ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR NEEDLE IN THE HAY INTERNATIONAL 2025!
ENTER NOW TO WIN FROM OVER $30,000 IN PRIZES
Needle in the Hay International is an annual competition and event run by Happy Mag which champions and empowers emerging bands and musicians at a time they need it most in their careers.
With a prize pool of over $30,000 including mixing and mastering packages, high quality recording gear, and plug-in packages, the competition has been carefully curated to give artists the shot in the arm their projects need.
2024 JUDGES
Ben Lee
Ben Lee is a multifaceted Australian singer-songwriter, musician, and actor known for his distinctive musical talent, artistic versatility, and prominence in the international music scene.
Abbie Chatfield
Abbie Chatfield is a renowned Australian media personality, reality TV star, and feminist advocate who has gained an immense following for her incisive hot takes and outspoken personality.
Akala Newman
Akala Newman is a singer-songwriter from Wiradjuri and Gadigal lands, whose rich cultural heritage and evocative songwriting has rightfully earned her renown in the contemporary music scene.
Andy Golledge
Andy Golledge is a singer-songwriter heralded for his captivating music, soulful storytelling and widespread acclaim within the Australian music scene.
Jadey O’Regan
Jadey O’Regan is an esteemed music educator and Lecturer in Contemporary Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, whose wealth of expertise has shaped the next generation of musicians.
Andrew Khedoori
A radio veteran, Andrew currently serves as manager of CBAA’s Amrap initiative, overseeing distribution of new Australian music to community radio stations nationwide.
Dave Jenkins Jr.
Musician, writer and producer known for his work on Daniel John’s ARIA chart-topping album FutureNever and his role music director and performing with artists like Ben Lee, Vera Blue and Kirin J Callinan
Ash McGregor
A multi talented radio presenter, producer, programmer, and author, is a devoted Australian music fan, acclaimed for her bi-weekly Triple J radio show, Home and Hosed.
Emmy Mack
Best known as the charismatic frontwoman of Sydney heavy alt-rock act RedHook, Emmy Mack is also a triple j presenter, media personality, music journalist and founder of the gender diversity-inspired festival brand, Usfest.
THE GRAND PRIZE POOL
At least $10,000 in pro audio prizes
RUNNER UP PRIZES
Over $20,000 in prizes to be announced!
FINALISTS
All finalists will have their submissions listened to by Needle In The Hay’s judging panel, composed of nine industry figureheads
All finalists have the chance to play the Needle In The Hay Finalists’ Party in November 2025
NEEDLE IN THE HAY
PRIZE PARTNERS
NEEDLE IN THE HAY
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, managers and labels can enter on behalf of artists.
Yes, signed artists can enter the comp.
Yes, your music will stay 100% private.
If you’ve already released your single on vinyl, or if it has featured on another release, that’s totally ok.
Yes, you can enter old singles.
Yes, you can enter as many singles as you like.
Yes, demos are a-ok.
Yes, your music will stay 100% private.
PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A $22 ENTRY FEE.
ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS MAKING NEEDLE IN THE HAY AS AWESOME AS POSSIBLE!
ENTRIES INTO NITH INTERNATIONAL CAN BE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
WE ACCEPT UNRELEASED TRACKS, OLDER TRACKS AND DEMOS PLUS YOU CAN ENTER ON SOMEONE ELSE’S BEHALF
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