2021
Alter boy
Hailing from Perth, Alter Boy, a six-person powerhouse, comprising three deaf/hard-of-hearing members, continues to influence a greater understanding of how deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals experience the power of music through their dark, shiny pop hits all performed in Auslan (Australian Sign Language). Celebrated for transforming the traditional perception of pop, Alter Boy’s combination of chaotic live performances featuring transgender, disabled bodies and carefully considered, unique uniforms serve the band’s collective motivation to challenge the music industry’s status quo and influence a new relationship with music.
Arno Faraji
A few years ago, Arno Faraji was a high school student whose interest in rap music didn’t extend much further than early Drake mixtapes and making beats after class. Now, however,
Arno Faraji is an essential to Perth’s bustling hip-hop scene and on the forefront of a greater, nation-wide rap explosion; his refreshing approach to hip-hop and its creation making him one of the genre’s most exciting and forward-thinking names.
bad whip
Bad Whip is the improvisational dance music duo of Alex Reid (drums) and Josiah Padmanabhan (keys) of prominent Perth outfit Grievous Bodily Calm. The partner setting allows the duo to explore pure improvisation and reactivity within a drum machine techno driven universe.
boogie box dj’s
The Boogie Box - Presented By Nate Nisbet & Josh Grainger
Wave Rock Speakeasy veteran Nate Nisbet (Blind Tiger / Picnic Records) is teaming up with his partner in time and absolute party starter, Josh Grainger (Ningaloo Records) to slather you with in an all vinyl Dj set of heaters, beaters and creepers. Running a fine-tooth comb through their irrationally large and eclectic vinyl collection to provide back to back sets of brow raising gladness and body heaving madness.
Dj BEE Rizzi
Perth’s premier rock n roll Dj Bee Rizzi (aka Linda Ronstadt’s body double) graces the Wave Rock stage this year with her almighty Rock n roll mega mix dance party. You’ll hear everything from Chisel, Creedence, Van Halen, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, The Models, The Eagles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Peter Green, Fleetwood Mac, Australian Crawl, Don Henley, Dolly Parton, INXS and much much more..
You would have seen Rizzi (she’s not hard to miss) supporting Perth’s finest rock gigs and musicians over the times... So after 17 years experience and a record collection to get everyone’s dads winking at her, no wonder she’s a hoot.
crucial rockers
Reggae band Crucial Rockers is the long running side project of legendary ARIA nominated world music diva Grace Barbe and producer Jamie Searle aka Choppa Crucial. Crucial Rockers has been a popular live act in Western Australia for many years, appearing at Fremantle's legendary dancehall night Fisherman Style as well as Perth Festival, Wave Rock Festival, RTR FM's Harbour Sundays and more.
Crack out the rum and rizzlas and sekkle in for a night of pure reggae niceness!
dan howls band
Dan is known for his characteristic vocals. Loud and Honest. Backed by a razor sharp rhythm section and gleaming guitars. Drawing heavy influences from beloved artists like Tom Waits and The Black Keys. The music lends itself to a wild time and has seen the band play a range of festivals such as Nannup festival, Fairbridge, Wave Rock, Blues at Bridgetown, WAM fest and supported National headliners like Harts, The Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Cedric Burnside and The Animals.
"I suspect that Dan Howls smells like tobacco, whiskey and black magic. Bone rattlingly good, I feel like I sold my soul to the devil for a one-way ticket to hell and I'm cool with that. Someone else reviewed you as nice and dirty - I have nothing to add. " - Nkechi Anele, Triple J Presenter
death by denim
Honey vocals, dreamy synth and vibrant guitar riffs are fast becoming the signature of indie four-piece Death by Denim.
Formed in Perth in 2016, the band is made up of close friends, Palle Mazzulla, Nikolas Ilidias, George Gunson and Hamish Macarthur.
2021 sees Death by Denim selling out their national tour for ‘Sleepless and Sunkissed’ and hitting 1 million streams each for hit tracks ‘Wiggy’ and ‘Cigarettes and Honey’. This year they’ve released emotional single ‘Small World’ and pulsating and high energy party-starter ‘Cause a Scene’ from their hotly anticipated sophomore album.
Dancing in Space Djs
The Dancing in Space DJs are a powerhouse DJ crew consisting of DJ Charlie Bucket, James A & Jehan. If deep disco, soulful house & tropical rhythms are your thing, look no further. Having supported such legends as Horse Meat Disco, Marcel Vigel, John Morales, Rahaan, Ge-ology, CC:DISCO! and more, The DiS boys never fail at putting smiles on faces & hands in the air.
Great Gable
From meeting on the cricket pitch to recording their debut album with the help of Matt Corby, Great Gable are not a band to do things in the standard way. Never ones to worry about industry hype, they have spent the past few years focused on one thing only – getting their music heard by their fans. The band have quietly been selling out multiple national and international tours and amassing millions of online streams, building themselves a die-hard fan base that has stuck with them every step of the way.
Great Gable’s new single ‘Hazy’ is their first release since their critically acclaimed 2020 debut album ‘Tracing Faces’. “Hazy is lush and full of sun-kissed melodies and guitars, the perfect track for a beach-bound road trip.” – triple j.
