The future of Australian music, right here in Waverley

Here in Australia, we sure do love a live gig. Whether it’s checking out a free gig at your local pub or buying tickets to see your favourite Sydney artist at a popular venue, we proudly champion emerging and established home-grown musicians. Waverley Council is proud to support the next generation of artists as they embark on their journey as future musical pioneers.

Beach Bash '25 is part of Waverley's Youth Week program. The event features local emerging bands and DJs, allowing them to lead and curate their own gig, ultimately coming together for a night of high-energy performance and entertainment. We sat down with two featured bands, Cross Pollinate (CXP) and The Mackenzies (TM), to chat about Beach Bash ‘25, and what events like this mean for their bands.

“We think it’s a good opportunity to expose live music to a younger audience who are too young to go to local gigs in bars and pubs,” said CXP, a group of four young boys who recently graduated from high school and are currently working in the Sydney gig scene. They started discussing the idea for Beach Bash '25 in September 2024 and see the opportunity as a way to "meet and work with other young bands...and demonstrate what live music...has to offer."

For the Mackenzies, who currently attend school together, "the Youth Week band night is a fantastic opportunity to experience a real gig and perform all our hard work to other music lovers and the community.”

On top of exposing bands to the rush of performing, TM said, "To be involved in the process has helped all of us develop useful skills we’ll use endlessly in the future,” such as “teamwork, commitment, and resilience.”

When asked about the best parts of the experience in organising Beach Bash ‘25 so far, both TM and CXP voiced the same sentiments, identifying the connection with others and playing live as a highlight.

“Meeting with other bands and forming connections within the community we never would have had before this time has been an unbelievably valuable opportunity” (TM).

Beach Bash ‘25 will take place on 12 April at Bondi Pavilion, during Youth Week (9-17 April). Waverley Council is proud to support these young artists and future leaders in music, who embody the Youth Week theme ‘We are the future, and the future is now!’ so perfectly.

Join us as we dance and sing along with these incredible bands. Check out the full event lineup and register here.