The triple j Hottest 100 is an iconic part of Australian culture dating back to 1989 – and you’re bound to be hearing all about it as the annual countdown quickly approaches. This year, the countdown will be taking place on Saturday 27 January 2024.
No matter your favourite artist or genre, it’s an excuse for music lovers around the country to get together and celebrate great tunes with friends, food and drinks. If this sounds like your idea of a fun time, keep reading for everything you need to know about the triple j Hottest 100!
What is the triple j Hottest 100?
Held annually during the last week of January, the triple j Hottest 100 is the world’s biggest music poll that determines Australia’s favourite 100 songs of the previous year.
Originally named “The Hot 100”, the countdown was established by triple j producer Lawrie Zion in 1989. The idea was simple: listeners were able to vote for their favourite songs, no matter what year they were released in. The number one song of the original Hot 100 was “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division.
In 1993, the Hottest 100 was relaunched in the format it is known for today. Listeners around the country are now able to vote for their top 10 favourite songs from the previous year. This means in 2024, we will be celebrating all of the best tunes from 2023.
Triple j is Australia’s go-to station for a wide variety of genres, such as electronic dance music, alternative rock, heavy metal, rap, Indie and a whole lot more. So, it’s no surprise that each yearly poll captures a wide range of different sounds. The winning artists of the past five Hottest 100 polls include Flume, The Wiggles, Glass Animals, Billie Eilish and Ocean Alley.
With so many artists and songs vying for the top spot, it can be hard to narrow down your Hottest 100 votes — but this is what makes the day so exciting!
Read more: A Brief History of Australian Music
When is the triple j Hottest 100?
Get ready, because the triple j Hottest 100 is just around the corner. This year’s countdown kicks off at noon (12pm) AEDT on Saturday 27 January, but there are a few more dates you should mark in your calendars if you want to fully immerse yourself in the countdown excitement.
On Friday 26 January, you can start the party early by tuning into triple j from 10am to listen to the tunes that didn’t quite make the cut — otherwise known as the Hottest 200. While this might give away some spoilers as to which songs won’t be featured in the main countdown, it’s a great way to get pumped up for the big day.
After your Hottest 100 celebrations are finished, on Saturday 3 February you can switch over to Double J to take a trip down memory lane by listening to the Hottest 100 of 2003. Double J is triple j’s spin-off station, targeted towards more mature listeners; triple j’s audience is mainly 18 to 24-year-olds.
How to vote
Voting for the triple j Hottest 100 closes 5pm AEDT on Monday 22 January, so there’s still time to decide on your top 10 favourite songs of 2023 and submit your vote. Once you’ve figured out your top 10, voting is simple. You can log in on the triple j website using Facebook, Google, Apple or email, or register for an ABC account.
If you’re struggling to decide on who to vote for, the triple j website has a ‘Get Inspired’ section where you can view your favourite artists and presenters’ votes for the year! Every vote counts: this year’s number #1 and #2 songs have already swapped positions, with less than 200 votes between them.
Read more: Modern Australian Musicians You Need to See Live
How to listen and celebrate on the day
Now that you know everything about the triple j Hottest 100, you’re probably thinking of ways to celebrate the day. Most importantly, to catch the countdown you’ll need to tune into 99.3FM on the radio or you can listen on the triple j website or app for free.
Here are a few of our favourite ideas on how to celebrate the big day:
- If you have access to a pool, why not throw a Hottest 100 pool party? Just make sure you have lots of food and drinks handy because it’s going to be a long day!
- Head to the park with a group of friends for a listening party/picnic. Pack a wireless bluetooth speaker and some snacks before settling into the grass for a fun, chilled-out day of great music.
- Search for listening parties at your local pubs and bars — no matter where you live, there’s sure to be something happening near you.
To learn more about music in Australia (including gigs in your city), check out our nationwide explainer piece or narrow it down to your city:
