Fremantle live music icon’s future ‘secure’ after closure scare

A Fremantle live music institution that only in February faced closure due to noise complaints from a nearby hotel is now beefing up its acoustics via a $150,000 grant.

Earlier this year, the fate of Freo.Social looked bleak after the owners of a boutique hotel, located just metres from the front door of one of the port city’s most cherished live music venues, voiced concerns about noise.

Eventually, a compromise was reached to allow the 550-seat venue at the historic Artillery Drill Hall in the heart of the city to remain open four days a week.

Now Freo.Social’s playing days look secure after getting funding under the federal Revive Live program to soundproof the venue with acoustic roof panels, insulation within the domed roof and acoustic drapes.

Freo.Social managing director James Legge said the money would safeguard the venue’s future.

“At the start of the year, we were extremely concerned about the future of Freo.Social, but were overwhelmed by the support we received from the local community and musicians,” he told this masthead.

“We are very appreciative of the response of the federal and state governments, who championed our cause and recognised the importance of grassroots music venues such as Freo.Social to the health of the music industry.

“We are also grateful for the advocacy role [West Australian Music] played in our fight; they were instrumental in our discussions with the government.

“We now feel that the future of Freo.Social is secure, and we couldn’t be more thankful to all those who supported us”

Federal Fremantle Labor MP Josh Wilson – a self-confessed music lover – said Freo.Social had been on the back foot since the noise complaint saga began in February.

Wilson has a special connection to the venue; his dad helped manage it when it was the famous Fly by Night Club.

“I know how important this is to Freo,” he said.

“We can now build on this incredible story and Freo.Social can start a new, better chapter.

“Freo has always been a dynamic, evolving place and with change there will always be challenges. Those challenges are not resolved by talking Freo down, but instead require constructive problem solving. ”

Revive Live is a $25 million Labor program that supports live music venues and festivals showcasing Australian artists.

Late last year, North Fremantle stalwart Mojos Bar received $60,000 under the program for acoustic upgrades.

The funding for Freo.Social couldn’t come at a better time for the live music scene in the port city.

It was only Monday that this masthead wrote about how culture and arts in the port city were under threat by development in the CBD.

The West End bar and retro games venue Palace Arcade was forced to close recently because of noise complaints from nearby residents.

Newly elected Fremantle mayor Ben Lawver told WAtoday recently that a working group was examining how developments and live venues could coexist.

“It’s a bit like the adage, you move next to an airport and then you complain about the noise,” he said.

“If you’re moving into Fremantle, you should expect to hear some live music if you’re sitting outside on your porch or occasionally inside.”

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