In the 2000s, Australian music was a diverse mix of genres, including alternative rock, folk, indie, hip hop and country, with new singers and bands gaining popularity and exposure using the internet and television. 

Throughout the 2000s, women started to dominate the alternative music scene with their powerful stage presence and otherworldly talent. Following in the footsteps of riot grrrl, they proudly represented the fact that women rock just as hard, if not harder, than men. 

Alt Rock/indie:

Jen Cloher (pictured) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and record producer. In 2001, Cloher released her debut EP titled, Movement Involves Danger, on Regency Records. Cloher then released the EP Permanent Marker via Shiny Records in 2005. The single, "Rain", was played on Triple J. Cloher's 2017 self-titled fourth studio album peaked at number 5 on the Australian ARIA Charts. From 2006 to 2010, Cloher recorded and toured with her band Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea and since 2013 she has released with Mia Dyson and Liz Stringer music under the name Dyson Stringer Cloher.

CrackWhore was a punk band born 2002. Bred from the bowels of Melbourne, CrackWhore deliver nice and sleazy rock n roll. The band had X-Stacy belting out tunes louder than any P.A. system, and the madodic thumping of drums from Jazmine.

Clare Bowditch (pictured) formed a band called Red Raku in 1998. Red Raku self-released two albums, Sweetly Sedated (1998) and Roda Leisis May (2002). In 2003, Libby Chow and Warren Bloomer joined and the band changed their name to Clare Bowditch & The Feeding Set. The band released Autumn Bone. Later in 2003, they signed with Capitol Records which rereleased the album. In 2005, Bowditch was invited by Deborah Conway to take part in the 'Broad Festival' project with three other Australian female artists at which they performed their own and each other's songs. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2006, Bowditch won the ARIA Award for Best Female Artist.

The Mystaken are a rock band from Melbourne who formed in the early 2000s, consisting of Kati Bishop, Maria Sokratis and Sally Bailey. 

Damnzal was formed in early 2003, and consisted of Tania Pennisi on lead vocals (ex Ruby Doomsday), Paula Condell on lead guitar (ex Velvet Hammer), Bindy Paxton on rhythm guitar (ex Fire Sign, and notorious Playboy pin-up!), Vanessa Payne on bass guitar (ex Ruby Doomsday) and Scott Danson on drums (ex Cyclone Tracy).   Damnzal delivered a punchy brand of Punk/Metal with plenty of enthusiasm.

Missy Higgins (pictured), is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician. Her most popular singles include "Scar", "Steer", and "Where I Stood". Her Australian number-one albums are The Sound of White (2004), On a Clear Night (2007) and The Ol' Razzle Dazzle (2012). Higgins's fourth studio album, Oz, was released in September 2014. In 2018 she released a greatest hits album called The Special Ones, and in September 2024 released the album The Second Act. Higgins was nominated for five ARIA Music Awards in 2004 and won Best Pop Release for "Scar". In 2005, she was nominated for seven more awards and won five. Nominated for many more, Higgins won her seventh ARIA in 2007 and two more in 2012, including Best Adult Contemporary Album for The Ol' Razzle Dazzle.

Sarah Blasko, is an Australian singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. From April 2002, Blasko developed her solo career after fronting Sydney-based band, Acquiesce, between the mid-1990s and 2001. As a solo artist Blasko has released six studio albums, The Overture & the Underscore (11 October 2004), What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have (21 October 2006) – which peaked at No. 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart, As Day Follows Night (10 July 2009) – which reached No. 5, I Awake (26 October 2012) – which made No. 9, Eternal Return (6 November 2015), and Depth of Field (23 February 2018). At the ARIA Music Awards of 2007, Blasko won Best Pop Release for her second album. Her third album won the Best Female Artist in 2009 and her fourth album was nominated for the same category in 2013.

In 2005, Indie rock band Sin City formed in Perth, and had a woman called Tash on vocals and guitar.

The Mercy Kills is a four-piece rock band from St Kilda featuring Jen X Costello on bass, Nathalie Gellé on guitar. The Mercy Kills started in 2006 as a three piece but gigged around Melbourne together as a quartet since 2008. In 2006 garage rock band The Slappers formed in St Kilda with Annie Griffin on drums, Amie Daniels on guitar and vocals and the legendary Spencer P. Jones on guitar. They recorded and EP at The Vault, St Kilda. 

Liz Stringer is a singer-songwriter, based in Melbourne. Releasing her first album in 2006, as of April 2021, Stringer has released six studio albums, a live album and two extended plays. In August 2008, Stringer was invited by Deborah Conway to take part in the Broad Festival project, which toured major Australian cities including performing at the Sydney Opera House. Since 2013 she has released with Mia Dyson and Jen Cloher music under the name Dyson Stringer Cloher. 

The Jezabels are an Australian indie rock band formed in Sydney in 2007, with lead vocalist Hayley Mary, and pianist and keyboardist Heather Shannon. Melbourne-based glamour-punk band The Scarlets (2011) had Nelli Scarlet on vocals and Lizzie Dynon drums.

