STACKED LINE-UP WITH OVER 20+ ARTISTS, 3 HUGE ZONES ALL WITH ONE GOAL – “TO KEEP YOU MOVING”
If Wildlands Festival Perth at Joondalup Stadium were a nature documentary, it’d be narrated by David Attenborough in a hushed British whisper: “Here we see the Western Australian festival punter, migrating instinctively toward basslines, dopamine and questionable financial decisions.” And honestly… he’d be bang on.
Held on January 3, Wildlands delivered a sun-up to lights-out marathon of music across three performance areas — Sahara, Summit and The Wilds — with 20+ artists, thousands of punters, and absolutely zero chance of seeing the same group of mates twice unless the universe truly wanted it. This wasn’t a festival — it was a beautifully chaotic ecosystem.
The most entertaining thing (aside from the music) was watching people move. No maps. No logic. No fixed direction. Just vibes-based migration. Entire crowds drifting en masse from one stage to another like flocks of birds responding to an unseen frequency only DJs can hear. You’d ask someone where they were heading and they’d reply, “No idea, but something good’s happening over there.” And off they’d go.
That, right there, is the magic of a proper festival.
Our own migratory path was ambitious, slightly unhinged, and powered by adrenaline, hydration stations, and a mutual agreement that sleep is overrated.
We kicked things off with Brat, easing into the day with confidence and groove — a solid “stretch your legs before the stampede” set, she had a heap of attitude which we loved!. Dr Pepper followed, bubbling with energy (still not apologizing for that pun), before Lennon kept the momentum rolling nicely – it was a nice way to cap off the first rotation of the “many” that would follow!.
Then came Miss Kaninna, who completely flipped the switch. Commanding, fierce and unapologetically sharp, her performance cut straight through the early-afternoon haze. One of those sets that makes you stop mid-wander, turn your whole body toward the stage and go, “Yep. This is important.”
Willo and Mowgli May carried the afternoon glow with smooth, infectious rhythms, while Mincy and Jazzy turned things up a notch — suddenly there was less standing around and more involuntary shoulder movement. As the session set rolled out the fans began to move with more purpose…… leaving inhibition at the last stop and letting just a little more “loose” so to speak.
Balu Brigada was a genuine highlight — polished, catchy, and effortlessly cool. The kind of set that sneaks up on you and then lives rent-free in your head for the rest of the afternoon, I had not seen them before and they were quickly followed on my social media platforms. WAXX off and Fcukers leaned into the left-of-center lane and drove that bass line like a rental car…… it was fun to watch, rewarding those willing to stray from the main migratory herd.
As the sun dipped and the shadows got longer, LUUDE delivered exactly what was required — punchy, crowd-moving energy — before TEED brought pure festival joy and also a cheeky “weight load test” on his stage as fans flocked to his set Big hooks, big smiles, big “this is why we came” moments.
Channel Tres oozed style and groove, effortlessly locking in the crowd, while 070 Shake delivered one of the most atmospheric sets of the day — moody, cinematic, and emotionally charged. It felt less like a performance and more like being dropped into someone else’s world for a few minutes in Joondalup Arena.
Nightfall is where Wildlands really came alive.
Zulan (giving the raised stage another test of just how much flex it could handle) and Rona warmed the engines before Chris Stussy delivered a masterclass in groove control. The kind of set that doesn’t scream for attention — it just quietly hypnotizes you until suddenly you’ve been dancing for half an hour without realizing it….. side note for Chris’s set – the crowd went primal for his bass line drops….. it was pure mental.
Addison Rae surprised a few (and converted more than a heap) speaking of heap there was Addison Rae Dollars everywhere and the fans loved the spare currency flying around…… it was a cool touch, Kettama hit with relentless intensity, and Cassian showcased exactly why he’s become such a respected global export — polished, powerful, and dialled in.
Then the heavy artillery rolled out.
Kid Cudi delivered a set that was equal parts nostalgia, emotion and collective scream-along therapy session. Hands in the air, phones out, strangers hugging like they’d known each other for years. Festival moments don’t get much bigger than that.
Notion kept the energy high, Sim0ne held the late-night line, and then Dom Dolla stepped up and did what Dom Dolla does best — absolute, controlled chaos. Massive drops, perfectly timed builds, and a crowd that had completely forgotten how tired they were.
Finally, Sota closed things out with teeth-rattling intensity for the hardcore survivors — the ones still standing, still smiling, and still pretending they’d be fine at work the next day….. one of my favourite sets – I have never witnessed a crowd get so deep in bass lines and beat drops in my life….. what an eye opener
Wildlands Festival Perth wasn’t just a lineup — it was a migration. Exhausting, euphoric, slightly disorienting, and exactly how a summer festival should feel. You arrived curious, left broken (in a good way), and spent the next day replaying moments in your head like a highlight reel.
Same time next year. We’ll bring binoculars… and maybe a compass.
Massive thank you to Wildlands, the Artists, Untitled Group (for the access) and the fans………….. the fans allow amazing music to come to Western Australia – without them we are poorer for it!
Do yourself a favour when tickets drop for Wildlands 2026 – get them, you will regret it if you dont, trust me!!!!
CROWD GALLERY
ARTIST GALLERY
