Wow. Just… wow. That wasn’t just a concert. That was a moment in time. The Katy Perry ‘Lifetimes’ Tour rolled into Perth, and it brought with it more than lights, sound and glitter—it brought community, connection, and a glimpse into what’s possible when people come together.
Let’s rewind.
It starts with our crew – the heartbeat of the whole show – The unsung heroes of the industry, who joined up with the international touring crew.
Have you ever attended a show where your transported somewhere else and wondered, how did that all happen? Who makes it happen? What does it look like before the lights, and music? Or did you think it lasts only for the two or three hours the show is happening? If you thought the last part – then you’re wrong.
Our Event Personnel Australia (EPA) crew are generally the first hands and last hands assisting to put a show together, and Katy Perry’s wasn’t anything different to our long historical past, working in this industry.
Our recently promoted Crew Chief, Donna led, supported, mentored our team of between 1 – 120 working this show to deliver, complete and leave an EPA lasting impression on touring and production, the quality of service we have tirelessly worked on to not only improve our services but the industry one show at a time.
Then something special happened…
For those of you who don’t know, Balgo is one of the most remote communities on the planet. It’s located over 3,000km northeast of Perth, right at the edge of the Great Sandy Desert in the Kimberley. It’s home to just over 400 people. English is not the first language there; in fact, five distinct Indigenous dialects weave their everyday stories.
A group of young Balgo students are currently living/boarding in the Swan Valley, Perth WA attending High School on 10-week rotations. They’re away from home, family, country, familiar surroundings, in the big city—and most importantly given opportunities to dream.
So, with the support and blessing from Patrick (Katy Perry Touring), Colin Skals (TEG Dainty), Luke Krohn (RAC Arena), and One Mob Pty Ltd – Event Personnel Australia (EPA), something incredible was arranged: an all-access, behind, behind the scenes experience for the Balgo Mob at one of the biggest tours of the year.
Day One – The Build
From early morning, the kids were welcomed on site during the full stage build. They watched giant trusses rise from the floor, cables snake across the arena, and screens and sound rigs come to life like a tech-fantasy unfolding in real time.
And this wasn’t just standing on the sidelines. Our crew, KP Touring, and the TEG team included them every step of the way—explaining what was happening, answering questions, breaking it all down in a way that made sense, and more importantly—made it exciting.
When the build was complete, Colin Skals (TEG Dainty) and Patrick from KP Touring took them on the ultimate tour: under the stage, into the wardrobe and changing rooms, through loading docks, and side-stage vantage points most people never get to see.
By the end of the day, the kids were wide-eyed and exhausted. It was a lot to take in—and a lot to dream about.
Day Two – Showtime
The next night, the Balgo Mob returned to RAC Arena, this time as guests. As they settled into their seats, ready for their very first concert experience, Colin Skals delivered a special moment:
A warm message from Katy Perry and her touring crew, passed on directly to the kids, welcoming them and wishing them the best for the night ahead. As if that wasn’t enough, each student was also gifted a tour T-shirt to mark the occasion.
The lights dimmed, its dark. The intensity building, the crowd growing from silent to a chorus of a thousand V8 engines – the music kicked in, the headliner standing on stage meters away.
The magic took over.
You will always remember your first concert, where you were, the smells, the people, the lights, the action, the music and you never forget how it made you feel.
Pack Down – Demob
And then… the teardown.
While most of the arena was filing out, the Balgo kids stayed. They observed, as the show changed from a weaving catwalk, roof truss, lights, production equipment came down and returned to a blank canvas.
120 EPA crew
34 trucks – repacked with precision. What took two days to build, it took our EPA crew just under four hours to bump it all out and now it heads straight to our EPA team in Adelaide to start their build on the 25th of June 2025.
To all our crew: thank you for showing up, smashing it, leading with heart and representing EPA as you do, it doesn’t go unnoticed. To all our Chiefs & Leaders: Keep doing what you’re doing, this industry is better with you in it. To the Balgo Mob & their teachers: thank you for allowing us to spend time with you and showing you what behind the lights and camera’s is all about. To Colin, Jay, Patrick, Luke Krohn, KP Touring, and TEG Dainty: thank you for saying yes, your support turned a concert into a lifetime experience and for some this will be their only one of this nature.
This was about Dreams – Possibility – Ability – Culture – The power of inclusion Memories that will last a lifetime | We work and live on Dreamtime Country | One team | One Mob
