The line-up for Open Street Festival has landed with artists Mat McHugh (The Beautiful Girls), The Strides, Azure Ryder, Frank Sultana, Ile Ilu and more on the main stage at Port Kembla!
Held on Saturday 5 October (long weekend), Open Street Festival is set to be a great day out for the community, complete with music, food, markets and more.
Presented by Wollongong City Council, Open Street Festival is a free, one-off event made possible by grant funding provided by the NSW Government under the Vibrant Street Package – Open Streets Program and supported by the Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce.
Image: [LtoR] Otis Wishart, LM Cr Gordon Bradbery AM, Anita Mulrooney, Greg Rogers, Robbie Gyngell, Johnny Quach.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said that the Open Street Festival is a chance for residents to celebrate the uniqueness of their community.
"Port Kembla is famously a multicultural and vibrantly diverse community located among the iconic backdrop of the steelworks and port. This festival serves as an opportunity for visitors to check out the town's thriving cultural, artistic, and business community," Cr Bradbery said.
"On the day, we'll close a section of Wentworth Street to create a temporary space for markets, outdoor dining, installations, performances and of course, lots and lots of great music. Then at twilight, as the light falls, we'll treat you to several visual effects and projections at various locations along the street."
Image: Circadia.
NSW Government's Open Streets Program aims to bring local streets to life by encouraging people to stay longer and enjoy the local goods, services, and activities.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:
"Congratulations to Wollongong City Council on securing funding for this festival under the NSW Government's Open Streets program," Mr Scully said.
"This event will help to deliver a much-needed injection into the Port Kembla CBD while bringing the community together for a day full of fun and festivities.
"I encourage residents to come along to the Open Street Festival on 5 October, to support and celebrate this vibrant and unique community."
President of the Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce, Greg Rodgers said:
"The Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce is extremely happy to be working alongside Wollongong City Council to deliver the Open Street Festival. Port Kembla welcomes the region to join us and celebrate an exciting showcase of local enterprise and talent,'" he said.
"The festival will feature music, markets, roving entertainment, and incredible light installations, highlighting our historical town centre. Adding to our already popular annual events, the Open Street Festival – Port Kembla will be worth the visit."
Image: Frank Sultana.
The program – main stage
1-2pm: The Groove
Featuring local guitarist, Sako Dermenjian, The Groove is a cultural blend of Spanish, flamenco and classical guitar inspired riffs with driving syncopated afro percussion grooves.
2-3pm: Kugang Djarmbi
An engaging cultural dance experience with local Aboriginal dance group Kugang Djarmbi lead by Layne Brown.
3-4pm: Mat McHugh (The Beautiful Girls)
Described as folk, pop rock, alternative rock, reggae, dub and roots Mat's albums have debuted at #1 in the ARIA Indie Charts and featured in the US Billboard Reggae Albums Chart.
4-5pm: Frank Sultana
Inspired by greats like Ray Charles and Bob Dylan, blues singer, Frank Sultana has released 5 albums and 3 EPs and has become a permanent fixture on Australia's live scene.
5-6pm: Circadia
Dharawal-based collective Circadia are reshaping the alt-rock soundscape with influences from jazz, soul, funk and good old fashioned rock'n'roll.
6-7pm: Azure Ryder
Azure Ryder, brings her own version of acoustic indie rock to Port Kembla. Her debut EP, Running With The Wolves, was a great success, with further EPs and Triple J's Like a Version under her belt.
7-8pm: Ile Ilu
Come on a drumming journey with women's drumming and percussion group Ile Ilu, directed by multi-disciplinary artist and multi-instrumentalist Marina Da Silva.
8-9pm: Ruby Jackson
Ruby Jackson has positioned herself at the heart of the Australian R&B/Jazz scene. Ruby's singles 'Out of Fashion', 'Guilty Pleasure', and 'You've Changed' earned Double J rotation, triple j Unearthed rotation, alongside radio-play support from triple j, and iHeartRadio.
9-10pm: The Strides
Led by Ras Roni, Fijian MC LTL GZeus, and Sierra Leonean powerhouse Blacker C, The Strides offer an explosive, authentic musical blend of classic roots reggae with hip-hop nuances, their sound fuses dance hall, dub beats, and reggae-pop. They've rocked major festivals: Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay Blues and Roots, WOMAdelaide and Port Fairy Folk Festival.
For more event information, see our website, or like the event on Facebook.
Proudly funded by the NSW Government.
Presented by Wollongong City Council in partnership with Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce.
