With the sale of Wollongong's Yours and Owls cafe in the works, the whole "when one door closes another opens" cliche is coming to light as more live music venues are appearing around town.

We all know losing a venue hurts, like your first break-up. Then as time begins to heal your wounds, you gradually learn to love again.

Just as the Gong's music lovers are learning to let go of Yours and Owls, there is a new venue just opened up in the heart of town.

It's called The Den. These guys will be hosting live original music every Sunday. Their official launch party was held over the weekend.

I caught up with Ben Abraham, one of the driving forces behind The Den, as well as guitarist in Go Away, Everyone and also a main contributor of Bear Media along with Emily Lonsdale.

He was very excited about the new venue and what it means for the Illawarra's music scene.

Ben and his team are not only committed to booking local bands at The Den, but are booking touring bands such as Battleships, who headlined the launch party.

The launch party also had Sydney band Lovers Creek share the stage with Illawarra young guns My Little Underground and Jack Dawson from Round the Corner.

As well as The Den, there is another venue opening soon in town with a capacity to hold 150 people.

We don't know much yet, but guitarist in A Hill to Die For, Sam Burrell, seems to be the one with the info and is looking for artists to play at the launch throughout October.

To get in touch with Sam, email fithdrop@gmail.com.

It's great to see more live music venues emerging in Wollongong and being run by musicians.

The Den is located inside the function room at City Diggers Wollongong.

For more information, go to www.thedenwollongong.com.

Glenn Haworth runs Haworth's Music Centres in Shellharbour and Fairy Meadow.