Media Release: for immediate release.

Fremantle Arts Centre have announced the second lineup for Sunday Music – a free outdoor concert series showcasing a rich assortment of local and international talent – featuring the likes of much-loved local rap force Mali Jose (WA), the visually and sonically mesmerising Aurus (Réunion), and folk pop sensation JFDR (Iceland), in their lush front garden every Sunday, from 2-4pm, until April 2025 – supported by Fremantle Community Bank.

For over 40 years, Sunday Music has been a pillar event at Fremantle Arts Centre, showcasing a diverse array of musicology – spanning all genres and all corners of the Globe – for a vibrant celebration of music and culture, while providing a vital platform for Western Australian artists. Set in the heart of Fremantle – a renowned hub for music and culture – the seven-month outdoor summer concert series is the ultimate destination for capturing new and emerging talent, with the quaint surrounds and laidback atmosphere delivering a unique experience for both artists and audiences.

‘As we celebrate a remarkable first half of Sunday Music, highlighted by performances like Dave McCormack last weekend, we’re delighted to announce another incredible line-up for Sunday Music Part 2’ says City of Fremantle’s Director of Creative Arts Pete Stone. ‘Featuring artists from across the globe, it’s a privilege for the City of Fremantle to bring such outstanding musical experiences to the community, free of charge every Sunday, made possible through the generous support of Fremantle Community Bank.’

Debra Rule, Chair of Fremantle Community Bank, agreed, ‘We are honoured to be part of the FY24/25 Sunday Music program. Over the past few months, it has been a joy to attend the sessions and experience the talented artists on stage and the strong sense of community they foster. Sunday Music (Part 2) promises to continue uniting diverse musicians with enthusiastic audiences, in celebration of the unifying power of live music.’

For their first-ever Perth performance, the prolific award-winning Icelandic star, JFDR brings their ethereal sounds to the front garden, promising for an unforgettable afternoon. The singer, multi-instrumentalist, and film score composer, Jófríður Ákadóttir, began her professional career at just 14, and soon evolved into one of Iceland’s most recognised artists, collaborating with the likes of Ólafur Arnalds and Damien Rice, while catching the attention of avant-pop queen Björk.

Evoking Réunion island’s traditional Maloya music with vibrant African and British pop influences, AURUS offers a visually and sonically compelling performance, singling in both English and Creole, while wearing an iconic headdress. Also from Reunion, Tchega (Réunion) takes you to the Indian Ocean islands with their Creole Folk music, with sounds reminiscent of the sea-breeze, sunshine, and tropical feel-good island music.

The Witchy Djypsies (France/Guadeloupe/The Netherlands/Australia) are a high-energy, eclectic international six-piece band fusing soulful Latin beats, cheeky gypsy jazz and brass-infused ska rhythms – celebrating the diversity of their unique musical influences while tearing down genre borders.

Fremantle’s very own hip-hop sensation, Mali Jo$E has been hailed one of the leaders of Australia’s next generation of rappers – layering pared-back R&B beats with rich vocals, Jo$e will perform songs from him acclaimed mixtape El Niño. While People Taking Pictures (Australia), with psychedelic music at its core, present their genre blending project – featuring elements of alternative rock, indie, hip-hop, sampling, jazz and electronic music – as the newly formed six-piece live band bring a live performance to be remembered.

Also from WA, cosmic folk-rock group, The Bures Band (Australia) bring the sounds of the seventies – as they premiere songs from their much-anticipated newly released sophomore album Fools Circle and continue their dreamscape odyssey from Laurel Canyon-like sounds to today.

At Fremantle Arts Centre on 25 & 26 January, FOCUS – First Nations Film Festival will showcase a curated selection of feature and short length indigenous films alongside the coinciding Sunday Music program, which sees hip-hop trio Downsyde take to the stage – bringing together a tapestry of stories that speak to the impacts of colonisation and to the resilience and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Fremantle Arts Centre’s Sunday Music summer concert series is on every Sunday from 2-4pm until April 2025.

More acts to be announced soon, please visit fac.org.au for more info.

ENDS

Media contact: Tiki Menegola | tiki@tikimenegola.com | 0467 227 822

KATE O’ SHEA JOINS FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE FOR 2025 RESIDENCY IN COLLABORATION WITH THE IRISH MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

Fremantle Arts Centre (FAC) is excited to welcome artist Kate O’ Shea as the latest participant in our International Residency Exchange Program, this time in collaboration with the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).

Kate O’Shea is a socially engaged artist whose work spans printmaking, archiving, large-scale installation, performance, and publishing. Her recent projects highlight her commitment to storytelling, community engagement, and activism. Among her notable works is Revolutionary Archivists (2024), a collaboration with community leaders in Scotland, and the publication of How Much Is Enough? (2023), which reflects on her two-year residency at Studio 468 in Dublin.

Through initiatives like Networks of Solidarity, Kate has connected place-based struggles across continents, bridging stories between communities in Dublin and Gadigal Country (Sydney, Australia). This deep engagement informs her practice as she continues to explore themes of land, diaspora, and the enduring impacts of colonial legacies.

Quote from Kate O’ Shea

“Developing Networks of Solidarity in 2021 with Enya Moore deepened my understanding of land and diaspora within settler colonialism, driving my commitment to exploring colonial legacies and strengthening solidarity networks. The Fremantle Arts Centre Residency creates a connection with communities on Whadjuk Nyoongar Boodjar Country, which will help to foster long-term relationships and solidarities between Ireland and Australia. I aim to investigate the role of song, print, and textiles in challenging dominant narratives, using my Travelling Social Movement Archive studio to share stories that resist the individualism of late capitalism. Through large-scale installations shaped by community engagement, I seek to create a framework for the evolving experiences of the residency.”

About Fremantle Arts Centre Residencies

FAC’s Studio Program offers artists across all disciplines the opportunity to explore and develop their work within a vibrant and supportive environment. Residencies range from one to six months, and artists are provided a studio tailored to their practice. The program fosters innovation and collaboration, creating a dynamic community for artistic exploration.

About IMMA

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is Ireland’s National Cultural Institution for Modern and Contemporary Art. IMMA’s programs include exhibitions, commissions, and projects by leading Irish and international artists.

Join us in welcoming Kate O’Shea to Fremantle Arts Centre and stay tuned for updates on her residency and community-focused projects.

You can follow Kate here:
Instagram: @kateosheaartist

Internationally Celebrated Psychedelic Rockers Rose City Band to Ignite Fremantle Arts Centre with Cosmic Cowboy Sounds

Get ready to embark on a cosmic journey as Rose City Band lights up the stage with big Spring energy at Fremantle Arts Centre on TUE 15 OCT, presented by Fremantle Arts Centre. The Portland, Oregon-based ensemble, led by the celebrated guitarist, singer and songwriter Ripley Johnson (known for his work with Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo), are bringing a world-renowned live performance to FAC.

“Whether by accident or through design, Rose City Band have built a reputation as one of the most potent live acts in circulation, the kind of a celebrated cult name who are guaranteed to draw a crowd wherever they go,” said Janne Oinonen for The Yorkshire Post.

Rose City Band’s unique blend of country psychedelic rock paints vivid soundscapes of the American West, capturing the spirit of freedom and the beauty of the open road. With their latest album, Garden Party, the band celebrates the joys of warm weather and the simple wonders of nature.

Garden Party has been hailed by critics for its sunny, laid-back vibe. As Loud and Quiet Magazine notes, the album is a celebration of “sun-baked summer fun,” with an engaging and soothing relaxed groove.

According to Loud and Quiet, “Johnson’s aversion to fireworks and straining too hard makes for beautifully alluring, warmly inviting sounds that are much more than the sum of their uncomplicated parts.”

According to The Yorkshire Post, Rose City Band has built a reputation as one of the most compelling live acts, a testament to their captivating performances across the globe.

This upcoming show at Fremantle Arts Centre will offer a rare opportunity to witness the band’s live energy firsthand in Fremantle.

EVENT INFO:
Purchase Tickets: https://fac.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/67b8bb03-4d01-4124-8b1e-9863428e201e
Date: Tuesday, 15^th of October
Venue: Fremantle Arts Centre, Front Garden

ENDS
For more information or media enquiries, please contact:
Kassandra Zaza
kassandraz@fremantle.wa.gov.au

About Fremantle Arts Centre
Fremantle Arts Centre is a leading cultural venue in Western Australia, known for its diverse program of music, visual arts, and community events.

