Reviews/Music

Strong Drapht blows audience away

20 November 2022

Perth hip-hop artist Drapht celebrates a musical milestone in superb style with WASO and some talented friends. Ara Jansen joins the enthusiastic crowd. 

‘How the West Was Won’, Drapht and West Australian Symphony Orchestra • 
Perth Concert Hall, 18 November 2022 • 

There may not be anything better than seeing your dad deliver a world debut at your very first gig. ARIA-winning Perth hip-hop artist Drapht is certainly feeling every bit the chuffed father as he tells the audience his young daughter is at her first concert.  

And what better way to close out an Australian tour and the year with a specially commissioned world premiere? “How The West Was Won” is Drapht’s live collaboration with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, celebrating 20 years on the mic. 

It must be an amazing feeling for an artist to know there’s a whole room cheering them on – and this audience make their presence felt by singing, clapping, whistling and yelling all show, including the 63-year-old guy at the back of the room who is determined to let us all know he is a fan.  

A woman in a long-sleeved black top stands arms outstretched, her right hand holding a baton. Behind her a singer in white top holds a microphone, and musicians perform on strings and brass. This is WASO assistant conductor Jen Winley with hip-hop artist Drapht.
WASO’s Jen Winley is more than up to the challenge of directing this complex show. Photo: Adrian Thomson

It is a wonderfully mixed and collegiate crowd packing Perth Concert Hall, a sea of baseball caps and hoodies replacing pearls and tuxes. Lots of young boys, many with their dads – who both know the words – are testament to Drapht’s reach, influence and respect.    

Delivered in two halves, the collaboration is a stylish alternative to a pub show and an aurally creative way to celebrate a 20-year career. 

Opening with “Shadows on My Walls (from the Shadows and Shinings album), it leads into 2011’s “Sing It”, where the signature flute kicked in. Perhaps one of Drapht’s most notable musical motifs, it continues to punctuate high points across the night.   

Considered a great of Australian rap and hip-hop, the hometown musician leaves us no doubt about his agility with a rhyme and smart name-checks, whether in “Don Quixote”, “Falling” or “Emperors New Clothes”. Clearly well read and informed, Drapht references widely from Eric Clapton, Nirvana, John Snow and Michael Jordan to the Ukraine, Sex and the City and the Sistine Chapel. Light on his feet, he has a refreshingly open physical style, which sets him apart from others in the genre. 

Two singers dressed in white tops and dark pants, lean into each other, smiling as they sing into microphones.  They are surrounded by drums and other percussion instruments, a drummer can be seen behind them. This is Morgan Bain and Drapht performing with WASO.
Morgan Bain joins Drapht on stage, bringing a fabulous voice and video-worthy dance moves. Photo: Adrian Thomson

While the strings provide the base and are the wings beneath this reimagined version of a hip-hop sound, it is the WASO brass which adds the heat and the most energy to tracks such as the chugging “All Love”, “Mexico” and the hypnotic “Drink Drank Drunk”. The killer earwig of “Jimmy Recard” closes the first set on a high. 

WASO’s 2022 assistant conductor Jen Winley feels like a perfect choice for this musical marriage, which appears way more challenging than backing a pop singer. The integration of samples, audio, new compositions and Drapht’s own band takes acute timing and attention to detail. WASO trombonist Joshua Davis did the arrangements, which alternate between subtle support and strident backing of Drapht’s uplifting rhyming.  

Equally, it is hard to ignore Drapht’s sax and flute player Brandan Scott Grey, who is hugely entertaining (and the subject of much discussion during interval), and keyboard player Morgan Bain, who is the whole package thanks to a fabulous voice and video-worthy dance moves.  

It is a special night, so why not call up a few famous friends to join the fun? Guest spots from Optamus of Downsyde, Mr Trials, The Paul The Dan, Complete and Aaron D’Vaz provide a huge infusion of positive energy, which radiates outwards.    

Green and blue streaks of light fan out above a stage and across a packed audience. They are locking at an orchestra and singers on the stage. The performers are Drapht and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
The packed Perth Concert Hall crowd shows its appreciation for a stunning show. Photo: Adrian Thomson

As the second half wound into a triple climax of “Hypocrite”, “Bali Party” and the blazing encore “Rapunzel”, it felt like the early parts of the show didn’t have quite the same punch. This may have been totally by design because a standing and yelling ovation closes out the night, revealing just how much fun everyone has had.  

Leaving with a feeling of wanting more and maximum respect for art made before our eyes is exactly how this part of the west was won. 

WASO performs Mahler’s Third Symphony at Perth Concert Hall, 2-3 December 2022.

Pictured top: Perth artist Drapht and WASO make beautiful music together. Photo: Adrian Thomson

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Author —
Ara Jansen

Ara Jansen is a freelance journalist. Words, bright colour, books, music, art, fountain pens, good conversation, interesting people and languages make her deeply happy. A longtime music journalist and critic, she’s the former music editor of The West Australian. Being in the pool next to the playground is one of her favourite places, ever.

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