Courtney Barnett (pictured) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and musician. Known for her deadpan singing style and witty, rambling lyrics, she attracted attention with the release of her debut EP I've Got a Friend Called Emily Ferris in 2012. International interest came with the release of her EP The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas in 2013. Barnett's debut album—Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit—was released in 2015 to widespread acclaim. At the 2015 ARIA Music Awards, she won four awards from eight nominations. She was nominated for Best New Artist at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards and International Female Solo Artist at the 2016 Brit Awards. She released Lotta Sea Lice, a collaborative album with Kurt Vile, in 2017. She released her second album, Tell Me How You Really Feel, to further acclaim in 2018.

Karina Utomo (pictured) is an extreme metal vocalist, composer and co-founder of extreme metal projects Rinuwat, KILAT and High Tension (formed in 2012 with Lauren Hammel on drums). Utomo’s vocal practice explores multi-disciplinary forms of extreme-metal, experimental cross-cultural practices and extra-normal voicing. Aspects of Utomo’s practice are informed by and interwoven with Javanese mythology and storytelling.

Performing since 2007 under their previous name The Follow, rock band The Art (2014) consists of Azaria Byrne on vocals and guitar and Kara Jayne on bass and vocals.  

RVG (an acronym of Romy Vager Group) are an Australian rock band from Melbourne, formed in 2015, with Romy Vager on vocals and lead guitar Isabele Wallace on bass. RVG have released three studio albums to date: A Quality of Mercy (2017), Feral (2020) and Brain Worms (2023). The band's blend of indie rock and post-punk has found considerable critical acclaim within Australia.

Coda Chroma (aka Kate Lucas) (pictured) is an award-winning songwriter from Ballarat, Victoria, and is described as “one of the most innovative and noteworthy musicians in Australia." The band released their first CD Ep in 2016. 

Tropical Fuck Storm are an Australian rock band and supergroup from Melbourne, that formed in 2016 with Fiona Kitschin from The Drones on bass, Lauren Hammel, from the band High Tension on drums, and Erica Dunn, from the bands Mod Con, Harmony, and Palm Springs, on guitars, keyboards, and other instruments. Their sound is characterised by elements of art punk, noise rock and experimental rock.

Private Function are an Australian punk group that formed in 2016 and have since gained a huge following. They have released three studio albums. Milla Holland plays bass, and sings backing and occasional lead vocals and Lauren Hester plays rhythm guitar. 

Ubik started in 2016 as the side project of members from the band Masses, with guitarist Tessa Tribe, bassist Nellie Pearson, and vocalist Ashleigh "Ash" Wyatt.

Stella Donnelly is a Welsh-Australian indie rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. After the success of her debut EP Thrush Metal in 2017, she signed with Secretly Canadian in 2018. She released her debut studio album Beware of the Dogs to critical acclaim in March 2019, peaking at number 15 on the ARIA Album Charts, and winning Independent Album of the Year at the AIR Awards.

Küntsquäd are a 4 piece Crustmetal/Deathpunk band that formed in Melbourne in 2017, and is spearheaded by frontwoman Paula Damnzal who also wields a guitar. 

In 2008 rock ‘n’ roll/punk-pop group Baby 8 (pictured)had Rachel Fraser on vocals, Katie Dixon  on guitar/vox, Jacqui Brown on lead guitar and Ruth Brown on bass. In 2018 the band had a different lineup, consisting of Rachel Lendvay on vocals, Katie Dixon on guitar and Maureen Gearon (NQR) on bass.  Lead by three strong women, Baby 8 released their debut full-length album in 2018, grungely titled We hate each other but we hate you more. Katie Dixon was also a member of rock'n'roll band Powerline Sneakers. 

POP!/Hip Hop/Electronic:

Nikki Webster is best known for her role in performing at both the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics opening ceremony, and the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics closing ceremony as well for her song "Strawberry Kisses", which made number 21 on the list of Top 25 singles in Australia released in 2001.

Leah Haywood recorded a top-40 album, Leah, released in 2001 on Epic Records, which contained her top-10 single, "We Think It's Love". Two more top-40 hits followed with "Crazy" in 2000 and "Takin' Back What's Mine" in 2001. Haywood's song "Summer of Love" was the theme for Channel Ten Australia at the Start of 2002.

Rogue Traders formed in Melbourne in 2002 with Natalie Bassingthwaighte on vocals.  Rogue Traders have achieved chart success in Australia, with seven top 20 hits on the ARIA Singles Chart, "One of My Kind", "Voodoo Child", "Way to Go!", "Watching You", "We're Coming Home", "Don't You Wanna Feel" and "I Never Liked You". 

The first album for Holly Valance, Footprints (2002), provided three top three singles: "Kiss Kiss", "Down Boy" and "Naughty Girl". The title song of her second and final album, State of Mind (2003), was also a UK top ten single.

