One of WA’s much-loved annual festivals is bringing a magical slice of its annual event to Fremantle across three monthly sessions on the last Sunday of every month on 26 June, 31 July and 28 August 2022.
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 and Kin with double Grammy Award winning pedal steel guitarist Lucky Oceans and instrumentalist David Hyams. The angelic 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. This supergroup of ex-WAAPA graduates will win over your hearts, minds and dancing shoes!
They’ll be joined by Irish jigs, reels, ballads, and the general madness of Grand Remedy who combine trad songs and tunes with improvisation and medleys; and Claudie Joy & The Joy Boys who’ll 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 the much-loved Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse with their incandescent vocals, guitar brilliance and Noongar language; family group, The Brownley Gospel Singers who’ll 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 we can bring you 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.”
WHAT: FolkWorld presents The Hoopla Sessions
WHEN: Sunday 26 June, 31 July, 28 August; 5-9pm
WHERE: Freo.Social, Parry St, Fremantle WA
HOW MUCH: $33.92 including GST + BF per session OR buy tickets to all 3 shows and save (total cost $83.08 including GST + BF). More on the door if available TICKETS: On sale now via Moshtix
SESSIONS INFO
Session 1: Sunday 26 June
Odette Mercy & Her Soul Atomics
Naomi Pigram and Kin with Lucky Oceans & David Hyams Anna Schneider
Session 2: Sunday 31 July
The Liquid Project Grand Remedy
Claudie Joy & The Joy Boys
Session 3: Sunday 28 August
Trad Fest - Series Finale Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse
The Brownley Gospel Singers
