Iconic gig In The Pines turns 30 this year: take a look back at Perth’s music history to celebrate

RTRFM’s In The Pines is one of Perth’s most iconic live music events – and later this month, the beloved gig will return for its absolutely huge 30th birthday, with the majestic pines of UWA’s Somerville Auditorium once again home to a stacked lineup of WA talent. 

To celebrate, we’re looking back at some standout moments in Perth’s musical history, and the special place RTRFM holds in championing the West Australian music scene. 

Over the past 30 years, In The Pines has been the initiation of countless Western Australian bands who went on to become superstars – just check out this baby-faced Kevin Parker, photographed here in 2009 when Tame Impala headlined alongside their spiritual brethren Pond. 

2017 saw the spectacular Stella Donnelly take to the stage, on the cusp of her immense success, while it was just 2019 when Jake Webb of Methyl Ethel was one of In The Pines’ headliners for the second time. 

Of course, these aren’t the only familiar faces that have graced the stages of RTRFM events – or the hallowed halls! A young pre-Eskimo Joe Kav Temperley is pictured here interning for RTRFM in a rather fetching beret:

The first ever In The Pines featured some icons of the Perth ‘90s music scene, including grunge legends Ammonia, along with Bluetile Lounge (who would go on to gain a huge cult following overseas with fans that included Sonic Youth and Low), plus twee pop heads Sulk – whose lineup included Guy Blackman, founder of Chapter Records: Australia’s longest-running independent record label. 

If it wasn’t obvious enough over the stellar In The Pines lineups over the years, Perth has a frankly unfathomable output of world-class musicians – and has done for years. Our city has always had a rich musical scene, from ‘70s punk to the thriving hip hop scene of the ‘00s.

In 1966, The Valentines participated in a “Battle of the Sounds” competition at Ambassadors Theatre – in the centre, the band’s frontman is the unmistakable Bon Scott, alongside Vince Lovegrove reaching into the crowd. Lovegrove would later go on to manage both Divinyls and Jimmy Barnes, as well as his own successful career in music journalism. 

Pictured here in 1978, Dave Faulkner plays with punk band The Victims at Hernando’s Hideaway in East Perth. Faulkner would go on to front the Hoodoo Gurus with The Victims’ drummer James Baker. 

Baker was also in the legendary punk band The Scientists (pictured below in 1978) with Hoodoo Gurus guitarist Roddy Radalj.

Ready to discover the next up and coming superstar or appreciate one of Perth’s musical heavyweights? Click here to grab your tickets to In The Pines 2023, taking place on Sunday April 30 – and check out the full lineup below!

Angie Colman // Datura 4 // Dave Johnstone from Ammonia // Drea // Flewnt // Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse // Grievous Bodily Calm // Humbug //  Maatakitj // Noah Dillon // Rabbit Island // Rachael Dease // Smol Fish // Sooks // Spice World // Split Seconds // Sugar Army // The Kill Devil Hills // The Love Junkies // Web Rumors ex Machina