On November 2nd and 3rd, more than one hundred local Western Australian bands will play at multiple venues across the city for FREE as part of the annual WAMFest. And this year, as part of the AU review’s national run of 10th birthday celebrations, we’re taking over no less than four stages at the Amplifier Capitol on Friday 2nd November.
We’re inviting guests to rock out to indie, punk, grunge and electro music spread across four indoor and outdoor stages. Join us as we take a look at the artists who will be gracing the massive line-up:
At the Amplifier Bar, the progressive Post-rock outfit Bolt Gun will kick off the night. With Pink Floyd-like 1970s music, swaying between calm and chaotic, the band takes you on a journey through a man’s soul. The evening will continue with some more laid back tunes from Ryan Beno and his minimalistic instrumental sound. He twists jazz influences to a dynamic and electronic exploration of musical boundaries. The four-piece indie rock band Treehouse will charm your ears and hearts with their comforting heartbreak music and a collage of female/male harmonies. They will bring along a compelling guitar sound and their conversational style lyrics. Closing the night at the Amplifier Bar will be JOYS (Pictured), the Sonic Youth influenced post-punk band. Fusing soft guitar melodies with grungy noise and strong vocals they are the perfect way to end the night.
Outside at the Amplifier Courtyard we welcome local metal rockers Skullcave. The three-piece are back from their national tour and will perform the unique melodies from their two critically acclaimed EPs in Perth. Ratking gained recognition with their exciting hard-core punk style, and will follow. Let yourself be blown away by an avalanche of drums and noisy reverb solos. The group will embark on a Japan tour soon with their exceptional new single “Vote4Me” in their pocket. Candy Guts is a true sweet treat, especially for lovers of the indie and alternative genre. On the single “Go Away” they pair eardrum-torturing sounds with melodic sensibility. Following up on their fuzzy sound is The Shakery, another Western Australia punk outfit. The all-girl band draws from rock n roll and garage influences and sings about social issues like homelessness. Closing the set at the Courtyard with their cacophonic fusion of Electro, Punk and Hip Hop is the Duo Doublethink Prism.
Helen Shanahan will be singing her songs about the joys and pains of love and life upstairs at the Capitol. Her heartfelt lyrics come accompanied by a folky acoustic guitar play influenced by folk legend Joni Mitchell. Another Perth-based singer-songwriter, Duncan Saige, will perform songs from his latest EP I’m Saved. He gives the indie pop genre a personal touch with his raw vocals and infectious melodies. Expect a charismatic show from Grace Sanders and her band. They stretch the borders of indie music by adding elements from jazz, folk and soul. In this genre-blending mix the melody and the lyrics take centre stage. Closing down the Indie line-up is Ribs. The singer-songwriter is known for her minimalistic use of instruments and a mellow voice.
Opening the show at the Capitol is the Duo CRUEL NOON. On their single “Midnight Red” they launch their sonic experiment with a fusion of Drum n Bass Techno and Hip Hop. Bringing Punk music back on stage is the four-piece group Sly Withers. The Perth based musicians impressed with their witty single “Google Maps” and certainly won’t have trouble finding their way to the venue. Fans who didn’t get to see Great Gable in their sold out Perth shows get another chance to witness this emerging indie Rock band live. “Pillars” is their latest single and draws analogies to their influences David Bowie and Arctic Monkeys. Kaitlin Keegan will please the crowd with soulful vocals and honest song writing. Her dreamy debut EP Sadisco is out now and scored her a feature at The Rubens national tour. Sending us off into the night with some more indie rock and insightful lyrics will be Tanaya Harper. The guitarist sings about deeply personal experiences with depression and anxiety on her debut single “Graceless”. Her soft and well-crafted melodies will stay in your ears, while the intimate lyrics remain close to the heart even long after the show.
AMPLIFIER CAPITOL
PRESENTED BY AU REVIEW
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 2
7PM TO 11.30PM
AMPLIFIER BAR
Bolt Gun
Ryan Beno
Treehouses
JOYS
AMPLIFIER COURTYARD
Skullcave
Ratking
Candy Guts
The Shakeys
Doublethink Prism
CAPITOL UPSTAIRS
Helen Shanahan
Duncan Saige
Grace Sanders
Ribs
CAPITOL
CRUEL NOON
Sly Withers
Great Gable
Kaitlin Keegan
Tanaya Harper
Entry is completely free. For more details about WAMFest, head HERE.
