Loud & Clear Festival 2026

Interview

9 Oct

Following an extremely successful launch in 2025, Loud & Clear Festival is hitting the stage once again on October 17th at Side Door Theatre. This grassroots festival is not just a collection of Wollongong’s favourite local bands but an empowering community of supporters, as a portion of tickets are donated to headspace Australia.

By simply attending and rocking out with the bands, audiences help create better access to counseling, early help-seeking support and contribute to community engagement programs.

I was able to ask Amy, the creator and director of Loud & Clear Festival, a few questions about the event and her opinion and outlook on the Illwarrawa scene.

What is Loud and Clear in your own words?

Loud & Clear is a grassroots festival, made by young people FOR young people, by having affordable tickets, showcasing young and emerging artists and putting a huge emphasis on raising funds for headspace Aus.

What was your main motivation for the Loud and Clear Festival?

Oh dude, LOVE. And I know that sounds super sappy but it’s true. As a visual artist and musician myself, there’s a huge place in my heart for my work away from work, and since starting Loud & Clear I’ve come across people who love their craft just as much, if not more than I do! So why not create a space at least one day a year where people can come and share their passion with others??

Have you found it hard finding venues in Wollongong to host your events?

Yes and no… I think people are really excited by the idea of Loud & Clear and are always keen to help host the event, which I’m incredibly grateful for. However, it’s been difficult to find a venue that suits everyone, accessibility wise, that our little independent festival can manage.

When visiting Wollongong what is a must for people to check out? A Wollongong Icon?

Honestly, if someone asked me this I’d make up some elaborate story about how the floating palm tree on Crown St gives you powers if you tell it your darkest secret, just to see if they do it. But seriously, I think Wollongong’s best icon is its slowly growing creative scene! So, check out the gig guides, find some pop-up art exhibitions, see what’s on, discover something new!!

Do you have anything you want to tell young artists around Wollongong?

No matter what anyone says, DON’T QUIT WHAT YOU LOVE!!! If something makes you happy then run at it head first, like an angry goat haha

Important Information:

Event Name: Loud & Clear Festival 2026

Date: 17th October 2026

Location: Side Door Theatre (293-297 Crown St, Wollongong NSW 2500)

Price: $10

Charity: headspace Australia

Audience: Young people, music lovers and the wider Wollongong community

Links

Instagram: @loudandclear.events

Facebook: Loud & Clear Events