based in Sydney, Australia, have won the inaugural New South Wales Music Prize, taking home the whopping AU$80,000 reward on the strength of their debut album, 2024’s Only One Mode. The state government introduced the NSW Music Prize last year as part of a 10-year plan to support local musicians amidst an increasingly competitive market, noting how streaming platforms prioritize international artists over local acts. Speed beat Ninajirachi, Rüfüs Du Sol, 3%, Barkaa, Kobie Dee, Onefour, Party Dozen, Shady Nasty, and Vv Pete & Utility for the honor.
“In 2025, we have a whole new generation of amazing kids all over the country making Sydney and Australian hardcore the sickest it’s ever been,” Speed said during their acceptance speech. “With that being said, this award belongs to them—the people around us who make it what it is—and we’ll take some time to think about the best way we can pay that forward to keep growing this the right way.”
Only One Mode has plenty of harsh beatdowns, as to be expected in hardcore, but Speed also incorporate a number of unexpected elements into their sound, the most obvious of which is a trilling flute—as heard on their viral single “The First Test.” Vocalist Jem Siow, guitarists Joshua Clayton and Dennis Vichidvongsa, bassist Aaron Siow, and drummer Kane Vardon take pride in bringing a modern touch to punk while upholding an earnest authenticity.
This past summer, Speed joined Turnstile’s huge North American tour as openers. As with Speed’s own headlining shows, singer Jem Siow gave speeches onstage during that run about the importance of inclusivity in the hardcore scene, speaking out against anti-Asian racism, and addressing the male suicide epidemic. He also often discussed how playing music together in a band with his brother and friends makes life’s difficulties a little less daunting.
New South Wales’ government allocates AU$160,000 for the new annual music prize, which is then split into three categories. Speed won the AU$80,000 NSW Music Prize, which is gifted to a local artist whose music had a significant impact over the past 12 months. Barkaa Big Tidda took home the AU$40,000 NSW First Nations Music Prize, which is awarded to a local First Nations act whose music had a significant and meaningful impact over the last year. Ninajirachi won the third prize, the AU$40,000 NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year, which celebrates an emerging local artist who had “a groundbreaking 12 months.” It’s all organized by Sound NSW, the government’s dedicated contemporary music development office that provides advocacy, leadership, strategic initiatives, policy development, and funding to local artists.
