Hip hop act Run the Jewels perform at the Laneway Festival.
Camera IconHip hop act Run the Jewels perform at the Laneway Festival. Credit: Supplied/Liam Ducey

All lanes lead to Freo for music fans

Staff ReporterFremantle Gazette

Having made the move from Northbridge due to space constraints, music lovers from all over the State poured into Fremantle to hear some of the best music from around the world including Haim, Lorde, Run the Jewels and Vance Joy.

Laneway managing director Danny Rogers said moving the music festival to Fremantle had worked out a treat.

‘Twelve thousand people is a fantastic result and shows that music fans in WA come out in droves when they believe in the festival and the artists presented,’ he said.

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‘Fremantle is a dream site that has the potential to be Australia’s most unique, being so close to the ocean and all Fremantle has to offer makes for a site we’re truly humble to call home.

‘The acts loved it and the response we’ve had so far has been pretty incredible.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Tim Milsom said he was disappointed no pass-outs were given, which affected local traders during the festival, but the festival still had an impact on the city economically.

‘The event was a huge success with very little anti-social behaviour reported,’ he said.

‘The fact that there was no pass-out once they gained entry meant that the traders in Fremantle did not benefit from the huge audience, but quite a few people did leave before the end and used the bars and cafes in Fremantle which was good.’

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt, who wandered through and enjoyed a number of the acts, said that for him the Laneway Festival represented what he believed to be the youth, music and arts led renaissance of Fremantle.

‘I think it showed much of what Fremantle uniquely has to offer ” great independent music in a wonderful park and heritage setting,’ Dr Pettitt said.