WEST AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CLOSES REGIONAL UNIT

West Australian Music is closing its regional unit, reducing its staff from nine to five.

The unit has played a key role in promoting the careers of regional WA musicians and unearthing hidden talent such as Kalgoorlie’s Yabu Band, who won WAMi (West Australia Music Industry) awards four times.

Yabu band member Delson Stokes said WAM was an essential service to regional musicians, particularly after COVID closed the live music scene down.

“Bring back WAM, put some money towards music. I think before time music was always in everybody’s language, everybody’s culture, everybody’s heritage. We need music back on the scene,” he said.