WAM Festival announces new events, conference speakers, early bird offers

The expanded four-day WAM Festival this morning unveiled complete details of its events and offers.

Between November Thursday 5 and Sunday 8, it will turn Perth, Fremantle and surrounding suburbs into a music mecca.

Last year the festival drew 10,000 for its events, with 3,000 alone attending the inaugural Block Party. Organisers also reported record-breaking queues at Saturday Spectacular venues and a multitude of direct and flow-on industry outcomes for acts, including booking agency and label signings, tours and radio play-listings.

In 2015, the Block Party will be bigger, the program for Friday events has expanded, and the inaugural Sunday Best is a free three-stage free event in Fremantle.

The inaugural Quay Note is an exclusive boat party down the Swan River for conference speakers and ticket holders, departing from Perth.

The 100+ showcase acts will be announced shortly.

The WA Music Conference is held on November Friday 6 and Saturday 7 at the WA State Theatre Centre. Over the years, it has grown in stature as an essential destination for musicians, producers, managers, students, industry professionals, bookers, soundies and music fans.

This year’s speakers includes Adam Christou (Music Director, RTRFM Perth), Andy Gumley (booking agent, Village Sounds), Archie Hamilton (Managing Director, Split Works, China), Clive Hodson (Director, Perfect Pitch Publishing), Edwin Tehrani (booking agent, New World Artists), Harley Evans (Managing Director, Moshtix), John Wardle (Policy Director, Live Music Office), Lance Robinson (artist liaison, A&R Department), Michael Szumowski (Head of Creative Development, Alberts), Millie Millgate (Executive Producer, Sounds Australia), Nick Findlay (Assistant Music Director, triple j), Sarah Chipman (owner, Title Track) and Simon Winkler (Music Coordinator, Triple R Melbourne).

The invite-only WA Music Awards held on Thursday November 5 at new Northbridge late night venue Jack Rabbit Slim’s.

Friday night sees a series of free and ticketed, genre-specific, live music showcases spanning Perth's inner city suburbs from 5 pm, presented in conjunction with local promoters and organisations.

 Events include:

• RTRFM Live Outside Broadcast @ State Theatre Courtyard

• The Community Showcase @ The Boston

• Pilerats Showcase @ Jack Rabbit Slim’s

• Riley Pearce EP Launch @ The Indi Bar

• Stormrider Touring presents Triple Album Launch @ Amplifier

• Status Factory Showcase @ Babushka (Upstairs Leederville Hotel)

• Colosoul Fashion Show @ Defectors

• Villanova Studios Showcase @ The Ellington

• Soggybones Showcase @ Soggybones (West Perth Store)

• Blues At Bridgetown & Perth Blues Club Showcase @ Paddington Ale House

• Sweet Oblivion Showcase @ HQ Leederville (all-ages)

Earlybird tickets are $140 (plus bf) for WAM members and $180 (plus bf) for non-members. They are available through Ticketek until 5pm on Friday September 18.

The offer includes entry to the awards, Quay Note and the WAM Festival Showcase plus 1-on-1 networking and radio pitching session opportunities.

The second release of Earlybird tickets are $180 (plus booking fee) for WAM members and $220 (plus booking fee) for non-members. These end at 5 pm on Thursday November 5.