Best entertainers in Perth
Perth is the most isolated capital in the country, and that shapes the list below more than anything else. What's here is what's here: nobody is driving over from another state for a Saturday night, so these are the Perth and Fremantle acts, full stop. Cover bands and duos lead the mix, with DJs, wedding bands and singers close behind.
So the practical advice is about timing, not travel. The whole metro fits inside the circle, Scarborough and Wembley to Guildford and Bassendean, and Fremantle is close enough to count as the same pool. But with no top-up from interstate, a busy spring or autumn Saturday can strip the list of the acts you had your eye on, so enquire early and keep a second choice.
Top picks in Perth
Top picks are the nearby performers with the most visible reviews, then rating, then the closest; further afield the closest come first, and premium listings break remaining ties. Distances are straight-line from Perth. Ask each act whether they travel to your venue and what that costs.
Questions people ask about entertainers in Perth
Why do Perth entertainers book out so early?
Because nobody comes over from the east to fill the gaps. On the east coast a busy weekend pulls acts in from the next city up the highway; in Perth the pool is the pool, and when the good cover bands are taken for a Saturday in October, that's the end of it. Enquire as soon as the venue is locked, and name a second choice you'd be happy with.
How much does a DJ cost in Perth?
What sets a Perth DJ's price is hours, gear and the date, in that order. A DJ who brings a full PA, lighting and a wireless microphone for the speeches costs more than one who plugs into the venue's system, and a Saturday in the wedding season costs more than a midweek corporate night. Distance rarely comes into it inside the metro, because the whole city is a short drive on the freeway. Check the from-prices on this page for what Perth DJs are quoting today.
Do Perth acts play in the Swan Valley and Margaret River?
The Swan Valley is a normal Perth job; it's inside the metro and the vineyards there run weddings every weekend. Margaret River is three hours south and a different proposition, with the drive, a night's accommodation and often the Sunday lost, so expect that to be quoted plainly. Some Perth bands do it all the time and have a set price for it, so ask rather than assume.
Can I book an act from the east coast to play in Perth?
You can, and people do it for a name act or a specific tribute show that Perth doesn't have. But flights for every member, freight for the gear, accommodation and the time difference all land on your bill, and a five-piece from Melbourne can cost more in travel than in fee. Read this list right through first; a Perth act doing the same job saves you all of that.
What's the best time of year for an outdoor event in Perth?
March and April, and again October and November. Summer afternoons are too hot for a band in the sun and the sea breeze in the evening plays havoc with light gear, while winter brings the rain. Those two windows are when everyone wants an outdoor wedding, which is exactly why they're the hardest dates on the calendar to book.
Booking tips
Fremantle has its own page
Fremantle is only 15 km out, so its acts appear here as well, but it also has a list of its own. If your venue is in Fremantle or south of the river, read both before you decide.
Duos for the small stuff
Duos are nearly as common as cover bands in Perth, and for a backyard, a boat on the river or a restaurant they're the right size. A duo with a good song list and its own PA carries a 50th without anyone shouting over the music.
Joondalup and Mandurah
Joondalup sits just past the edge of the circle and Mandurah is a proper drive south, and both have their own pages. Plenty of Perth acts will travel to either, but ask about the cost and, for Mandurah, whether they're driving back the same night.