SELENE AND THE STRANGE HIT THE RIGHT NOTE IN BUSKING COMP

Selene and the Strange were crowned winners ‘I’m With the Band’ competition

Manly got loud for all the right reasons as Selene and the Strange were crowned winners of East Coast Car Rentals’ ‘I’m With the Band’ competition, a campaign that turned the nation’s buskers into bona fide stars.

The indie-rock outfit took home $12,000 in cash and publicity support to fuel their musical journey, proving that sometimes all you need is grit, guitar strings, and a good stretch of highway.

The little stage that could

The Manly showcase featured eight standout acts on stage: Selene and the Strange, Hope Held Hostage, Caleb Foster, Gilroy, Ash Morse, LACE, Harriet Lowe, and Andryel Jung, for an afternoon that championed the raw, unfiltered joy of live music.

Hosted by singer-songwriter Katie Jayne, who also served as performer and Q&A moderator, the event celebrated musical ambition and community spirit.

Runners-up Hope Held Hostage and Caleb Foster each received $500 in prize money, while the other finalists scored $500 East Coast Car Rentals vouchers, because every great gig deserves a good road trip.

Selene and the Strange Driving the beat

Ben Whitmore, Chief Marketing Officer at East Coast Car Rentals, summed it up best:

“Seeing these artists perform live in Manly really brought to life what ‘I’m With the Band’ is all about, discovering incredible local music and giving grassroots talent the chance to take their sound further.," he said.

"We’re proud to help Selene and the Strange, along with all of our finalists, take the next step in their careers.”

The campaign tapped into Australia’s deep affection for both music and the open road — that particular brand of freedom that pairs perfectly with guitars in the boot and lyrics on the windscreen.

The stage stays open

For fans who missed the Manly showcase, East Coast Car Rentals will release videos of each finalist’s performance and a curated playlist in the coming weeks.

It’s a digital encore designed to keep the music and the momentum alive.

Host Katie Jayne added, “It was such an incredible experience to host ‘I’m With the Band’ and to see just how much talent we have coming through in Australia.

Every act brought something unique to the stage and the crowd in Manly really felt that. Selene and the Strange were so deserving of the win, but every performer left their mark.”

Music meets the open road

‘I’m With the Band’ launched earlier this year to spotlight Australia’s undiscovered musical talent.

By transforming everyday travel into a stage, the campaign demonstrated that creativity doesn’t require a red carpet; sometimes, all it needs is a roadside crowd and a dream worth chasing.