Laneway in Sydney has been a date marked on our calendars – and the calendars of tens of thousands of music lovers in this city – for months. Ever since its epic lineup dropped last year, it's been considered the 2025 music event of the year – and we've only just hit February.

Luckily for us, we were able to find some time with a couple of the artists on the lineup backstage. And boy was there plenty to talk about. RONA’s fan-girling over Charli XCX at breakfast. Olivia Dean’s thriving in the heat (Beyoncé wind machine included). Remi Wolf’s flailing limbs are a fashion statement. Djo’s deep in his Springsteen era. And somewhere in the chaos, Girl and Girl are giving the YMCA a rebrand.

DJO

So who have you seen so far at Laneway and is there anyone you’re still ready to catch?

Fcukers, Clairo, Remi, Charli, Olivia Dean – I haven’t seen Joey Valence & Brae because we’ve been playing at the same time, but I was listening to their music on the plane and was really enjoying it. And it was hyping me up for an early flight. And, I want to see 2Hollis, Barry Can’t Swim. It’s a great lineup! Sorry I’m eating a Fisherman’s Friend also!

That is A-OK. We love a Fisherman’s Friend. I know you also have an album that will be coming out in a couple of months. Can you tell us anything about it? How has the sound evolved from the last one?

It’s coming out in April and the main difference is that the whole thing was done in an actual studio, prior to this it was kind of like a bedroom recording process, and this was doing it in a studio. So I think the fidelity is kind of different, and the sonics are a little bit more pure and just uh, yeah, maybe leaning back to music that I loved as a young kid. Reconnecting to influences that I used to really love – you know, Bruce Springsteen or The Cars, or who else? I want to say Carol King. People who are writing great songs. I’m just trying to write better songs I guess.

Well, speaking of great songs, we just caught your set before and you finished on End of Beginnings, and that is such a Springsteen-esque, swelling kind of song in my opinion. Is there a song that kind of gives you that feeling from another artist that people get from that song?

Honestly like, Dancing in the Dark, Bruce Springsteen, or I'm On Fire. The song’s great too. Bruce Springsteen is so good. I also just watched a Bruce Springsteen documentary called Blood Brothers where they were like, recording an album and he’s like, maybe 45 or 50. I watched that on the plane ride over here so I’m feeling it.

RONA

Did you manage to catch any other acts yesterday in Brisbane?

I was lucky to catch a bit of Clairo, which was awesome. I didn’t get to see Charli – yet – but my plan is, tonight, to make sure that I’m there front and centre.

I was going to ask who was next on the bill. Is there anyone else that you’re really keen to catch before the end of this run?

Definitely Bicep. They’re iconic. The boys are so incredible in their production and their design – just the stage presence that they have – so I’m hoping to catch that.

Is this your first time playing Laneway?

I played Laneway last year in Sydney and I had a great time. It’s amazing to be invited back to do the whole tour. I feel really privileged to be on tour and make friends with some of the other artists. And, as you say, spend time going to see everything. I don’t have to pick and choose. I can space it out.

Do you get to interact with other artists and meet them behind the scenes a bit?

I was at breakfast the other day and Charli XCX sat down two tables down and I went and said hi. I was like "Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but I’m a massive fan and I’m on tour with you. So excited to see you play!" It was wild and nice for it to happen in an organic space. But, we’re all hanging out and spending time – we’ve got the afterparty tonight as well, which I’m sure will be a space where we can keep connecting.

Hopefully she’ll come and catch one of your sets then now that she’s been introduced!

Hopefully! [crosses fingers]

Do you have any new music that you’re going to be playing in these shows?

There’s a track that I wrote recently that’s a sample of my Grandmother from a speech she gave in the 80s. It’s about language, and I worked with a producer over in London and co-write with a guy called Strath, and yeah, we’ve been working on the track and now it’s being played out and about, and I love seeing the crowd’s reaction. It’s so fun playing it and also hearing my Grandmother’s voice.

That must be so special.

