A NEW exhibition at the WA State Library, X-Press Magazine: 41 Years on the Streets, is celebrating one of Perth’s most iconic cultural publications, marking 41 years since the first issue was published on June 21 in 1985.
From its humble beginnings as a street press guide to Perth’s nightlife, X-Press Magazine became a defining voice for Western Australia’s youth, music, arts, fashion, and cultural scenes.
The exhibition, curated by former editor Bob Gordon, draws on the State Library’s complete collection of X-Press to explore the publication’s significant cultural legacy and its latest evolution as a digital platform.
“X-Press Magazine was more than a weekly guide—it was a champion of our local creative industries and a platform that helped shape Perth’s cultural identity,” says creative industries minister Simone McGurk. “For decades, it has supported emerging artists, documented changing tastes and trends, and captured the energy of our live music, arts, and nightlife scenes.”
The State Library will host a special launch event on Friday June 19, featuring an electrifying panel conversation with some of the key figures behind the magazine.
• Bob Gordon (above) and Abbe May (below) will be attending the launch of the exhibition X-Press Magazine: 41 Years on the Streets at the WA State Library.
The discussion will reflect on the changing tides of media and popular culture in Perth, alongside stories from the frontlines of rock ‘n’ roll journalism.
Panellists include ARIA-nominated musician Abbe May, founding publisher Joe Cipriani, long-serving editor Bob Gordon, current online editor Brayden Edwards, and noted photographer Toni Wilkinson. Tickets are available from the State Library website.
Screenshot
The exhibition invites visitors to the State Library to revisit the unmistakable pink masthead, its street distribution stands, and the stories that shaped generations of Western Australians, while also highlighting the importance of preserving the State’s media and cultural history.
It underscores the State Library’s role as a collecting institution committed to preserving and sharing WA’s social heritage.
The exhibition is presented with the support of Vanguard Media Group and X-Press Magazine, and is on display at the State Library in the Perth Cultural Centre until November 30. For more info see slwa.wa.gov.au.