Tucked away in the corner of Kiama, just one kilometre from the train station, sits a skate park many locals know well – a concrete maze of ramps, rails and colourful graffiti that once hosted skateboarding competitions and now serves as a popular hangout for young people.

For one night only, it will become something else entirely, transforming into a venue Kiama has never seen before.

On 21 February, Kiama Skate Park will be converted into a full-scale electronic music venue as local events brand THAT. takes over the space, turning concrete bowls into dance floors and grind rails into viewing platforms.

The event will feature a massive scaffold stage, two towering scaffold structures running through the centre of the park, and an immersive sound and lighting setup designed to complement the skate park’s industrial aesthetic. 

A three-level viewing platform along the western edge will offer partygoers a bird’s-eye view of the action.

Founder of THAT., Dylan Morris, said the skate park had been part of his vision since the very beginning of the brand.

“Before I even threw my first event, this skate park was the end goal,” Morris said. 

“I wanted to create that night – something people talk about and remember.”

Morris, who grew up in Kiama and started DJing at 18, said the idea grew from his frustration with the town’s limited nightlife.

“We’ve always had to go to Wollongong for a night out,” he said. 

“It’s a 40-minute train ride every weekend. I wanted to bring something here, especially for the new generation, so they don’t have to leave town just to have a good night.”

Since launching THAT. two years ago, Morris has staged multiple pop-up events across Kiama, Wollongong and surrounding areas, filling surf clubs, bowling clubs, town halls and even a warehouse in Berry. 

His first event sold out with 150 people, followed by another one just days later that doubled in size.

The skate park event is by far his biggest undertaking.

Morris said the event is costing well and truly in the six-figure range, which justifies the $90 ticket price.

The line-up is backed by Red Bull sponsorship, with a dedicated Red Bull DJ car, a shaded chill-out zone and a second stage planned for the park.

Food vans Amigos and Olachola will be on site, alongside a bar service. Facilities include disabled access, public toilets and parking.

The event will feature high-energy electronic and techno music, aimed primarily at an 18–30-year-old audience, though Morris said it is open to attendees outside that age range.

Performers include STÜM ft. Bella Claxton, Little Fritter and Ned Bennett.

“It’s kind of the new rock and roll,” Morris said. “If you look at festivals now, electronic music is what’s selling out. That’s the crowd we’re bringing.”

Tickets are priced at $90, with organisers saying only around 10 per cent remain.

While many are excited to see Kiama host a large-scale nightlife event, many young people in the area say they felt frustrated and disappointed, after initially being thrilled by the announcement.

“My son and his friends were excited at first, until they saw the age limit and the price,” one local mother told The Bugle. “The skate park is where they meet up with their friends – a place that gives them a sense of belonging – and now they feel shut out.”

She said many young people would like to see a similar event without the age restriction and high ticket cost.

Despite this, Morris hopes the event marks a turning point for Kiama’s nightlife.

“I want to show there’s another side to this town,” he said. “If we can build trust with the community, maybe this opens the door to more regular events – even a nightclub one day.”

The skate park will be back to normal from Monday onward, after crews clean the site, but the conversation about Kiama’s nightlife is likely to linger.