The headline act at a festival designed to enhance Shellharbour's live local music scene hit the stage on Saturday bouyed by a recent achievement showing what is possible for Illawarra musicians.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Shellharbour born artist Charbel had just been chosen to open Triple J's Dream Festival. It means his new single "Work it Out" will usher in a day of broadcasted live music recordings from acts such as Gang of Youths, Tame Impala and Lorde.
Among those following the work of local musicians such as Charbel is Harold-John Pardor who said the latest accolade is one of many the local perfomer has received in recent months.
Mr Pardor said Charbel was among a handful of artists aiding the renaissance of live music in Wollongong and Shellharbour and was motivating others by showing what can be done.
"He's won an Unearthed competition to create a video with NIDA, recording time with Australia's largest recording studio Studios 301 and interests from large labels and international producers," he said.
"It is really exciting. The fact that a small independent artist has been picked up by such media is really cool".
Daniel "Charbel" Naous said being asked to open the Dream Festival is really exciting.
"I had to audition on Triple J live on the breakfast show. And because of the new single they then chose me to open up the festival. Them playing me on national radio is really cool," he said.
"It is exciting because as an artist from the Shellharbour and Wollongong area it is really enlightening to see that they are willing to shine a brighter light on local artists".
Charbel, 20, started performing when he was 16. Since then he has dipped his toes into different genres to see what sounds he likes to create and perform most.
"I have got a really nice mixing pot of music and sounds which I am really happy with," he said.
Charbel said Saturday's festival in Shellharbour was very important because local artists are flourishing and looking for more chances to perform.
"It shows how our artists have talent in this area. As a young musician it can be very hard to find out how to start, where to go and who is willing to help. Here the council has reached out and said "we are willing to help". Seeing them push local talent is very pleasing. It means a lot for local artists".
Mr Pardor is among a number of people trying to help the live music scene move. He said things are starting to happen and Saturday's festival was really exciting. "We are very glad to be part of it".
Mr Pardor would like to see more organisations do what Shellharbour City Council had done and provide even more opportunities for local live talent.
"The fact that Shellharbour City Council has employed cultural funds directly into paying artists and hosting events like this really is phenomenal".
And Mr Pardor said with events such Yours & Owls and Corona SunSets Festival being embraced so positively things were also starting to move rapidly in Wollongong where the value of the cultural economy recently grew $10 million in one year.
Saturday's Shellharbour Live & Local Music Festival was the first in a series of Pop Up Parties planned. It was billed as the largest community music festival Shellharbour City Council has produced. It provided a chance for emergency artists to perform alongside established talent in a unique free one-day festival that brought together more than 40 music acts.
Local designers, artists and event crew came together to create a vibrant celebration in Shellharbour Village near local venues, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Read more:
