Perth Music Community Rallies To Save Freo.Social From Development

The music community in Perth has rallied to save Freo.Social, which is being threatened with closure due to noise complaints because a new hotel is being built next door.

The West Australian reports that the local music community has launched a campaign to save the beloved venue, which could be forced to close due to noise restrictions. Freo.Social management has reportedly accused the City of Fremantle of abandoning them as they fight developer Silver Leaf.

Local musicians Donna Simpson of The Waifs, Abbe May, The Southern River Band’s Cal Kramer, and Carla Geneve are just some of the artists who have publicly shared support for Freo.Social.

Posting on her Instagram Stories yesterday, Geneve wrote: “Our lovely music community out in force, new hotel next door wants to shut Freo.Social because of noise complaints. Save live music.”

Carla Geneve via Instagram Stories

James Legge, the Managing Director of Triple 1 Three (which manages Freo.Social), said the community views the issue as “construction killing culture.”

Legge added that the venue is “staring down the barrel” and asking for urgent action.

Abbe May noted that her first gigs happened at Freo.Social, where she found success. More artists have emerged and progressed thanks to the support of playing at the venue.

“Development is important, but so is culture,” May said, stating that the venue being under threat sets a “dangerous precedent.”

May added that the local government should ensure that if a new hotel is being built next to an essential live music venue, “there’s no way of bulldozing that venue.”

City of Fremantle Chief Executive Glen Dougall told The West Australian that no decision has been made yet, but the City has engaged a noise consultant.

“We must wait for the hotel build to finish so that proper noise testing can occur,” Dougall said. “Once testing has been conducted, there will be a discussion about the results and what can be done.”

In a statement to The Music, West Australian Music (WAM) CEO Owen Whittle said, “Freo.Social and its predecessor, the Fly By Night Club, have had a long and storied history of supporting music in WA and have played a vital role in our music scene and in platforming local artists.

“A live music venue which [has] been operating since 1986 should not be put at risk by a catastrophically dumb planning decision by the City of Fremantle.”

Whittle added, "Across the last decade, we have seen far too many venues close in Perth and around the country. If local government can’t be trusted to do the right thing, we need mechanisms to ensure that live music venues can be protected.”

If the Cook government is re-elected at the next state election, Labor has promised to protect the venue, saying it will be exempt from noise restrictions four nights a week.