Music of Perth
Encyclopedia
Perth
is a city in Western Australia
that has produced a number of notable performers in popular music. Some of the more famous performers include Rolf Harris
, David Helfgott
, Luke Steele
and Tim Minchin
. Perth is now home to many notable artists in genres including rock
, classical
, and electronic music
.
While most artists leave after achieving some popularity, some acclaimed performers only gained their fame after leaving, such as The Triffids
and Pendulum
.
s, such as the Big Day Out
, also held across Australia, and Rock-It
, which is unique to Perth. The Perth International Arts Festival
bills itself as the largest and longest-lasting multi-arts festival in Australia. Music institutions include the West Australian Opera
, West Australian Symphony Orchestra
, and numerous choral groups.
, John Butler Trio
, Gyroscope (band)
, Birds of Tokyo
, End of Fashion
, Little Birdy
, Jebediah
, Sleepy Jackson, Karnivool
, Institut Polaire
, The Panics
, Ease
, The Waifs
, Tame Impala
and several drum and bass
acts, like Pendulum and Greg Packer.
Perth's hip hop
scene has produced artists such as Drapht
, Downsyde
, MC Layla
, Matty B
and Lo-Key Fu
. Many of these artists are members of the Perth hip hop crew named Syllabolix. A majority of Perth's premier Emcee's are featured on the Obese Records
label. This connection has seen several Perth artists feature in the recordings of other Australian acts, such as The Hilltop Hoods.
Many of Australia's critically acclaimed hardcore bands originated from Perth, including Extortion, Miles Away, Break Even, Rupture and Heist.
As well as the Big Day Out
and Soundwave, the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival
and Southbound
are major popular music festivals.
which performs a regular programme of orchestral music, usually from its base at the Perth Concert Hall
; it also tours regional Western Australia. There are a large number of smaller professional, semi-professional and non-professional music groups and choral societies and choirs which perform in a variety of venues in and around Perth. Repertoire ranges from baroque to contemporary.
The West Australian Youth Music Association (or WAYMA), allows the youth of Perth to experience playing in a musical ensemble. Acceptance is only granted to amateur student players under the age of 25 years and who are currently under instrumental tutelage. The association runs a symphonic band, a flute choir, several choirs and four orchestras in total (two string orchestras and two symphony orchestras).
, the Burswood Dome
, Challenge Stadium
, the Metropolis Concert Clubs in Fremantle and Perth, Fremantle Arts Centre
and the Belvoir Amphitheatre. The Perth Entertainment Centre
hosted many international acts, including KISS
, Queen
, Robert Plant
, and Fleetwood Mac
, until it was closed in 2002. Large international acts now usually play outside, in sporting venues like the WACA cricket ground, Subiaco Oval
and Members Equity Stadium
or the Claremont Showgrounds
(home of the Big Day Out
) and occasionally large outdoor areas like the Supreme Court Gardens.
Many former venues have been demolished, including wartime dancehalls such as The Tearooms and The Pagoda Ballroom. Others, such as The Raffles Hotel and The Grosvenor have closed as music venues but have been redeveloped as restaurants and public bars.
Current live music venues are predominantly located in the Fremantle and Perth/Northbridge entertainment districts. Many smaller venues host international and interstate acts, including the Fly-By-Night, Mojos and the Newport in Fremantle, The Rosemount Hotel in North Perth and The Amplifier Bar in Perth city. Other clubs and pubs in these districts and in the suburbs present hip-hop electronic music, cover bands and lesser-known local artists e.g. the Hyde Park Hotel.
publications dedicated to the music and arts scene include X-Press Magazine and Drum Media
Perth.
Many newspapers and magazines include sections on the Perth music scene, including the Wire Magazine, The West Australian
's latest attempt at appealing to the youth market, and university publications such as Grok Magazine
, Pelican and Metior.
, 6IX 1080, Mix 94.5
, 96fm
, RTRFM
, Nova 93.7
and Heritage FM 108.3
. The 101.7 FM band is shared by Groove 101.7 FM from 4:30pm to 4:30am, and Country 101.7 FM from 4:30am to 4:30pm. 100.9FM
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
is a city in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
that has produced a number of notable performers in popular music. Some of the more famous performers include Rolf Harris
Rolf Harris
Rolf Harris, CBE, AM is an Australian musician, singer-songwriter, composer, painter and television personality.Born in Perth, Western Australia, Harris was a champion swimmer before studying art. He moved to England in 1952, where he started to appear on television programmes on which he drew the...
, David Helfgott
David Helfgott
David Helfgott is an Australian concert pianist. He is as well known for having schizoaffective disorder as he is for his piano playing. Helfgott's life inspired the Oscar-winning film Shine, in which he was played by Geoffrey Rush....
, Luke Steele
Luke Steele
Luke David Steele is an English football player. He is a goalkeeper currently playing for Barnsley.-Football career:...
and Tim Minchin
Tim Minchin
Timothy David "Tim" Minchin is a British-Australian comedian, actor, and musician.Tim Minchin is best known for his musical comedy, which has featured in six CDs, three DVDs and a number of live comedy shows which he has performed internationally. He has also appeared on television in Australia,...
. Perth is now home to many notable artists in genres including rock
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, and electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
.
History
Perth's isolation is problematic for many rising artists, as it increases costs associated with touring and promotion. For this reason, many artists leave Perth to improve their popularity, with varying degrees of success.While most artists leave after achieving some popularity, some acclaimed performers only gained their fame after leaving, such as The Triffids
The Triffids
The Triffids were a seminal Australian alternative rock and pop band formed in Perth, Western Australia, in May 1978 with charismatic, David McComb as singer-songwriter, guitarist, bass guitarist and keyboardist. They achieved negligible success in Australia, but greater success in the U.K...
and Pendulum
Pendulum (band)
Pendulum is an Australian drum and bass and electronic rock band founded in 2002 in Perth by Rob Swire, Gareth McGrillen, and Paul Harding.Swire and McGrillen were members of the rock band known as Xygen. After hearing Konflict's "Messiah" at a club, they were inspired to enter into the drum and...
.
Current
The city is also home to several popular music festivalMusic festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
s, such as the Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
, also held across Australia, and Rock-It
Rock-It
Rock-It is an Australian music festival held at the Arena Joondalup in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. The festival was first held in 1999, and mainly features modern rock music...
, which is unique to Perth. The Perth International Arts Festival
Perth International Arts Festival
The Perth International Arts Festival is Australia's longest running cultural festival, held annually in Western Australia between February-March. The program features contemporary and classical music, dance, theatre, opera, visual arts, large-scale public works, Lotterywest Festival Films and the...
bills itself as the largest and longest-lasting multi-arts festival in Australia. Music institutions include the West Australian Opera
West Australian Opera
West Australian Opera is the principal opera company of Western Australia and is based at His Majesty's Theatre in Perth.The company formed in 1967 and works in close association with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. As of 2008, the Chairman is Erich Fraunschiel and Artistic Director is...
, West Australian Symphony Orchestra
West Australian Symphony Orchestra
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra , often known as the "Orchestra of the West", is the premier professional orchestra of the state of Western Australia.-History:...
, and numerous choral groups.
Popular Music
Perth is also home to a major local scene, which has produced nationally and internationally renowned bands like Eskimo JoeEskimo Joe
Eskimo Joe is an Australian alternative rock band formed by Stuart MacLeod on guitars, Joel Quartermain on drums and guitar and Kavyen Temperley on bass guitar and vocals, in East Fremantle, Western Australia in 1997....
, John Butler Trio
John Butler Trio
The John Butler Trio are an eclectic roots and jam band from Australia led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler. They formed in Fremantle in 1998 with Jason McGann on drums and Gavin Shoesmith on bass guitar...
