Review: Ball Park Music at Freo.Social
Ball Park Music at Freo.Social
w/ Little Guilt, Ghost Care
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Few bands have cultivated the same genuine connection with their audience as Ball Park Music. Their sold-out two-night run in Fremantle was a testament to the devoted community they had built throughout their career, drawing passionate crowds eager to witness the band deliver another unforgettable performance.
The Rock and Roll Adventure Continues, a fitting name for Ball Park Music’s latest national tour, reminded audiences why they were one of Australia’s most exciting live acts. More than a decade and a half since first emerging onto the Australian music scene, the Brisbane group continued to evolve in unexpected ways. Their performance at Perth’s Freo.Social showcased a band that felt more confident, adventurous and cohesive than ever.
Ghost Care set the tone for the evening, with the Perth soft-rock trio effortlessly delivering upbeat tracks accompanied by warm vocals. Songs such as LCD, Home-Run and Bussell Hwy lit up Freo Social, proving the group to be a perfect fit as tour partners alongside Ball Park Music.
Up next were Mandurah locals Little Guilt, a standout indie dream-pop outfit that had been steadily building a reputation for dreamy melodies and tender lyrics. Their progression was fully realised that night, serving as a testament to what a cohesive friendship within a band could achieve. The dynamic between vocalists Ella and Lachlan made their sound instantly recognisable on tracks such as Freakshow, Tasty Lies and Dancing While Behind.
It was finally time for the headliners, Ball Park Music, to take the stage as the venue was illuminated with blue lights and a sense of mystique. Opening with She Only Loves Me When I’m There, the band immediately had the crowd erupting with noise, while frontman Sam Cromack led the charge through a night of singalongs and playful banter.
Amid the party atmosphere were moments of genuine emotion. Sam Cromack gave some insight into the tour’s title, explaining that it originated from a phrase fondly used by their late tour manager Greg Weaver. The band then dedicated Stars in My Eyes to his memory. The band also embraced guitarist Dean Hanson’s injury as he was seated while performing, turning an unfortunate cricket accident into another source of humour throughout the set.
One of the night’s highlights came with Like Love, which stripped things back before the band launched into a mix of fan favourites and the powerful unreleased track The New Me Starts Tomorrow. The new song injected fresh energy into an already electric performance, marking a British-punk-inspired direction that sounded sonically expansive.
The band also introduced a hilarious segment in which they directed the spotlights towards the lighting department, showcasing bird whistles that had been picked up at the Fremantle Markets earlier that afternoon. The pacing and flow of the show were creatively inspiring, leaving the audience grinning from ear to ear throughout.
The final run of It’s Nice To Be Alive, Cherub, and Please Don’t Move To Melbourne sent the crowd into full voice, while an encore featuring Bad Taste Blues Part III and Everything Is Shit Except My Friendship With You ensured the night ended on a high.
Even at their most intense and disorderly, Ball Park Music retained an undeniable charm. Few acts in the Australian music scene combined wit, emotional honesty, musical skill and cathartic release with such effortless cohesion.
What may once have seemed like a casual slogan for life on the road—“the great rock & roll adventure”—felt completely authentic on this occasion, capturing the spirit of the evening from start to finish.
JORDAN SWINDELLS
Photos by Linda Dunjey
