Local line-up announced for Youth Centre Friday night event

This Friday 23 April, we’re inviting people of all ages to come with us on a sound and light journey as we celebrate young people and live music.

Activate – is a Youth Week event that showcases the talent of young people here in Wollongong.

From 6pm to 10pm on Friday night, we’ll be holding live music in the Wollongong Youth Centre, featuring a line-up of local performers. We’ll also be bringing MacCabe Park to life with light and sound projections.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM encouraged everyone to come along on Friday night to support local young artists.

“This is a great free event that highlights the achievements and talent of young people from the Illawarra,” Cr Bradbery said.

“We have some emerging local talent performing at this event including Albion Park teenage singer and songwriter, Aodhan, who won the Triple J’s Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative in 2019 and performed at the Yours & Owls festival.

“Aodhan will also be joined by country singer Grace Mae, punk and surf rock band Ocæn and eleanor pairbond who will be taking the stage for the very first time.”

All of the musicians performing at Activate have worked closely with the Wollongong Youth Services and have participated in Council’s programs.

“Our Youth Services staff are passionate about supporting young people through the creative arts scene such as music,” Cr Bradbery.

“One of the great opportunities Wollongong Youth Services offers young people is the ability to perform live. For many aspiring young musicians, this can make it easier for them to build confidence on stage and potentially break out into Wollongong’s music scene.

“Throughout COVID, Council has been supporting our young musicians through the On Stage ON:LINE program that recorded performances and shared music videos on the Wollongong Youth Services Facebook page.”

On Stage ON:LINE is a free Youth Services program that offers young people a chance to perform live, record and film their performance, learn stagecraft, AV skills and more.

For more details visit Council’s Young People webpage or follow the Wollongong Youth Services Facebook page.

Tickets for Activate are free and available from the Youth Services Facebook page or Eventbrite. We’ll ask attendees to check in using the Service NSW app or QR code on arrival.

This is an all-ages, family friendly and alcohol-free event.

Activate line-up announced

Wollongong Youth Centre auditorium

6.30pm - eleanor pairbond

eleanor pairbond has been coming to the Youth Centre for several years, and is a frequent participant in the Acting Up drama group and the Rainbow League LGBTIQA+ program. eleanor will kick off the event, with Activate being her very first live show!

7.00pm - Ocæn

Ocæn is the solo recording project of long-time Youth Services supporter and participant Jaben Betz. He and his band play punk and surf rock inspired tunes and always bring a great energy.

Follow Ocæn on Facebook.

7.45pm – Grace Mae

14-year-old Grace Mae was one of the youngest ever graduates of the Tamworth Academy of Country Music. At the age of 11, Grace released her debut single “Not Today”.

Grace is a Wollongong-based artist and country singer and she’s currently working on her debut EP record. She has a new single dropping soon.

Follow Grace on Facebook or find her on Instagram with @gracemaemusic_

8.30pm – Aodhan

Aodhan is a 16-year-old, Dharawal musician from the Illawarra. In 2019, Aiden was the winner of Triple J's Unearthed High Indigenous Initiative in 2019.

Aodhan is coming off a run of huge shows including the Yours & Owls festival and supporting Vera Blue and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at Sydney’s The Domain.

Follow Aodhan on Facebook or find him on Instagram with @aodha.n

WHAT: Activate

WHEN: Friday 23 April, 6-10pm

WHERE: Wollongong Youth Centre & MacCabe Park