CHAOS GIG REVIEW
Wesley Black Delivers a Cinematic, 808-Heavy Spectacle
Last night’s performance by Perth’s own Wesley Black was a dynamic masterclass in artistic evolution. Known for his fierce, hard-hitting deliveries and searing lyrics, the artist showcased his sonic dynamism by expertly weaving his original, rage-style Soundcloud roots with his newer, more melodic indie, pop, and grunge influences. The result was a ten-track journey that proved Wesley Black is not only honouring his past but boldly defining his future.
The set immediately established its roots, starting with a strong selection of Wesley Black's older tracks. This proved to be a deliberate nod to his core fanbase, who received the early material extremely well. Throughout the performance, the production was consistently 808 heavy, which acted as the foundational pulse, demonstrating his development as an artist while keeping his sound grounded. The progression was clear: he started with the harder, older tracks and slowly moved into his newer, more melodic material, before finishing the night with another 808 heavy, harder piece. This structural arc provided a satisfying and powerful narrative to the set.
I was continuously impressed by Wesley's confidence. At one point, he turned to the audience and gave them the opportunity to pick what they wanted to hear. This spontaneous moment, following an already commanding performance, showed a genuine respect for his fanbase and marked a true next step in his stage presence.
Throughout the set, the topic of vocal integrity naturally arose, making me wonder about the pitch correction used. While the effect was certainly audible here and there, Wesley used the FX like a true professional. He demonstrated a clear understanding of when the processing was needed and, crucially, when it was not. Rather than using it to mask his talent, the vocal effects served as another deliberate instrument in his arsenal, confirming that his voice is just another one of his many talents, a beautiful sound in its own right.
Even when the atmosphere faced a challenge—at one point, the audio cut out due to a fault with the building's sound system—Wesley remained calm and professional, smoothly moving forward without letting the issue disrupt the energy of the show.
The night was elevated by several moments of theatrical brilliance and sincere gratitude:
Capitalizing on the fact that the WWE was in Perth, Wesley—a pro wrestling fan—brought out a pre-made cardboard prop resembling a table around the halfway mark. He proceeded to deliver a "sunset flip" style manoeuvre into a peer in the crowd, creating an absolutely electric moment. The crowd’s subsequent chant of the classic WWE line, "This is awesome," solidified the segment as a highlight of the night.
Around the seventh track, Wesley invited guests onto the stage to perform a track, once again demonstrating his support for artists in his field. Before running his track 'Sleepless Nights,' he specifically paid his respects to filmmaker Oliver James of Escapade Films, who used the track in a recent short film. These gestures consistently show the unwavering love and respect Wesley has for his peers and his fanbase.
Another moment that showcased Wesley's character was his shout-out to his partner several times throughout the set, thanking her for her support and for her work on the art and promotions leading up to the event.
The set begged a question to me at times: whatever happened to the Soundcloud era of music? That time was once a prominent, defining factor in the scene, fostering raw, unfiltered talent. If anyone would be the one to ignite that flame again, Wesley's older material, presented with his current level of polish, would be the spark. The powerful contrast between the 808-heavy music and the artist's genuine demeanour—having spoken to him both before and after the gig, confirming he is the kindest, most polite, and genuine person—only deepens the compelling nature of his art.
The night closed with a return to his track "Outlaw," which the crowd absolutely loved, bringing the ambitious, high-energy set to a fitting and triumphant conclusion.
Wesley Black’s performance was far more than just a concert; it was a deliberate, defining statement about his evolution. He successfully synthesised his raw, 808-heavy origins with the theatrical ambition of a major arena act, culminating in moments like the wrestling stunt that few artists would dare attempt. The most compelling element remains the contrast between the artist and the art: the kind, polite, and genuine person off-stage creates aggressive, visceral music that is a mirror to modern anxieties. Wesley Black is not only a versatile talent in the vocal booth, but a professional and strategic performer whose unique blend of authentic grit and polished pop makes him an essential and necessary force in the Australian scene right now.