Australia Day Hottest 100 Countdown LIVE @ Drift

It may seem foreign to some, but one of the most popular ways to celebrate Australia Day is to gather some mates, kick back with a beer and listen to a 100-song countdown.

Yes, that’s right, 100 songs. An eclectic collection of tunes, deemed most popular by adoring fans of hit radio station Triple J.

Now, you say, what’s so Australian about that? Are all the songs Australian?

The Triple J Hottest 100 has become an institution over the years. As iconic as a “Shrimp on the Barbie”, a game of backyard cricket and an esky full of beer.

Well, for some, it’s even better — a collection of all three plus a dip in the ocean or boozy pool party.

But what’s made this annual music listener poll most endearing is its international appeal. Australia Day parties are no longer Australia Day parties without the top 100. It’s become a worldwide phenomenon.

Over the years, Australians have gone to extreme lengths to ensure they hear the countdown. Calling in from around the world — freezing their balls off in Russia, turning ‘Rasta’ in Jamaica, having and Aussie-US frat party in the States or tearing it up riverside in Vietnam. Registering their interest and joining in the fun.

For Australians living here in KL, you know exactly what I mean.

It’s been dubbed "the world's greatest music democracy”, attracting over half a million voters each year, a process that starts prior to Christmas and closes a few days before — the ultimate search for the best song of the previous year.

Groups huddle around the radio (or live computer stream, as seems more popular now), guessing, musing, hurling banter at each other; trying to pick the number one track.

“Flume’s got to be number one.”

“No way, he sucks, it’s got to be Violent Soho, man.

The live presenters play their role at building the tension, too. The last 20 songs drag out for an eternity — at least two to three hours as they interview each successful artist. What started out as a peaceful gathering at 9am, still lingers (boozily) into the early hours of the evening; ample time to fuel up and be merry.

In 2017, you can be part of the fun as well.

Drift Dining and Bar is hosting our very own Australia Day Hottest 100 Countdown party. If you’re an Australian, know of an Australia or just intrigued by this bizarre spectacle, come down and join us on Thursday, January 26 (Australia Day) for a laugh and a few drinks.

It’s part of our mega-weekend of fun, coinciding with Unleashed with Garry Tee on Friday and Chinese New Year celebrations on Saturday and Sunday. We’re even having a special Sunday Funday of Burgers, Beers, Beats on the 29th to join in the festivities.

Kuala Lumpur will be teeming with excitement, so you can venture down to Chinatown during the day and swing by Drift in the afternoon.

Chinese temples in and around Petaling Street will be packed with locals and tourists coming to worship and the streets will be occupied by lion and dragon dances plus fireworks displays at night.

So, plan ahead and make Drift your venue of choice this long-weekend.

For more information about Drift events, functions and lunches or to book your next Drift experience contact events@driftdining.com or call 0321102079.

**Photos credit to Tourism Australia and NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Drift Dining and Bar, 38 Jalan Bedara, Ground Floor Bidara Condo, Bukit Bintang

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~~ “Amazing things with amazing people and we will do amazing things.” - Owner & Managing Director, Robert Gilliland