Perth Festival is almost here: Discover our 10 must-see events!

Perth Festival is almost here and we can’t wait to explore its exceptional lineup of theatre, music, film, literature and visual arts!

From February 9 to March 3, catch award-winning stars, your favourite local gems, huge free events and unmissable shows that have sold-out venues across the globe.

Still not sure what to see? We’ve got you covered!

Read on for our top 10 picks that you simply cannot miss and head over to the Perth Festival website where you can also go in the running to win a two night city staycay and tickets to either Sampha or Sampa The Great in March!

Jungle Book reimagined

One of many international theatre highlights in this year’s Perth Festival program, Jungle Book reimagined tells a thrilling new version of the classic Jungle Book story. Set in the near-future, a family is separated amidst a climate change-ravaged landscape with Mowgli left to find strange new allies amongst wild animals taking over the streets. Bringing together dance, theatre, music and exquisite hand drawn visual projections – this stunning show is unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Brooklyn Rider

One of the world’s greatest quartets, Brooklyn Rider have been picking up rave reviews from classical, world and rock critics alike for their eclectic repertoire and gripping performances. After wowing audiences across the globe with their latest project The 4 Elements, it’s now your chance to hear these brand new works in an evening of extraordinary fine music.

Ngapa William Cooper

This creative collaboration between Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung singer-songwriter Dr Lou Bennett AM, singer-songwriter Lior and composer Nigel Westlake tells a remarkable tale that you may never have heard before. In Ngapa William Cooper  discover the true story of how the Australian Aborigines League supported Jewish people in Nazi Germany. If you’re looking to experience something new, this is our pick! This gripping concert will leave you thinking about it for days.

Are we not drawn onward to a new erA

Like its palindromic title suggests, Are we not drawn onward to new erA is a phenomenal show experienced forwards and backwards, like how some people feel humanity is moving forward, while others feel the opposite. Epic Belgian performance group Ontroerend Goed return after a hugely popular performance at Perth Festival 2013 with a thrilling new show on the edge of visual art and theatre, poetry and politics.

Sampha

One of the music world’s most distinct, breathtaking voices comes to Perth for a heavenly night of music at the luscious Supreme Court Gardens with support from Nai Palm. Sampha has a truly unique mix of pop, R&B and electronic production and if you haven’t heard of him yet then you’ve definitely heard his massive collaborations with the world’s biggest stars like Jessie Ware, Drake, SBTRKT and Kendrick Lamar. On the back of his critically acclaimed new album LAHAI and with a Mercury Prize and a Grammy nomination under his belt – this stunning outdoor concert is a no brainer.

Sampa The Great

After massive sets at Coachella, Glastonbury and Lollapalooza, Zambian-born hip-hop queen Sampa The Great is bringing the party with her to Supreme Court Gardens! One of Australia’s most powerful voices, expect a vibrant live show that gets the whole crowd jumping with her intoxicating mix of hip-hop, soul and afrobeat. Supported by fierce artist-to-watch Kaiit – this is the show you’ll hear about from a friend and think ‘I can’t believe I missed that!’ Don’t miss it.

Greentea Peng

Continuing the theme of powerful, emotive voices in contemporary music is Greentea Peng, bringing a psychedelic mix of soul, dub and reggae with a splash of revered-drenched electronics thrown in for good measure. Renowned for uplifting shows filled with positive energy, she takes to The Rechabite over two nights on 17 and 18 Feb. One show is already sold out, so get your tickets now before they’re all gone!

Flewnt’s Boorloo Block Party

One of the standout hits of last year’s Festival, Flewnt returns with his Boorloo Block Party and another deadly lineup of homegrown First Nations hip hop stars including INKABEE, triple j Unearthed Artist of the Year JK-47 and NT rapper J-MILLA. If it wasn’t already a massive party – there’s still more artists to be announced!

Rebecca Baumann and Linda Tegg with Vivienne Hansen (Carillion City)

We are incredibly excited for what’s about to pop up at Carillon City! Two immersive installations are set to transform the disused city arcade. Rebecca Baumann’s Light Event turns the iconic former food court into a colourful abstracted timepiece, playing with ideas of temporality and permanence as the space shifts and changes with the movements of the sun – not just to be seen, but felt and experienced.

Meanwhile Wetland, by Linda Tegg in consultation with Balladong Whadjuk woman Vivienne Hansen, reclaims the empty spaces of Carillon with a breathtaking living ecosystem. Visitors will be able to walk along the boardwalk to encounter the flourishing wetland and be amongst an active plant community, reminiscent of the brackish swamplands that once lined the foreshores of the Swan River.

Wayfinder

It was a hit in Sydney and Brisbane and now Dancenorth Australia’s Wayfinder comes to Perth with a kaleidoscopic fusion of dance, music and visual art. Jaw-dropping and exhilarating, this show features a custom-made inflatable stage that you must see to believe. Watch in awe as Australia’s top contemporary dancers defy gravity to a soundtrack by three-time Grammy-nominated Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and ever-moving artwork by Japanese-Australian visual artist Hiromi Tango casts a medley of colour through it all.

Head to perthfestival.com.au, immerse yourself in the program and start booking those tickets.