Gather 'round because it's a ball-up at Fremantle's newest live music hotspot, Rock Rover.
Based out of the South Fremantle Football Club, Rock Rover is a collaboration between the club and Cool Perth Nights to bring more diversity to the local music scene and give punters somewhere new to hang their boots.
We hit the field with Cool Perth Nights Director Andrew Ryan to talk about how the venue is looking to kick goals and score points.
How did Rock Rover come to be?
[Andrew] The football club reached out as they wanted some bands. They like what we do at Rosemount Hotel and Mojo’s Bar and we needed a bigger room.
What is your role at Rock Rover?
Programmer and marketer, which in plain speak is booker-promoter. We curate the bands and create the best possible atmosphere in the room for punters and musicians alike.
What is the long-term vision/ plan for the room?
Having booked Mojo’s Bar for 12 years, we are long-term players. Rock Rover is a very unique room in that it can host so many different kinds of acts; the booking is wildly diverse and we’re keen for it to become a much-loved fixture for Freo party people.
Why call it Rock Rover?
Rock Rover is the type of live music venue that could only happen in Fremantle. A collaboration between local culture creators (and the people behind Mojo’s Bar) Cool Perth Nights and the grassroots legends at South Fremantle Football Club, Rock Rover is exactly like the football position it's named after.
A rover changes direction fast. A rover is unpredictable. A rover is charming despite its muddy knees. A rover knows how to party. From producers to rockers, comedians to dancers, rappers to balladeers, everyone gets a guernsey at Rock Rover.
What makes Rock Rover different to other live music venues in Fremantle?
It’s a pre-existing space that already has a rich and interesting history. People have been gathering in this room to celebrate and party for decades – we’re just giving it a carefully-considered musical twist. Its other key difference is its size – there are very few 600-capacity rooms in WA with such clear sight lines as Rock Rover. There are only two pillars in the place, which is phenomenal.
What types of bands and artists can people expect to see at Rock Rover?
Our key programming mission is diversity. The room is booked in a progressive and inclusive way. All kinds of people, subcultures and musical styles are welcome at Rock Rover and it's this that makes the venue so unpredictable and exciting to be involved with. The programming includes rock, dance, comedy, indie artists, electronic producers, DJs, classic rock and good old-fashioned parties.
Where does Rock Rover fit in with the wider Fremantle and Perth live music scene?
From a CPN perspective, we needed a Fremantle venue that’s big enough for the artists that we put through Rosemount so that we can run north and south shows at around 600 capacity.
If an artist or band is wanting to perform at Rock Rover, how do they make it happen?
Contact
Do you have a message for the local Freo punters before Rock Rover opens?
Support the Rover and the Rover will support you.
