Countdown to music feast

Countdown legend Molly Meldrum has a chequered history in Perth.

He was arrested here in the 1980s for dropping the "F-word" while DJing at a gig.

He once got wet here when a party boat sank after a jaunt to Rottnest with nightclub kingpin Bob Maher.

He even came here to interview Michael Jackson when the self-styled King of Pop famously jetted into Perth to sign the deal to secure the Beatles song catalogue from Robert Holmes a Court.

Yesterday, Meldrum was back in Perth to spruik the One Movement Music Festival - a four-day showcase of music next month billed as "one of the most important music events in the southern hemisphere". Described as not just a festival but an industry conference, the first event was held last year.

This year some big acts will perform on the festival weekend, including Sarah McLachlan, Paul Kelly and Kate Miller-Heidke.

"It's a combination of known and unknown bands coming to Perth and playing in pubs, laneways, warehouses, coffee shops and the conference, which is a who's who of the record industry from around the world," Meldrum said.

While the festival will import a lot of talent, Meldrum said WA had long punched above its weight musically and rated Bon Scott, Eskimo Joe and the John Butler Trio as WA's top exports.