WAMFest reports 11% rise in attendance

This year’s rebranded WAMFest saw 12,000 music lovers come out to see over 160 WA acts over four days last month, reported the state’s music association WAM (West Australian Music).

Showcases expanded to 26 venues in Perth, Fremantle and surrounding areas. This was eight more than last year, “with increased interest from live music venues to get involved.”

The second Moshtix QuayNote Boat Party had more attendees than ever with tickets selling out.

The WAMAwards, which moved to Gate One Theatre in Claremont Showgrounds, also hit capacity. So did a record number of Saturday Spectacular venues, including the Block Party, The Bird, Jimmy’s Den, Universal Bar and Badlands.

The 13 Friday Showcases, curated by local promoters and labels, also saw a 23% rise in attendance, to a new high of 3,100.

WAM reports that the return of the Kiss My Camera photography competition after a three year hiatus also drew a record amount of entries.

WAMFest was presented by Drug Awareness, the awareness campaign targeting aged 14 to 29, and supported by City of Perth and Lotterywest. As part of future strategies, the public and the industry are encouraged to take part in a survey on the WAM website.

The rise in interest in checking out new local acts reflected a year when WA acts made significant waves, with Tame Impala and Troye Sivan picking up international awards, Methyl Ethel signing with the UK’s 4AD label, and Empire of the Sun and Birds of Tokyo attracting new audiences around the world.

More established acts as Abbe May, San Cisco, Drapht, Karnivool, The Waifs, Bob Evans, Katy Steele, John Butler Trio and Kav Tamperley continued to maintain their national presence as new names began to join them: Koi Child, Tired Lion, Peter Bibby, Kucka, Elli Schoen, Lilt, Morgan Bain and Rag N’ Bone.

A new study by Edith Cowan University put WA’s contemporary music sector’s contribution to the state economy as close to $1 billion, creating almost 3000 full-time jobs, with wages of $149 million.