Far Out West: Is Perth Music the New Seattle of Music?

On a balmy Saturday night in Fremantle, Western Australia, a packed crowd squeezes into Mojos Bar. Jangly guitars ring out, the room pulses with sweaty energy, and a new indie anthem fills the air. Perth may be thousands of kilometres from Sydney and Melbourne, but its indie music scene is booming—and some are starting to ask: is Perth becoming Australia’s answer to 1990s Seattle?

A Scene Forged in Isolation

Perth’s remoteness has long been both its burden and its blessing. Far removed from the regular touring circuits, local artists have had to create their own opportunities. But that isolation has bred a fiercely independent spirit, and it shows in the city’s thriving music community.

“Because we’ve always been ‘over here’… we haven’t always got all the
big acts touring,” says Al Taylor, President of West Australian Music (WAM).

The New Vanguard: Spacey Jane, DICE, Old Mervs & Darcie Haven

Spacey Jane is leading the new wave. With their breakout hit “Booster Seat” reaching #2 on triple j’s Hottest 100 and their debut album Sunlight topping charts, the Fremantle four-piece has become the face of WA indie rock. Their dreamy guitars and melancholic lyrics have struck a chord across the country.

Following close behind are bands like DICE, who gigged relentlessly post-lockdown, building a fanbase through sheer hustle. “We accepted every single show,” recalls frontman Ben Hodge. Old Mervs, a surf-rock duo, moved back to WA during the pandemic and found themselves at the heart of a regional gig revival.

And then there’s Darcie Haven, a 21-year-old indie-pop singer-songwriter whose vulnerable bedroom pop is turning heads. With only a handful of singles out, her heartfelt sound and DIY recording style reflect the ethos of the Perth scene.

Perth’s Live Music Island

The city’s network of iconic venues—Mojos Bar, The Bird, Rosemount Hotel, Freo.Social, Clancy’s—form the lifeblood of the scene. With fewer international acts visiting during the pandemic, Perth’s artists had the stage to themselves.

“It’s been a breeding ground for talent,” says Andrew Ryan, manager of Mojos Bar. “COVID baby bands” like DICE and Old Mervs found space to grow, often playing to sold-out crowds in 200-cap rooms. Mojos itself has hosted everyone from Tame Impala and San Cisco to The Triffids.

Legacy Acts: From Tame Impala to Little Birdy

Perth’s current success didn’t come from nowhere. The city has always punched above its weight musically. Tame Impala turned Kevin Parker’s bedroom psych-pop into a Grammy-nominated global phenomenon. Birds of Tokyo, Little Birdy, and End of Fashion all found national acclaim in the 2000s.

Even earlier, acts like Jebediah, Eskimo Joe, and The Sleepy Jackson helped carve out a uniquely Perth sound—equal parts beachy, introspective, and experimental. This legacy has built a cultural foundation for today’s artists to thrive.

A Community That Backs Its Own

One of Perth’s biggest strengths is its sense of community. Artists collaborate, venues support local lineups, and government initiatives like the Contemporary Music Fund have invested in emerging talent. The City of Fremantle has even enacted policies to protect venues like Mojos from gentrification complaints.

Is Perth the New Seattle?

The comparisons aren’t far-fetched. Like Seattle in the ‘90s, Perth is somewhat removed from the industry spotlight, which has allowed a raw, authentic culture to flourish. But unlike Seattle’s grunge, Perth’s indie boom is more diverse—ranging from shimmering psych-rock to breezy surf-pop and heartfelt indie-folk.

If there’s a common thread, it’s the DIY spirit and the emotional depth of the songwriting.

Lessons for the Rest of Australia

Sydney and Melbourne might be the industry powerhouses, but Perth offers a compelling model: foster local talent, support live venues, invest in community, and create space for organic growth.

By focusing less on hype and more on development, Perth has created a scene where bands grow naturally—and fans stick around for the journey. That’s something the rest of Australia, and maybe even the world, could learn from.

In a city that once felt too far to matter, Perth’s indie music scene is now impossible to ignore. Its artists are rewriting the rules, selling out shows, and finding success on their own terms. Whether it’s the new Seattle or something entirely its own, one thing’s clear: Perth is making noise, and the world is listening.

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