, Gyroscope (band)
Gyroscope (band)
Gyroscope is an Australian rock band from Perth, Western Australia, formed in 1997. The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Daniel Sanders, guitarist and back up vocalist Zoran Trivic, bassist and back up vocalist Brad Campbell and drummer Rob Nassif....
, Birds of Tokyo
Birds of Tokyo
Birds of Tokyo is a four-piece alternative rock band from Perth, Western Australia. Their debut album Day One, gained them domestic success with it reaching No. 3 on the AIR Independent Album charts, spending a total of 36 consecutive weeks in the top 10.In 2008, the band released Universes,...
, End of Fashion
End of Fashion
End of Fashion are an Australian power pop band from Perth, Western Australia. The band consists of singer and guitarist Justin Burford, guitarist Rodney Aravena, bassist Simon Fasolo, and drummer Mike Hobbs. The group gained mainstream attention with their 2005 single "O Yeah", which reached...
, Little Birdy
Little Birdy
Little Birdy are an Australian indie rock band formed in Perth, Western Australia in 2002 by singer and guitarist Katy Steele, drummer Matt Chequer, guitarist and keyboardist Simon Leach, and bass guitarist Scott O'Donoghue...
, Jebediah
Jebediah
Jebediah is an Australian alternative rock band formed in 1994 in Perth, Western Australia. The group consists of vocalist and guitarist Kevin Mitchell, guitarist Chris Daymond, bassist Vanessa Thornton, and Kevin's brother Brett Mitchell on drums...
, Sleepy Jackson, Karnivool
Karnivool
Karnivool are an Australian progressive rock band formed in Perth in 1997. The group currently consists of Ian Kenny on vocals, Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking on guitar, Jon Stockman on bass guitar, and Steve Judd on drums. Karnivool emerged from a band Kenny and Goddard formed during high school...
, Institut Polaire
Institut Polaire
Institut Polaire were an indie band originating from Perth, Western Australia.-History:Institut Polaire formed as a three piece in 2004 by an American ex-pat , an English born scientist and a country boy moved to the big city...
, The Panics
The Panics
The Panics are an ARIA Award–winning indie rock band originally from Perth, Western Australia, and currently based in Melbourne, Victoria.-History:...
, Ease
Ease
Ease may refer to:* ease or a cure * Ease * Ease , presentation software for the GNOME desktop environment* Ease , by Patrick Gale* EASE, European Association of Science Editors...
, The Waifs
The Waifs
The Waifs are an Australian folk rock band formed in 1992 by Josh Cunningham , and sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson...
, Tame Impala
Tame Impala
Tame Impala are a psychedelic rock band from Perth, Australia. They are signed to Modular Records. The band came to prominence in 2010 with the release of their first debut album, Innerspeaker. Their name refers to the impala, a medium sized antelope...
and several drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
acts, like Pendulum and Greg Packer.
Perth's hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
scene has produced artists such as Drapht
Drapht
Drapht is an Australian hip hop singer from Perth, Western Australia. Drapht is a member of the Syllaboliks crew, which comprises fellow Australian hip hop artists from Perth.-Biography:...
, Downsyde
Downsyde
Downsyde are an Australian hip hop group from Perth, Western Australia. The group is composed of six members, Optamus, Dazastah, Dyna-Mikes, DJ Armee, Cheeky, and Hi-Hat.- History :...
, MC Layla
MC Layla
- Biography :Layla Rose Hanbury was born in 15 October 1982. Her first gig was at an MC battle in Perth where she was the only female among 20 entrants....
, Matty B
Matty B
Matty B is a former Australian rapper, now employed as a miner in Western Australia's booming mining industry.-Biography:Matthew Barrett grew up in Western Australia and was a member of Perth's Syllaboliks hip hop crew...
and Lo-Key Fu
Lo-Key Fu
-Biography:Lo-Key Fu is a contemporary producer, performer and remixer based in Perth, Western Australia who composes various styles of Breakbeat and performs his own music as a live electronic act...
