At Young Henrys, we’re all about keeping live music alive and loud, so teaming up with the Botany View Hotel (BVH) to bring Newtown Sound to life was a no-brainer. This new initiative, coming to life in 2025, is all about giving fresh local talent their first shot at the stage and keeping the Inner West’s music scene thriving. We had a chat with Chelsea, BVH’s Entertainment and Bookings Manager, about how Newtown Sound came to be, the challenges of supporting emerging artists, and why nights like these matter for the future of live music.

“It’s no secret the music industry and artists have been hit hard over the last few years,” Chelsea tells us.

With fewer venues offering space for fresh talent to cut their teeth, BVH decided to step up. Enter Newtown Sound, a platform dedicated to giving emerging artists their first taste of performing live.

“Newtown Sound was built off the idea of helping the next generation of artists get their first gigs and watching them grow.”

The initiative is about more than just gigs; it’s about breaking down barriers and fostering a space where young musos can build their craft and confidence.

Ask Chelsea what’s missing from the Inner West music scene, and she’s quick to say, “Nothing.” The area’s got a killer history of nurturing incredible talent, and BVH is committed to ensuring that legacy continues. But there’s always room to do more, especially when it comes to creating opportunities for younger artists and music professionals.

“I’d love to see the live music scene take a leaf out of the dance scene’s book, embracing young promoters and crews,” Chelsea says.

It’s all about innovation - encouraging the next wave to bring fresh energy to the stage.

Running a live music venue in recent years has been no walk in the park. Rising costs and shifting priorities have made it harder to pack out a room. But BVH has adapted, keeping punters coming back by throwing open the doors to every genre under the sun.

“We could have smooth jazz in one part of the venue with a rave happening in the other,”

An approach found odd by some, but makes the BVH the ever fun, vibey joint it is. “It’s a lot of fun.” This anything-goes approach has kept BVH buzzing and reinforced its place as a cornerstone of the Inner West music scene.

Chelsea’s got her finger firmly on the pulse when it comes to up-and-coming talent, and narrowing her top picks down to three was no easy task. Here are her 2024 BVH alumni to watch:

1. File Type – These legends are gearing up to record their debut EP, and their live shows are always electric.

2. Miramar – Love live electronic music? Miramar pairs killer tunes with a stunning light show. Don’t miss them.

3. The All Mother – This crew’s been consistently delivering bangers, and their live energy is unmatched.

Newtown Sound isn’t just about putting on a good night (although they do that in spades) it’s about strengthening the fabric of Newtown’s live music scene. It’s about giving young artists the tools, space, and confidence to thrive.

And for us at Young Henrys, this is the stuff we love. We’ve always been about backing live music, championing the creatives, and making sure nights like these never go out of style. We’re keen to see you at the BVH come January 2025, with a schooner of Newtowner in hand, soaking up the emerging sounds of this part of Sydney we call home.