Three Illawarra teenagers are a living testament to the old adage "you won't know if you don't try".
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Joel Haskew, 15, Kye Storey, 16, and Angus Kettley, 15 - collectively known as Floodway - were keen to get a gig anywhere but ended up being booked for their dream concert.
We didn't really think we'd get a spot, we were just trying to put our name out there.
- Joel Haskew
Floodway are part of the lineup for the Yours and Owls All Ages mini-festival set for UniHall, University of Wollongong on October 5.
Others on the bill include Angie McMahon, Baker Boy, Eves Karydas, Kwame, Ruel and one of the teens' favourites, Skeggs.
"It's so surreal, it doesn't feel like normal, because we just watched them [on Friday] and it was wow," bassist and lead singer Joel said.
He said the gig came about after emailing a booking agent at Yours and Owls hoping for a future Sunday afternoon spot at North Wollongong Hotel.
"We didn't really think we'd get a spot, we were just trying to put our name out there," Joel said.
"He listened to us and he liked our stuff so he put us on an opening spot. Then he reached out to us a week-and-a-bit later and was like 'we're looking for ... a young band to play Yours and Owls would you guys be down'."
Joel's mum Melanie was the one to receive the delightful email confirming the booking and promptly woke her son around 11pm, though he thought she was "playing a heaps mean joke".
Funnily that was the same response his band-mates had when he told them the good news.
"It was something we were joking about last year 'imagine playing at that' and then it happened," guitarist Kye said.
"I was just so shocked, I didn't expect it because we've been wanting to do this and play in a few years or so and try and get there," drummer Angus added.
Angus got his first drum kit at age two, also plays guitar and is the main songwriter for the band.
"A lot of the creative direction - as far as musically - comes from Angus, we input stuff then he usually comes up with a lot of the stuff," Kye said.
The trio draw inspiration from various topics but try to keep it "vague enough" so anyone can find meaning in their songs.
Other acts on the lineup include all-girl six piece Friday Park and Shoalhaven duo Kim's Laundry.
The event is licensed all ages, the band room will be alcohol and drug free, with a separate 18+ section where drinks can be supplied.
Organisers suggest patrons under the age of 11 to attend with a parent of guardian.
Tickets are on sale now - www.yoursandowlsfestival.com.au