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All Ages and Youth
For young musicians, and for anyone under 18 who wants to see a gig. Programs, free studios, all-ages shows, band competitions and festival age rules.
Most pubs and clubs are 18+. A gig is only open to under-18s when the listing says all ages. If it doesn't say, ask the venue before you go.
Programs, Studios and Mentoring8 All-Ages Gigs and Spaces4 Band Competitions6 Festivals and Age Rules4 Grants for All-Ages Events2 ↑ Programs, Studios and Mentoring 8
MusicNSW: Outset
Western Sydney
Ages Under 25 Cost Not stated What A youth committee works with industry mentors to plan and run an all-ages gig with local artists. How This round's committee has been picked. Artist applications were open in July for an October gig. Check the page for the next round. Link musicnsw.com
Heaps Decent: Take Over, Randwick Town Hall
Randwick
Ages 14–20 for workshops. Showcase is all ages. Cost Showcase free with registration. Some workshops paid. What A week of songwriting, DJ and music-career workshops for young people, ending in a showcase of their own music and DJ sets. How Workshops run 28 Sep to 3 Oct 2026. Free showcase Sat 3 Oct, 3–5pm. Register on Humanitix. [email protected] or [email protected] . Link randwick.nsw.gov.au
PCYC Blacktown: Music Studio and Upbeat Project
Blacktown
Ages Young people Cost Free What A free music room and recording studio in the club's Youth Hub, with drums, piano, guitars and bass. How Drop in Mon–Wed 2:30–5pm, Thu 2:30–8pm (Upbeat Project 4–8pm), Fri 1–5pm. [email protected] . Link pcycnsw.org.au
Central Coast Council: Creative Engineers
Central Coast
Ages 7–24, depending on the activity Cost Not stated What Council youth arts program. Runs Battle of the Bands, the Discovered singing competition, the eMergent Sounds songwriting competition and workshops. How Join the Battle of the Bands waitlist on the council page, or email [email protected] . Link legacy.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
APRA AMCOS SongMakers: school workshops
NSW
Ages High school students Cost $550 per school after subsidy What Two-day workshops where students write and record original songs with professional songwriters and producers. How A teacher lodges an expression of interest on the SongMakers site. Link apraamcos.com.au
SongMakers Holiday Workshops
Lismore
Ages 16–21 Cost Free What Two-day school-holiday workshop. Small groups write and record an original song with industry mentors. How Lismore, 29–30 Sep 2026, 10am–4pm. Register on the page, or fill in the interest form if nothing is near you. Link songmakers.com.au
Sydney Youth Orchestras
Ages School-age and young musicians Cost Audition fee $72. Program fees vary. What Orchestral training from beginner strings up to the Sydney Youth Orchestra, including a Western Sydney Youth Orchestra. How Video auditions for 2027 open 24 Sep to 22 Oct 2026. Late submissions to 19 Nov. [email protected] . Link syo.com.au
NSW Arts Unit: state music ensembles
NSW
Ages Years 5–12 Cost Not stated What Auditioned and open ensembles for NSW public school students, including the state Stage Band and Jazz Orchestra. How Stage Band and Jazz Orchestra 2027 applications close Mon 5 Oct 2026, 5pm. Sydney North band program closes Fri 20 Nov. Link artsunit.nsw.edu.au
All-Ages Gigs and Spaces 4
Futureproof: SUNDAZE Bands n Jam
Petersham
Ages All ages Cost Free, register first What A monthly Sunday afternoon at Futureproof Studio, Petersham Town Hall. Young bands play, then an open jam. Bring your instrument. How Next: SUNDAZE Sun 11 Oct 2026. The Graduates 2026 (all ages) is Sat 14 Nov at Addi Road, Marrickville. Book on TryBooking. Link trybooking.com
Dynasty of Style: all-ages hardcore matinees
Sydney, Metro Theatre
Ages All ages Cost Free, RSVP What Free all-ages hardcore matinees every two months, run by SPEED and beastmode. How RSVP on the Metro Theatre or Eventbrite listing. Doors 1pm. Be in before the first band at 2pm. Lineups on @dynastyofstylehc. Link metrotheatre.com.au
Wollongong Youth Centre
Wollongong
Ages 12–24 Cost Free What Council youth centre at 85 Burelli Street with a music room, sampling and recording sessions, and youth band nights. How Drop in Tue 3–6pm, Thu 3–8pm, Sat 1–4pm in term. To play a band night, email [email protected] or call 02 4227 8222. Link wollongong.nsw.gov.au
ROSY: Revolutionary Organisation of Students and Youth
Campbelltown
Ages All ages Cost Pay what you can, or free What A student and youth political group that runs drug- and alcohol-free all-ages DIY gigs and creative fairs with live acoustic music. How Recent: a DIY gig on 19 Sep 2026 and a creative fair at Riverside Park, Spring Farm on 20 Sep 2026. Gig locations are given by Instagram DM. Instagram @rosy.rev, site revorgsy.org. Link instagram.com
Band Competitions 6
Fisher's Gig
Campbelltown
Ages 12–24 Cost Not stated What Campbelltown's youth music competition in four genre categories, part of the Festival of Fisher's Ghost. How Entries closed 10 July. The final is Sat 31 Oct 2026. Winners play Campbelltown's New Year's Eve. Link campbelltown.nsw.gov.au
Northern Composure
Northern Beaches
Ages 12–24 Cost $50 per band for live heats What Northern Beaches Council's youth band competition. Heats and final are alcohol- and drug-free all-ages shows. How Entries open each year on the council's youth pages. 2027 dates not posted yet. [email protected] . Link northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Best of the West Battle of the Bands
Parramatta
Ages 12–24 Cost Not stated What Western Sydney youth band competition. Prizes include a Parramatta Lanes slot, recording at the Sydney Conservatorium and mentoring. How Entry by expression of interest through City of Parramatta. 2027 round not posted yet. Link cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
Central Coast Battle of the Bands
Erina
Ages 10–14 (Kids Clash) and 15–24 (Youth Battle) Cost Not stated What Council youth band competition at The Hub Erina, run as an all-ages night. How Join the waitlist on the council page to hear when the next round opens. Link info.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au
triple j Unearthed High
National
Ages High school students Cost Free What National competition for high school musicians. How Upload to a triple j Unearthed profile and tick 'enter Unearthed High'. The 2026 round ran March to May. 2027 dates not posted yet. Link abc.net.au
Musica Viva: Strike A Chord
National
Ages School groups of 3–8 Cost Foundation Section free. Championship $15 per player. What National chamber music competition for school ensembles, with coaching and prizes. How The 2026 round ran in May by video. 2027 dates to come. [email protected] . Link musicaviva.com.au
Festivals and Age Rules 4
Futureproof Youth Music Fest
Petersham
Ages 12–24 focus, all ages welcome Cost Free, ticket required What Inner West Youth Week festival at Petersham Town Hall with 18 or more young bands and solo acts. How Futureproof 7 ran 18 April 2026. The next one is expected in Youth Week 2027. Link innerwest.nsw.gov.au
NSW Youth Week
NSW
Ages 12–24 Cost Most events free What A week of free youth events run by councils and youth services. Often includes band competitions and all-ages gigs. How Youth Week 2027 runs 7–17 April. Check your council's Youth Week page. Link nsw.gov.au
Laneway Festival Sydney
Sydney
Ages 16+. Under-18s must be with a responsible adult. Cost As ticketed What Large touring festival. Sydney is a licensed 16+ event. How Sydney is 12 Feb 2027. Read the youth policy before buying. Link lanewayfestival.com
Good Things Festival
Sydney Olympic Park
Ages 16+. 16–17 year-olds can go without a parent. Cost As ticketed What Heavy and alternative festival at Sydney Showground. The minimum age is now 16. How Sat 5 Dec 2026. Under-18s need photo ID and a parent's emergency contact when buying. Link goodthingsfestival.com.au
Grants for All-Ages Events 2
Sound NSW: All-Ages Live Music Programming
NSW
Ages Young people aged 12–24 help design and run the events Cost Grant up to $100,000 What For music businesses and industry workers with an all-ages track record to run at least four all-ages contemporary music events. How Opens 28 Sep 2026, closes 9 Nov 2026 at 2pm, through SmartyGrants. [email protected] . Link nsw.gov.au
Sound NSW: All-Ages Live Music Venue Program
NSW
Ages All-ages events with a youth partner Cost Grant up to $100,000 What For dedicated live music venues to run at least three all-ages events with a youth partner. How The 2026 round closed 23 March. Watch the page for the next round. Link nsw.gov.au
Know an all-ages space or youth program that's missing? Tell the guide.