Perth celebrates Indigenous talent with amazing music series

Yagan Square takes centre stage in Perth for Indigenous talent this April, showcasing more than 30 emerging artists through a free live music series presented as part of the Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival.

Taking place every Thursday in April, Boss Crew in Boorloo is a dynamic music series featuring established and emerging WA First Nations musicians and performers.

The first of its kind, the series aims to create space for storytelling, cultural knowledge and artistic expression – giving young Indigenous artists a platform to share their talent with the wider community.

Boss Crew dancers will be entertaining people in Yagan Square.

Across the month, visitors can enjoy performances spanning a variety of genres, including hip hop, R&B, grunge, pop, dance and more from WA-based Indigenous artists, ranging in age from as young as 11 years old.

Artists featuring in the series include Bella Rae, an 18-year-old Torres Strait Islander singer songwriter; Rhythm Tide – a First Nations band blending vocals, didgeridoo, guitar and modern instruments; and Kenzo – a 13-year-old up-and-coming pop artist.

Whadjuk-Ballardong Noongar performer Jack Collard will open each week’s program with a solo didgeridoo performance – an ancient custom and expression of cultural storytelling.

Boss Crew in Boorloo is delivered by Boss Arts Creative – an Indigenous-owned arts organisation dedicated to empowering and supporting First Nations performers – with support from DevelopmentWA, City of Perth and Tourism WA, as part of the Boorloo Heritage Festival.

Boss Arts Creative Co-founder Della Rae Morrison said the new series represented an exciting opportunity to share the rich talent of First Nations music and arts community with Perth.

“This program is about putting First Nations artists on the map of Boorloo. We have world class professional artists here – and this program is about building them up and introducing them to the wider community.

“We have an absolute melting pot of talent in Perth. We get to see a lot of east coast-based Indigenous artists, but we really don’t hear a lot about the west coast. So, it’s really lovely to be able to level that up and introduce our artists to the community,” Ms Morrison said.

Della Mob & Ensemble, led by Della Rae Morrison, will be live on April 2.

Ms Morrison said the artists were all part of Boss Arts Creative’s music program, which aims to support young Indigenous musicians to develop their skills, confidence and creative careers.

“Many of these musicians have dreamt of being on stage. As part of Boss Arts Creative, they build confidence, have opportunities to write their own songs, receive vocal and dance lessons, and record professionally — as well as create a music video. It’s an amazing journey for the artists, and for many of them, this will be their first time performing on stage.”

Boss Crew in Boorloo takes place at Yagan Square every Thursday in April between 12pm and 2pm. The program is proudly supported by DevelopmentWA, City of Perth and Tourism WA as part of the month‑long Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival celebrating Perth’s rich heritage.

April 23 will see a vibrant cultural dance performance from Koolangka Kreate.

Week 1 – April 2

Boss Crew launches with a powerful opening hosted by MCs Della Rae Morrison and Carrie Millson, beginning with a Welcome to Country from respected Balladong and Wadjuk Noongar Elder Barry McGuire.

The afternoon also features the powerful sounds of live didgeridoo from Noongar performer Jack Collard (Brrrbook), sharing culture and rhythm through music.

The event will begin with a Welcome to Country from Wadjuk Noongar Elder Barry McGuire.

The lineup continues with performances from Alyssa, a talented young Noongar and Yamatji singer from Perth known for her powerful, emotive voice and strong stage presence, blending R&B, soul and pop.

Alyssa is a talented young Noongar and Yamatji singer from Perth known for her powerful, emotive voice.

Kenzo – the stage name of young Noongar and Yamatji rapper and singer Mackenzi – brings bold energy and empowering hip-hop to the stage, while Boorloo singer-songwriter Maisie Mulvany captivates audiences with her powerful vocals and eclectic musical style.

The energy builds with a vibrant live band performance from Della Mob & Ensemble, led by Della Rae Morrison, before the Boss Dancers close the show with a dynamic cultural dance celebrating rhythm, culture and community.

Audiences will also experience Rhythm Tide, a dynamic First Nations collective.

