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Community
Clubs, open nights, DIY venues and independent media in Sydney and nearby, where musicians meet each other, get on bills and put on their own nights.
How to use this pagePlay the open nights and meet other acts. Share bills with them, put on your own night, and get your record into local shops and onto community radio. Most of the groups listed here are run by volunteers.
Clubs, Collectives and Circles 11
SIMA: Sydney Improvised Music AssociationSydney-wide
- WhatSIMA supports jazz and improvised music. It runs workshops, an emerging composer award and a fellowship.
- Get inUse the contact form. SIMA wants to hear about gigs and collaborations.
- Linksima.org.au
Splinter OrchestraSydney
- WhatA large improvising orchestra that welcomes players of any background and plays every week.
- Get inUse the contact form.
- Linksplinterorchestra.com
Southern Sydney FolkMortdale
- WhatPlayer nights every Tuesday. You can come to listen or to play.
- Get inTurn up on the night.
- Linksouthernsydfolk.org.au
Loaded Dog Folk ClubAddison Rd, Marrickville
- WhatAcoustic nights ten times a year, from February to November. Each night opens with two or three floor spots, and the door money is split among the acts.
- Get inEntry is $20 at the door. Ask on the night about a floor spot.
- Linkfolkfednsw.org.au
The ShackWarriewood
- WhatA folk club that meets at the Ted Blackwood centre.
- Get inGet in touch through their Facebook page.
- Linkfacebook.com
Songsalive!Online and the mountains
- WhatA songwriters' organisation with a monthly online workshop on the third Wednesday at 7.30pm.
- Get inJoin through their site.
- Linksongsaliveaustralia.org.au
NIMANewcastle
- WhatGigs every Tuesday at The Underground in the Grand Hotel, and a jazz jam every Thursday from 8pm to 11pm.
- Get inTurn up to the jam. Under 18s need to come with an adult.
- Linknima.org.au
Newcastle & Hunter Valley Folk ClubNew Lambton
- WhatConcerts, sessions and bush dances. The club publishes how it chooses performers.
- Get inRead the performer guidelines on their site.
- Linknewcastlehuntervalleyfolkclub.org.au
Illawarra Folk ClubWollongong
- WhatNights on the first Friday and third Saturday of the month at City Diggers, plus a Railway Session.
- Get inEntry is $10 for members and $15 for everyone else.
- Linkillawarrafolkclub.org.au
Troubadour Central CoastEmpire Bay
- WhatA folk club that meets on the second Saturday of the month at 7pm.
- Get inGet in touch through their site.
- Linktroubadour.org.au
Boom Boom Room Records (BBR)Sydney
- WhatA collectively run DIY label and gig noticeboard, run from the Boom Boom practice room. Compilations on Bandcamp, DIY gig posters on Instagram.
- Linkinstagram.com/boomboomroomrecords
- Linkboomboomroomrecords.bandcamp.com
Nights That Take New Acts 10
Your LocalsMarayong Community Centre, Marayong
- WhatAll-ages heavy shows about every two months, with four or five local bands from 7pm. Kids 12 and under get in free.
- Get inMessage @yourlocals.aa on Instagram.
- Linkinstagram.com
New Gen Artistry: Red Rug SessionsCommon House, Glendenning
- WhatR&B and hip hop nights in Western Sydney with a live band backing the singers. Music teacher Cathy Nguyen runs them. Some acts on the bill play covers.
- Get inMessage @newgenartistry__ on Instagram.
- Linkfacebook.com
Petersham Bowling ClubPetersham
- WhatArtists keep all the door and merch money. The club takes none of it.
- Get inEmail [email protected] with links to your music. The club takes bookings by email only.
- Linkthepbc.org.au
Sydney Electronic Music Open MicMothership Studios, Marrickville
- WhatA monthly night where each person gets fifteen minutes to play, show their gear or talk about production.
- Get inRegister on the form, and be there by 6pm on the night.
- Linksydney.emom.me
Manly Library Open MicManly
- WhatA free open mic for original songs, comedy and poetry. Each act gets two songs or ten minutes.