Yeah, it is special! Like, I’m there and halfway through the set and watching the crowd hear it – there’s a big breakdown in the track and I feel really held and grounded in having her kind of present in what I’m doing and how I’m performing.

When you’re putting together a set, is there kind of like an energy that you channel?

For me, I look at the set time and I think about the place that I’m in and I’ve got a list of tracks and a bit of an idea of where I’m going to go, but it’s always responsive to what’s happening in the moment. Like yesterday, I was in Brisbane and the crowd was so with and they wanted to go hard and I’ll push a little bit in those moments.

Olivia Dean

We caught up last December and you said that this isn’t your first time to Australia, but it’s your first time performing in Australia. How has it been?

It’s been kind of amazing. I can’t really believe that I’m this far away from home and people know all the words. I’m really excited for today. Sydney feels like there’s a fun energy in the air today. It’s also really hot, so I think it will make for a good show.

That was my next question – how are you dealing with the heat?

I love the heat on stage. I have fans so I get my Beyoncé moment with the hair – so I’m quite cool.

You also mentioned that you wanted to see or meet Clairo because you’re a big fan of her music. Has that happened yet?

Yes! I spoke to her in Auckland and I watched her set and it was amazing. I also caught Bea’s set. And today I’m going to watch Charli. So, three for three today.

In New Zealand I saw you played some unreleased songs. Is Sydney going to catch any of that?

Sydney is going to catch some of that, yeah. I think it’s important when you’re doing shows to test stuff out. I think it’s the best way to get a reaction and I really love the song so I just thought, let me try it!

Girl and Girl

You guys have already played a show yesterday in Brisbane, but how was that? Did you manage to catch any other acts?

No, we had to leave pretty much straight after – but we did catch a little bit of Skeggs afterward and they were really cool.

Is there anyone that you're excited to catch today or in the remaining few shows?

I'm really keen to see Djo play!

You guys are Brisbane-based – I wanted to know what's your favourite Brisbane venue to play?

Kai: For me, probably Black Bear Lodge.

Seb: Junk Bar

Are there any Brisbane bands that you would love to see on the lineup next year?

Kai: Yeah, probably Square or Fraser Bell.

I'd love to see Radium Dolls on the lineup. That'd be sick.

What are you most excited for today? What's in store for the rest of your day?

Keep cool. Hang out. Go see Clairo. Big sleep. Charli's playing pretty early so might go see that.

What can people expect from your set that haven't already caught it? What kind of energy is being brought?

Kai: Today I did the YMCA and the crowd did it back to me. It was more of a Y-M-Y again and again and again.

There was an S in there.

Yes, we've been working on new arm formation for future shows.

Remi Wolf

Did you manage to catch anyone else’s set so far?

Yes! So, yesterday I watched Djo’s set and I watched Clairo’s set. But today, no.

Is there anyone you’re still itching to go and see in the next few days?

I need to see Charli…badly. I need to see Beabadoobee. I would love to see Eyedress, I haven’t been able to see his set yet.

You’ve got plenty of time to do that – a few more shows left. What can people expect from your set? I know you’re yet to play today, but what’s the kind of energy you’re ready to bring today?

Today, I feel free and fun, so I think the set will be like, loose and energetic and intense but in a way that’s very approachable.

Best of both worlds there! And I know you have a really amazing sense of fashion. Do you have an amazing outfit planned for the stage today?

You’re looking at it baby!

Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Yes I can! Okay, these boots I wear every day – they are Jeffrey Campbell. These are tights that have been handmade by this artist that lives in LA. This is a vintage little lace number, open leg so I can kick and flail my limbs. This belt I wear all the time on stage, honestly it just keeps me tight and locked in. I’ll put on my little pack back here, string them up over the ears and we’re good to go. And I just bought this [top] in Sydney today from a store. What does the tag say?

It’s from AFENDS – I don’t know how to pronounce it! It’s a Byron Bay store, but they have a few outposts here.

It’s Australia baby!