Wollongong band The Maze perform at the inaugural Big Dang Out. Picture: ANDY ZAKELI
Bowling greens and blistering young bands met head-on yesterday with Club Windang rolling out the welcome mat to a budding new music festival.
Featuring 21 acts on three stages, The Big Dang Out gave Illawarra musos an opportunity to belt out a few tunes and build on growing fanbases.
Music fans arriving at the festival around 1pm yesterday were greeted by the summery pop rock sounds of Wollongong band The Maze, who played an energetic set on the outdoor stage.
Here, on a former bowling green converted into an outdoor area, devoted fans cheerily mixed with new converts.
The mood inside the main bar was more mellow, as Ethan Blencowe entertained the crowd with a selection of chilled acoustic tunes.
Those keen for something heavier had plenty to get excited about in the auditorium where Wollongong band Nuns belted out a pounding set, which featured new release Shotgun Girl.
Crowd numbers continued to grow throughout the afternoon with the event wrapping up by early evening.
Co-organiser Emily McQuade said feedback from festivalgoers had been extremely positive and she hoped the event would take root and grow in future years.
"It's been a really fun day," she said. "Belinda [Carter] and I wanted to make this an annual thing so local artists can come and showcase themselves," she added.
She urged Illawarra music lovers to get on the event's Facebook page, Music For Change, to post any suggestions or ideas for next year's festival. Ms McQuade said the day was all about giving local bands much-needed air time.
"It should be a showcase of local talent, they definitely deserve that," she said.