WA Day concert criticised for ‘disappointing’ headliner

The live music line-up for this year’s WA Day celebrations have been revealed, and not everyone is happy about it.

Taking place at Optus Stadium Precinct and Burswood Park on Sunday, June 2, and Monday, June 3, the 2024 celebrations include live music, a drone and fireworks show, family-friendly activities and more.

But much like last year, the festival has been criticised for its inclusion of interstate artists on the music line-up.

Sydney-based former Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian will headline WA Day’s marquee concert on Sunday, June 2— shortly after a set from Sydney dance music group Sneaky Sound System—prompting criticism from WA’s music industry and the community as a whole.

West Australian Music (WAM), WA’s peak body for original contemporary music, publicly expressed disappointment that the headline set was given to an artist from the east coast, saying their concerns and those expressed by the WA music community last year have gone largely unaddressed.

Last year’s event was headlined by east coast acts Amy Shark and Mark Seymour & The Undertow, signalling a significant shift away from the festival’s traditional WA-only line-ups.

“We had hoped that, Celebrate WA, the organisation responsible for curating the WA Day Festival, would have reconsidered their approach,” the statement read. “However, they have elected to feature two east coast artists to headline the main event. This decision is in direct contrast with Celebrate WA’s mission ‘to honour and celebrate Western Australia’s unique culture and talent.'”

While the interstate acts have drawn much of the attention and discussion, the festival still boasts a line-up of stellar local talent, with Eskimo Joe, The Waifs, End of Fashion, Drea, Ullah and Ricky Neil Jr. also hitting the stage for the Sunday show.

Perth psych-rockers Pond then headline a program of WA-only artists on the Monday, with Grievous Bodily Calm, Siobhan Cotchin, Angie Colman, Maatakitj, Joan & the Giants, Mia June and DJ JXNIOR all set to perform.

“The east coast headline acts have garnered significant attention and media coverage over the weekend,” added WAM’s Executive Director, Livia Carré. “While they may be seen as a drawcard, this approach misses the point. WA talent is not only exceptional but also abundant and should not be overshadowed by east coast artists, especially on the one weekend a year, dedicated to celebrating our pride in being West Australian.”

The WA Day Free Music Concert takes over Optus Stadium Precinct and Burswood Park on Sunday, June 2, and Monday, June 3, 2024. For more info, head to celebratewa.com.au