It's not just RnB songs too, as generally popular “white” bands like Nirvana, Radiohead and Daft Punk have also become signifiers for producers of black music, and their tracks were covered spectacularly at the Garden.
PIAF - Haze - Beijing Dance Theatre - Until 1/3/14
Finally! Someone creates a dance performed on a large scale mattress. As chaotic as that may seem, the Beijing Dance Theatre has truly mastered the concept.
The Traditional Owners of the South West: the Noongar People
Today is a momentous day for Western Australia. 26 February 2014. Today will see the tabling of the Noongar Koorah, Nitja, Boordahwan (Past, Present, Future) Recognition Bill 2013. It is likely the first time that the Western Australian parliament will be presented with a bill containing noongar language and certainly the first time a bills name has included it.
I Might As Well Do My Dad Here: Martin Amis Speaks in Perth
Seeing Martin Amis speak, you get the sense of a tailored repetition, that behind the work of a hedge-trimming public relations team a sizeable amount of human quality wriggles.
Modern Classic Albums Part 7: 40-31
Moving on, now in serious territory breaking through the top end of the list. From Death metal to hip-hop and pop, we've got you covered! Remember to rate each album out of 10 too, let us know what you think.
PIAF - Wire - Chevron Gardens 24/02/14
If Wire had advertised a Pink Flag tribute/memorial tour they'd be selling this joint out and headlining arts festivals like this. Their live shows are maybe the worse for it, lacking the kind of fan interaction that setting craves
Perth Arena feat. Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails, Pharrel Williams, The Rolling Stones, the Arctic Monkeys and POND
Lots of stuff happening at our new venue, neatly summarized here, for your health.
PIAF - Spinning Top Presents (POND, AAA Aardvark Getdown Services, Felicity Groom and The Silents) - 23/02/14
Well, if you don’t know what/who/why Spinning Top is then I feel you have been failed by yourself. This little (but probably now larger) Fremantle based label has been quietly building a roster enviable by larger lamer labels.
Film Review: Wolf Creek 2
Australian horror films fan rejoiced at the return of their own home grown boogeyman Mick Taylor. With his Aussie slang drenched dialog and sadistic near Freddy Krueger style nature, I was so excited for this outback horror flick. However, Wolf Creek 2 is a vastly different film to its predecessor and where the original had patience and torment, Wolf Creek 2 has excess as it flaunts its near six million dollar budget upgrade.
Fringe World - Digging Deep - The Pleasure Garden, Until Sunday
Staring up-and-coming stage actor Abigail Martin as Lucy, the play is not at all for the faint hearted but highlights an incredibly important and too often taboo issue. The characters face self-doubt, guilt, anger, blame, isolation, powerlessness and the enormous courage needed to confront the past in an incredibly honest and sensitive way.
PIAF - DJ Food, DJ Cheeba & DJ Moneyshot Caught in the Middle of a 3-Way Mix a tribute to Paul's Boutique 18/02/14
It may be a recreation or remix of the album in a live setting by people not remotely involved in producing it, but also it's neither of those things and they play Beatles tracks like its nothing and Itunes didn't have a wild battle with them just to be able to legitimately sell their stuff. This shit is complex.
PIAF - A Midsummer Night's Dream (as you like it) - FINALE TONIGHT
As a member of the alienated audience, the Russian banter was so weird and wonderful it made the odd manipulations of the giant puppets seem almost normal. Conceptually, the performance provided great comedic relief.
The First 6 Months of Abbott
If the Abbott government was consistent with its purported philosophy it may have proven to be an exciting government for Australia. Sadly the inconsistencies that riddle their positions show a government that is dangerous for its foes and dangerously eager to please its allies.
St. Jerome's Laneway Festival - Fremantle 8/2/14
This year’s St. Jerome’s laneway Festival on its new turf in Fremantle proved to be wildly successful, spectacular in its vibes, layout and packed out audience including many younger ones who don’t abide by the man and jumped fences to get in. If this is the future of festivals, I’m happy.
PIAF - Theatre at the Quarry: Radio and Juliet - Quarry Amphitheatre
The trick is- not to enter the quarry with traditional expectations of “ballet” with tutus and lavish set designs. It’s all about the synchronization and symbolism. I really don’t want to give too much away- but after seeing the show, I feel so proud, and confident in Western Australian Ballet.
PIAF - Bianco: Ozone Reserve until March 1
Bianco was a journey and insight into the circus world, its function and the rapports between performers.
The John Butler Trio - Flesh and Blood
The album as a whole is no doubt a good listen, ranging from the trademark folky fingerpicking of album opener ‘Spring to Come’, through to gritty funk of ‘Livin’ in the City’ where John opens up on the ol’ electric guitar into a Hendrix-esque crescendo; And this occurs over the first two songs.
Perth Festival: Julia Holter - Chevron Gardens - 10/02/14
Holter is the howling banshee at the centre of the caterwauling madness that forms the end of 'Betsy on the Roof', but she's also the loose calm in the centre of the storm in her dark rendition of Barbra Lewis' 'Hello Stranger'.
Gallery: St. Jerome's Laneway Festival, 2014
St. Jerome's Laneway Festival moved to a new home in Fremantle this year, if this is the future of festivals we should all be very happy!
Noodle Palace: Bruce Fummey's Afro-Scottish Stress
What produced the cognitive dissonance was that, inside the KEN DOM(n)E and only a few metres away from a joke that said “Old man noodle say man with wholein pocket feel cocky all day long”, Bruce Fummey's show is all about the trauma and ills of racial stereotyping.