One of WA’s much-loved annual festivals is bringing a slice of its annual event to Fremantle across three monthly sessions on the last Sunday of every month on June 26, July 31 and August 28.
The Hoopla Sessions presented by FolkWorld Inc. – the presenters of Fairbridge Festival – is a new series of triple-bill concerts at Freo.Social, which gives audiences the chance to revel in new and upcoming WA bands, appreciate refined and beautiful songcraft, and dance to the energetic vibes of world, funk, jazz, and soul.
Session 1 on June 26 kicks off with soul/funk outfit, Odette Mercy & Her Soul Atomics. Springing from the heavy soul sounds of the 60s, and taking Motown, Verve and Stax records and shaking ‘em up and adding grit – this group is the real deal.
Joining them on the night is ‘Too Solid’ female vocalist of the year award-winner Naomi Pigram with double Grammy Award winning pedal steel guitarist Lucky Oceans and instrumentalist David Hyams. Anna Schneider will open the night with her heartfelt confessional folk and dreamy indie-pop.
Session 2 on July 31 brings 2021 Fairbridge Festival favourites The Liquid Project – a neo-soul/disco nine-piece big band with rotating vocalists and a three-piece horn section.
They’ll be joined by Irish jigs, reels, ballads, and the general madness of Grand Remedy who combine traditional songs and tunes with improvisation and medleys; and Claudie Joy & The Joy Boys who will deliver the crunchiest parts of indie rock and folk together in a delightful assortment of sincerity, honesty, and obscurity.
For the last concert in the series – Session 3 on August 28 – the all-star line-up features Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse with their incandescent vocals, guitar brilliance and Noongar language; family group, The Brownley Gospel Singers who will bring their beautiful harmonies in Wangkatha language to Freo from Leonora; and a Trad Fest – Series Finale will close out the night with traditional Irish talent including Fiona Doyle (flute/whistles), Kevin Giang (fiddle), Ciaran O’Sullivan (vocals/guitar), Donough O’Donovan (fiddle) and Jet Kye Chong (bodhrán).
Artistic Director, Rod Vervest said that while the FolkWorld team couldn’t bring you the full Fairbridge Festival experience this year they were pleased to bring Perth audiences a magical slice of it. “All three concerts celebrate the rich diversity of Western Australian music,” he says. “We’ll even bring some of the iconic installations from the site including the snazzy Hoopla sign. Bring your friends and families to recollect, rejoice, immerse and remember what it is that we so love about Fairbridge Festival.”
FolkWorld will present Hoopla Sessions at Freo.Social on June 26, July 31 and August 28, 2022. For more info and to buy tickets head to moshtix.com.au