BiRDMAN PERFORMED LIVE IN CONCERT BY GRAMMY-WINNING COMPOSER ANTONIO SÁNCHEZ AT FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE

• BiRDMAN Live on FRI 18 OCT 2024 at Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre
• Grammy-award winner Antonio Sánchez performing his original score

Performed in London and Los Angeles to standing ovation, Antonio Sánchez will bring his groundbreaking original solo jazz percussion score live to FAC alongside a special 10th anniversary screening of Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s critically acclaimed film.

“This is such an original approach, and you can’t image the film any other way once you’ve seen it,” BiRDMAN actor Michael Keaton said of the show.

Sánchez’s rhythmic genius is not just a soundtrack but a crucial narrative element, with Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu praising the drums as “a great way to find the rhythm of the film.”

This live performance, as praised by The Guardian, will “inject a vitality that maps out the emotions of the film’s characters with precision,” while maintaining a fresh and improvisational edge.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as Sánchez’s dynamic drumming interacts with the film’s striking visuals, creating an immersive experience under the stars at Fremantle Art Centre’s stunning heritage grounds.

ENDS

For more information or media enquiries, please contact:
Kassandra Zaza
kassandraz@fremantle.wa.gov.au

About Antonio Sánchez
Sánchez is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, mixer and producer who is among the most influential and versatile drummers in the world.

About Fremantle Arts Centre
Fremantle Arts Centre is a leading cultural venue in Western Australia, known for its diverse program of music, visual arts, and community events.

Purchase Tickets: https://fac.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/ccffbe6b-58b1-4f4d-9475-cc2597786ec1

Fremantle Art Centre (FAC) is excited to announce Katie Breckon as the successful applicant of our annual exchange program, this time in collaboration with Irish Museum of Modern Art.

Born in New Zealand, Katie Breckon’s time living in the Kimberley region of north-west Australia has deepened her connection to remote environments and emotive landscapes.

Her practice, both rhythmic and meditative, serves as a form of acknowledgment and catharsis, exploring the cultural, ecological, and psychological impacts of disconnection and belonging.

Breckon’s practice incorporates techniques and materials integral to her overarching narrative, including incised drawing with ink made from charred ‘pest plants’ and historic wet plate photography.

IMMA’s diverse and ambitious program comprises exhibitions, commissions and projects by leading Irish and international artists.

While in residency, Katie will continue to explore themes relating to themes of belonging.

“The residency at the Irish Museum of Modern Art offers an incredible opportunity to explore historic collections that highlight the use and integration of natural materials in handmade craftsmanship.”

“At the core of my research and movement through Ireland are themes of belonging and diaspora, which I explore by tracing historic harvesting practices and examining the symbolism embedded in plants. Through this, I’ll engage with new landscapes and craft a language for questioning connections to place.”

Katie Breckon has a long history as a beloved member of FAC’s community.

“Fremantle Arts Centre has long been a favourite place to visit when passing through en route to or from the Kimberley,” Katie said.

“In 2023, I exhibited Backtrack, a collection of incised drawings, as part of Marawar-ak, a presentation of four independent exhibitions curated by Glenn Iseger-Pilkinton.”

“Prior to that, I enjoyed two short summer residencies at FAC where I experimented with three-dimensional drawing and prepared monoprints for an exhibition at PS Art Space.”

Fremantle Arts Centre will be posting updates on Katie’s residency, along with an upcoming announcement regarding the successful IMMA applicant who will be in residency at FAC.

You can follow Katie here:

www.breckon.co
Instagram: @katie.breckon

ENDS
For more information or media enquiries, please contact:
Kassandra Zaza
kassandraz@fremantle.wa.gov.au

About IMMA
IMMA is Ireland’s National Cultural Institution for Modern and Contemporary Art. Our diverse and ambitious programme comprises exhibitions, commissions and projects by leading Irish and international artists, as well as a rich engagement and learning programme which together provides audiences of all ages the opportunity to connect with contemporary art and unlock their creativity.
IMMA is situated at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, one of Ireland’s most historic sites.

www.imma.ie

The Fremantle Arts Centre is gearing up for a big summer of music, beginning next week, with two sold-out shows of Tones and I.

The ARIA award-winning artist is touring her new album Beautifully Ordinary nationally, with Perth’s own Coterie as the support band.

Tone and I’s only WA concerts will be at Fremantle Arts Centre’s South Lawn on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 September.

The South Lawn’s sensational summer program continues with Old Mervs on 14 September, The The on 17 November and Wallows on 5 December.  Tickets to these shows are already on sale.