- Get inSign up from 5pm on the night. Performers must be 16 or over.
- Linknorthernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Open Mic Night Newtown852 King St, Newtown
- WhatA monthly Thursday open mic with 15 slots of two songs each.
- Get inRegister at 5.30pm on the night. Entry is $10 and includes a drink.
- Linkwhatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Gasoline PonyMarrickville
- WhatA Marrickville bar that books bands by email.
- Get inEmail [email protected].
- Linkgasolinepony.com
Sydney JamsAll over Sydney
- WhatA list of weekly jams and open mics on every night of the week except Saturday.
- Get inTurn up on the night.
- Linksites.google.com
Wollongong Youth Centre: On StageWollongong
- WhatFree live music and open mic every second Thursday from 6pm to 7.30pm, for ages 12 to 24. The rehearsal room costs $5 a person for two hours.
- Get inTurn up on the night, and book ahead for the rehearsal room.
- Linkwollongong.nsw.gov.au
The Hub Erina: Battle of the BandsErina
- WhatA battle of the bands for unsigned bands aged 10 to 24. Places go to the first bands to enter, and a free information night includes a jam.
- Get inEnter through Central Coast Council youth services.
- Linkfacebook.com
DIY and All-Ages Venues 7
Red RattlerMarrickville
- WhatA community-owned venue run by queer volunteers, with room for 300 standing. Children are welcome with a parent, and it runs an artist residency.
- Get inFor hire, email [email protected].
- Linkredrattler.org
Gifts of Mercy EmporiumPetersham
- WhatA slow fashion shop that becomes an all-ages venue on weekends.
- Get inEmail [email protected].
- Linkinstagram.com
Jura BooksPetersham
- WhatA volunteer-run anarchist bookshop that hosts gigs with entry by donation.
- Get inEmail [email protected] and ask about hire.
- Linkjurabooks.au
21 ShepherdMarrickville
- WhatA licensed 300 square metre venue with a grand piano and a small PA. Hire for artistic use is subsidised, and you keep the door money after ticketing costs.
- Get inAsk for rates.
- Linklivingroomtheatre.org
FrontyardMarrickville
- WhatA shared community space with a library, run by artists and others. It is free for unfunded and not-for-profit projects.
- Get inEmail them, or come to the open house, usually on the last Sunday of the month. Ask first if your event is amplified.
- Linkfrontyardprojects.org
Jimmy Little Community CentreLilyfield
- WhatAn Inner West Council hall that holds 100 standing. Music events are allowed.
- Get inHire costs $78 an hour. Book online at least a week ahead.
- Linkinnerwest.nsw.gov.au
Addi Road: Gumbramorra HallMarrickville
- WhatA community hall that can be hired for concerts.
- Get inUse the booking form, or email [email protected].
- Linkaddiroad.org.au
Putting on Your Own Show 1
Put On Your Own ShowSydney
- WhatThe guide's step-by-step page on finding a venue, costing the night, PA hire, tickets, licences, insurance, posters and paying everyone.
- Get inRead the guide.
- LinkOwn-show page
Independent Media 4
emusSydney
- WhatA volunteer calendar and newsletter for improvised and experimental music, with a show on Eastside 89.7.
- Get inSubmit your event on their form. It's free.
- Linkemus.space
SydneyMusic.netSydney
- WhatVolunteer, not-for-profit gig listings, a weekly newsletter and a Discord.
- Get inEmail [email protected].
- Linksydneymusic.net
Community radio
- WhatFBi, 2SER, Skid Row, Eastside and other stations, with how each one takes music.
- Get inSee the Radio page.
- LinkRadio page
Commercial outlets
- WhatHappy Mag takes submissions through a form, and The Brag takes tips. Pilerats and Purple Sneakers now send readers to The Music.
- Get inThese are commercial businesses.
- Linksubmit.happymag.tv
If you run a hip hop cypher, punk crew, First Nations collective or PA hire co-op in Sydney, email [email protected] to be listed.