If you can believe, it almost seems as though Triple M’s recent announcement of the ‘Ozzest 100’ on January 26th has garnered more controversy and criticism than triple j’s recent decision to change the date of their Hottest 100 countdown. Now, two Triple M presenters have come forward to make their case for moving the date of Australia Day.
Last week, Triple M announced they were going to make use of the recently-vacated January 26th date to hold their own ‘Ozzest 100’, in an attempt to capitalise on the fact that triple j have now moved the date of the Hottest 100 countdown.
“So, the taxpayer funded FM has decided that there’ll be no soundtrack for Australia Day. Let’s face it, that’s usually full of hipsters or kids making music on a Mac,” a statement read.
“At Triple M, we’re going to give you what you’ve asked for. The perfect Australia Day soundtrack,” it continued.
Understandably, people were taken aback at the perceived insensitivity of the situation, with artist such as A.B. Original asking fans to vote for their track ‘January 26’ as a way to protest the “redneck countdown”.
Recently, former triple j presenter and current Triple M breakfast co-host Wil Anderson shared his opinion on the matter, stating that he was “extremely shocked and disappointed” by the matter, and had shared his opinion with Triple M management.
https://twitter.com/Wil_Anderson/status/943591847816859648
Now, two other high-profile presenters on Triple M have made their opinions known, with Mick Molloy and Jane Kennedy making it clear they believe that the date for Australia Day should be moved from January 26th, as the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
“I’m speaking for myself here, but I would like to see Australia Day moved so everyone can enjoy it,” Mick Molloy said. “If you want to do it, include everyone. Keep the public holiday, remove the date and everyone can enjoy it together.”
Both Molloy and Kennedy also reportedly invited Indigenous artist Dan Sultan (who also features on A.B. Original’s ‘January 26’) to speak on the matter.
Despite the criticism directed toward the station for their decision to hold the countdown, Triple M have since stood firm, releasing a statement last week that indicated they have no intention of moving their countdown.
“At Triple M we are avid supporters of Aussie music and like we do throughout the year and every Australia Day we will celebrate Aussie artists,” their response read.
While we wait and see just what will happen with the countdown, reacquaint yourself with some highly relevant Aussie music.
Check out A.B. Original’s ‘January 26’:
