By Tia Mell (University of Melbourne Journalism student)
A stacked lineup of homegrown talent takes over Newport’s Substation in December as Westside Open Studios celebrates its first year of monthly studio sessions.
Launched this year, Westside Open Studios Sessions has become a free monthly jam where the Newport Community Hub’s recording studio transforms into a sonic playground. Young musicians mix, mingle and jump into 20-minute rotating improv sets that keep the music and energy constantly shifting, open to any and all local bands and solo performers between the ages of 15–25.
Each month, a different crew member allocates a theme to provide free workshops, such as its music and poetry night in July where attendees participated in a one-line poetry workshop set to be published in the youth-led publisher magnitude review.
The sessions are part of Amplify, a youth development program that provides young people across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria with opportunities to access live music events and other cultural, recreational and artistic events that are drug, alcohol and smoke-free in supervised and safe venues.
Hobsons Bay Youth Services manages the Westside Amplify branch and provides volunteers with support and training to build their skills and experience in event production and management.
Motionblur., a west-based alt-rock four-piece, is one of five acts set to perform at the Wrap Party and has been involved in making Westside Open Studios a reality.
Singer and bassist Alex Langton credits Amplify’s Westside branches, Hoppers Crossing’s Paradox Amplify and Newport’s Westside Amplify, as pivotal resources in providing the band with countless performance opportunities and early exposure.
“Amplify was a great starting point for us when we were under 18 and couldn’t book gigs in the city,” says Langton. “There was one year where we entered three different Amplify council’s Battle of The Bands competitions just because we could, and have been able to build a loyal fanbase from there.”
Motionblur. won Paradox Amplify’s 2025 Battle of The Bands in October, garnering them free recording and mastering sessions at Wrangler Studios in Footscray, a promotional photoshoot, and a round of vinyl pressings that enabled the band to release their first two singles, Satellite and School Uniform.
Langton and fellow band member drummer Jacob Burfoot joined the Westside Amplify committee over three years ago and are helping to organise the upcoming Wrap party.
“The event is focused on ensuring that young people in this area have access to live music and are given opportunities to perform, so we wanted to make ticket prices affordable to the demographic that we are putting the show on for,” says Langton.
The Wrap Party takes place at The Substation in Newport on December 4 and features local acts including Peach Fuzz, Cry Club, Motionblur., Dead Ed and Ducter. It’s fully supervised, and drug/alcohol/vape-free. Young people aged 12–25 can snag $10 tickets, while adults pay $25.
Westside Studio’s 2026 Crew is officially open for sign-ups – so if you’re a 15–25-year-old musician keen to learn the ropes, plan events and get on stage, this is your moment!
