Sound West Music and Technology Festival for CommBank Stadium Parramatta

A Grammy-nominated composer and tech heavyweights TikTok and Universal will be part of Australia’s music and tech festival when it debuts in Parramatta.

The nation’s first music and technology festival, Sound West will be held at CommBank Stadium from March 30 to April 3 when major brands and artists including Grammy-nominated producer Khaled Rohaim will descend on Parramatta.

NEC Australia, TikTok, Universal, Warner Music, Shopify and Live Nation are backing the five-day event, along with The Edge, SAE Creative Media Institute and the Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (APRA AMCOS).

Emerging and established artists including rapper and western Sydney native L-Fresh The Lion, producer and composer Rohaim and digital artist Serwah Attafuah are slated to perform at the five-day gig while tech-savvy types can indulge in a two-day technology and music conference from some global tech heavyweights and music industry leaders.

Rohaim will share his journey producing music from his western Sydney studio for some of the world’s biggest artists including Rihanna.

Khaled Rohaim has worked with global superstar Rihanna. Picture: Instagram

The event will provide young music and technology professionals the chance to hone their skills and find career inspiration with workshops, panels and performances from local, emerging and seasoned artists.

“We’re excited to help shine a light on the immensely talented, culturally diverse music creators of greater western Sydney,’’ APRA member relations director Milly Petriella said.

“Together with L-Fresh the Lion, we look forward to discovering and developing talented songwriters, producers and artists through collaborative opportunities at Sound West.

Australian hip-hop artist L-Fresh The Lion is one of the first artists to sign up to the five-day Sound West. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“We’re aiming to lay the foundations for greater western Sydney artists to be propelled on to the global stage.’’

Parramatta Lord Mayor Steven Issa said the city was the perfect venue for the cutting edge event.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for the City of Parramatta to be the inaugural host of the music and technology festival,’’ he said.

“Parramatta’s come of age and it’s our time to shine and it’s one of the things that contributes to our great city.’’

Serwah Attafuah will perform at Sound West.

Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee said Sound West would showcase the city’s DNA.

“Parramatta is an exciting city that fosters innovation, experimentation and a strong sense of community – Sound West will build on these pillars to put Parramatta in the national and global spotlight,” he said.

“Sound West will bring together brilliant minds, industry leaders and music enthusiasts to share ideas, network and enjoy the creativity of homegrown artists.”

Enterprises and governments have thrown their support behind Sound West including Destination NSW, Parramatta Council, Western Sydney Business, Apple Music, Rolling Stone, Tone Deaf, OzTix and Parkroyal Parramatta.

PARRAMATTA LANES
Get your appetite for food, music, comedy and art ready because the Parramatta Lanes festival returns to the CBD from November 16 to 20.

“Although it may look a little different this year, this is possibly the most exciting Parramatta Lanes to date as we welcome people back into the CBD after a challenging year,” Parramatta Council chief executive officer Brett Newman said.

“Instead of the usual packed streets and laneways, local bars and restaurants will host live music and comedy shows, while an art trail will lead visitors on a unique journey through the CBD that showcases the creative work of some of Australia’s top emerging artists.”

Food and entertainment with the lot is planned for the Parramatta Lanes festival. Picture: Ken Leanfore

Over five epic nights, venues including Club Parramatta, Lola Cocina, Restaurant 317, Bar 30, Crown Hotel, Mikazuki, Milky Lane, and Butter will a line-up of musicians, DJs, and comedians, while dishing up the cuisines for which they are renowned.

Music offerings will appeal to multiple tastes.

From hip-hop to neo-soul, eventgoers will enjoy performances by Dante Knows, No Intent, Lil Spacely, Esme, Liyah Knight, Rissa and Colin Ho, as well as Global Sounds DJs.

For those in need of a good belly laugh, some of Australia’s funniest comedians will also be taking to the stage, including Becky Lucas, Chopper, Tahir, Julia Wilson, Cassie Workman, Cam Knight and Luke Heggie.

From Thursday to Saturday evening, Heritage Courtyard Pavilion on Marsden St will be transformed into Lil Lanes Bar – a pop-up bar by Archie Rose. The ticketed event will feature live music by artists including Phil Fresh, Kyoshi, Kymie, Imbi, and Foshe.

Art, comedy, food and music is celebrated at Parramatta Lanes. Picture: Ken Leanfore

On Friday November 19, the first Parramatta edition of the Global Cities After Dark Celebrate Local dinner will be held at Restaurant 317. Tickets include a three-course dinner with paired wines, as well as live music performances by artists such as Becca Hatch, Carolina Gasolina, Jamaica Moana and Nardean.

The dinner, which is open to the general public, marks the end of a week-long industry conference focused on western Sydney’s night-time economy.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to experience a different side to the City with the Parramatta Lanes Art Trail. Featuring 15 works created by some of the region’s most talented artists, including many from Parramatta Artists’ Studios, the trail is led by an app that combines augmented reality with 2D visuals.

Laners are also invited to enter to win one of 150 Good Mood Food snack boxes curated by local DJ and foodie Andrew Levins, whose “Parramatta Food” Instagram account showcases the best food the City has to offer.

Filled with more than $100 worth of goodies from local businesses, including hot sauce from Butter, ramen crisps from Seng Seng Mart, sour beer from Northmead Cellars, za’atar from Yum Yum Bakery, dulce de leche from Messina, a selection of tea from Teacraft, and a signature cocktail from Nick and Nora’s, this prize is a great way to brighten the day of someone deserving. Enter via @parramattalanes on Instagram.

Recently, Parramatta Lanes was awarded the Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event at the Australian Event Awards 2021 for its 2020 hybrid event, which combined home-delivered meals with online live-streamed entertainment.

Book it in

Tuesday, November 16 5pm-10pm

Wednesday, November 17 5pm-10pm

Thursday, November 18 5pm-11pm

Friday, November 19 5pm-11pm

Saturday, November 20 5pm-11pm

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