Earlier this month I had the pleasure of announcing the inaugural Darby Street Live micro music festival, which will be held this Saturday from 2pm-8pm.
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Paris Grace, winner of last year’s Tip Jar song-writing competition, played at the announcement at Abicus on Darby Street, and her wonderful performance really hit home a couple of pertinent points.
First, I was excited to see how this free festival will use the intimate spaces of the popular street’s stores, cafes, restaurants and laneways to showcase great live, local music.
Second, seeing Paris perform was a reminder of how important the live music scene is to Newcastle’s culture.
Here was a young woman - just 16 years of age - already flourishing in her musical career, thanks in no small part to the support she has received from our local community.
We want to make sure this continues for future generations of young Novocastrian musicians and performers.
Newcastle has a solid reputation for producing and promoting quality live music and I am determined to ensure this does not fade over time.
This is a view shared across Council, as evidenced by last month’s unanimous support for the creation of the Newcastle Live Music Industry Advisory Group, which will advise all three tiers of government on policies affecting our live music scene.
Saturday’s festival will be a great boost to the city’s live music scene, with more than 25 acts covering a variety of genres, from a pop music harpist to a posse of local DJs.
Venues include fashion stores Abicus, Ramjet and Betty Mim, Cooks Hill Books & Records, Monella Gelato Bar, the Natural Tucker supermarket, licensed premises 5 Sawyers and The Hop Factory and the laneway between Canton Story and Jean Bas.
I urge everyone to get to Darby Street on Saturday, support our live music scene and enjoy some amazing local talent.
Nuatali Nelmes, Lord Mayor