Week 2 – April 9

Week two brings another powerful afternoon of music and culture to Yagan Square, hosted by Krissy Lane and Della Rae Morrison.

The program again features the powerful sounds of live didgeridoo from Noongar performer Jack Collard (Brrrbook), sharing traditional rhythm and connection to Boodjar through music.

The lineup includes a live band performance from Bella-Rae, a gifted young Torres Strait Islander musician and songwriter known for her heartfelt lyrics and captivating stage presence.

Audiences will also experience Rhythm Tide, a dynamic First Nations collective made up of emerging artists, delivering powerful vocals, live music and high-energy performances.

The afternoon builds into a high-energy finale with DJ Macca, a proud Noongar DJ from Boorloo bringing heavy tech-house beats, infectious grooves and vibrant energy to the decks.

MATRIAR, are a collective of women blending house music with live world drumming to create a powerful performance.

Week 3 – April 16

Week three brings a powerful lineup of emerging artists and cultural voices to Yagan Square, hosted by Carrie Millson and Clinto (liltrashgod).

The afternoon again begins with the powerful sounds of live didgeridoo from Jack Collard (Brrrbook), bringing traditional rhythm and cultural expression into the heart of the event.

The program features Noongar artist Gabe Smith from the Wilman people, whose sound moves between smooth jazz vocals and the raw energy of rock. Audiences will also experience the fearless stage presence of Worlmiyak (Skye), a young Koreng Noongar rapper and singer whose bold style and powerful personality are already making waves.

Carrie Millson, a proud Gunggandji woman with deep cultural connections and a love for storytelling through song, shares music shaped by soul, country and contemporary influences.

The energy builds as ABRYNZ and BEXX take the stage with MATRIAR, a collective of women blending house music with live world drumming to create a powerful performance driven by rhythm, culture and female leadership.

The afternoon closes with a large-scale dance performance from the Boss Arts Dancers celebrating movement, culture and community.

Live didgeridoo from Noongar performer Jack Collard.

Week 4 – April 23

Week four in Boorloo sees another powerful afternoon of music and culture to Yagan Square, hosted by Indigo Ellis and Krissy Lane.

The afternoon features the powerful sounds of live didgeridoo from Noongar performer Jack Collard (Brrrbook), sharing culture and connection to Boodjar through music.

The lineup includes a live performance from Krissy, a Yamatji-Badimia singer and rapper known for her infectious energy, dynamic stage presence and music that blends R&B and hip hop with stories of love, strength and culture.

Krissy, a Yamatji-Badimia singer and rapper known for her infectious energy.

Audiences will also hear from Indigo Ellis, a talented young Noongar Nunga artist whose powerful vocals and songwriting have already earned multiple NAIDOC and WAM Awards, with music that celebrates language, identity and community.

The afternoon also features a vibrant cultural dance performance from Koolangka Kreate / Bilya Boolardung, a group dedicated to carrying culture forward through dance, mentorship and the sharing of knowledge across generations.

Week 5 – April 30

The final week of Boss Crew in Boorloo begins with the powerful sounds of live didgeridoo from Noongar performer Jack Collard (Brrrbook), before hosts Carrie Millson and Krissy Lane guide audiences through a huge celebration of music, culture and emerging talent.

The afternoon features a live performance from Carrie Millson, a proud Gunggandji artist whose storytelling and soulful sound are shaped by culture, lived experience and powerful vocal expression.

Rising young artist Alyssa takes the stage with her emotive voice and contemporary blend of R&B, soul and pop, followed by Rhythm Tide, a dynamic First Nations collective delivering powerful vocals, musicianship and songs in language.

Noongar rapper Clinto (liltrashgod), whose hip hop is shaped by storytelling.

The energy continues with performances from Noongar rapper Clinto (liltrashgod), whose hip hop is shaped by storytelling and personal journey, and respected Perth hip hop artist Cortext, a long-standing voice in the WA scene known for his sharp lyricism and commanding stage presence.

Closing the series is ICONYX, the WAM Award-winning Kukatja and Pintupi artist whose powerful vocals and high-energy live band performance bring the Boss Crew in Boorloo series to an electrifying finale.