A collaboration between LXF Community, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and national music festival Groovin the Moo is giving aspiring DJs the chance to join an epic festival line-up and spin the decks in front of thousands.
Six winners will take to the stage to show off their skills with a performance at the MPAC youth festival YOU ARE... on May 4 before joining Coolio, Billie Eilish, DMA’s and G-Flip at this year’s Bunbury GTM festival to a crowd of more than 20,000.
DJ hopefuls will have the opportunity to hone their skills before the big day with free workshops to go from zero to hero in five intense sessions.
Mandurah’s biggest DJ company, Ugly DJ Co, who boast previous performances at GTM as well as at Perth’s Icecream Factory and Pineapple Club, will facilitate the workshop series.
The group are set to cover everything from basic to advanced mixing and reading a crowd before finishing off with a master class from industry professionals who will mentor participants on how to leverage themselves as an artist, manage contracts and look after their finances.
LXF Community and Ugly DJ Co co-founder Nic Bevan said the workshops aimed to provide a platform for a diverse mix of young musicians.
“Technical skills are only one side of the coin to becoming a successful performer,” he said.
“These workshops are so much more than just the skills of becoming a DJ but about creating a brand identity and how to portray yourself as an artist.
“We want the six participants to walk away from this experience with the confidence and know-how to achieve all of their goals.”
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Young star Tye Turner, who produces under the moniker HANZO and recently opened Origin Fields festival on NYE, will lead the training.
The 21-year-old said he was thankful for the opportunity to give back and support the next generation of local talent.
“I started my creative journey teaching myself how to DJ in my bedroom,” he said.
“It’s been a whirlwind few years since and I’m pumped to be a part of this initiative where I will be able to share some of my learning’s and kick-start the careers of a bunch of local talents”.
These workshops are so much more than just the skills of becoming a DJ but about creating a brand identity and how to portray yourself as an artist.
- Nic Bevan
The team at GTM expressed how excited they were to launch the initiative.
“We are thrilled to offer a platform to showcase the next wave of DJs,” a spokesperson said.
“Our Community Involvement Program strives to develop and offer these kinds of opportunities and we are stoked to be working with LXF, MPAC and the participants.”
MPAC youth engagement officer Kellee Aberg also said they were “thrilled” to support up and coming artists and provide them with a platform to perform.
Registrations to be in the running for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity are open for 16-24 year olds until Sunday, February 24.
For more information, or to apply, visit the Groovin the Moo website.
Workshop dates
- Music Theory and Equipment Overview – Sunday, March 10 at MPAC
- Basic Mixing and Beatmatching – Sunday, March 24 at MPAC
- Advanced Mixing Techniques – Sunday, April 7 at MPAC
- Loops, Effects and Reading a Crowd – Sunday, April 28 at MPAC
- MPAC Youth Festival – Saturday, May 4 at MPAC
- GTM Bunbury – Saturday, May 11 at Hay Park, Bunbury
- Leveraging Yourself as an Artist – Saturday, May 25 at Make Place