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Rock to the most electrifying performances in the best concert halls in Perth
Ever been to a concert that was more like a nightmare than a dream? As a huge concert junkie, I don’t know how many concerts I’ve been to where instead of belting out the lyrics, I was just groaning at the poor sound quality and obstructed views.
Thankfully, not all of the concerts I’ve been to were terrible. In fact, some of them were downright magical; the music resonated beautifully, the atmosphere was electrifying, and every seat felt like the best in the house.
And that’s why I’m here to share with you the best of the best—the concert halls in Perth that deliver unforgettable concert experiences!
Perth Concert Hall
Location: 5 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
Website: http://www.perthconcerthall.com.au/
Contact information: (08) 9231 9999, [email protected] (ticketing); (08) 9231 9900, [email protected] (administration)
Starting off the list is one of the most popular concert halls in Western Australia, Perth Concert Hall. This brutalist-style concert hall was the first concert hall to be built in Australia after World War II.
One thing we noticed during the West Australian Symphony concert I attended was that the concert hall had incredible acoustics and was definitely one of the best in the country. The sound resonated through the hall, every note clear and rich.
I was seated at the lower gallery, which was already pretty far from the stage, but I still had a beautiful view of the musicians. The auditorium has a capacity of a little over 1,700 people, so it still feels intimate even if we’re not in the stalls near the stage.
Pro Tip: There’s an undercover car park in the main concert hall, but going out can be tricky because of the number of cars. I recommend parking at the Terrace Road Car Park just across the concert hall if you don’t mind walking a bit.
Parking is free from 6:00 PM onwards at both the undercover car park in the concert hall and Terrace Road Car Park.
Red Hill Auditorium
Location: 2 Toodyay Rd, Red Hill, WA 6056, Australia
Distance from Perth: 33 minutes away
Website: https://www.redhillauditorium.com.au/
Contact information: [email protected]
Not all concerts have to be held in an indoor arena; an outdoor concert hall can be just as fun. And Red Hill Auditorium, about a 30-minute drive away from Perth, is one of the best outdoor concert halls you can find in Western Australia.
One of the worries I had when we came to watch Queen of the Stone Age was that the sound quality wouldn’t be good since it’s an open-air venue, but I was proven wrong. The sound quality was superb, loud and clear throughout the whole venue.
The seats were also beautifully tiered, so everyone had a good view of the stage. Aside from the stage, I also got a stunning view of the city behind it, especially during the sunset.
Pro Tips: Bring a cushion because the limestone seats can be pretty uncomfortable.Bring lots of water and a fan, especially if the concert is during summer because the heat is crazy once you’re there.It’s better to use the bus because driving out of the venue after the event is quite challenging.
Astor Theatre Perth
Location: 659 Beaufort St, Mount Lawley, WA 6050, Australia
Website: http://astortheatreperth.com/
Contact information: +61 8 9370 1777, [email protected]
Opened in 1919, Astor Theatre, then The Lyceum, is a heritage-listed theatre located in Mount Lawley. It was originally built as a cinema but has evolved over the years to host a wide range of events, including concerts.
The acoustics can’t compare to the likes of Perth Concert Hall, but the hall is pretty small, so the sound can still be heard loud and clear, even at the back. Trust me on this because I was seated on the balcony seats during The Damned’s concert.
The concert hall’s air conditioning was also quite strong, making the concert experience more comfortable. My friend was in the standing area during the concert and said it didn’t feel warm even with all the people standing there.
Pro Tip: Parking is pretty challenging, so head there early if you really need to bring a car. Otherwise, it would be better to just ride the bus or taxi.
RAC Arena
Location: 700 Wellington St, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
Website: https://www.racarena.com.au/
Contact details: (08) 6365 0700
RAC Arena may not necessarily be built to become a concert hall, but this arena is actually the venue for some of the biggest concerts in Perth. With a capacity of 15,500, it can accommodate large-scale concerts of popular singers around the world.
One of the most fun concerts I’ve ever attended was the Goo Goo Dolls and Matchbox Twenty concert here. The atmosphere inside was crazy, with thousands of fans singing their hearts out to Iris, Unwell, and the two bands’ other hits.
The music also resonated well throughout the arena. A friend who went to the Billie Eilish concert said the music was pretty clear and loud, even in the nosebleed seats, so everyone could really enjoy the concert.
Pro Tip: Protect your ears and bring earplugs, please! The arena is for huge crowds, so the music and screams are much louder than in theatres, and it can damage your ears.
His Majesty’s Theatre
Location: 827-905 Hay St, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
Website: https://www.artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/venues/his-majestys-theatre
Contact information: +61 8 6212 9292 (tickets), +61 8 9265 0900 (administration); [email protected]
Another historic concert hall is His Majesty’s Theatre, one of the only two remaining Edwardian-era buildings in the country. While it may not be the largest theatre in Australia, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm and character.