Delta Goodrem (pictured) is an Australian singer, songwriter, television personality and actress. Goodrem signed a recording contract with Sony Music at the age of 15. Her debut studio album, Innocent Eyes (2003), topped the ARIA Albums Chart for 29 non-consecutive weeks. It is one of the highest-selling Australian albums and is the second-best-selling Australian album of all time with over four million copies sold. Goodrem's second studio album, Mistaken Identity (2004), was recorded while she was undergoing treatment for cancer. It became her second number-one album. In 2007, Goodrem released Delta, her third number-one album, which saw another number-one single, "In This Life". Her fourth studio album, Child of the Universe (2012), produced the single "Sitting on Top of the World". In 2016, her fifth studio album, Wings of the Wild, became her fourth number-one album on the ARIA Albums Chart, while giving her another number-one single, "Wings". Goodrem has a total of nine number-one singles and 17 top-ten hits on the ARIA Singles Chart. She has sold over eight million albums globally and overall has won three World Music Awards, 12 ARIA Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and several other awards.

Blue MC, is an Australian rapper and electronic music singer. She was vocalist for Australian electro-house and dance music group the Potbelleez from 2005 to 2012. At the APRA Music Awards of 2012 she won the Dance Work of the Year category for co-writing their song, "From the Music".

I Heart Hiroshima was a three piece act from Brisbane, formed in July of 2005 at a house party and included Susie Patten (drums/vocals). The band developed a unique sound from their 'bass-less' band structure of two guitars and drums, combined with shared vocal duties from all three members. The band released two albums before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2011.

Kate Miller-Heidke (pictured) is an Australian singer and songwriter. Although classically trained, she has generally followed a career in alternative pop music. Four of her solo studio albums have peaked in the top 10 of the ARIA Albums Chart, Curiouser (October 2008), Nightflight (April 2012), O Vertigo! (March 2014) and Child in Reverse (October 2020). Her most popular single, "The Last Day on Earth" (July 2009), reached No. 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart after being used in promos for TV soap, Neighbours, earlier in that year. At the ARIA Music Awards Miller-Heidke has been nominated 17 times.

Gabriella Cilmi s an Australian pop singer and songwriter. A contralto, Cilmi is known for her distinctive raspy singing voice.Her debut album, Lessons to Be Learned, was released in March 2008, becoming a moderate international success. Cilmi won six ARIA Music Awards, including Single of the Year and Best Female Artist, in 2008. Her second studio album, Ten, was released in March 2010. Her third studio album, The Sting, was released in November 2013. In November 2019, Cilmi released a six-track EP, The Water, which she called a taste of a yet-to-be-released studio album.

Celia Pavey, known professionally as Vera Blue (pictured), is an Australian singer-songwriter signed with Island Records Australia, which is part of Universal Music Australia. Her folk-inspired album This Music peaked at number 14 on the Australian ARIA Charts in July 2013.

Winter Sun are a band from Melbourne who formed in 2014 and includes singer/ songwriter Laura Trapnell on vocals and Angela Howard on bass.  Winter Sun’s brand of dynamic melodic Rock is beguiling; a mix of genres and styles, sweet and bitter, hard and soft, complex and simple. in 2017 Edwina Preston was part of Melbourne post-punk electronic band Atom, on keyboards/vocals.

Sampa Tembo, known professionally as Sampa the Great, is a Zambian singer, rapper and songwriter. Between 2014 and 2020, she was based in Australia. Her debut solo album, The Return (September 2019), peaked at No. 12 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019 she won Best Hip Hop Release for her second single, "Final Form". In the following year she won the same category for The Return, as well as Best Female Artist and Best Independent Release. In March 2020 Sampa became the first artist to win the Australian Music Prize twice: for Birds and the Bee9 (November 2017) and The Return.

Tkay Maidza is a Zimbabwean-born Australian singer-songwriter and hip hop artist from Adelaide, South Australia. She has been nominated for and won many awards, and released two albums: Tkay (2016) and Sweet Justice (2023). She collaborated with Flume on her 2023 single "Silent Assassin".

Alison Wonderland, is an Australian electronic dance music producer, DJ, and singer. Her debut album, Run, was released on 20 March 2015, which peaked at No. 6 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by ARIA. Her second album, Awake, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Dance/Electronic Albums. She was listed at No. 96 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs in October 2018. She is also the highest billed female DJ in Coachella history.

Mo'Ju (previously as Mojo Juju), is an Australian musician, best known for their 2018 album Native Tongue and the lead single of the same title. The single won the Best Independent Single category in the 2019 AIR Awards. They play guitar and piano, write songs and sing, and have created music in a number of genres. Mo'Ju has toured with international performers and their music has been featured in a number of television shows. Their identity is a matter of pride and they have spoken publicly and through their music about being Wiradjuri, Filipino and queer.

