Young people have always been at the heart of what we do. From the earliest days of our Indent program - which started in 2000 and created pathways for young people finding their footing in the music industry for many years to come, MusicNSW has believed that the next generation of artists and people making music happen in their communities deserve real support, mentorship and opportunities to grow. Outset, which we piloted in 2025 on the NSW Mid North Coast, is the next chapter of that commitment.

What is Outset?

Outset brings together a Youth Committee of under-25s to curate, create and deliver their own all ages gig. Committee members are involved in every aspect of event planning - from booking artists, to marketing and production, and mentored throughout by experienced industry professionals.

The 2025 pilot: Coastal Grown

Throughout July 2025, ten young people from across the Mid North Coast came together as the inaugural Outset Youth Committee. The result was Coastal Grown - held on 30 August on Gumbaynngirr Country at the Hoey Moey in Coffs Harbour. 

After a region-wide callout for artists aged 15 - 25 to apply, the Youth Committee handpicked a lineup of local trailblazer: Korderoy, Lily Hallawell, Autopilot, Rhetorical? and Temperate. 

The Youth Committee - Amy Hughes, Annabelle Kerr, Arlo Smith, Brylee Eklund, Ethan Pursch, Isaiha Kelly, Jayden McDermid, Mahli Grant, Sam Duff and Scott Shrimpton - brought hundreds of people together for something truly one of a kind. 

Since then, MusicNSW and the Hoey Moey have continued to partner to deliver further editions of Coastal Grown, providing young people in Coffs Harbour the opportunity to perform and see live music in their community.

The mentors and partners that made it possible

The 2025 cohort was mentored by five industry professionals who brought deep regional knowledge and experience to the program: 

• Ben Lewis - Festival Director, Event Specialist and Founder at Gig Big
• Daniel Whifften - General Manager at the Hoey Moey
• Lisa Willows - Founder of RAWR Music Management and Co-Founder of Rough Velvet Records
• Lola Willows - Programming & Promotions at The Cage
• Nanette Backhouse - Co-Founder of saso.creative and Program Facilitator for Punk Arts Collective

The 2025 Outset pilot was presented in partnership with Arts Mid North Coast and the Hoey Moey and with support from Sound NSW and Create NSW.

What’s next?

The Outset story has only just begun. Watch this space.