Perth Festival’s SYBER: 013 was an event held as part of Perth Festival 2026 at the old East Perth Power Station. This is the second year that Perth Festival has activated this jaw-dropping space, and honestly, the transformation of the former industrial site into a buzzing, immersive event venue is worth the visit. I loved the vibe of the space, with the pop-up food trucks and rugs and cushions laid out on the grass, overlooking the river.
Walking in, you’re greeted by naked walls and iron beams that somehow feel alive — like the building is breathing with the bass. The lighting designers and projection artists did an incredible job layering moving visuals across the aged surfaces, turning the skeleton of the power station into a kinetic canvas. It’s the kind of space that makes you stop and look around in awe even before the music hits.
What made the experience even richer was learning more about East Perth’s deep cultural history. I had no idea that, not too long ago, Aboriginal people couldn’t enter Perth city without a permit — a restriction that only lifted in 1954. East Perth has long been a gathering place and a heartland of community for First Nations people, and seeing that context reflected, acknowledged and felt in the space added a layer of resonance to the night.
SYBER is a platform that originated in Perth in 2023, and they describe themselves as ‘championing club music through live events and broadcasted sets’ and a ‘melting pot of genres and cultures’. The event was set-up with DJs stationed at the front with a platform behind them for eager dancers to get close to the action, kind of boiler room style. Visuals were pulsing across the walls. There were multiple DJs across the evening, and fans clearly loved it — the crowd energy was infectious. Sonically, the music leaned heavily into two-step rhythms and trap-style beats. Personally, I found it a bit tricky to dance to consistently — which might just mean I’m getting old — as many tracks blurred into what felt like the same tempo and monotonous feel. But that’s a small note in an otherwise enjoyable experience.
Overall, SYBER felt like a fun festival event in a very cool space that was enjoyed by many, with the event selling out — and Perth Festival has done something truly special by reimagining this historic site.