An outdoor concert in Rockhampton unleashed the power of six local bands as part of a statewide drive to help young Queenslanders establish a career in the music industry.

April’s Rockfest 07 was a highlight of an Arts Queensland program, A-Venue, that enables young musicians across the state to expand their music career opportunities within local communities.

Since 2004, A-Venue has provided $200 000 annually across five different regions including Rockhampton, Townsville, Cairns, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, to help up and coming bands make it in the music business.

Rockfest 07 was staged by the Rockhampton City Council during National Youth Week and featured ARIA Award-winning headliners Youth Group supported by six popular local bands, Falling for Indie, The Silence, Enlightened by Darkness, Water Junkee Manifesto, The Short Fall and Ellington who have all been involved with A-Venue for two years.

A-Venue’s training and development opportunities in the music industry have paid off for the Rockhampton bands as they achieve success locally and beyond.

Rockfest is the largest annual rock music event in central Queensland. The event gives local bands unprecedented levels of media coverage, radio airplay and opportunities to perform alongside a national rock act.

This year’s Rockfest supported Camp Quality with a gold coin donation at the door.

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