By Joshua Morgan
Perth’s live music scene is on an upward swing with several new venues opening to fill some big gaps in the entertainment landscape.
It was only last year that fans were mourning the closure of venues like The Bakery and Deville’s Pad.
But new venues like The Hen House Live and Badlands Bar have opened this year and fans hope these could be the beginning of great things.
Gyroscope drummer Rob Nassif founded The Hen House Live as a music venue last month.
People crowd around poster for newly-opened Badlands Bar
The new venue offers gigs as well as a recording and rehearsal studio in a unique warehouse and bar setting.
Rob is enthusiastic and positive when it comes to the current state of Perth’s live scene.
“The local scene is in a really healthy state right now. I’ve been seeing lots of bands recently at my venue and I’m amazed at the talent out there, it’s really amazing.”
Rob began organising Hen House shows in 2015, and found that Perth music goers wanted to see younger, unknown acts.
“Last year I started doing shows and I was calling them The Hen House Fresh Jam, and I would pick two or three new bands as support acts. We found is that those shows ended up doing really well,” said Rob.
Luke Scata, 22, is a drummer for the band Lakesider and feels that a great music venue offers audiences different experiences.
“Great venues have different vibes. Each musician performing brings a different mood. This keeps audiences returning and coming back for more,” said Luke.
Luke thinks live music connects us to greater things.
“There’s not many activities people can partake in that have the same emotions, feelings and excitement as live music.”
“Those moments where just the right note is hit, or just the right drum is banged, are some of the most satisfying feelings a human being can feel,” said Luke.