There are some gigs that hit you because the bands are great. There are others that land because the crowd is electric. Then there are the nights that carry something bigger than music alone — the kind of event where the reason behind it all gives every note, every lyric and every shout from the crowd a little more weight. Pink Noise at The Y in Leederville was one of those nights.
Held in front of a sold out crowd, Pink Noise was a fundraiser for women’s cancer prevention and research, and from the minute punters started piling in, you could feel this was never going to be just another all-ages local show. This one mattered. Put together by the outrageously talented young band Twelve Parsecs, the event came from a very personal place. Two members of the band, siblings Georgia and Riley, have lived through their mother Karen’s battle with breast cancer over the past year — a fight that understandably put their family through the wringer. So this wasn’t a cause they picked out of a hat. It was real, it was close to home, and that honesty gave the whole night its pulse.
Credit where it’s due too — it is no small feat organising a sell-out event, packing the bill with quality acts, rallying support, pulling together sponsors, raffles and prizes, and still making sure the actual music goes off without a hitch. Somehow, Pink Noise managed all of it. That alone deserves a tip of the hat.
First up on the lineup was Perth three-piece First Offence, and they kicked things off with exactly the kind of energy you want from an opener. Fun, cheeky and properly engaging, they looked right at home on stage and wasted no time warming up the room. They brought a loose confidence to the set that made them instantly likeable, with enough spark to get the crowd paying attention early. At one point there was even time for a cheeky video call on stage while they were still rocking out, which is either elite multitasking or pure chaos — probably both. Either way, it worked. They set the tone nicely and got the room moving.
Up next was Broken Pedal, and they came in with a bit more grunt. This four-piece had serious presence, delivering a set packed with power and personality. The vocals were cracking and carried that rich, funky edge that made them stand out straight away. There was a real groove to what they were doing, but with plenty of punch behind it. More importantly, they knew how to work the space. Their energy never dipped, and they gave the night that crucial push forward, lifting the vibe and making sure things kept building in the right direction.
Then came Retromode, who had the unenviable task of bridging the gap between a strong support bill and the act everybody had come to see. No easy job, especially at a sold out show where the anticipation is already simmering away. But to their credit, they didn’t flinch. Retromode arrived with attitude, confidence and a heap of intent, throwing themselves into the set and making it count. They understood the assignment perfectly — keep the fire lit and keep the crowd hungry. They did exactly that, and did it with style.
Then, finally, it was time for Twelve Parsecs.
And look, there are some bands who sound good on paper, and there are others who make it impossible to stand still once they hit the stage. Twelve Parsecs fall firmly into the second category. This is a three-piece that somehow plays like a five-piece — all noise, drive, chemistry and sheer force of will. Their output is infectious, their connection as a band is obvious, and they have that rare quality of making a room feel bigger the second they start playing. Their fans were absolutely ready for it too, kicking it up a notch the moment the band launched in. From there, the dance floor was less “polite audience participation” and more “right, here we go then.”
What made their set hit harder, though, was the story behind the night. The crowd wasn’t just there for a good time — though they absolutely got one. They were brought in by a cause that affects far too many families and then let loose in celebration, support and sheer loud catharsis. That balance between emotion and release gave the set real weight. It never felt heavy in the wrong way, but it definitely felt meaningful.
The encore was wild. Honestly, “went off” probably undersells it. It was almost freakish — pardon the pun — how much energy was still left in the room by that stage. The crowd gave it absolutely everything, and Twelve Parsecs gave it straight back.
Add in the raffles, the donated prizes from sponsors, and the generosity shown throughout the night, and what you had was more than a gig. You had a music community showing up properly for something important. And that is always worth celebrating.
Every band on the bill rocked hard. Every one of them deserved admiration not only for their talent, but for their willingness to be part of something bigger than themselves. Nights like this are a reminder that the future of music is in pretty bloody good hands.
Well played, Twelve Parsecs.
You were right.
Fuck cancer.
Massive thank you to the “Twelve Parsecs” band and management for the opportunity to work with you….. it was a blast!
