9 Things You Must Do At Perth International Arts Festival

The Perth International Arts Festival has returned, and while we can’t believe it’s been a whole year since the last one, it’s looking better than ever. Let Alex Michael, Charmaine De Souza and Emilie Taylor take you through their top picks.

Cut The Sky

The poetry of Edwin Lee Mulligan and the music of Nick Cave and Ngaiire are highlights of the world premiere of contemporary dance work Cut The Sky. The tale begins on one night in August 1980. Drilling vehicles are stopped by a wall of people protesting for Aboriginal land rights. This boundary-pushing dance piece questions the value humanity places on the earth and sky.

27 Feb – 1 Mar, Regal Theatre

London Grammar

UK-bred London Grammar are illuminating Perth with their melancholic indie-electronica that will pull on the heartstrings. Their 2013 album If You Wait was certified platinum, selling thousands of copies all over the UK and Australia. Vocals from Hannah Reid will electrify and intoxicate you as the pensive and romantic guitar resounds.

5 Mar, Red Hill Auditorium

Hack The Festival

There’s something in there for the artists, designers, coders and entrepreneurs as well; in the form of Hack The Festival. Your assembled team has 24 hours to create an interactive digital artwork. Possibilities are endless: provided examples include apps, websites and even robotics. As long as whatever you make is better than what a bunch of other headstrong nerdy types create then you’ll pocket $5,000 to help make your project a reality. A team of mentors will be there to lend a hand – then you’ve got a week to develop your project before it’s presented to the judges on 27 Feb.

11 – 27 Feb, Spacecubed

Chet Faker

Chet Faker has been dominating the music industry over the last year: taking out ARIAs, the Hottest 100 and stacks more with his debut record and single Talk Is Cheap. You know who he is, you know you love his vibe, and you’ll be there when he hits the stage later this month. If you’re not too warm on Faker just yet, he is bound to win you over with that sexy beard.

20 & 21 Feb, Chevron Festival Gardens

Perth Writers’ Festival

We think this year’s Perth Writers’ Festival is a must purely because of the wealth of international and local talent coming down for the event. DBC Pierre, John Darnielle, Tom Rachman join local talent Alice Pung, Omar Musa and Bob Brown: and that’s just a few. Sunday at the Writers’ Fest is Family Day, with prolific children’s authors on the bill, while there’ll be a special event featuring Booker Prize-winner Hilary Mantel and Eat, Pray, Love’s Elizabeth Gilbert on 21 Feb.

19 – 22 Feb, University Of Western Australia and Perth Concert Hall

Subiaco pARk

Free events are always no-brainers. Subiaco pARk is one of our favourites. The City of Subiaco, in collaboration with eight WA artists bring a digital experience to Theatre Gardens. It works like this: You download the app on your smartphone or tablet and then take a walk around the gardens. The sculptures are there and aren’t there, as breathtaking sound and visuals come to life through your device.

To 29 Mar, Theatre Gardens

Sharon Van Etten

Following the massive success that was her 2012 record Tramp, Brooklyn native ​Sharon Van Etten has earned praise from the likes of Pitchfork and even graced the cover of last week’s issue of The Music. She is best known for her unrestrained and unrelenting approach to songwriting, and is not one to shy away from pouring her entire heart into her music. Make sure you catch Van Etten when she plays Chevron Festival Gardens with Tiny Ruins. The show’s bound to get even the blackest heart beating again.

26 Feb, Chevron Festival Gardens

Lotterywest Festival Films

Lotterywest Festival Films are offering up the best and most diverse line-up to date this year, offering award-winning and buzz films, so there’s no excuse to not head along and check out at least one. We’re most looking forward to the Australia premiere of Girlhood. The story focuses on Marieme, a 16-year-old restricted by her family situation and ‘boy-run’ neighbourhood. She meets a group of free-spirited women and embarks upon a journey of discovery and empowerment. Xavier Dolan’s Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize winner Mommy, Alice Rohrwacher’s The Wonders and Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter also come highly recommended.

To 12 Apr, University Of Western Australia and Edith Cowan University

Parquet Courts

Want to know what’s blazing? The incomparable Parquet Courts. On 27 Feb, these power charged, hormonally thrown, Brooklyn grown, mega studs are likely to give you more than you bargained for, with Perth’s own Timothy Nelson & The Infidels in support. Drawing influences from The Velvet Underground with just a splash of country/folk, the group formed in 2011, released their debut album as a cassette, and have released two albums since (and one as Parkay Quarts).

27 Feb, Chevron Festival Gardens