Downsyde

Straight Outta Mojos: A Night with Down Syde at Mojos Bar After catching the raw energy of Triple Engine, I thought I had seen the peak of Perth's live music scene—until Down Syde took the stage at Mojos Bar on November 30th. What an absolute revelation. As a poet who’s spent a lifetime exploring rhythm, rhyme, and metre, I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the fusion of music and poetry, especially hip-hop. As a teenager, I turned my back on folk music and embraced the power of N.W.A, Public Enemy, and Ice-T, writing raps and learning to breakdance. The evening’s line-up was awe-inspiring. The room buzzed with the energy of Indigenous Noongars, young and old, embracing a genre born in the Bronx. Hip-hop is all about identity, struggle, and resistance, and the supporting acts delivered political messages with a deep connection to country. One piece even blended the didgeridoo with contemporary beats, a fusion of tradition and modernity. The artists were brilliant, with tight rhythm, rhyme, and metre, making for a masterful display of poetry in motion. But it was Down Syde who stole the show. Their stage presence was far too big for the venue, but they owned it—straight outta Mojos. The real drums and trumpet added depth to their intricate beats, and one salsa-inspired track with rap vocals became the night’s highlight. Another standout, Flip the Bird, resonated with me deeply. With my Afro/Native American roots and a mother from Cuba, the fusion of Indigenous and Latin influences felt personal. Thank you, Down Syde, for an unforgettable night of music and connection.