Kylie Auldist: Twenty Sixteen

Ahead of her Adelaide Fringe debut at Gluttony’s Twenty Sixteen, Australian funk royalty Kylie Auldist steps into a milestone year. With new album Hybrid on the way, 2026 finds Auldist reflecting on legacy while embracing what’s next.

Interview Millah Hansberry // Photo supplied

2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for you; between Twenty Sixteen, a new solo album and celebrating your 20 years with The Bamboos. How are you feeling heading into it all?

I’m obviously excited about these new adventures. Making music with new people and singing alongside other voices makes me so happy. I know how lucky I am to still be doing what I love after all this time.

Last year marked 25 years of The Bamboos, and this year marks your 20 years fronting the band. What is a favourite memory you have with this iconic Aussie funk band?

I’ve had so many incredible experiences with The Bamboos that it’s hard to pick just one, but a memory that does stick out recently was on our tour through Europe and the UK after COVID. The moment happened in Paris. We’d just endured a particularly long and frustrating soundcheck, and after many days on the road, we were feeling weary and grubby. The band and I ducked outside to grab dinner across the road (snails and frog legs, of course), when I noticed a huge queue of people stretching down the street. I asked what they were waiting for, and someone replied, ‘We’re here to see The Bamboos!’ It was such a lovely feeling to realise that, after all these years, we still existed on the other side of the world.

You’ve just released ‘Close To You’, featuring thndo, the second single from your upcoming sixth studio album. What can you tell us about the track?

‘Close To You’ is a collaboration between myself, the two main songwriters on the album, Warren Hunter, Gillan Gregory (aka Kurt Rainbow), and thndo.

Gilly had this beautiful eight-bar idea, which he played to Woz, and almost immediately, Woz wrote the other two sections. From there, the lyrics fell into place very quickly. There was an ease to the process that felt so natural, like the song already knew where it wanted to go. Someone, I think it was Woz, mentioned that the song felt like a duet, and thndo immediately came to mind. When we played her the song, she just got it. She brought a warmth, sensitivity and soul to the track in a way only she can. It’s a song I feel deeply connected to and I’m incredibly proud of.

Your new album Hybrid is on the way. What can listeners expect from this record?

Hybrid really reflects where I’m at as an artist right now. Sonically, it draws inspiration from the dance and soul music of the early ’80s (music I grew up with), but it’s not about nostalgia. It’s about taking those influences and filtering them through who I am today.

The songs came together with a group of musicians who know me deeply, and that sense of trust allowed me to be more open and intuitive than ever. There’s a joy, groove and tenderness in the record, but also confidence and clarity. Hybrid feels like a meeting point between past and present; familiar, but still pushing forward.

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You’re heading to Gluttony with a brand-new show, Twenty Sixteen. The show revisits a year that was huge for music lovers, with the loss of icons like Bowie, Prince and George Michael. What is the significance of this year to you?

Apart from losing almost every musical hero I ever had, I also lost my father that year. He wasn’t just a wonderful dad, he was my first musical mentor and influence. He introduced me to the greats and would play guitar while I sang. My very first gig was with him at the pub in my hometown of Hay.

That year was also incredibly intense professionally. I sang on a track that went to #1 around the world and found myself flying back and forth to Europe to perform it. So, Twenty Sixteen represents this strange collision of grief and career highs; a year where everything changed, both personally and musically.

You’re joined by an all-star cast, including Jaron Jay and Dusty Lee Stephensen of 27 Club. What’s it been like collaborating with these new artists on this show?

I’ve been in the same two bands for a very long time, and I mostly sing my own original songs, so getting ready for this show really stretched my brain. Songs I thought I knew inside out turned out to be way trickier than expected. ‘1999’, I’m looking at you!

Walking into rehearsals with these musicians honestly blew my mind. They made it look effortless, singing like angels while playing instruments at the same time. I’m genuinely excited and looking forward to sharing and enjoying this show together with them all.

Is there one song in the show you’re especially excited to perform live?

The Earth Wind and Fire song ‘Serpentine Fire’ is a standout for me. It’s so funky and Jaron nails it! Our voices also seem to blend seamlessly which makes me excited to work with him.

The show will be performed at The Fantail in Gluttony. How are you anticipating the energy of this performance to resonate with audiences?

I’ve actually never been to the Adelaide Fringe, but I’ve heard it’s incredible. There’s something really exciting about stepping into that atmosphere for the first time, especially with a show like this.

Twenty Sixteen is really going to connect with audiences. The setting, the music and the shared experience all feel perfectly aligned. From the very first rehearsal, I could feel that the band had a genuine enjoyment of the songs and of each other, and when that kind of energy flows, that’s when the magic happens. I’m really excited for audiences to see what we’ve been cooking.

Catch Kylie Auldist performing at the Adelaide Fringe in Twenty Sixteen at The Fantail in Gluttony from February 19 to March 9. Tickets on sale now at gluttony.net.au.

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