Toni Watson, known professionally as Tones and I (pictured), is an Australian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She is best known for her breakout single "Dance Monkey" (2019), which reached number one in over 30 countries including her home country Australia. Tones was the most awarded artist at the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, winning four of eight nominations. She released her debut extended play, The Kids Are Coming, on 30 August 2019; it peaked at number three in Australia, and top 10 in several countries. 

Amyl and the Sniffers are an Australian pub rock and punk rock band based in Melbourne, consisting of vocalist Amy Taylor ("Amyl"), drummer Bryce Wilson, guitarist Declan Mehrtens, and bassist Gus Romer (the "Sniffers"). Their self-titled debut album was released in 2019. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2019, their self-titled debut record won the Best Rock Album category. Their 2017 song "Balaclava Lover Boogie" was written about the suburb of Balaclava. 

Country/Folk:

Beccy Cole (pictured) is an Australian country music singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has released ten studio albums, with six reaching the ARIA Albums Chart top 40, Little Victories (January 2003), Preloved (September 2010), Songs & Pictures (September 2011), Great Women of Country (with Melinda Schneider, November 2014), Sweet Rebecca (April 2015) and The Great Country Songbook Volume 2 (with Adam Harvey, April 2017). Her video album, Just a Girl Singer (August 2004), peaked at No. 6 on the ARIA Top 40 DVD Chart. Cole has received nine Golden Guitar trophies at the CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia. During December 2005 to January 2006 she performed for Australian Defence Force personnel in Iraq. Her related single, "Poster Girl (Wrong Side of the World)" (May 2016), expresses her support for the troops. It won the 2007 Song of the Year at CMAA awards, and its music video was listed at No. 1 on Australia's Country Music Channel. 

Laura Jean is an Australian musician from Melbourne, who is known for her classically inspired folk songs, often using a range of orchestral instruments. She garnered much critical acclaim for her debut album, Our Swan Song (2006), receiving high rotational support from community and alternative radio stations such as Triple J. Her second album, Eden Land, was released in 2008 in Australia. Also in 2008, Laura Jean was invited by Deborah Conway to take part in the 'Broad Festival' project, which toured major Australian cities including performing at the Sydney Opera House.

Suzannah Espie & the Last Word (pictured) formed in 2005. Susannah's original songs brim with soul and country attitude; her voice is so rich and satisfying. Suzannah, with her pianist, Andrew 'Big Boy Lemonade' Ogburn, won the 2007 MBAS Blues performer of the year and flew to Memphis to represent Australia in the Blues awards there. Now, she has emerged as an astounding singer and songwriter in her own right. Her performances are mesmerizing: you are lulled by softness in her voice and then punched in the nose with it's sassy strength. And the songs themselves are also strong.  Suzannah also performs with Sarah Carroll in country outfits the Cartridge Family and the Junes, and she has released three solo albums: A Few More Days (2005), First and Last Hotel (2009) and most recently, Sea Of Lights (2012).

Alison Ferrier is a prolific songwriter, talented guitarist and an active player in Melbourne’s vibrant music scene. Alison is an Alt Country singer who founded the Wayward Fancies in 2006 before going solo.  Her third studio album What She Knows is an evocative and emotive slice of folk, country, blues and rock 'n' roll and has established Ferrier as a force to be reckoned with.

Julia Stone is an Australian folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Her debut solo album, The Memory Machine, was released in September 2010. Her second solo album, By the Horns, was released in May 2012, and peaked at No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart. 

Australian Cosmic Country Queen Freya Josephine Hollick has mined a rich alluvial songwriting vein across 3 full-length albums including The Unceremonious Junking Of Me (2015), 2018’s Feral Fusion and most recently The Real World in 2022.

Julia Jacklin is an Australian singer-songwriter from the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales. Jacklin's musical style has been described as indie pop, indie folk, and alternative country. She has released three studio albums, Don't Let the Kids Win (2016), Crushing (2019) and Pre Pleasure (2022).

Jazz/Funk/Blues:

Diving Bell was initially formed in late 2000, and were centred around German native Claudia Schneider (vocals/double bass). Diving Bell perform Claudia Schneider's songs of loss, love and longing with a restrained, intelligent dynamic.

Mia Dyson (pictured) is an Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist. She has released six studio albums. Her second, Parking Lots, won the ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album at the ARIA Music Awards of 2005. Since 2013, Dyson has concurrently released music under the name Dyson, Stringer & Cloher with Liz Stringer and Jen Cloher.

Kylie Auldist is an Australian funk and soul singer, best known as the singer of the Bamboos and Cookin' on 3 Burners. She has also released five solo albums beginning in 2008.

Lilith Lane is a self-taught musician and songwriter, and music producer.  Her 2008 debut self-titled record is a roots, folk album that was warmly received by the local music industry.

Lanie Lane is an Australian blues-jazz singer-songwriter and guitarist. Lane released two studio albums between 2011 and 2014. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2012, Lane was nominated for five awards.