THEGenuineChan
thegenuinechan is a versatile project with many forms. Headed by Joshua Chan the project can form into anything from improvised ambient music to heavy beats. Joshua has played in bands such as Demon Days, Supathick, Hector Morlet and Izatang making friends with a slew of talented musicians who show up from time to time in this project!
HECTOR MORLET
Hector Morlet has kicked around the Perth music scene for years, pouring his experience into his bedroom beat-making. He gained some early attention on Soundcloud, and has since put together a four piece band to play a new style of music. The band includes members of Tash Sultana’s live band, Airline Food, Butter and Jack Davies and the Bush Chooks. Their sets feature a combination of woozy and growling synthetic sounds, laced with gliding vocals and clarinet refrains. Hector’s captivating melodies are punctuated by tight, textured beats and grooving bass lines.
Only just hot off the back of his swooning first single, ‘Picture Frame’, there is a lot more to come from Hector Morlet.
Huge Magnet & FrIENDS
HUGE MAGNET are a garage boogie rock band from Perth, Western Australia featuring gold nugget JAY BALE JUNIOR on bass/lead vocals, BRETSKII ‘HOT DOG’ HEARN on guitar/vocals) and SLOANDOG on drums/vocals. Formed in 2013 they have released an EP and an LP and played shows in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, regional WA and throughout Spain.
The music takes inspiration from boogie blues royalty like Canned Heat, John Lee Hooker, Hound Dog Taylor, early ZZ Top’, early ACDC and the Stones but sizzles on its own modern hotplate with its own sauce.
HUGE MAGNET live at the crossroads of boogie blues and rock and roll and they treat people right and get the house rocking.
At every HUGE MAGNET show expect electricity and leave your troubles at the door ready to shake yourselves loose. Good times guaranteed. Rock AND roll.
JAMBULANCE
A get down and boogie musical service for those in need.
Making life n' dirtnap decisions on tha frontline. From the control rooms ta the crew on tha street, this jam be hooking people up with a potent sonic surgery and the therapeutic medicine of soothing tones. You best feel well on this spinning rock, every last second counts.
Featuring Dr. Tayo Snowball (The Weapon is Sound) and his paramedics, Mycologist Mal Clark from Ozzy Park, Nurse Todd Pickett, Surgeon Edo Ekic, Practitioner Benjamin Witt & Emergency specialist Jerome Turle plus special guests.
If you’re down & out babe, its time to chill, because this next episode is featuring a rapid response ambulizzle straight up in yo face! Siren's on.
Jambulance will cruze by along with cutting edge meds that consist of Afro-beat, desert blues and silky rhythms
jack davies & The bush Chooks
Formed just over three years ago, Jack Davies and The Bush Chooks have quickly evolved into one of WA's most promising young acts. The group emerged as an electrified take on Jack's storytelling busker act, weaving suburban Australiana and intimate stories into a thundering wall of sound.
In 2019, they released their debut EP Cleaning The Dishes, an eclectic mix of gentle storytelling, uplifting harmonies and hard hitting folk rock. Following up in 2020 was their next EP, Songs for a Long Walk which was launched to a sold out crowd of 500 revellers at Freo Social.
With new releases on the way, 2021 is lining up to be a big year of sharing fresh music and their ever-evolving and captivating live show.
The Little Lord Street Band
The Little Lord Street Band has surprised us. Entering their seventh or eighth year, TLLSB have put the runs on the board – but hey whose counting.
Legends amongst the WA band circuit, with their unique blend of indie-laden country pushing them forward as a band that works for both traditional country audiences and something more forward-thinking and alternative. As a result, they're amongst WA's formidable bands.
They've long been somewhat of a cult favourite within Perth's live music sphere - regulars on line-ups, whether it is festivals, headline shows or support slots - and their recorded work has always matched that.
MAL DE MER
Mal de Mer is a dynamic 6-piece Perth band that effortlessly glides between Funk, Indie, Jazz, Soul, and Pop. Having taken on many different forms in their lifetime, Mal de Mer has been able to constantly evolve at a rapid pace, and explore different sounds and avenues with each release. The band consists of Julia Wallace (Trumpet/Keyboard), James Marelich (Drums), Saskia Fleming (Vocals/Synth), Bella Waideman (Bass), Ashton Weaver (Guitar), and John Harvey (Guitar). Dipping between writing funk-fuelled singles like 'Far Cough', and more subdued tracks like 'Dont Blink', Mal de Mer fuses the member’s individual musical inspirations and writing styles together seamlessly; creating a powerhouse up-and-coming group with a distinguishable sound.
'Mal de Mer... bring us something original, eccentric, and textured' - Live Wire AU
OLD MERVS
Old Mervs are riding at the peak of a surf-rock renaissance in Western Australia, having sold out a string of huge rooms in 2021 and winning fans across the country with their no-nonsense songwriting and country-lad charm.
Best mates since the age of 5, David House (vocals & guitar) and Henry Carrington-Jones (drums) grew up together in Kojonup, a tiny town approximately halfway between Perth and Albany. They began their journey as Old Mervs as Henry finished high school in 2017, converting an old stable into their first jam space and spending the following years flitting between stints in Wollongong, Perth and various country towns.
