Australian music royalty Hilltop Hoods have been celebrated with a laneway named in their honour at a ceremony today.
Clubhouse Lane, running off Hindley Street, is now known as Hilltop Hoods Lane and is the sixth addition to the City of Adelaide’s City of Music Laneways trail.
Hilltop Hoods Lane pays tribute to one of Australia’s most successful and enduring music groups through two large-scale murals created by renowned Adelaide artist Vans the Omega.
The laneway joins a growing collection of City of Music Laneways recognising South Australian music legends including Sia Furler, Cold Chisel, No Fixed Address, Paul Kelly and The Angels.
Formed in the Adelaide Hills as teenagers, Hilltop Hoods have become one of Australia’s most influential and successful musical acts.
Pioneers of Australian hip hop, the group helped bring the genre from the underground into the national spotlight through relentless touring and a catalogue of celebrated releases that have inspired generations of artists.
Hilltop Hoods’ catalogue includes Australian classics such as The Nosebleed Section, I Love It, Leave Me Lonely, Cosby Sweater and Exit Sign, alongside Adelaide tributes City of Light and 1955.
Named by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest Australian acts of all time, Hilltop Hoods are also the most featured artist in triple j Hottest 100 history.
Their achievements include a record seven ARIA Number One albums, the most of any Australian music group, along with 108 Platinum accreditations and 20 Gold accreditations and counting.
Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said Hilltop Hoods’ enduring impact on Australian music and culture made them a worthy addition to Adelaide’s City of Music Laneways.
“Once considered the Australian music industry’s underdogs, the Hoods have harnessed their talent and determination to not only top the charts but build a multi-generational fan base in their mosh pits,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Despite their global success, they have never forgotten their Adelaide roots. That’s why it’s fabulous to permanently recognise their achievements on the streets of the city – just a short walk from the venues where they started making music three decades ago.”
Pressure said the opening of Hilltop Hoods Lane “is an absolute honour”.
“It’s also somewhat surreal,” he said. “We paid our dues performing in and around these streets, teenage me would have never dreamed one of them would be named after us.”
Suffa said the Hilltop Hoods “love Adelaide”.
“This gesture just connects us even further to the place that we call home,” he said.
DJ Debris said it was “an incredible honour” to open Hilltop Hoods Lane.
“Adelaide has always been a huge part of who we are and where our music comes from, so having a laneway in the heart of the city named after us is an incredible honour,” said DJ Debris.
“It’s pretty special to think our name will now be part of Adelaide’s streetscape.”
Artist Vans the Omega said his artwork for Hilltop Hoods Lane was designed as a celebration of the band’s lasting legacy and connection with South Australians.
The murals transform the laneway into a destination celebrating the group’s extraordinary career and cultural legacy, while strengthening Adelaide’s reputation as a UNESCO City of Music.
“Few music acts are as deeply woven into the cultural fabric of South Australia as Hilltop Hoods,” said Vans the Omega.
“Their music has touched countless lives and hearts, and I wanted this artwork to honour that connection by resonating with devoted fans and the wider public alike.
“This work aims to be both uplifting and historic, offering a place to reflect on our own lives and the journey we have shared alongside music that has shaped generations of fans of all ages.
“Like the Hoods, these walls stand as a lasting testament to what can be achieved through hard work and determination in our beautiful, humble city of Adelaide.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts Kyam Maher said Adelaide has a proud music history and the Hilltop Hoods “are an iconic part of this incredible legacy”.
“I have been a massive Hilltop Hoods fan since their early breakout days on Triple J,” said Mr Maher.
“I’ve been lucky enough to attend many of their concerts over the years from huge venues like the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, to more intimate shows like concerts set amongst our magnificent vineyards.
“To see them recognised in this way only builds on the amazing impact they have had on the music industry right here and across Australia.
“I congratulate the City of Adelaide on this important project that is recognising the tremendous musical talent that has come from our UNESCO City of Music.”
The realisation of Hilltop Hoods Lane was made possible through the support of project partners Antony Tropeano, Hotel Grand Chancellor on Hindley and Frank Azzollini.
BACKGROUND – HILLTOP HOODS PROFILE
Hilltop Hoods’ unparalleled career speaks for itself. 108 platinum accreditations, 1.1 million album sales and over 2 billion streams, seven number one albums, the most entries into triple j’s Hottest 100, ten ARIA Awards, six APRA Award wins and multiple sold-out Arena tours solidify the Hilltop Hoods as one of the country’s most successful names in music.
In 2025 they once again made history with their ninth studio album, ‘Fall From The Light’, reaching Number 1 on the ARIA Album chart. Becoming the trio’s seventh Number 1 ARIA Album, this phenomenal result gave Hilltop Hoods the record for the most Number 1 ARIA Albums by an Australian Group and 4th overall by any Australian group or solo artist.
Their top 10 hits include 1955 ft. Montaigne & Tom Thum, (14 x Platinum), Cosby Sweater (14 x Platinum), Chase That Feeling (7 x Platinum), ‘Higher ft. James Chatburn’ (4 x Platinum), and ‘I Love It’ (9 x Platinum) featuring nine-time Grammy nominee Sia Furler, another City of Music Laneway honouree.
Their sphere of influence has extended into international markets, with the Hoods having maintained a strong presence throughout the UK, Europe, Canada and North America – a performance career that has included peak sets at Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, Openair Frauenfeld and Summerjam.
In 2020 they released the fundraising single I’m Good?, which was recorded in isolation during quarantine and has so far helped raise over $709,000 in much needed aid for SUPPORT ACT’s ‘Roadies (Crew) Fund’ and in 2023, they headlined Now & Forever, the all-ages, all-inclusive concert in support of The Voice referendum’s Yes Campaign.
Hilltop Hoods have long been synonymous with Australian-made triumphs. Trailblazers in a genre that eventually married the underground with commercial success, setting a blueprint for waves of contemporaries to follow, the group’s legacy is undeniable.
The labels are numerous: “Platinum Selling”, “Multi-ARIA Winning”, “Sold Out Arena Tours” – yet at the end of the day, Hilltop Hoods’ resolve remains the same.
The music they make is done with the intent to connect and last with fans, regardless of age, background or creed; time and time again, their formula pays dividends and then some.