The sound of 1,000 voices will fill the South Lawn when the Born to Sing community choir performs on 7 and 8 December.

Adding to the mix, announced yesterday, is Gamilaraay singer songwriter Thema Plum set to perform on 2 November, with tickets on sale tomorrow.

Plum is on tour with her sophomore album, I’m Sorry, Now Say It Back – her first full length release since her debut album Better in Blak, which deftly captured what it’s like to be a young Aboriginal woman in Australia and became one of the most successful albums of 2019.

City of Fremantle Director of Creative Arts and Community Pete Stone encouraged people to check Fremantle Arts Centre’s socials or join the mailing list to be the first to know about live performances.

“We’re thrilled to put together a diverse line-up of artists this summer. There is something for everyone and we have more exciting announcements to come next month for shows in early 2025.

“Our ever-popular Sunday Music series will return to the Front Garden this October. These curated, free, family-friendly live performances showcase a variety of talent every weekend throughout summer. There really is no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at the Fremantle Arts Centre,” Mr Stone said.

Other not-to-be-missed programming in the Front Garden through October and November includes Rose City Band, Birdman in Concert with Antonio Sanchez, Nubya Garcia, San Cisco and The Huxleys Present: Dance This Mess Around. Head to fac.org.au to buy tickets.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the City is proud to support the live music industry.

“As a local government we play an important role both in nurturing young, local musical talent as well as attracting national and international acts for our community to enjoy.

“We are lucky to have such a beautiful venue in the Fremantle Arts Centre that can host both large and intimate audiences across all types of musical genres.

“I applaud the City’s creative team for their efforts in curating a great summer of music in Fremantle,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

ENDS
Media Enquiries
kassandraz@fremantle.wa.gov.au

There’s still time to immerse yourself in the beautiful artworks by some of WA’s most exciting new and emerging artists at landmark Western Australian Aboriginal art exhibition Revealed, but you’ll have to hurry!

The Revealed 2024 exhibition will close on 4 August for the last time at Fremantle Arts Centre where it has been held for almost a decade.

This is the last chance for audiences to see more than 150 artworks, with almost 70 artists representing 27 WA Aboriginal art centres, plus 12 independent artists.

Since moving to Fremantle Arts Centre in 2013, Revealed has grown into the huge success it is today, with the 2024 edition finishing on a high note.

The Revealed art market has long provided an ethical, direct avenue for purchasing art by WA Aboriginal artists and in 2024 sold more than $420,000 of art in seven hours, up by almost 25% on last year.

Revealed is known for championing new and emerging First Nations artists and in 2024 it moved to the leadership of the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of Western Australia (AACHWA), ushering in a new era of self-determination.

AACHWA Chief Executive Officer Chad Creighton thanked the team at Fremantle Arts Centre for their invaluable contribution to Revealed over the years.

“Fremantle Arts Centre have demonstrated excellence and leadership, be it in their curation of the Revealed exhibition in the past or their care for WA Aboriginal artists as presentation partners for this year’s market and exhibition,” Mr Creighton said.

City of Fremantle Director of Creative Arts and Community Pete Stone said Fremantle Arts Centre was honoured to have been part of the history of Revealed, which has become a highlight in the Western Australian arts calendar.

“We are proud to have given WA audiences the opportunity to immerse themselves in First Nations art and stories,” Mr Stone said.

“As an Aboriginal-led organisation with deep connections to WA’s Aboriginal artists, AACHWA will bring something special to Revealed and we look forward to seeing where they take it next year and into the future.”

AACHWA will be announcing exciting changes to 2025 Revealed program soon. These changes will reflect AACHWA’s unwavering commitment to art creation, cultural strength, best practice, and the wellbeing of Aboriginal artists.

For further information, interviews or images please contact:

AACHWA – Program Manager, Glenda Dixon; email glenda@aachwa.com.au or AACHWA CEO, Chad Creighton; email ceo@aachwa.com.au phone 08 9200 6248.

Fremantle Arts Centre – Marketing and Communications Manager, Prudence Riley; email prudenceri@fremantle.wa.gov.au phone 08 9432 9555 / 0427 267 282.

