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WA bands send powerful message at State of the Art

FESTIVAL

State of the Art

Perth Cultural Centre

Saturday, May 30

Review Harvey Rae

4

When You Am I frontman Tim Rogers asked the Australian Government “How much is enough?” before playing the song of the same name on Saturday night, he was referring to recent cuts to Australia Council funding. He was speaking for every one of the 60-plus WA bands, solo artists and DJs playing WA Day celebration State of the Art.

Arts Minister George Brandis’ syphoning of $105 million in funds from the Australia Council will inevitably have an impact on arts enterprises. From the grassroots acts to the headliners, the effects will be felt as emerging Australian artists attempt to push into international territories.

On Saturday’s showing, Mr Brandis is making a mistake and 8000 punters voted with their feet. Headliners Birds of Tokyo and You Am I were among the day’s best, bringing big light shows and plenty of hits to the WA Museum main stage.

Birds of Tokyo’s cover of fellow West Australians Ammonia’s 1995 classic Drugs was a winner alongside their own Lanterns, This Fire and When the Night Falls Quiet.



You Am I stole the show with a non-stop greatest hits assault. Starting with Junk and Minor Byrd, Rogers was in vintage form whether introducing “Rusty (Hopkinson) from Palmyra” on drums or showing us how skinny white boys twerk. Closer Berlin Chair sealed the deal.

The Scientists’ clash with Birds of Tokyo was unfortunate but both bands packed their stages. Playing with the original WA incarnation meant plenty of punk classics from Kim Salmon and co, including late 70s and early 80s gems Teenage Dreamer, Last Night and Making a Scene.

Earlier, Katy Steele and Downsyde were two of the day’s standouts back at the WA Museum. Steele looked at home playing keys on the drum riser in her set of new material. What comes next for Perth’s answer to Karen O seems worth getting excited about.



The Urban Orchard suffered a strange set-up, with the often-empty all-ages section creating a divide between the bands and audience. This tempered the vibe for Rainy Day Women and reformed 80s outfit Holy Rollers.

The free stages offered up plenty of gems throughout the day with Boy Boys Boys! and Ensemble Formidable giving infectious performances in the PICA Amphitheatre and former Schvendes singer Rachael Dease getting a little moody at the Wetlands stage.

The State Theatre Courtyard had plenty of people interested in solo sets from the Blackeyed Susans’ frontman Rob Snarski and Drones singer Gareth Liddiard. The latter offered up a stripped-back take on his day band’s Shark Fin Blues and Jezebel between songs from his underrated solo album.

Like You Am I, Liddiard hasn’t been considered a WA act for some time but we’ll claim him this WA Day.