The Perth Festival has been showcasing the highlights of the international arts scene for 65 years. This year’s festival is showcasing musical acts at the Chevron Gardens that is positioning the Elizabeth Quay site as the crown jewel of Perth’s entertainment venues.

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With free entry to the gardens, and DJ’s providing the ambiance, the blank space of turf has been turned into the ideal summer party location. Tickets to the main stage range from $36 to $71 and are worth every penny.

Among the many ethnically and culturally diverse artists on the bill is young Australian singer-songwriter Wafia. While born in the Netherlands with Arab heritage, and raised Australia, her very international sound opened the night with her soulful melancholic brand of down-tempo electronica.

While her stage presence is understated, her vocal delivery more than makes up for any lack of theatricality in her performance. Over the course of a roughly one hour set she won the enthusiastic crowd over; who refused to be daunted by some unseasonal rainfall that temporarily shrouded the venue to get their low key groove on.

The second act of the evening was decidedly more high energy. Melbourne based party band Northeast Party House took the warmed up crowd to the next level with a “cavalcade of hedonistic electronic-rock good times”.  Formed in 2010 and being unearthed by JJJ the same year, these boys know how to show an audience a good time. Their obvious enjoyment in performing their music and their infectious energy spilled over into the audience to round off a night of little known but extraordinarily talented acts.

Also featured was up and coming techno artist, also a JJJ Unearthed discovery Willaris. K. His ability to craft a soundscape with his dirgey and moody beats filled the gaps between the main performers.

Info on all upcoming performances can be found at perthfestival.com.au. The festival runs until March 4th 2018.  

Clinton Little