Tash Sultana is a gender-fluid Australian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer, described as a "one-person band." Sultana rose to international prominence with their 2016 single "Jungle", which was voted into third place in Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown of 2016. The following year, Sultana had three songs voted into Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2017; "Mystik" placing at number 28, "Murder to the Mind" at number 43, and their Like a Version cover of MGMT's "Electric Feel" at number 78.

Naomi Saalfield, known professionally as Nai Palm, is an Australian musician, best known as the vocalist, guitarist and occasional pianist for the jazz/funk band Hiatus Kaiyote (2011). In 2017, Nai Palm released her debut solo album Needle Paw.

Melbourne-based Nina Ferro is a multi award-winning soul singer, songwriter, session and recording artist with a powerful, evocative voice, impressive vocal range and captivating stage presence, considered by her peers and audiences alike to be one of the top vocalists around. 

Kelly Auty (pictured) is an Australian performer renowned for her soulful songwriting, dynamic voice and high energy shows. She is famous for blues, rock, country, gospel and folk stylings. Kelly and her band won Blues performer of the year in 2017 and travelled to Memphis in January 2018 to take part in the International Blues Challenge, winning a place in the semi-finals after competing with 240 acts from all over the world. The band were also awarded the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society “Band of the Year” in 2018.

All Female Acts:

• Spazzys were an Australian pop punk band, formed in 2000 by twins Katerina (guitar, lead vocals) and Lucy (bass, backing vocals) Ljubicic (AKA Kat and Lucy Spazzy), with their schoolmate Alice McNamara (Ally Spazzy) on drums and vocals. Their cover version of "My Boyfriend's Back" (February 2005) peaked at number 24 on the ARIA Singles Chart.

• The Homewreckers was an all-girl spiky-haired old school punk rock band from Melbourne, formed in 2000 by Flea ThunderPussy. 

• The Veronicas (pictured) are an Australian pop duo from Brisbane. The group was formed in 2004 by identical twin sisters Lisa and Jessica Origliasso. In 2005, the Veronicas released their debut studio album, titled The Secret Life of..., which peaked at number two on the Australian Album Chart and was certified 4× platinum by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for selling over 280,000 copies. The album spawned five singles, led by "4ever", three of which were top ten singles in Australia. In 2007, the duo released their second studio album, Hook Me Up, which also peaked at number two in Australia and was certified 2× platinum for selling over 140,000 copies. The album garnered four Australian top ten singles. The album's title track, "Hook Me Up", was the Veronicas' first number one single in Australia, while "Untouched" was an international top-ten hit.

• Beanort was an all-female band from the ACT in 2001, consisting of Kathryn Harley on Bass/ Vocals, Kornelia Kaczmarek on Drums and Adelaide Jones on Guitar/Backing Vocals. 

• Joey Bedlam formed all-girl 1960s garage rock band DollSquad in 2004. 

• The Shimmys were an all-female garage punk band that formed in Melbourne in 2004 and consisted of Babs Dior (drums, vocals), Kitty Deluxe (bass), Suzy Watusi (guitar, vocals).

• Young Divas was an Australian pop girl group formed in 2006 by Sony BMG Australia, initially for a one-off single and national tour to promote all members as solo artists. The original line-up consisted of former Australian Idol contestants, including season one finalist Paulini, season two finalist Ricki-Lee Coulter, season three winner Kate DeAraugo and season three runner-up Emily Williams. Young Divas released a cover version of Donna Summer's "This Time I Know It's for Real" to attract attention for the tour. The song peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 

• Killerbirds (pictured) are Bindi Masterson (guitar/lead vocals), Prue Allan (bass/vocals), and Nadine Muller (drums/vocals). The trio formed in Bendigo in 2006 and have a sound that is a 'cranked up blend of 1970's Runaways with elements of brash 80's hard rock and 90's grunge revisionism' . They have played alongside the likes of Cosmic Psychos, Celibate Rifles, The Supersuckers, Bored!, Airbourne, Magic Dirt and The Living End. The band released a self titled debut EP in 2007 and an EP titled My Mind's A Warzone in 2009. The first Melbourne gig Killerbirds played was at the Greyhound Hotel in St. Kilda with Ian Rilen & The Love Addicts with Cathy Green on bass. Some of the band's most memorable gigs have been at The Espy and the St. Kilda Bowls Club. They liked playing in St. Kilda and always got a warm reception on that side of the river. 

• Stonefield are an Australian rock band that were formed in late 2006,comprising the four Findlay sisters: Amy, Hannah, Sarah, and Holly. 

• Deathbird was an all female band formed in 2007 and had Paula Damnzal on guitar, Lisa 2 Million on drums, Flea ThunhderPussy on bass.

• Brigitte Handley & The Dark Shadows are an all female lineup formed in 2007 who play their own brand of 1950s rock'n'roll. The band consists of Brigitte Handley on vocals and guitar, Carly Chalker on bass and Nerida Wu on drums. 

• On the Prowl were an all-female punk band that were around in 2008 and consisted of Annie, Jazmine and Lindsay. 

