I could not imagine a better summer experience than what I had at the East Perth Power Station on Saturday.
If you have read any other reviews of gigs at the Power Station or been there yourself, you will already be aware of its wonders, so I will not spend long reiterating those same sentiments. What I will say is that it feels borderline criminal that this space is only used for a few weeks each year.
On this night I was there to see Yolŋu musician and artist Baker Boy. Before we reached him as the headline act, we were treated to the soulful and smooth sounds of MĀ. She immediately showed her talents as a singer, rapper and poet. Even her interludes and the way she spoke to the audience were delivered with a beautiful ease.
DJ sets from 2LUBLY kept us grooving between acts. I have been a fan of these DJs and their other projects since first listening to them at Crip Rave Theory in last year’s festival. I will always be excited to see them on a lineup.
Next up were Snotty Nose Rez Kids, all the way from Turtle Island. If you want to hype up a crowd, these are the men for the job. They embody the saying “bouncing off the walls”. Their music and physicality got the crowd not just warmed up but at boiling point. They have found a new fan in me.
Soon it was time for the man of the hour, but before he could take the stage it was quickly and efficiently transformed. Tall pieces of feathered grass covered the edges and lengths of platforms brought out to add height for the musicians. Combined with soft glowing lighting, the grass set pieces transported us to a more naturalistic environment compared to the industrial setting we were actually in.
Entering with an “oomph”, Baker Boy jumped into place between his two musicians on either side. He played songs from his latest release DJANDJAY, an album with a powerful and rock infused vibe. Hearing it live did not disappoint. In fact, it proved to me that he is an artist you must see live.
Baker Boy is a showman. His endurance, energy and charisma pulled the crowd in. He even brought me and my brother down from the rafters where we had been standing and onto the ground just to get closer and dance with the crowd. He has a sweet and slightly cheeky demeanour when speaking with the audience and told us that in his music he raps and sings in three different languages. I took extra delight in his impressive dance breaks and in each moment he incorporated one of the three yidakis (didgeridoos) on stage. His soul was imprinted throughout the performance and created an experience that left me on an absolute high.