Aarom Wilson, the dreadlocked aural oracle from WAM (West Australian Music), spills on the local shows you just can’t miss this season. Listen to the man!
Wheatbelt Touring Circuit
Combining WA's finest metro and Wheatbelt acts, this free tour's been blazing a trail of record-breaking attendances around the country circuit. The final tours for the year see China Blue Experiment, Matt Cal, Dave Mann Collective, Codee-Lee, Russell & Tom Band, Hayden McGlinn and more giving the big smoke a run for its money. Don't miss the finale at the rather close – and ridiculously picturesque – Quindanning Inne.
Various Wheatbelt venues, Sep 18-Nov 22.
JumpClimb events
Even if you haven't heard of JumpClimb, bet you've been to one of their events, which have treasure-trove levels of local goodness. The next three months sees them stepping up things to include a new event, BeauVine, celebrating amazing food, wine and music. With DJs and spot performances from acoustic acts and buskers, it's set to be diVine. Then there's the Beaufort Street Festival, which last year saw more than 40 acts blessing the infamous street and surrounds with sweet sounds. JumpClimb's also in charge of Rottofest's music, ensuring the comedy and film festival is an island-sized aural pleasure.
Rottofest, Sep 19; BeauVine, Oct 23-25; Beaufort Street Festival, Nov 14.
Camp Doogs
With a number of festivals failing on this side of the country in the last few years, you might scratch your head at how one could be a success story when it's situated in the middle of nowhere, three hours from Perth, and doesn't announce any of the acts that are playing. Yet Camp Doogs' air of mystery only makes the experience more amazing. With a strong emphasis on art and maximum vibes, Doogs will again see a heap of WA's finest acts, and perhaps some headliners from afar… but you'll just have to head there to find out!
Venue TBA, Oct 9-11.
WAM Festival
The best local acts in the best local venues. Could it get any better? You bet – WAM Festival is also completely free. This year's WAM Festival continues to evolve, following on from last year's debut Block Party, which saw around 3000 music lovers applauding, plus an additional 10,000 experiencing local music around the city for free, with record-breaking lines for venues. With line-ups dropping soon, best mark it in so you don't miss any of the action. Also, don't forget the WA Music Awards and WA Music Conference fall within these dates – essential for all those in the music industry.
Various venues, Nov 5-7.
Stereosonic
WA's biggest EDM festival has downsized from two days to one in 2015 ("Thank you – Sincerely, My Head"), but the line-up is just as Stereosonically sound and headline-filled that it's surprising they've managed to fit in so many locals in as well. Past the tonnes of banger-certified acts like Major Lazer and DJ Snake lies homegrown talent worth booking in a dance date for. Recommended are world conquering drum'n'bass king ShockOne, and the hands-in-the-air triple j faves Slumberjack.
Claremont Showgrounds, Nov 29.
