Home Grown Talent Celebrated with Additional Live Performances during New Annual
More than 40 funded live music gigs and performances will be delivered across 15 venues to enhance the whole-of-city atmosphere during New Annual's 10-day festival this month.
City of Newcastle (CN) invited venues to apply for a live performance grant to host live music, comedy or other performances as part of the latest round of the popular Locally Made and Played program, with all funding going directly to the artists.
Novocastrian talent will be on show across the city from Hamilton's Station Hotel to The Racecourse Hotel in Wallsend, featuring intimate one hour lunch concerts, big band nights, drag, soloists, and acoustic live performances.
Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said CN is committed to supporting Newcastle's local arts and cultural communities.
“New Annual presents an exciting opportunity to showcase Newcastle's lively cultural scene and home-grown talent to the thousands of people expected to descend on the city centre during the 10-day festival,” Cr Nelmes said.
"Since 2021, the Locally Made and Played grant program has helped fund more than 230 live music and cultural performances across the city and delivered almost $100,000 in direct support to local artists following COVID-19 disruptions.
"With an additional 40 plus live music and performances on offer to complement New Annual's bumper program, we are giving visitors every reason to soak up the festival atmosphere across the city and eat and drink at our local venues."
Chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Advisory Committee, Councillor Carol Duncan said the additional live performances will see local venues and creatives become an extension of the city’s flagship cultural festival.
“The return of the popular Locally Made and Played grant program will not only provide a welcome boost to local venues but will also help support our amazing Novocastrian talent,” Cr Duncan said.
“We look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike into the city centre during New Annual to showcasing Newcastle's bustling live music and cultural scene.”
Among the successful applicants is the Hamilton Station Hotel, which will host Free For All on Saturday 30 September featuring local gender and culturally diverse artists such as Camino Gold, But Anyway, Butterknife, Grace Aberhart and Slapjack.
Hamilton Station Hotel head booking agent Spencer Scott welcomed the grant funding.
“It's great to see City of Newcastle creating opportunities for local venues like ours to ensure we are making the most of the influx of visitors for New Annual," Mr Scott said.
“Many local musicians and performing artists rely on venues like the Hamilton Station Hotel to invite them to perform, so with the funding we can host amazing gigs like Free For All and support them."
The Locally Made and Played grant program is delivered as part of Newcastle’s Live Music Strategy, Newcastle After Dark Strategy and Economic Development Strategy.
New Annual will run from 22 September to 1 October. Visit www.newannual.com for more details about the program and to secure your tickets.
LOCALLY MADE AND PLAYED RECIPIENTS:
Bernie's Bar Club Success Team The Rogue Scholar Scrubba Body Jams Karaoke Lachlan Morris The Hamilton Station Hotel The Business Centre Clarendon Hotel Newcastle Thirsty Messiah Brewery Racecourse Hotel Wallsend Wickham Park Hotel The Humble Thai The Mark Hotel The Ship Inn Newcastle
