Mandurah musicians are making a name for themselves on the big stage, with three local artists recently performing at Optus Stadium.
Peel products Kelly McMahen, Brooke Bugeja and Danny Bau were part of the Hit Live competition run by Perth radio station Hit 92.9 and the Fremantle Dockers to give up-and-coming musicians a chance for greater exposure.
The trio of talented artists beat hundreds of applicants during auditions and were each offered a gig at a home game throughout the season.
Solo guitarist and singer Kelly McMahen was the first of the locals to take to the stage on April 7 for the Fremantle Dockers vs St Kilda game.
She performed Gabriella Cilmi's 2008 hit Sweet About Me.
McMahen said she felt all kinds of emotions in the lead up to her biggest performance yet.
"Before I took the stage I was rather freaked because the nerves had not hit me yet so I was far too calm compared to usual," she said.
"I was very excited and I thought it was all going to hit me once when I started playing but the nerves never really came.
"The experience could not have gone better for me. It was surreal and overwhelming but the sense of accomplishment brought me great joy."
McMahen said the gig had even opened up doors for her music career.
"I have had a few people in contact with me in relation to gigs since that day and a few people approach me at Optus Stadium while the Freo Dockers and Saints we're finishing their game," she said.
"The promotional package the staff put together for me can almost guarantee another step forward in my music career.
"Next for me is the recording studio. I write my own music and this gig has given me the drive and motivation to want to get stuck into that.
"After that is done, I will be marketing locally first in the hope of branching out further and further."
Next to hit the stage at Optus Stadium was Pinjarra guitarist and singer/songwriter Brooke Bugeja, who performed on June 30 at the Fremantle Dockers vs Carlton game.
She sang Vance Joy's number one hit Riptide.
Bugeja said, after battling nerves in the lead up to her biggest gig ever, she was "really happy" with how the performance went.
"When I got the the stadium on the day, my belly dropped when I saw how big it was but once I got inside all the nerves turned into excitement," she said.
"I got told that I was the most excited performer they have ever had. It was such a big deal for me being the biggest crowd I have ever played for.
"It actually felt so natural to be doing what I love to such a large crowd. I loved having the cameras on me, my face on the big screen and everyone cheering for me."
Bugeja described the reaction to her performance as "amazing" and is looking forward to taking the next step in her career.
"My social media was hit with new followers and a bunch of beautiful messages and as I walked around the stadium, and even a McDonald's that wasn't too close after, a lot of people complimented me on my performance and I had a couple of people take pictures with me," she said.
"I can't wait to see what happens in the near future with my music.
"I would love to get more festival and large event gigs and to get my name out there more. I will be releasing an EP soon."
Most recently, well-known Mandurah artist Danny Bau played to a packed stadium of more than 56,000 at the Fremantle Dockers vs West Coast Eagles game on July 6.
He sang one of the most popular singalongs from last year, Shotgun, by George Ezra.
Bau said he felt "lucky" to get picked to perform at the derby.
"I was stoked to get the derby. It was by far the biggest crowd I've ever played to," he said.
"It was absolutely electric, a surreal feeling but I was definitely nervous though.
"I came off stage and was absolutely buzzing, I was tingling to be honest - it's hard to put into words but I want to feel that again."
Bau said he had come a long way since quitting his job at 21 to pursue a solo career, but he was well on his way to living out his dream.
"As a musician, that is what you strive for to play to big crowds like that," he said.
"This is what I want to do - it's been a dream of mine to pursue a music career and so far, so good."