With David now based in Margaret River, and Henry in Perth, the band have been building their regional and metro fanbase in 2021 with successive sell-out shows at Freo.Social and The River.
ODETTE MERCY & HER SOUL ATOMICS
Super tight, dynamic and with a reputation for one of the best live shows in WA, 6-piece soul act Odette Mercy & Her Soul Atomics are like a gritted up old Stax record come to life. OM&hSA have been no stranger to life's lessons and heartbreak. Entwined with a pervasive thread of social commentary, their experiences and reflections form the foundation for their writing; songs which are brutally honest, but tell a personal story of love and life through soul-filled heavy groove.
RACKA CHACHI
Racka Chachi are a creative collective from Perth, who make an energetic blend of hip-hop, funk andR&B. Featuring MC's, vocalists, producers, visual artists & marketers; the group’s ethos is 'Do ItYourself, Do It Now & Do It With Your Friends'.
The collective’s upward trajectory has continued in 2021 with a WAM Song of The Year nomination,Emerging Artist Award at Nannup Music Festival and a sold out launch for their latest single, ‘MotherGod’ at Jack Rabbit Slim's.
SPACEY JANE
Fremantle indie rock foursome Spacey Jane have cemented their position as one ofAustralia's most-loved bands. Their debut albumSunlight, released in June 2020, entered the ARIA chart at No.2. Four tracks would be voted into triple j's Hottest 100 including fan-favourite “Booster Seat” landing at No.2, just behind Glass Animals' "Heat Waves”.“ Booster Seat” would also soar into the ARIA Top 10 singles chart, achieving platinum sales while the band have accumulated over 88 million streams to date.
The band - front man Caleb Harper, guitarist Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu, bassist Peppa Laneand drummer/manager Kieran Lama - spent the first half of 2021 finally getting to playing sold out COVID safe shows across the East Coast of Australia.
SIOBHAN COTCHIN
West Australian alt-country/rock singer-songwriter Siobhan Cotchin catapulted into 2020 and she's already got 2021 under her spell too. Siobhan
quickly became one of Australia's favourite new artists, winning over hearts with her debut single ‘Tear Myself Apart’ which exploded nationally. It was swiftly followed by four mesmerising tracks ‘Do You Know What I Mean?’, ‘Just The Way It Is’, ‘The Fair-Weather Friend Blues’ and her latest release 'Highway Song’.
With a writing style that echoes the effortless musing of Lucinda Williams, laced with inspiration drawn from Bob Dylan, Siobhan’s jangly luminous melodies hover over storytelling lyrics as she effortlessly pulls the listener into a world of introspective self-discovery. A world that’s all her own.
Sunshine Brothers
Surf's up Wave Rockers! Leave your troubles at the gate and get ready to loosen up and feel free with WA's legendary dub/reggae/ska heroes Sunshine Brothers. Right out of WA, the unmistakable vibe of the beach, beer gardens, sea breezes, sunshine, banter and the best of times runs right through every element of their unique and joyful sound.
The Brothers are at their best live and in the moment and have been laying down the good times at festivals, pubs and clubs worldwide since 2005 with the same unbreakable line-up; including fifteen years of feeling the magic of playing their annual Sunday night slot at Wave Rock Weekender.
With hundreds of shows, major festivals and international supports across Australia, NZ, USA, UK and Europe they are, like all of us, stuck in WA during this 2020 schmozzle but couldn't be more thrilled to get back to their spiritual home, the Wave Rock Weekender, to throw down some warmth with tunes from across their 3 album, 15 year collaboration.
The Western Australian Badass Gospel Choir
Formed in 2015 by Abbe May, Ofa Fotu and Joni Hogan, the Badass choir was created as an outlet for the three singers to perform their favourite pop songs together. After myriad performances around Australia, the trio invited in more of WA’s greatest band fronting personalities, with Grace Barbe, Queency, Tara John and Sarah Pellicano now joining forces with the original trio to bring more instrumentation and greater harmonic power.
At a WA Badass Gospel Choir event you can expect to hear great vocalists singing classic pop and soul with some originals to keep things spicy. There will also be a lot of giggling (especially when Abbe and Ofa accidentally make eye contact.)
Your GIrl Pho
Your Girl Pho is known for her big vocal range, high energy & live looping during shows. A dynamic young artist that bounces with ease across genres, ranging from somber, nostalgic R&B to bright, colourful electro-pop that will have you dancing from start to finish. The power, sass & closeness of Pho’s voice is bigger than the limitations of genre
“Commanding frontwoman Pho delivered beautiful captivating, soulful vocals throughout their funk infused original tracks and had the crowd moving instantly.”
– Futuremag
SUPATHICK
Supathick is made up of musicians from all corners of Perth’s exquisite music scene (Demon Days, Wooly Mammoth, Almond Soy, Grace Armstrong), but this project is a funk-fuelled beast of it’s own.
Fusing the R&B and disco of the 70s with today’s neo-soul, Supathick unveil their own brand of music-to-dance-to while keeping it… thick.