The West Australian Opera show that I went to watch proved just how excellent the acoustics are, as the singers’ voices resonated clearly throughout the hall. The seat rows are a bit too close, but I’m pretty short, so it didn’t really affect my experience.
Acoustics aside, I think what really makes operas and concerts here so much better is the grandeur of the interior. The red walls and intricate designs on the balcony levels make the experience feel more luxurious.
Pro Tip: There’s a restaurant and bar at His Majesty’s Theatre. It’s open 2 hours before concerts and shows at the auditorium, so you can just have your meal there instead of searching for a nearby restaurant.
Riverside Theatre
From @lukereyno
Location: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Parenting Room/21 Mounts Bay Rd, Perth WA 6000, Australia
Website: http://www.pcec.com.au/
Contact information: +61 8 9475 3318, +61 458 477 636
With a seating capacity of up to 2,500, Riverside Theatre is the largest-tiered theatre in Perth. It’s a versatile concert hall that hosts a range of events, including comedy shows, conferences, and theatre productions.
I went to see Bill Bailey in the theatre and had an absolute blast. The sound system was incredible, and there were barely static noises while Bill Bailey performed, which isn’t surprising since the concert hall is relatively more modern than other theatres.
What truly made the experience better, though, was the comfortable seats, which are probably the most comfortable among the ones from the concert halls listed here. I had enough leg room, so I didn’t have to worry about knee pain afterwards.
Pro Tip: Arrive early for the concert! Many of the lifts were closed when I went, so I had to use the stairs, which could’ve caused me to be late if we didn’t arrive early.
State Theatre Centre of Western Australia
Location: Perth Cultural Centre, 174/176 William St, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
Website: https://www.artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au/venues/state-theatre-centre-of-wa/
Contact information: +61 8 6212 9292 (tickets), +61 8 6212 9200 (administration); [email protected]
State Theatre Centre of Western Australia is a performing arts complex with three different concert halls. The halls are quite small, with the biggest having only 575 seats and the smallest having only 200 seats.
After attending a few shows here, one of the best things I’ve noticed is that there are no obstructed seats. Even when I sat on the balcony seats, I still had a clear (and a pretty close) view of the stage.
Despite having really high ceilings, the acoustics inside the concert hall remained incredible. The wooden walls definitely helped amplify the sound and improved the overall acoustics.
Pro Tip: The snacks and drinks the concert hall offers are quite expensive. I recommend eating at home or exploring the restaurants near the concert hall.
Perth Town Hall
From @damianmatacz
Location: 601 Hay Street, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
Website: http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/living-community/perth-town-hall
Contact details: (08) 9461 3555, [email protected]
It may be called town hall, but what you’ll actually find here aren’t politicians or public officials. Instead, you’ll find various musicians filling the concert hall with music.
I’ve attended several candlelight concerts here, including the Coldplay tribute and a jazz concert. The intimate setting, flickering candle lights, and surround sound made the concert feel cosy and warm, unlike the lively vibe from other concerts I attended.
The concerts I’ve attended here are more suitable for date nights rather than fun hangouts with friends, so keep that in mind if you plan to attend one here, too. But if your friends aren’t fond of big crowds, this can be perfect since the capacity is only 400.
Pro Tip: Perth Town Hall isn’t just a concert hall; it can also be used for weddings, banquets, and other events. To enquire about this, you can fill out the form on the City of Perth’s website.
Optus Stadium
Location: 333 Victoria Park Dr, Burswood, WA 6100, Australia
Website: https://optusstadium.com.au/
Contact information: 1300 297 588
Optus Stadium isn’t just a great venue for sports events but also an amazing large-scale concert hall. This over 60,000-seat capacity stadium is the perfect concert hall for the biggest names in the music industry, such as Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Eminem.
The Coldplay concert I attended here last November was one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve ever had. Of course, the sound quality isn’t as great as in smaller indoor arenas, but it was still amazing for a venue this big.
The atmosphere inside, with all the fans singing and the light bands lighting up together, made up for the sound quality. We were also able to enjoy a fireworks show, adding to our excitement!
Pro Tip: Use public transport on your way here! There’s no parking available in the stadium, and even if there is, driving out after the concert would be a nightmare because of the number of people.
The Rechabite
Location: 224 William St, Northbridge, WA 6003, Australia
Website: https://www.therechabite.com.au/
Contact information: [email protected]
The Rechabite is one of the best places to discover new bands and artists. The 320-capacity concert hall on the second level and 100-capacity club in the basement often host a range of performers, including bands and singers.
The concert hall has three balconies wrapped around the hall, so I didn’t really need to rush just to see Future Islands perform. There were also many speakers throughout the small hall, making the sound much clearer and louder for everyone in the room.
The best part about this concert hall is there’s also a rooftop bar and restaurant in the same building. I enjoyed Korean-inspired meals with a friend before the concert and a few cocktails at the rooftop bar afterwards.
Pro Tip: Book in advance if you’re planning to eat at the restaurant! Walk-ins are usually not accepted since it’s a pretty small space.
