YCK Laneways venue discovers their house band through Neon Marketplace.
Tucked away in a stunning heritage-listed building in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, Kasippu Bar blends a moody cocktail experience with Sri Lankan soul food - and now, a side of live music magic every week.
Kasippu was on the lookout for a house band to bring a Nashville-style live music experience to life: something interactive, high-energy, and immersive. They envisioned a band that could play a wide range of crowd-pleasing covers, take spontaneous song requests and even welcome guests onstage to sing along.
However, finding the right fit proved to be more difficult than expected.
“We knew what we wanted, but the options we came across just didn’t quite hit the mark,” said the Kasippu team. After a few weeks of searching and not quite landing it, we were beginning to think it might be too specific an ask.”
That’s when they turned to Neon Marketplace.
The opportunity: a callout for crowd-pleasers
With a clear vision in mind, Kasippu posted a detailed opportunity on Neon Marketplace, outlining their need for a house band that could energise their late-night crowd.
They were seeking musicians who could go beyond simply performing - the brief called for a band that could play a dynamic mix of covers to get people dancing, respond to song requests on the fly, and actively involve the audience - whether by welcoming guest singers or building a feel-good, spontaneous atmosphere.
The venue also made it clear they were ready to collaborate on setup and logistics to make sure the partnership worked smoothly from night one.
“We’re on the hunt for a regular house band to keep the energy high," said the Kasippu team.
"Play a killer collection of covers that get the crowd going, take requests, maybe even invite guests to sing along. Be interactive and fun, creating an unforgettable live music experience.”
It was a unique opportunity for the right performers - and it didn’t take long for the perfect match to come forward.
The match: Kent Street Jam brings the vibe
Enter Kent Street Jam: a genre-bending, soul-fuelled collaboration between Layla and Mina-Siale, real-life roommates and now Saturday night regulars at Kasippu.
Through Neon Marketplace, Kasippu connected with the pair and instantly knew they’d found the right match. Their relaxed, interactive style and musical chemistry hit all the right notes.
Now, Layla and Mina-Siale bring their spontaneous, crowd-led energy to Kasippu. Whether it’s taking requests, reworking classics, or inviting brave guests onstage, Kent Street Jam keeps the party flowing from 9pm until late.
Photo courtesy Kasippu Bar
“Jump up with the band, suggest a song, or just come for a boogie.”
- Kent Street Jam
The collaboration is a perfect example of how Neon Marketplace helps creative venues find the right talent, right when it’s needed.
“Neon Marketplace made it easy to connect with artists who really understood what we were trying to create,” says Karl Schlothauer, owner of Kasippu Bar and one of the District Coordinators for YCK Laneways. “They've added a whole new vibe to Saturday nights.”
📍 Kasippu Bar, Kent Street
🕘 9pm – 12am, every Saturday in June
🎤 Featuring Kent Street Jam: Layla & Mina-Siale
We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of First Nations Australians. We also acknowledge all of the traditional owners of the land in NSW, and pay respect to First Nations Elders, past and present.
