Music is at the Soul of Fremantle
It’s pretty simple. Freo and music go hand in hand. From the bluegrass jam at Clancy’s to emerging musician nights at Freo.Social and the buskers on South Terrace, music pours out of venues into the streets. So, what makes the port city’s connection with music so strong? We asked three Fremantle industry insiders…
NATALIE D-NAPOLEON: Folk musician / singer / songwriter / guitarist / poet
As a young artist, Natalie D-Napoleon appreciated seeing buskers playing guitar and singing in Freo’s streets: “It made me realise music is alive and vibrant and can be taken to the people with only a guitar and voice”.
Clancy’s is her favourite venue because they respect musos and listeners by always putting on quality music:
“Whatever you see at Clancy’s is gold! They have great taste from zydeco to country to indie music.”
Where else does she recommend? Dave Brewer’s regular show at Strange Company on a Sunday arvo, regular jazz nights at The Navy Club, folk/country/bluegrass at Clancy’s… and everything else in between at venues around town!
GENERAL JUSTICE: Reggae veteran
There was no reggae when General Justice first arrived in Fremantle more than four decades ago. But being a port city, full of multicultural people, it developed.
“It’s the kind of place where people are inspired by what they see and hear. Musicians and artists are drawn to perform and exhibit in Freo because the population is very up for new and interesting artistic endeavours.”
In the late 70s, the dreadlocked General co-founded Jamdown Vershun, which became the longest running reggae show in the Southern Hemisphere. It lit Perth’s reggae fire. General Justice continues to host his influential show today, featuring visiting musicians and local reggae bands and DJs. Maybe it’s the reason the Bob Marley Outernational Festival has been held in Freo for most of its 41 years.
You can regularly find reggae at Port Beach Brewery, Mojos and the Orient.
JOANNA ROBERTSON: Owner of Kidogo Arthouse on Bather’s Beach
Her belief that live music is critical to the vibe and soul of Fremantle has driven Joanna Robertson to spend decades creating a nurturing venue where local artists can gather and perform.
“A great venue should set the scene so a musician can create magic and never dictate to them what to perform!”
She values the melting pot of styles as a wonderful aspects of music in the city: “I’ve never had a problem finding audiences to fill our seats to listen to an evening of opera or reggae, blues, jazz or a western swing night.”
Discover the magic of Joanna's Candlelit Soireés at Kidogo Arthouse this winter.
