Sydney hardcore heavyweights SPEED just scored a major win – and a major bag – after being awarded $80K AUD as part of the inaugural NSW Music Prize.
Yep, the band best known for turning a flute solo into a pit-starter (‘The First Test’ supremacy) has officially been recognised by the state as one of its most powerful cultural exports. About time tbh.
SPEED – ‘THE FIRST TEST’
The award was handed out on November 24 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, where SPEED used their acceptance speech not to flex, but to uplift their scene in true hardcore fashion.
“Respectfully, our culture has never been a game nor a competition,” they said. “But we are honoured to receive this recognition and see this as acknowledgment of the values cultivated by the passionate souls around us.”
They went on to credit the new wave of Australian hardcore kids coming up behind them:
“In 2025, we have a whole new generation of amazing kids all over the country making Sydney and Australian hardcore the sickest it’s ever been… this award belongs to them – the people around us who make it what it is.”
SPEED beat out a stacked list of nominees including DJ Ninajirachi, Rüfüs Du Sol, Barkaa, Kobie Dee, Onefour, Shady Nasty, Party Dozen, 3%, and rapper Vv Pete with producer Utility.
The NSW Music Prize – delivered by Sound NSW – is a brand new annual award celebrating the creativity, innovation and impact of NSW artists on the contemporary music landscape.
SPEED’s win is more than just a cheque. It’s a sign that hardcore – sweaty, community-driven, anti-gatekeeper, DIY-til-the-end hardcore – has become an undeniable cultural force in Australia. And the band’s promise to reinvest that prize money back into the next generation is exactly what makes their scene so powerful.
Onya SPEED.
Further Reading
Speed Announce New Three-Track Release ‘All My Angels’, Share ‘Peace’
Rolling Sets 2025 Line-Up: Hilltop Hoods, Spacey Jane, Parcels + More
Speed Depart From UK Download Festival In Protest Of Barclays Sponsorship
