TAIYO MARCHAND

Singer • Pianist • Street Performer • Australian Idol 2026

Who is Taiyo?

I am a 16-year-old multilingual Australian singer, pianist and street performer.
I was the youngest participant of the 2026 season of Australian Idol, I have managed to build a global audience with almost a million fans on Instagram through years of busking, original music releases and multilingual performances.
My goal is to share my passion for music and spread my love for music in a way that I create a connection with you!

2024 Taiyo Busking in Circular Quay with a large crowd.

Busking in Circular Quay, Sydney

  • Age: 16 (born February 2010)

  • Based in: (Manly) Sydney, Australia

  • School: Australian Performing Arts Grammar School (APGS), Sydney

  • Genres: Pop RnB

  • Instruments: Piano, vocals

  • Languages sung: English, French, Japanese, Portuguese

  • Known for: Street performances, multilingual covers, emotional delivery

  • Current highlight: Australian Idol 2026 (youngest contestant)

  • Audience: over 1 Million followers across:

  • What the artists say:

    "You're a busker, and you've shown you know how to connect with the audience." — Marcia Hines, Australian Idol

    "A well-rounded artist." — Kendji Girac, The Voice Kids France

Fast Facts

About

I am a 16-year-old singer and pianist from Sydney, and my musical journey began right on the streets. Born to a Japanese mother and a French father, I grew up immersed in multiple cultures and languages, which naturally shaped my artistic voice.

I am mostly self-taught, having learned music through experimentation, YouTube tutorials, and live performance rather than traditional training. I actually started busking when I was just six years old with a simple goal: to make people happy and to get a bit of cash. Since then, the street has remained my creative laboratory, where I test my songs, connect with audiences, and refine my craft.

Over the years, I have released several independent EPs and built a global online following of over 1,000,000 people. I have had the chance to perform across Australia and Europe, win multiple local music competitions, and I even reached the semi-finals of The Voice Kids France in 2023.

Now, I am a student at the Australian Performing Arts Grammar School (APGS) in Sydney, where I continue to balance my education, busking, and recording. In February 2026, I joined Australian Idol as its youngest contestant, opening an exciting new chapter in my artistic journey.

Read more

  • "You're like an actual proper musician at 15. You are so committed to your craft. What the hell?" — Amy Shark, Australian Idol

  • "You are so incredibly young to be that talented." — Jessica Mauboy, Australian Idol

  • "People say you're too young to do this, but this is your calling, my brother. You are ready. I arrived in Australia at 16." — Marcia Hines, Australian Idol

  • "You're a busker, and you've shown you know how to connect with the audience." — Marcia Hines, Australian Idol

  • "Thanks to your experience performing in the street, you have the power to draw everyone in. So I wanted to say, from the bottom of my heart: bravo." — Slimane, The Voice Kids France

  • "A well-rounded artist." — Kendji Girac, The Voice Kids France

What the judges say

Taiyo on stage at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Sydney.

Live Performances

Selected performances:

Music / Discography

EPs & Singles:
Taiyo, a young man with short hair and white earphones sleeping at a cluttered desk with pencils, a calculator, notebooks, a pen, a laptop, and a vinyl record player. Text overlay says 'Slow It Down' and 'Taiyo Marchand' as the cover of a song.
Young boy playing piano on the beach with ocean in background, wearing a straw hat and light-colored shirt, during daylight hours.

Interviews in English

  • Screenshot of a webpage with a logo and navigation menu, showing a headline about aTaiyo Marchand, 15-year-old performing songs in multiple languages without missing a beat.

    My Modern Net (2025)

    Article
  • Taiyo Marchand, A young boy standing on a stage in front of a colorful, neon-lit background, holding a microphone, with a grand piano beside him.

    SBS (2023) From busking to The Voice: The Aussie teen winning hearts in France

    English Article
  • Screenshot of a podcast episode titled '#2 Taiyo Marchand: Trilingual Australian busker winning hearts in France' from SBS Japanese, showing a small inset image of three people smiling and talking, and a larger image below of three people sitting at a table at SBS Audio with a backdrop that says 'SBS AUDIO'.

    SBS Japanese (2023) Taiyo Marchand: Trilingual Australian busker winning hearts in France

    Radio Interview English & Japanese
  • SBS Japanese (2023) - At 13, Taiyo is already a veteran busker travelling the world

    SBS Japanese (2023) - At 13, Taiyo is already a veteran busker travelling the world

    Audio Interview & Article
  • Social Media Post News

    Social Media Post News (2023) - How young piano musician Taiyo Marchand became a hit on the streets of Sydney

    Article
  • Taiyo Marchand, A young boy with a hat smiling at the camera, sitting at a white table with a wooden award plaque in front of him.

    Edstart (2022) - Self-taught musician building his career from the streets to the recording studio

    Article
  • Roland (2022) - Conversation with Taiyo Marchand

    Roland (2022) - Conversation with Taiyo Marchand

    Article & Videos
  • Manly Observer Article

    Manly Observer (2022) - Lively Little Manly Corso Busker Takes National Prize

    Article

Hi-Res Photos