Fremantle-based space Gage Roads Brewery has issued a statement after John Butler criticised the venue for cancelling the Freo for a Frack Free Kimberley concert, alleging it was cancelled for “political reasons.”

Butler has long been involved in environmental activism. The singer has participated in the Save The Kimberley and Save Ningaloo Reef campaigns, and advocates for the Wilderness Society.

In a 2019 opinion piece he wrote for The Music, Butler detailed the urgency of Australia to offer up long-term sustainable solutions to combat climate change, noting that the country is still a large supporter of coal projects and fracking.

In November, he performed at Rising Tide’s People’s Blockade in Newcastle. “I’ve been lucky to have been at a few blockades over the years, and I’ve found that without a few passionate people willing to stand against the madness, our society and culture doesn’t evolve to consider all life and justice for all,” he wrote at the time.

“Justice for our future generations. Justice for country and culture. Justice to get a more true and just political system that represents people and community not corporate profit first.”

The Freo for a Frack Free Kimberley concert, set to take place today, was initially meant to be held at Gage Roads Brewery, but on Sunday (2 February), it was announced that it had been moved to Port Beach Brewery in North Fremantle.

John Butler is headlining the free event alongside Noah Dillon and Kimberley artist Wil Thomas. In a since-deleted social media post, the Zebra singer alleged that Gage Roads wasn’t willing to host Freo for a Frack Free Kimberley concert due to political reasons.

“Gage Roads cancelled the event and pulled out saying they didn’t know it was so political and they didn’t do political events,” Butler wrote, per Perth Now.

Butler added that “everyone knew” the event was supposed to raise awareness of an issue. The cancellation announcement arrived after the venue hosted an election campaign launch event for two local state Labor politicians.

Butler asked, “Did someone get a little call from a powerful mate? Just asking for a friend.”

The musician praised the concert’s new venue, writing that it is “not afraid” to host the concert and “upset the corporately captured political and resource class of this State.”

He concluded the post, “Better venue. Better values. See ya, Gage Roads, disappointed but not surprised.”

Aaron Heary, the Executive Director of Good Drinks Australia, which owns Gage Roads Brewing, claimed that the Freo for a Frack Free Kimberley concert “was not what was eventually planned and advertised.”

“It was our understanding that it was to be a music-only event, with some Frack Free merchandise for sale and awareness-raising materials available,” Heary told Perth Now. “Under these circumstances, we initially agreed to hold the event.”

After promotional materials were published online, Heary said the venue felt that delivering speeches throughout the night from community groups would create “a rally-type atmosphere, which would interfere with the ambience on the evening.”

Heary stated that the company believed the event could likely exceed the venue’s capacity.

“For these reasons, we decided it would be best for the organisers to move the event to a venue more fit for purpose,” Heary said.

Heary also said Gage Roads Brewery helped organisers of Freo for a Frack Free Kimberley concert find a different venue.

“The Port Beach Brewery space will be far more suitable, and we wish John and the organisers all the best for their event,” Heary said.

Butler will appear at the travelling music event, SummerSalt, along with Missy Higgins, Fanning Dempsey National Park, The Waifs, The Whitlams, and Josh Pyke this March and April. He’s also set to headline this month’s Riverboats Music Festival in Echuca, Victoria, with Ian Moss and The Cruel Sea.