RTRFM is not in the least bit embarrassed to announce its 40th birthday thanks to the era-spanning roll call of WA artists who have banded together to pop a cork and toast the Perth radio station's wrinkles at Perth Concert Hall 19 November.
The Big 40 will be a four-stage celebration of RTRFM’s rich history and its deep connection with all corners of the WA music scene.
Highlights of the programme include Abbe May performing with the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, Odette Mercy and Her Soul Atomics performing with a traditional Tongan choir, a rare-as-hens-teeth gig by ‘90s darlings Adam Said Galore, hip hop trailblazers Downsyde re-imagining their catalogue with strings and an exclusive performance of Red Jezebel’s classic album 'Revelations'.
Plus songs in Noongar language from Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse and a very special performance by WAM Hall of Famer Rick Steele (father of Luke and Katy Steele).
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As a nod to the station’s all-important role as a champion of the here and now, no less than four supergroups of current WA buzz-acts will perform on the Verandah stage as the Slightly Odway Orchestra.
This will see members of Childsaint, Rag n' Bone, The Love Junkies, Grievous Bodily Calm, PUCK, The Chlorines, Kitchen People, Jacob Diamond, Bells Rapids, Carla Geneve and Dream Rimmy all put their spin on WA songs written in 2017.
Concluding this mega party is RTRFM - A Musical History, a specially commissioned projection and live show that combines fascinating audio, photos and video from the station’s archives with key songs from WA music history.
A young Kav Temperley (Eskimo Joe) interns at RTRFM - image supplied
A collaboration between Dr Adam Trainer (researcher), Davey Craddock (director), Steven Aaron Hughes (projections) and Timothy Nelson (musical director), this one-off show will guide the audience through RTRFM’s unusual, sometimes rocky, history with the help of an all-star line-up of guest vocalists and musicians.
In true RTRFM fashion, The Big 40 also has plenty of hidden, subterranean gems. Throughout the night, DJs from some of RTRFM’s longest running specialist shows will ply their wares in a tunnel and wherever there’s room to dance throughout the historic Concert Hall.
Deep in the bowels of the venue TURA and Difficult Listening will also join forces for a stage that showcases the station’s more esoteric tastes.
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RTRFM general manager Stu MacLeod says The Big 40 has been deliberately curated to celebrate both the past and future. "Your fortieth birthday is a time of your life when you think about the past and the future in equal measure.
"RTRFM’s The Big 40 not only represents the history of this incredible, amazing place, but also the future. It’s a way for us to showcase the last 40 years and the next 40 years at the same time, with the finest artists from our past and present, performing alongside each other and creating unique performances together that you simply will never find anywhere else. Party of the year!"
The Big 40 takes place at Perth Concert Hall 19 November from 3pm.
RTR FM 40th Birthday Line-up
Main Auditorium:- Abbe May with the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra
- Adam Said Galore
- Downsyde with Strings
- Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse
- Mt Mountain performing Dust with special guests
- Odette Mercy and Her Soul Atomics with a Tongan Choir
- RTRFM – A Musical History featuring the ultimate WA Supergroup
The Verandah Stage:
- DJ Gemma Pike
- Grace Barbe Afro Kreol
- The Kill Devil Hills
- Red Jezebel performing Revelations
- Rick Steele
- Slightly Odway Orchestra featuring members of Childsaint, Rag n' Bone, The Love Junkies, Grievous Bodily Calm, PUCK, The Chlorines, Kitchen People, Jacob Diamond, Bells Rapids, Carla Geneve and Dream Rimmy
- The Sunshine Brothers
DJ Line-up:
- Black and Blue with Paul Gamblin
- Dan The Man vs Rok Riley
- Jah Wisdom Sound System
- Rock Rattle n Roll
- Soulsides
- Trainwreck
- Underground Solution Crew
Difficult Listening Experimental Stage supported by Tura:
- Eduardo Cossio / Zoe Kilbourn / Dan O’Connor / Ben Greene
- Eljo Agenbach / Kate Milligan
- Ashes of Burnt Sage
- Breaking Waves
- Kirsten Symczycz / Lenny Jacobs
- Plus special Guests