• Cherry Bangers was a short-lived band formed in 2009.

• Liquor Snatch was a punk/dyke band formed in 2010 by Flea ThunderPussy. The band went from a 5 piece to a 4 piece and finally to a 3 piece, with Flea as the remaining original member on bass. That band lasted until 2015.

• Valentiine (pictured) are a 3 piece all-girl garage rock band from Melbourne who formed in 2010. Valentiine are Vanessa (guitar/vocals), Erica (bass/vocals) and Shelly (drums/vocals). Valentiine reincarnate the heavy 90’s into something beautiful – dirty pop hooks drowned in the honesty of screaming vocals with seething cheerleader harmonies over the top. Their live shows fill the room with a dark beauty and simple melodies that’ll rent a room in your head and refuse to leave.

• Around 2012 Megan Bawden, Rosie Hayden and Vivienne Gay put together a band called The Originals. They played together until 2020. 

• Alice, Bianca and Shannon are The Girl Fridas, an all-female band that formed in 2013 and whose members are fighting the patriarchy by daylight and making music by moonlight. 

• The Dames are Clare Moore on drums/vocals, Kaye Louise Patterson on keys/vocals and Rosie Westbrook on bass/backing vocals. Their debut self titled album was released in 2013.

• Glitoris (pictured) (a portmanteau of "glitter" and "clitoris") are a four-piece all-female punk rock band from Canberra who formed in 2014. The band is composed of Keven 007 (vocals and guitar), Malcolm (bass), Mickey (drums) and Andrew (lead guitar). Glitoris are known for their use of punk rock sounds and utilisation of humorous and political subject matter in their lyrics. The group occasionally incorporate multi-layered vocal harmonies into their sound and usually perform in vivid costumes and make up. Their fanbase are known as the 'Gliterati'. The band are popular amongst the LGBTQI+ community and often speak out on matters of gender and sexual equality.

• Camp Cope (pictured) were an alternative rock band formed in 2015 in Melbourne. The group's lineup consisted of lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Georgia "Georgia Maq" McDonald, bassist Kelly-Dawn "Kelso" Hellmrich, and drummer Sarah "Thomo" Thompson. The band were signed with independent Melbourne label Poison City Records. Camp Cope's music has been described as "part Courtney Barnett, part Juliana Hatfield," and "melodic, uplifting and aching" Georgia Maq herself, meanwhile, described the band's sound as "power emo." In 2019, Happy Mag listed them at no.3 on their list of "the 15 Australian female artists changing the game right now.

• Haiku Hands (pictured) are an alternative dance electronic music group from Sydney and Melbourne, formed in 2017. The group consists of Claire Nakazawa,Beatrice Lewis, Mie Nakazawa, and Mataya Young.  

• The Wraylettes are the world's first all girl Link Wray tribute band who formed in around 2018 to exclusively play the tunes of the great guitar hero, Link Wray. 

• MVP is an all female four piece who formed in 2018 in Brisbane, and who make beautifully crafted all-vocal electro-pop music.

• K5 are a three-piece band from Castlemaine Victoria that formed in 2019. Zeb from Matrimony plays guitar and sings, Nicole Tadpole from RRR's Respect the Rock plays bass and Julia from the library hits the drums.

• Parsnip is an all-female Australian rock band. They released their debut album, When the Tree Bears Fruit in 2019 with the line-up of Carolyn Hawkins on drums, Stella Rennex on guitar and vocals, Paris Richenson bass guitar and vocals and Rebecca Liston on keyboards.

• The Honkytonk Angels - an all-female country/folk band consisting of Jody Bell, Anna Burley and Barb Waters with Jen Anderson.

International artists:

• Iggy Azalea is an Australian rapper, songwriter, model and businesswoman. Born in Sydney, Australia, Azalea moved to the United States at the age of 16 in order to pursue a career in music. Azalea earned public recognition after releasing the music videos for her songs "Pussy" and "Two Times" on YouTube. Shortly after releasing those two songs, she released her debut mixtape, Ignorant Art (2011), and subsequently signed a recording contract with American rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle label.

• Sia is an Australian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Adelaide, she started her career as a singer in the acid jazz band Crisp in the mid-1990s. When Crisp disbanded in 1997, she released her debut studio album, OnlySee, in Australia. Sia moved to London and provided vocals for the British duo Zero 7. She released her second studio album, Healing Is Difficult, in 2001 and her third, Colour the Small One, in 2004. Sia moved to New York City in 2005 and toured the United States.

Indigenous Artists: 

Emma Donovan is an Aboriginal Australian singer and songwriter. She is a member of the renowned musical Donovan family. She started her singing career at age seven with her uncle's band, the Donovans. In 2000, she became a founding member of Stiff Gins, leaving the band three years later to release the solo album Changes in 2004. She performs with the Black Arm Band and released a solo EP, Ngaaraanga, in 2009. She has been nominated for multiple Deadly Awards including Female Artist of the Year, and performed at the opening of the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay. She won Best Female Artist at the 2009 BUMP Awards.