. Many of these artists are members of the Perth hip hop crew named Syllabolix. A majority of Perth's premier Emcee's are featured on the Obese Records
Obese Records
Obese Records is an Australian hip hop record label. It is the largest Australian independent Hip-Hop label, a retail store and a touring and record distribution company.-History:...
label. This connection has seen several Perth artists feature in the recordings of other Australian acts, such as The Hilltop Hoods.
Many of Australia's critically acclaimed hardcore bands originated from Perth, including Extortion, Miles Away, Break Even, Rupture and Heist.
As well as the Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
and Soundwave, the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival
West Coast Blues & Roots Festival
The West Coast Blues 'n' Roots Festival is an annual music festival held in Fremantle, Western Australia. It features many blues and roots performers, both international and local.-History:...
and Southbound
Southbound (festival)
Southbound is an arts, camping and music festival. A variety of Australian and international artists perform at this event. The festival occurs annually, early January, at the Sir Stewart Bovell Park in Busselton, Western Australia.-History:...
are major popular music festivals.
Classical
Perth is home to the West Australian Symphony OrchestraWest Australian Symphony Orchestra
The West Australian Symphony Orchestra , often known as the "Orchestra of the West", is the premier professional orchestra of the state of Western Australia.-History:...
which performs a regular programme of orchestral music, usually from its base at the Perth Concert Hall
Perth Concert Hall, Western Australia
The Perth Concert Hall is a concert hall in the centre of Perth, Western Australia. Situated between St Georges Terrace and Terrace Road, it is located near Government House, the Supreme Court Gardens and the Swan Bells, with a view to the Swan River....
; it also tours regional Western Australia. There are a large number of smaller professional, semi-professional and non-professional music groups and choral societies and choirs which perform in a variety of venues in and around Perth. Repertoire ranges from baroque to contemporary.
The West Australian Youth Music Association (or WAYMA), allows the youth of Perth to experience playing in a musical ensemble. Acceptance is only granted to amateur student players under the age of 25 years and who are currently under instrumental tutelage. The association runs a symphonic band, a flute choir, several choirs and four orchestras in total (two string orchestras and two symphony orchestras).
Venues
Major music venues in Perth include the Perth Concert HallPerth Concert Hall, Western Australia
The Perth Concert Hall is a concert hall in the centre of Perth, Western Australia. Situated between St Georges Terrace and Terrace Road, it is located near Government House, the Supreme Court Gardens and the Swan Bells, with a view to the Swan River....
, the Burswood Dome
Burswood Entertainment Complex
The Burswood Entertainment Complex is located on the Swan River near the city of Perth, Western Australia, and is owned by Crown Limited. The complex includes a 24-hour casino, seven restaurants, eight bars, a nightclub, two international hotels , a Convention Centre, Theatre and the Burswood Dome...
, Challenge Stadium
Challenge Stadium
Challenge Stadium is a sports complex in the suburb of Mount Claremont, west of Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It was opened in 1986 and is home to the Western Australian Institute of Sport. The main indoor arena holds 4,500 people...
, the Metropolis Concert Clubs in Fremantle and Perth, Fremantle Arts Centre
Fremantle Arts Centre
Fremantle Arts Centre is a multi-arts organisation, offering a program of exhibitions, residencies, art courses and music in a historic building in the heart of Fremantle, Western Australia....
and the Belvoir Amphitheatre. The Perth Entertainment Centre
Perth Entertainment Centre
Perth Entertainment Centre is a former indoor arena and cinema complex, located in Wellington Street, in the city centre of Perth, Western Australia.-History:...
hosted many international acts, including KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
, Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
, and Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
, until it was closed in 2002. Large international acts now usually play outside, in sporting venues like the WACA cricket ground, Subiaco Oval
Subiaco Oval
Subiaco Oval , known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia...
and Members Equity Stadium
Members Equity Stadium
Perth Oval, known by its sponsored name nib Stadium since July 2010, is a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. It has been the home of A-League club Perth Glory since 1996 and has housed the administrative facilities of the Western Australia Rugby League since 2003...
or the Claremont Showgrounds
Claremont Showgrounds
The Claremont Showgrounds were built in 1905 in the Perth suburb of Claremont. The Showgrounds are home to the annual Perth Royal Show. They were also the original home of Claremont-Cottesloe in its first year in the WAFL before moving to Claremont Oval....