About AACHWA:

The Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of WA (AACHWA) is the peak advocacy and resource agency for Aboriginal art centres in Western Australia, and the only Aboriginal-led and governed body of its kind. It was established in 2009 to meet a sector need identified during Revealed and was incorporated in 2015.  Led by an Aboriginal board of directors drawn from member centres across WA’s administrative regions, AACHWA’s primary objective is to celebrate the strength of Aboriginal art and culture by promoting, empowering, and connecting over 2,000 artists across 40 communities over 2 million square kilometres, with the aim of encouraging sustainable growth and commercial stability.

By Meg Anderson

FAC’s artist residency programme has welcomed place-based researcher, writer
and community artist Grant Revell, who will be set up in studio 3 for the next 12 months planning
and coordinating his upcoming community project “The Loving Place – Loving Walyalup –
Fremantle Project”.

“I’m an urban planner and landscape architect by trade,” Grant said, “and I’ve always considered
that work to be an artistic practice. I’m very interested in spatial knowledge and the way that
communities build and nurture that spatial knowledge as ordinary or extraordinary places. Particularly in the way that we look after the character of neighbourhoods and their communities.

I think we all know that Fremantle is a special place. A special place that for many is now at the
crossroads of uncertainty and despair as it chooses to expand and develop its waterfront and
surrounding landscapes.”

He explained that The Loving Place Project is aimed at establishing and understanding a sense of
place here in Walyalup-Fremantle. The initiative invites Fremantle residents and visitors to share
their appreciation and personal connection to Walyalup-Fremantle by gifting a favourite photograph
or story relating to particular places in the City of Fremantle.

The content will be collected and curated by Grant and then exhibited through an online ‘sanctuary
archive’ that will be available to the public. In particular, Grant hopes the digital archive will be
used by residents, students, developers, planners, artists and architects who are passionate about
understanding and preserving the inherent and dynamic qualities of Walyalup -Fremantle.

Grant explained that there are no set rules or boundaries to this project, and he hopes that the
digital archive will portray the quirkiness, grit, funkiness and diversity that is Walyalup-Fremantle.
“If someone popped by the studio and handed me an old napkin, or a photograph with some scribbles about loving Freo
on it, I’d be thrilled!”, he said. Of course, not everyone loves Walyalup-Fremantle, and those contributions will also be important.

Grant has invited a variety of local, established artists and writers to also take part in the project, and at the end of the residency he plans to host an interactive public exhibition with photographs, stories and guest speakers – as an important opportunity to play-back the project to the community.

“I hope I can create a very safe space where everyone feels welcomed and attracted to the aims
of the project,” Grant said, “especially from all walks of life in Walyalup-Fremantle”. And yes, the enviable character of Walyalup-Fremantle is worth saving.

EXPLORE MORE BY CLICKING OR SCANNING THE QR CODE:

By Meg Anderson

FAC is proud to announce that our very own Exhibitions and Engagement Coordinator, Emma Buswell, has recently sold her unique and captivating textile-based piece “Between the Draft and Final Intention”.

The 2.6×1.65m knitted work sold within a week of being exhibited at Perth’s Sweet Pea Art Gallery this April.

Emma has a very distinct and engaging style, working with Australian yarns and fibres to introduce themes and concepts throughout her work.

“I grew up learning how to knit with my mum and grandma,” she said, “and I fell in love with creating images with the yarn, I like how each stitch becomes a tiny part of a wider image. And I find the process very meditative.”

Emma explained that this piece was inspired by a recent discovery about the way her brain operates and how that affects her work.

“Earlier this year I found out that I have Aphantasia, which is an inability to see images in your head,” she said.

“A lot of my work is based off appropriates and adaptations, or collages of things as a way of reconciling my understanding of the world. And I’ve begun to understand that maybe the reason I make work this way is because of the way that I think.”

Emma has been a valued member of the FAC team since 2017, working initially as a coordinator for the annual Fremantle Print Award before transitioning into the Exhibitions and Engagement role in 2022.

Emma’s favourite part about her role is working with young artists and inviting emerging voices into art spaces. She understands first hand how difficult it can be for prospective artists to expand the impact of their work following initial recognition, and has become very passionate about creating a supportive framework that will guide emerging artists through this daunting process.

Emma is eager to generate and implement this kind of support through her work at FAC, providing step by step guidance for up-and-coming artists on their journey into the professional art scene. She’s also excited to continue with her personal work, and is already busy with a new project for an upcoming event.

Find Emma on Instagram here: @embuzza1