AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE OPEN FOR ADDISON RAE, 2HOLLIS AND MACHINE GUN KELLY ON THEIR TOURS

Images: Vasili Papathanasopoulos.

Earlier this year, The Minns Labor Government announced its plan to incentivise global touring acts to add local Australian musicians as their support by reducing hiring fees at some of NSW’s largest venues - dubbed Michael's Rule. With some major international artists heading our way over the coming months, we've been thinking about which local artists we would love to see hit the stage alongside them...

SALTY

What’s better than one pop star? Two! As we approach Addison Rae’s Australian tour, Australian artist Salty stands out as the prime choice to join the American singer for the run of shows. With her electrifying stage presence and seamless blend of pop vocals and sharp choreography, Salty knows how to command a crowd and set the tone for a high-energy show. Her anthemic tracks Down Under, Cut U Off, and Why Don’t We have already showcased her knack for crafting bold, catchy anthems that resonate with the same confident, unapologetic spirit that defines Addison’s own music. As a performer who bridges pop artistry with dynamic dance, Salty brings the kind of charisma and showmanship that would perfectly complement Rae’s tour, celebrating two artists redefining what it means to be young, fearless, and female in pop music.

PORCELAIN BOY

With their sleek, emotionally charged blend of alt-pop and electronic textures, Porcelain Boy have quickly emerged as one of Sydney’s most compelling acts, making them an ideal choice to support 2hollis on his Australian tour. The duo’s sound is cinematic yet immediate, pairing crisp production with vocals that move effortlessly between raw vulnerability and confident intensity. On stage, they command attention with a magnetic energy that transforms erupts into motion; an experience that would perfectly prepare audiences for 2hollis’ own immersive performances. By bringing a distinctly Australian edge to the run of shows, Porcelain Boy would not only complement the tours atmosphere but also introduce fans to a homegrown act capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with international names.

SOMBER HILLS

Sydney-via-New Zealand artist, Somber Hills would make an exceptional support act for Machine Gun Kelly’s Australian tour - embodying the same fearless spirit of reinvention that defines MGK’s sound and persona. Somber Hills delivers a striking blend of alt-rock intensity and pop-punk emotion, channeling raw vulnerability through brash production and magnetic stage presence. His music captures the turbulence and triumph of self-discovery, an energy that would resonate powerfully with MGK’s audience. Beyond mere compatibility, Somber Hills represents the vanguard of Australia’s evolving alternative scene: an artist who blurs boundaries, defies expectations, and transforms personal experience into cathartic connection. His presence on the tour would not only elevate the live experience but also affirm the global reach of a new, genre-fluid generation.

Michael's Rule represents a bold and strategic initiative within the Australian music industry, aimed at ensuring that international touring artists feature local support acts on their Australian shows. By mandating or incentivising the inclusion of homegrown talent, the rule seeks to create a platform for emerging Australian musicians to gain exposure to larger, often international, audiences - opportunities that were previously limited.

Beyond fostering career development for local artists, the initiative strengthens the cultural fabric of the national music scene, encouraging diversity, innovation, and collaboration. Economically, it also helps retain revenue within the local industry, as support acts contribute to ticket sales, merchandise, and local promotion. The broader benefits for nurturing domestic talent and enhancing Australia’s global music presence underscore the rule’s significance as a forward-thinking policy.