Shakaya (pictured) was a two-piece girl group who achieved fame in the early 2000s. Naomi Wenitong and Simone Stacey met at the Cairns-based ATSIC Music College in 1999 and went on to sign with Sony as Shakaya in 2001. They toured with Destiny’s Child, Usher, Kylie Minogue and Ja Rule. 

Gina Chrisanthopolous, known by her stage name Little G, is an Australian rapper, actress, dancer, and community activist. She has performed at the Big Day Out, Songlines Music Festival and the Royal Melbourne Show and appeared in plays such as Scratchin' and DiaTribe, and presented a hip-hop showcase for National Indigenous Television.

Jessica Mauboy (pictured) is a popular R&B artist who was launched into the public arena as a runner-up on Australian Idol in 2006. She subsequently signed a contract with Sony Music and released her debut studio album, Been Waiting, in 2008, with her first number-one single, Burn. The album became the second highest-selling Australian album of 2009 and was certified double platinum. 

Contemporary-folk singer, songwriter and guitarist Leah Flanagan (pictured) studied Classical Music at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide. In 2010 she released her debut album, Nirvana Nights after which she has spent a number of years touring nationally, establishing herself as a performer on Australia’s live festival circuit.  In 2016 her LP Saudades was selected as feature album by ABC, RRR and PBS Radio with its songs ‘Chills’ and 'Old Fashioned' reaching top spots on Australian Independent Radio and AMRAP metro charts.

MC Lady Lash - Crystal Clynne’s vocal technique ranges across hip hop, soul and jazz. She performs as spoken-word lyricist MC Lady Lash and the soulful diva Crystal Mercy. As a Kokatha-Greek woman from Ceduna on South Australia’s West Coast, Crystal’s first EP as MC Lady Lash (Pearl, 2010) was featured in the ABC series Ready for This and she was awarded Redfern Records' 'Female of the Year' prize. In 2012 she released the album Crystal Mercy: The Fisherman’s Daughter, leading to her receiving a Victorian Indigenous Performer Award for Most Promising Act and an Age Music Victoria Genre Award for Songlines Best Indigenous Act in 2013.

New to the music scene, indie-roots musician Thelma Plum was in the first intake of students to graduate from Brisbane’s Music Industry College in 2011. She was soon discovered on Unearthed by Triple J with her song Father Said and invited to perform at the 2012 National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA). Her 2013 debut EP, Rosie, includes singles Around Here and Dollar, which have earned her accolades including the NIMA for New Talent of the Year.

Emily Wurramara (pictured) was born on Groote Eylandt (Northern Territory), home to Australia’s First Nation’s People the Warnindhilyagwa. Now based in Brisbane, she sings in both traditional language - Anindilyakwa and in English. Her songs tell of the contrasting worlds of Groote Eylandt and her life on mainland Australia. They range from the experiences of her family as First Nations Australians, to concerns of protecting and cherishing our native bushland and beaches. In 2016 her debut EP, Black Smoke was released. It spent 10 weeks on the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP) charts, reached number 17 on triple j’s Unearthed and resulted in her signing to Australia’s Mushroom Records. In 2018 she released her first full-length album, named Milyakburra after the island of her grandparents. Its single, 'Ngarrukwujenama (I’m hurting)', was written in response to the mining on her island home and has been awarded the Queensland Music Award’s Indigenous song of the year (2018).

The Australian Invasion:

In 2014, journalist and musician Jimi Kritzler, created a book titled Noise in my Head: Voices from the Ugly Australian Underground to describe the music, song writing, aesthetics, lives and struggles of 50 of Australia's most innovative and creatively significant bands and artists at the creative peak of their careers at that time.

Since the late 1990s, the Australian underground music scene has being heralded not only in Australia but also in Europe and particularly America. Known as the 'Australian Invasion', in America, many of the bands interviewed in Kritzler's book received a great deal of hype and press in America with many of the bands signing to American record labels.

Bands from this book that had female members in them included: 

• The Drones with Fiona Kitschin on bass. Formed in 1997.

• The Garbage and The Flowers with Helen Johnstone (1997).

• Panel of Judges with Alison Bolger on vocals/bass. Formed in 1998.

• HTRK with Jonnine Standish on Vocals, formed in 2003.

• Straightjacket Nation with Emily Jans as a band member. Formed in 2005.

• Blank Realm with Sarah Spencer on shared vocals. Formed in 2005.

• Fabulous Diamonds with Nisa Venerosa on drums/vocals. Formed in 2005. 

• Holy Balm with Emma Ramsay and Anna John. Formed in 2006.

• Naked on the Vague with Lucy Phelan on electronic drums/keyboards/vocals. Formed in 2006.

• Uv Race with Alex Glazov on keyboards and Georgia Rose on Saxophone. Formed 2007.

• Straight Arrows/Circle Pit with Angela Bermuda (pictured). Formed in 2007 and 2008.

