Dust off your dance shoes: Perth’s eight must-see concerts this spring
From virtual singer Hatsune Miku, to 1990s boy band Take That, to electro-pop wizards Empire of the Sun, there’s no shortage of variety when it comes to the spring concert season in Perth. Grab your tickets and bust out the dancing shoes – here are eight gigs you won’t want to miss.
HATSUNE MIKU – RAC Arena, November 26
Japanese virtual pop star Hatsune Miku, who takes the form of a cartoon 16-year-old girl, is a singing voice synthesiser with more than 100,000 songs in “her” catalogue.Credit: Bloomberg
Rather unfortunately seeing as “she” is the only female with a major spring gig for Perth, Japanese sensation and 16-year-old virtual pop star Hatsune Miku isn’t actually a person, but rather a singing voice-synthesizer software developed by Crypton Future Media.
The cultural phenomenon has performed to crowds across the world, including notable stops at Coachella and a 17-city tour through North America.
“She” will embark on a debut tour across New Zealand and Australia, kicking things off at Spark Arena in Auckland before wrapping up at RAC Arena in Perth. Tickets are still available.
TAKE THAT – RAC Arena, October 30
Take That, minus Robbie Williams, will be heading to Perth.
There’s no Robbie Williams in this English pop group line-up, returning Down Under for the first time since 2017 for their This Life On Tour to perform new songs as well as old favourites.
But original members Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald will be joined by fellow pop legend Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who was responsible for iconic hits such as Murder On The Dancefloor and Get Over You.
EMPIRE OF THE SUN – Red Hill Auditorium, November 1
Empire of the Sun performs during Sydney Racing at Royal Randwick Racecourse in 2023. Credit: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
These astral wizards of electro-pop are coming to Perth as part of their Ask That God Australian tour. Fronted by duo Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore, their chart success extends far beyond their native Australia, with their albums achieving multi-platinum certifications across the globe,
In addition to their commercial triumphs, they have garnered eight ARIA Awards, two APRA Awards, and an APRA Billions Award.
With more than 5.5 million albums sold globally and 7.6 billion streams, Empire of the Sun’s impact on the music industry is undeniable, solidifying their status as icons of the electronic music genre. Tickets are sold out.
KID LAROI – RAC Arena, November 20
“A global cultural phenomenon”: The Kid Laroi performs in Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena in May 2022.Credit: Don Arnold/WireImage
This Aussie chart-topper left fans devastated when he postponed his tour just before Christmas in 2023 citing “logistical issues”.
But he’s back, armed with debut studio album The First Time and having just dropped the hit new single Girls. Laroi’s tour includes the Sydney-hailing superstar’s friends Quavo and ONEFOUR.
THE WHITLAMS – Astor Theatre, November 14
Tim Freedman’s detour into country suits his storytelling style.Credit: Damien Bennett
It’s 25 years since this beloved Aussie band released double-platinum album Love This City.
The album was the ambitious big-budget follow up to the award-winning Eternal Nightcap, and was named in Rolling Stone’s Best Australian Albums of All Time list last year.
With its famous singles Blow Up the Pokies and Thank You (for loving me at my worst), the album will be played in full, with a greatest hits set including a brass section.
Tim Freedman will be joined by guitarist Jak Housden and drummer Terepai Richmond, both part of the sessions in 1999, and multi-instrumentalist Ian Peres.
HOZIER – RAC Arena, November 5 and 6
Irish singer-songwriter Hozier.
Hozier is recognised as one of the foremost singer-songwriters of this generation with more than 22 billion global streams, numerous platinum album certifications and multiple award nominations and wins.
Singles Take Me To Church and Someone New enjoyed nine weeks at number 1 in his native Ireland and rose to number 3 on the ARIA album charts in Australia with multi-platinum sales.
Second album Wasteland, Baby! was released to critical acclaim in March 2019 and third studio album including Eat Your Young and All Things End was described as one of the most enchanting albums of 2023.
Due to overwhelming demand, a second Hozier show was announced for Perth.
NE-YO – RAC Arena, September 29
Ne-Yo during the Wawa Welcome America Fourth of July Concert this year in Philadelphia. Credit: Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Welcome America, Inc
This three-time Grammy Award-winning R&B hitmaker has a back catalogue that has generated a total 23 billion streams worldwide.
His debut single, 2005’s So Sick, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified quadruple-platinum. Since then, the Motown Records/Compound Entertainment recording artist has racked up a collection of global hits including Sexy Love, Closer, Because of You, Miss Independent, and Push Back.
COLD CHISEL – Sandalford Winery, October 19
Ian Moss, Jimmy Barnes, Phil Small, and Don Walker will reunite as Cold Chisel and tour later this year.Credit: James Brickwood
These Aussie legends are celebrating 50 years together with The Big Five-0: 50th Anniversary Tour featuring all the classics carved into Oz Rock history: Khe Sanh, Bow River, Flame Trees, You Got Nothing I Want and so many more. Tickets are still available.
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