Micro music festival to activate array of spaces throughout Lake Macquarie

The Lake Mac Micro Festival which will include a mix of established and emerging artists, will deliver 14 performances across seven venues - bringing people together, encouraging creativity, activating spaces and creating flow-on revenue for the artists, support crews and hospitality workers.

Lake Macquarie City Council Coordinator Lifelong Learning and Engagement Kirrily Anderson said the two-day festival would activate a variety of spaces throughout the city, from larger sites like Rathmines Theatre, the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima and Charlestown Square to the Cassowary Café at Belmont, Toronto Library, tirrabiyangba, and Lake Macquarie Cruises boats.

The festival’s two headline concerts – both free – comprise MAP mima Rocks on Saturday, a 3-8.30pm alternative grunge gig, and Rathmines Beats n Rhythms at Rathmines Theatre, nawayiba, on Sunday, featuring soul, funk, reggae and groove from 2-4.40pm.

The festival is part of the Lake Mac Live and Local music program, launched last year in partnership with the NSW-based Live Music Office and peak industry body APRA AMCOS.

Anderson notes “Events like these strengthen our commitment to promoting and nurturing live music in our region.

“With more than 50 live music venues in Lake Mac, the program is developing homegrown talent, boosting audiences to experience live music and providing opportunities for emerging musicians to be paid to perform.”

It follows on from a bumper season of live music in the city, which included the Red Hot Summer Tour and Lookout festivals and sold-out performances by Damien Leith and Darren Coggan.

Anderson said an upcoming performance by Australian screen and music legend John Waters in August was already attracting strong ticket sales.

“Feedback over the past 12 months has been overwhelmingly positive, and that is backed up by the numbers we’re getting to live music events,” she said.

“Red Hot Summer and Lookout attracted a combined 11,000 punters, and we’ve got other exciting gigs in the pipeline that will hopefully continue that positive trend.”

Go to lakemac.com.au for a full program of Lake Mac Micro Festival events and artists.