First round of WAM FESTIVAL 2014 announcements revealed, many more to come

First round of WAM FESTIVAL 2014 announcements revealed, many more to come

With a reborn brand and vision, all new website, record number of programs, increased Member engagement, more innovative programs and increased abilities to champion West Australian music, 2013’s big changes for WAM also saw the WAM Festival transformed into a new beast. Previously unimagined levels of vibrancy were realised as the Festival moved to November, vastly improved the WA Music Conference and staged a Saturday Spectacular and Awards like never before. Over 15,000 attendees applauded.

Rather than be happy with 2013’s successes, the 2014 WAM Festival is evolving again, packing more of a focused local music punch than ever before. The addition of the Block Party will be a game-changer, the WA Music Awards move to Capitol, the WA Music Craft Awards to the State Theatre Courtyard, the WA Music Conference steps up to the Friday and Saturday and in new venues, and the Saturday Spectacular will provide enhanced opportunities to access the cream of the crop, for both industry and punters alike. And this is just the first serve. Get ready music lovers for a smorgasbord of WA talent, and expect to clap after every meal.

WAM FESTIVAL OPENING PARTY
Thursday 7 Nov: 7pm-1am, The Bakery Northbridge
Kicking off the WAM Festival calendar of events is a huge line-up of acts, all with PhDs in rockin’ out. Covering a diverse range of the rock’n’roll spectrum, party professionals Mt Mountain, Usurper of Modern Medicine, Pat Chow, Tired Lion, Hideous Sun Demon, Fait, Scalphunter and DJ Jamie Mac will see the fest starting with a BANG.
TIX: $15 from www.nowbaking.com.au and Moshtix | $20 Door tix if available.
Or FREE ENTRY for WA Music Conference Pass holders.

WA MUSIC CONFERENCE – First Speakers Revealed
Friday 7- Saturday 8 Nov: 9.30am-4pm, Central Institute of Technology, Northbridge
After HUGE leaps forward last year, the WA Music Conference is now officially the must attend event for everyone from band members to producers, managers, music students, industry professionals, bookers, soundies or even just curious fans. And with as impressive an array of international, national and local industry experts to learn from, and more panel and free one-on-one networking sessions to attend, things are only going to get better.

Moving to the vibrant Central Institute of Technology (CIT) Perth Campus, and to a Friday and Saturday model, WA Music Conference Passes will now also give delegates a tonne of additional benefits, including priority entry to free events that are guaranteed to fill up, and free entry to all ticketed events that fall under the rather large WAM Festival umbrella, including WAM Festival Sideshows, the WA Music Awards, the Opening Party and more! This year’s panels will tackle everything from securing radio airplay to distributing releases, gender battles, social media trends, DIY touring tips for Australia and Asia, and beyond! Whilst keynotes and a heap of additional speakers will soon be revealed, the first release includes:

Adam Christou (RTRFM)
Al Dawson (Earache Records, US)
Alex Paioff (Pilerats Records/Circo/Metric)
Bailey Lions (Lionizer)
Bel Skinner (Red Rock Music)
Bob Gordon (X-Press Magazine)
Bryte MC
Candice Lorrae (Abmusic)
Clive Hodson (Perfect Pitch Publishing)
Damian Cunningham (National Live Music Office)
Danny Estrin (Estrin & Saul)
Esti Zilber (Sounds Australia)
Gina Williams
Hayley-Jane Ayers (Cool Perth Nights)
Heath Bradby (Warner Music Australia)
Jake Snell (Monster Management/AAM)
Johnny Au (The AU Review)
Jordan Campbell (The Harbour Agency)
Kat Murphy (Retro Robot Services)
Katie Rynne (Select Music)
Larry Heath (The AU Review)
Luke Rinaldi (Sweet Mate Music)
Matt Johnson (Walking Horse Music)
Michael Szumowski (Alberts)
Nick O’Byrne (BIGSOUND/Look Out Kid)
Pete Guazzelli (Department of Culture and the Arts)
Reggie Ba-Pe (S.T.D./Arcade/Arkham/R3, China)
Scott Fitzsimmons (TheMusic.com.au)
Stephen King (Media Arts Lawyers)
Yvette Myhill (AAM)
PLUS MANY MORE TBA
TIX: Earlybird tickets on sale via Moshtix til 5pm Fri 10 Oct $130 for WAM members | $160 non-members. Second release til
5pm Thurs 6 Nov $160 for WAM members | $200 non-members.
Passes include FREE ENTRY to: WAM Festival Opening Party, WA Music Awards and WAM Festival Sideshows, incl. Blood Rock Fest, The Ellington Jazz Showcase and Coast 2 Coast. Plus priority Saturday Spectacular and Block Party entry.

