The Presets Share Their Excitement for New Music Before the Australian Open Concert
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The Presets, an iconic figure in Australian electronic music, continue to captivate audiences with a noteworthy history spanning two decades.
Founding members Kim Moyes and Julian Hamilton first crossed paths in the mid-1990s at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. They debuted their first studio album in the mid-2000s and pushed musical boundaries with the release of Apocalypto in 2008.
As Australia faces a current heatwave, the duo is set to elevate the temperature even further. Following their appearance at the Ocean Sounds Festival, they will perform at a sold-out show for AO Live Opening Week at the Australian Open 2026 on Friday, January 16, in Melbourne, marking the first event of its kind presented by Live Nation Australia.
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Many fans are wondering if new music from The Presets will soon be making waves. “I mean, there’s always the possibility,” Moyes told Billboard.com, laughing, “There’s been a few attempts at music in the last couple of years, and there’s been us bridging out and doing other things.”
Creating substantial music is a blend of art, science, and a touch of magic. “The thing with being in a band for such a long time, you sort of think, oh, I could just turn up to the studio and just start making stuff, and to a certain extent you can,” Moyes acknowledged. “But in order to make something that feels visible and alive, you need to just collect a bunch of different life experiences.”
Moyes and Hamilton have been doing just that. Last year, Moyes took on the role of music director for the Brisbane Festival’s 2025 production of Gatsby at the Green Light, while Hamilton served as musical director for the APRA Music Awards since 2024. Both have developed their skills as producers, remixers, and DJs.
The Presets released their first full-length album, Beams, in 2005. Their 2008 follow-up, Apocalypso, soared to No. 1 in Australia, fueled by hits such as “My People” and “This Boy’s In Love.” This success earned them six ARIA Awards, including for album of the year and band of the year — a historic achievement for an electronic act.
Their third album, Pacifica, marked a creative evolution and peaked at No. 3 in Australia, while their most recent release, 2018’s Hi Viz, reached No. 5 on the ARIA Chart.
“Working with different artists and producing bands and DJing, doing it separately or working as musical directors in different circumstances or in different capacities, it really adds a bit more depth and dimension to our own individual personalities,” Moyes expressed regarding the potential for new Presets music.
“There aren’t any immediate plans. But there’s always the desire and there’s always the potential.”
At AO Live Opening Week, the beloved precinct TOPCOURT will be transformed into an open-air stage for four nights of electronic music, starting Tuesday, January 13.
The Presets are scheduled to perform live, supported by RONA., Harvey Sutherland (DJ Set), and Post Percy. Additional headliners during the week will include Hot Chip, Elderbrook, and Cassian.
