triple j Unearthed

Triple J Unearthed is an Australian digital radio station and online platform run by the ABC from Sydney. It launched online in the mid-2000s and moved onto DAB+ digital radio on 5 October 2011. The station streams non-commercial local music, focusing on indie rock, alt-pop, and hip-hop. Its roots trace back to the launch of Double J in 1975, which helped kickstart Australia’s alternative music scene.

The playlist is built entirely on unsigned, independent Australian artists. Music directors pick every track by hand rather than relying on automated algorithms. Listeners directly shape what hits the airwaves by streaming tracks, leaving reviews, and rating songs, which pushes artists up the Unearthed charts. For music fans, it's the most direct way to catch raw local talent before it breaks into the mainstream. The platform launched major Australian acts, including Flume with "Holdin On", Tones and I with "Dance Monkey", and Gang of Youths with "Magnolia". Fresh adds keep the rotation moving, such as Jalmar & Pinky Promise with "Badina", Charli Lucas with "Drinking About It", and VV-ACE with "FINE GYAL". Funded by taxpayers through the ABC, the station stays clear of commercial ads and Top 40 playlists, serving purely as a launchpad from bedroom studios to festival lineups.