Young musicians prepare to rock at festival
Eight groups of young musicians will be battling it out on stage at an inaugural music festival in Brisbane’s north.
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EIGHT groups of young musicians will battle it out on stage at the inaugural Sandgate Youth Festival in September.
The acts were chosen after an audition process on the Youth Stage at Sandgate’s Einbunpin Festival in July.
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They will be judged by a panel of industry representatives and will be competing for cash, a year’s distribution with GYROstream and mentoring sessions.
The event is presented by Cr Jared Cassidy (Deagon) and Brendon Hofmeier, owner of Beat Connection.
Cr Cassidy said, “There are lots of opportunities for musicians to play at venues like our local bars but it’s a bit harder for youth bands to get the opportunity to perform publicly.
“This event and more like this will make it possible.”
Jackson Mort, a member of Simian Sick, said they were “incredibly excited” about performing at the festival “as it is a great opportunity for some great young bands to showcase their talent and potential”.
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Simian Sick consists of four Aspley State High School Year 10 students — Jackson (bass guitar), Camden Charlesworth (lead singer and rhythm guitar), Riley Hema (drums) and Max Wadsworth (lead guitar).
“Max, Cam and Riley were in the music class and were starting to play together but needed a bass player so I picked it up and joined the music class and the band as well,” Jackson said.
“We play a good mix of different genres. We’ve played rock, blues and some Australian indie or alternative music.
“At this point we have been playing covers and trying to find a sound that works for us. We intend to start making original music very soon.”
Simian Sick performed at the Bracken Ridge Backyard Bonanza in May and Sandgate’s Einbunpin Festival in July.
They have also played at multiple open mics at school and are auditioning for Aspley High’s talent show “A Factor”.
Cr Cassidy said there had been a very positive response to the youth festival.
“It’s made me realise it’s something this area has been crying out for for some time,” he said.
“I would like to see this become an annual event and continue to build on it to also include regular (monthly perhaps) opportunities for young musicians and bands to performs right throughout the community.”
Mr Hofmeier, who also works as a teacher aide at Aspley State High School, said the festival was “awesome”.
“It gives these young people another opportunity to perform in front of an audience. I’ve been working with young musicians for quite awhile, it’s a passion of mine.”
Mr Hofmeier has been involved in the Einbunpin Festival for a few years and this year stepped up to co-ordinate the new and expanded youth space.
“Brendon has been instrumental in helping organise the new Youth Festival, including our format and competition aspects, as well as the other activities on the day,” Cr Cassidy said.
“He is passionate, as a young person, about supporting young artists and promoting music in the community.”
The Sandgate Youth Festival will be held at Einbunpin Lagoon Park on Saturday, September 7 from 4pm-8.30pm.
The Youth Festival linup includes: Jetty Street, Friday Marmalade, Pier Pressure, Ten12, Anouk Brown, Simian Sick, Mabel McCormack and Jacob Byrne.
There will also be food stalls, youth activities such as large outdoor games and putt putt golf, face painting, a free photo booth and the Jabiru playbus.
For more information on Simian Sick follow them on Instagram @simiansick.
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