Fremantle is a port city with a musical soul. It's been the birthplace of musicians and bands (such as Bon Scott, John Butler, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, Eskimo Joe and San Cisco), who have gone on to showcase their talent to the world. Music can be heard throughout the day and night in the city, from buskers playing in the Fremantle Markets, to local bands firing up at Mojos bar. Music is woven intrinsically into the fabric of Fremantle.
FREO LIVE
Kicking off Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May ahead of SOTAstream on Monday 1 June, Fremantle will come alive as local venues band together to deliver ‘Freo Live’ – a live streaming series of events celebrating and supporting local talent and the live music capital of Australia, Fremantle. Freo Live will see local artists performing live on the stages of some of the port city’s favourite venues, with each performance streamed via Facebook Live for music-lovers to enjoy from the comfort of home.
The lineup of venues includes Ronnie Nights (30 May), The National Hotel (31 May), Clancy’s (6 June) and Metropolis Fremantle (13 June) with more expected to join over the coming weeks.
Live music venues in Fremantle
Mojos Bar
Mojos in North Fremantle is definitely rising - and with good reason. This local bar has been holy ground for counter-cultural types and live music aficionados for decades. Boasting the best open mic night in the port city, as well as local and international acts, Mojo's was made for music.
Fremantle Arts Centre (FAC)
Sunday Music at the Fremantle Arts Centre is a free concert series that is catered to families and everyone who likes to boogie. Running from October, all the way to March, it hosts a wide variety of entertainers, but the biggest star might just be the lush Fremantle Arts Centre grounds themselves. It's the perfect spot for a picnic or a pot of tea while the music washes over you. Fremantle Arts Centre also presents a fabulous concert program filled with the finest international, national, and local acts. Past performers have included such luminous names as: Nick Cave, Lauryn Hill, Passenger, Paul Kelly, The Waifs, PJ Harvey and Midnight Oil, to name a few.
Clancy's Fish Pub
Listen to live music in the comfortable confines of Clancy's Fish Pub. A longtime supporter of Fremantle musicians, Clancy's provides an authentic Australian pub experience with a 'broad-church' approach to its music. From well-established and world-renowned artists, through to up-and-coming acts that will raise the roof - live music lives at Clancy's.
Freo.Social
Set to shake up the local live music scene, Freo.Social is the city's newest venue. With a lineup of visionary acts and enthralling live shows, including local and international artists, as well as comedy nights, festivals and theatre performances, Freo.Social is a hub of energy, creativity, humour and music culture. With an on-site brewery, food, dining spaces, beer gardens and a playground area for kids, it also fits-in perfectly with the relaxed Fremantle vibe, just fine.
Rock Rover
A collaboration between Cool Perth Nights and the South Fremantle Football Club, Rock Rover brings live music to the hallowed grounds of one of Fremantle's local football shrines. The 600-person room gives a great line of sight, from every angle to view performing acts, while providing a tangible intimacy that few venues can match.
Metropolis Fremantle
Metro's is synonymous with dance music in Fremantle. The spot where the younger crowd come to club not pub, Metros hosts a program of live shows and touring acts that get the whole city jumping. Expect to see veteran DJ's, doyens of dance, prodigies of electronic music, and all those who create music that gets your blood circulating.
Pubs and hotels
In Australia there is no better tradition than going to the pub to enjoy a cold beer and live music. The following are a few local establishments where that practice proudly continues. The Swan Hotel (& Basement), Railway Hotel, Sonar Room at Little Creatures, National Hotel, Bar Orient, Newport Hotel and the Ball and Chain at the Esplanade Hotel.
Local clubs
Local clubs that champion live music add to the rich tapestry of music on offer in Fremantle. Upstairs in the Navy Club, Jazz Fremantle stages concerts in a cabaret setting every Sunday afternoon. The Hilton Park Bowling Club hosts local music legends from 8.30 pm every Friday night.
Special live music events
It's the diversity of Fremantle's live music venues that adds to its reputation as the best WA city to experience live acts. To hear something a bit more regal, look out for Fremantle Chamber Orchestra performances in the stunning heritage listed Fremantle Town Hall and St John's Church. There are also concerts held in converted warehouses like at PS Art Space and old repurposed galleries like Kidogo Arthouse. But perhaps nothing beats the majesty of the natural environment and the abundant free space at such outdoor concerts like those held on Port & Leighton Beaches, Fremantle Oval, Princess May Park and the Esplanade Reserve.