Tame Impala ProfileTame Impala’s Kevin Parker has made the headlines in Western Australia after deliberately blacking out the logo of Fremantle Dockers sponsor, Woodside Energy.
He showed support for his AFL team of choice – and disapproval of one of its lead sponsors – by wearing a Fremantle Dockers shirt and covering up the Woodside logo during a recent show in Denver, Colorado. Parker is also the club’s #1 ticket holder.
WA Today notes that by blacking out the logo on his merchandise, Parker has revitalised calls for Woodside – the Perth-based fossil fuel company – to be dropped as one of Fremantle Dockers’ major sponsors.
Woodside has recently drawn controversy, with the Conservation Council of WA noting that the company “plans to drill up to 57 wells at Scott Reef” – an untouched marine ecosystem in Australia that’s home to protected sea creatures such as migrating whales, the green sea turtle, and the dusky sea snake.
Woodside’s drilling plans are part of its Browse gas export proposal, which would reportedly add “1.6 billion tonnes of carbon pollution into the atmosphere.”
As a result, petitions for Fremantle to ditch Woodside have been reawakened and grown even larger as the AFL Grand Final looms next Saturday (26 September), with the team likely to compete for its first-ever premiership.
At the time of publication, the Fremantle Dockers have signed Woodside as a major sponsor until the end of 2017.
Parker’s protest against the company followed a similar action by the Get Off My Chest campaign, WA Today reports.
Get Off My Chest Founder Clare Lagan commended Parker’s move and said it showcased how the movement has grown amongst Fremantle Dockers supporters.
“Woodside has long been one of Australia’s most controversial companies and one of sport’s most controversial sponsors,” Lagan told WA Today.
“We commend Kevin Parker and call on the Fremantle Football Club to end their partnership with Australia’s largest fossil fuel company. Kevin Parker’s statement is clear: this is not something Freo fans can support.”
Kevin Parker returns to Australia next month, with an in-demand Tame Impala arena tour stopping in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth.
The tour announcement was met with an incredible response, leading to additional shows in all cities. Kevin Parker’s visionary project added an extra night in Perth, two extra shows in Brisbane and Sydney, and another three in Melbourne.
Joining Tame Impala on all dates is one of the hottest names in Australian music: electronic artist, songwriter, and producer Ninajirachi.