(home of the Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
) and occasionally large outdoor areas like the Supreme Court Gardens.
Many former venues have been demolished, including wartime dancehalls such as The Tearooms and The Pagoda Ballroom. Others, such as The Raffles Hotel and The Grosvenor have closed as music venues but have been redeveloped as restaurants and public bars.
Current live music venues are predominantly located in the Fremantle and Perth/Northbridge entertainment districts. Many smaller venues host international and interstate acts, including the Fly-By-Night, Mojos and the Newport in Fremantle, The Rosemount Hotel in North Perth and The Amplifier Bar in Perth city. Other clubs and pubs in these districts and in the suburbs present hip-hop electronic music, cover bands and lesser-known local artists e.g. the Hyde Park Hotel.
Publications
Local street pressStreet press
Street press is a term used to describe a certain type of publishing, between zines and magazines/newspapers in terms of distribution, content and audience. They are particularly prolific in Australia, although there are also some examples from Europe and North America...
publications dedicated to the music and arts scene include X-Press Magazine and Drum Media
Drum Media
Drum Media is a free weekly tabloid-sized music and lifestyle magazine established in 1990 and based in Sydney, Australia. It is distributed throughout Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra, and surrounding districts. A separate weekly issue began circulating in Perth in September 2006. The...
Perth.
Many newspapers and magazines include sections on the Perth music scene, including the Wire Magazine, The West Australian
The West Australian
The West Australian is the only locally-edited daily newspaper published in Perth, Western Australia, and is owned by ASX-listed Seven West Media . The West is published in tabloid format, as is the state's other major newspaper, The Sunday Times, a News Limited publication...
's latest attempt at appealing to the youth market, and university publications such as Grok Magazine
Grok Magazine
Grok Magazine is an Australian student magazine. It is written and produced by Curtin University students and published by the Curtin Student Guild. 2009 will see 5 issues published, and approximately 10,000 copies distributed per issue...
, Pelican and Metior.
Radio
92.9, Triple JTriple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
, 6IX 1080, Mix 94.5
Mix 94.5
MIX 94.5 is a commercial music radio station owned by Austereo in Perth, Western Australia.The station originally began as 6KY, beginning broadcasting on 23 October 1941 and would eventually end up at the frequency 1206 kHz. On 1 June 1991, 6KY became one of two Perth radio stations to convert...
, 96fm
96FM
96FM can refer to:* Cork's 96FM, a Radio station in Cork, Ireland* 96fm , a Radio station in Perth, Western Australia...
, RTRFM
RTRFM
RTRFM is a not-for-profit, community radio station based in Perth, Western Australia. It is self-funded, largely through listener subscription and fund-raising events, however it does carry some "advertising material" at a maximum of 5 mins per hour. It broadcasts 24 hours a day, on 92.1 in the...
, Nova 93.7
Nova 937
Nova 93.7 is a commercial radio station in Perth, Western Australia. Owned by DMG Radio Australia, it was established in the Perth market on Wednesday December 5, 2002...
and Heritage FM 108.3
Heritage FM
Heritage FM is a community radio station that broadcasts on 107.3 MHz FM from its studios at 33 Mills Road in Gosnells, Western Australia...
. The 101.7 FM band is shared by Groove 101.7 FM from 4:30pm to 4:30am, and Country 101.7 FM from 4:30am to 4:30pm. 100.9FM
External links
- X-Press
- Perth Music
- Perth Bands
- West Australian Music Industry Association
- Teknoscape - Perth Electronic Dance Music
- Drum Media Perth
- Cool Perth Nights
- Space Ship News - Perth Music News
Further reading
- The Town Crier : newsletter. Western Australian Folk Federation. 1972 - current