• Twerps with Julia McFarlane on vocals/guitar. Formed in 2008.

• Songs with Ela Stiles on vocals. Formed in 2008 /2009.

• Dick Diver/Boomgates with Stephanie Hughes on Drums. Formed in 2008 and 2012.

• St. Helens with Hannah Brooks on vocals. Formed in 2009.

• Chrome Dome with Andrea Blake on keys/vocals. Formed in 2009.

• Nun with Jenny Branagan (pictured) on vocals. Formed in 2011.

Other female Singers/Musicians/Acts of this era include: A.Girl, Alex the Astronaut, Ali Barter,  Amber Lawrence, Angie McMahon, Anna Lunoe, Ashleigh Dallas, Baby et Lulu, Bek Stoodley, Biddy Connor, Carla Geneve, Cassie Davis, Chelsea Cullen, Chelsea Jane, Cosima De Vito, Crystal Thomas, Ella Thompson, Emily Barker, Emma Louise, Emma Swift, Eves Karydas, Evie Irie, Felicity Urquhart, George Maple, Giulietta, Gossling, Hatchie, Hayley Aitken, Jade MacRae, Jess Kent, Julia Jacklin, Kota Banks, Kita Alexander, Krunchy McSlutface, Kučka, Laura Davidson, Lauren Elizabeth, Mahalia Barnes, Mallrat, Marilyn Rose Veil, Maya Vice, Meg Mac, Michaela Cook, Moogy Morgan, Nardia Rose Brancatisano, Nat Allison, Nici Blue Eyes, Nkechi Anele, Phoebe Killdeer, Rachael Kane, Ruby Fields, Sahara Beck, Sarah Aarons, Sinead Burgess, The Lovers, Vanessa Kortlang, Viki Mealings, Zoe Davis.

Interesting Facts:

• The Jackson St Festival, in Jackson St, St Kilda was created in 2000 by a woman called Maree Kelly who lived in Jackson St. The theme of the small street festival was 'Local Produce Country', with acts like C.W Stoneking, Jen Cloher, Butterfly, Red Hot Poker Dots, Lisa Miller, Mary Hillbillies and Shonkytonk playing for the local community. Attractions included included a mechanical bull in the street, apple bobbin', and a jelly eating competition, along with farmyard animals. 

• In 2017 St Kilda band booker Suzi Q P Dohl curated an event called 'Blondie Has More Fun'. This involved an all-star band featuring Billy Pommer Jr, Stephen Hadley, Angela Howard and Jessica Harris. The night was a Blondie fan's dream come true - with many amazing Blondies singing and covering their favourite Blondie tune. Everyone sang along, danced along, got along and together they raised a few grand for a local charity. Everyone wanted more, everyone wanted to do it again, so Suzi Q P Dohl created another event in 2020. All profits raised went to Sacred Heart Women's House and St Kilda Gatehouse - a charity that works with the disadvantaged women of St Kilda.  Singers included Helen Ryder, Helen Cattanach, Fiona Lee Maynard, Vic Meehan, Laura Trapnell, Cranky Pants and more...

Photo Credits: 

• Jen Cloher, c. 2001 - Photo by Anya Van Lit - Source: Jen Cloher Facebook

• Clare Bowditch, 2006 - Source: Wikipedia

• Missy Higgins, 2014 - photo by Rebecca Houlden -  Source: Facebook

• Courtney Barnett, 2015 - Photo by Paul Hudson - Source: Wikipedia

• Karina Utomo, 2018 - Photo: Paul Tadday - Source: Seesaw

• Kate Lucas, 2016 - Photo by Melissa Grace - Source: Facebook

• Baby 8, 2009 - Photo by Kristie - Source:Flickr

• Delta Goodrem album cover, 2003 - Source: Discogs

• Kate Miller-Heidke, 2009 - Source: Wikiwand

• Vera Blue, 2016 - Source: Facebook

• Tones and I, 2020 - Source: Wikipedia

• Beccy Cole, 2003 - Source: Discogs

• Suzannah Espie, 2005 - Source: Discogs

• Mia Dyson, 2005 - Source: Mia Dyson

• Kelly Auty, 2019 - Source: MBAS

• The Veronicas, 2006 - Source Discogs

• Valentiine, 2012 - Source: Facebook

• Glitoris, 2016 - Photo by  Martin Ollman - Source: Facebook

• Camp Cope, 2015 -  Photo by LALA.photography - Source: Facebook

• Haiku Hands, 2019 - Source: Wikipedia

• Shakaya, 2002 - Source: NFSA

• Jessica Mauboy, 2006 - Source: NFSA

• Leah Flanagan, 2014 - Source: NFSA

• Emily Wurramara, 2018 - Source: NFSA

• Angela Bermuda, 2011 - Source: Discogs

• Jenny Branagan, Nun, 2018 - Source: Nun Facebook

• Blondies Have more Fun flier, 2020 - Source: Facebook