Thousands of people, many of them families, flocked to Port Kembla on Saturday, May 9, for the free Sounds of Steel gig trail. Under sunny blue skies, attendees wandered along Wentworth Street, where 15 venues burst with music, colour, and hands-on activities that captured life in the shadow of the Steelworks.
One highlight was The Shave Cave, a barber shop cleared out for bands and DJs. Christian Power, still catching his breath after dancing to DJ Ace, described the vibe as 'absolutely packed' and reminiscent of old live gig culture. He praised the event as 'the future of music and connectivity.'
Other venues included Port Kembla Laundrette, transformed into a dance floor with tunes from the Washing Machine Disco Club, as well as The Iron Yampi, The Wedding Chapel, The Servo, The Vault, Black Metal Motor Co, and Habitat Plant House. The 12-hour festival was run by the recently-formed Port Kembla Precinct, funded by the NSW Government through Great Southern Nights.
Representatives from the state government's 24-Hour Economy Advisory Council spoke to venue owners, artists, and attendees to gauge the event's success. The Shave Cave owner Martelle Jackson expressed excitement about the suburb's future, noting that every business on the street is supportive of each other with no competition.
