Future stars to rock Honeysuckle NYE

Budding rock stars from Newcastle and the Hunter region will provide live entertainment in a family-friendly environment presented by Newcastle City Council this New Year's Eve.

Six local bands made up of youth aged 8 to 17 will perform 20-minute sets at Honeysuckle after being selected in a battle of the bands competition final this Sunday.

The Future Stars of Rock, selected from a competition run by Rosie's School of Rock, will cover several genres of music including Indie Pop, Top 40 and Hard Rock.

"Newcastle has a fine tradition of producing great bands, like Silverchair and the Screaming Jets, and we are looking to continue that by giving local talent a platform to launch their careers while entertaining New Year's Eve revellers," Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said.

Rosie's School of Rock's Craig 'Rosie' Rosevear, the Screaming Jets' drummer, said the winning band, as well as gaining exposure on NYE, would also receive a $500 cash prize, mentoring, a photo shoot and coverage in entertainment guide Newcastle Live.

"We will ensure the bands play music suitable for the family-friendly style of the occasion at Honeysuckle," Rosevear, who will be Master of Ceremonies during the Future Rockstars NYE performances, said.

"I can't wait to see the bands play this Sunday because I already know how good some of the local talent is. They're going to rock it."

The entertainment is part of Newcastle City Council's New Year's Eve line up at Honeysuckle.

As well as The Future Rock Stars, other family-friendly entertainment will be presented on the night, such as craft activities in which kids can build drums and guitars, and a chance to see larger-than-life characters from the sell-out Dreamworks Shrek the Musical JR by Hunter Drama that played at the Civic Theatre earlier this year.

Contemporary artists, duos and trios and a DJ for live New Year's Eve broadcaster KOFM will occupy three separate stages throughout the night, which will also feature a 9pm fireworks display and a range of on-harbour entertainment.

Four of The Future Stars of Rock bands to play New Year's Eve will be announced during performances by Rosie's School of Rock charges tomorrow at the Beach Hotel, Merewether, from noon to 3pm.

The final Future band will be selected at the Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton, in a Battle of the Bands on Sunday from 1.30pm to 5.30pm.

All band members and spectators under 18 will have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at both venues.

Rosie’s School of Rock is a performance-based music school for kids under the guidance of Craig “Rosie” Rosevear.

The school aims to increase confidence in youngsters through song-based tuition that sees students learn popular rock songs and perform them in a band.

Visit Newcastle NYE event or the Newcastle NYE 2016 facebook page.

Fore more information, phone Newcastle City Council Media Officer Ben Johnson on 0412 822 154 or email bjohnson@ncc.nsw.gov.au