WA MUSIC CRAFT AWARDS
Friday 7 Nov: 4-8.15pm. State Theatre Courtyard & Live on RTRFM
In the lead-up to the WA Music Awards later that night at Capitol, local community radio station RTRFM and Perth Theatre Trust presents the 2014 WA Music Craft Awards. Hosted by RTRFM’s Andrew Ryan and Sarah Norton, the awards include Best Female and Male Vocalists, Best Electronic Producer, Best Drummer and Best Sound Engineer. As part of the Courtyard Club series, RTRFM’s signature afternoon program Drivetime will be broadcast live from the venue from 5pm, plus sets by Lower Spectrum and DJ Craig Hollywood. The perfect warm up to the WA Music Awards.
TIX: FREE ENTRY

WA MUSIC AWARDS
Friday 7 Nov: 7-12pm, Capitol
This year’s WA Music Awards will be dishing out the WAMi Awards and good times for industry and music lovers alike at Capitol, presented by TheMusic.com.au. Hosted by Perth’s host with the most Tomas Ford and special industry guests from across the country, plus featuring performances from Sable and Timothy Nelson & The Infidels, whether you’re there as a nominee or just to enjoy, this year everybody’s a winner.
TIX: $15 through Oztix www.oztix.com.au and Moshtix | $20 Door tix if available.
Or FREE ENTRY for WA Music Conference Pass holders.

WAM FESTIVAL BLOCK PARTY
Saturday 8 Nov: Wilson Car Park, Roe St, Northbridge*
As part of the soon to be announced Saturday Spectacular, WAM combines forces with Ezra Pound to present what will be a massive night of free 18+ entertainment taking over the Roe St Wilson Car Park for some seriously outrageous afternoon fun in the sun, finishing up under the stars. With outdoor bars, food and performances from the likes of The Love Junkies, Slumberjack, Coin Banks, KUČKA, Gunns and more TBA, it’s guaranteed to be a block rockin’ party of an epic scale, and it won’t cost you a cent!
TIX: FREE ENTRY though priority entry given to WA Music Conference pass holders.
*Subject to venue approval

AND MUCH, MUCH MORE TO COME!

This is just a small taste of the many local delicacies making up the WAM Festival’s feast of good times. With the full line-ups for the above events to be revealed in the next weeks, there will also be completely new shows to add, including WAM Festival associated sideshows such as the supremely heavy/punk/metal fuelled Blood Rock Fest at The Rosemount Hotel, the Coast 2 Coast hip hop showcase at The Bakery and The Ellington Jazz Showcase, with WA Music Conference Pass holders receiving free entry to these!

Plus there will be the Kiss My WAMi compilation, a Regional Roundtable, the next stage of the Singapore WA Music Exchange (SWAM) program and, of course, the Saturday Spectacular, which will this year include a dedicated All-Ages outdoor arena as well as a number of licensed party palaces including the unveiling of a secret venue that’s never been used before. So many more acts and speakers to announce, and so many more reasons why the WAM Festival in 2014 is essential for all music lovers.

Category: News