The Aardvark: Freo’s Newest Live Music Venue

26 Jun

This winter, Fremantle will be warmed up by a hot new player on the live music scene, The Aardvark. Converting the Norfolk Hotel basement from The Odd Fellow, The Aardvark will be providing a kick-ass night out for lovers of live music.

The Aardvark will put the dive back into dive bar, offering underground good times and seriously great music courtesy of the city’s finest artists showcasing their wares four nights a week.

Spirit hounds fear not, The Odd Fellow and its impressive booze selection will be moving upstairs as part of a refresh of the Norfolk in the coming months.

THE TEAM
The mastermind behind The Aardvark is Mark Spillane; former WAM board member and long-time bartender and Venue Booker at The Odd Fellow who has been a passionate supporter and patron of the venue for many years. Joining him is new Booking Manager, Greg Sanders (Gun Fever Music, ex-WAM Festival Coordinator) who will bring a fresh approach to the venue booking role, focusing on diversity and quality of programming and a goal to make The Aardvark the best small live music venue in Freo.

Mark said “With some big things happening at The Norfolk this year we came very close to losing live music in this great space. That’s why we’ve worked with The Norfolk’s management to help revive this truly great music venue and make sure the good times never end!”

WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The Aardvark has a bit of a back story; the name is a nod to the Norfolk Hotel’s favourite customer – part raconteur, part senior criminal defence lawyer, author and occasional DJ – Richard Utting. Richard’s old restaurant just happened to be in the basement of the Norfolk, and was called, you guessed it, Aardvark’s.

WEEKLY OFFERINGS AT THE AARDVARK
Thursdays
Each month we’re passing the programming stick to local artists for our Residency Series, to curate line-ups of their favourite acts and play a headline set at the end of each night. Expect to get hooked on Freo’s best new bands as this exciting new series begins in August.

Fridays and Saturdays
Every weekend, The Aardvark will host a diverse and eclectic mix of international, national and local artists, touring and launching their latest releases.

Sundays
The ‘Burrow Sessions’ will showcase weekly line-ups of the cream of the crop of the local music scene’s brightest, emerging new talent! With drink specials to keep artists, students and live music lovers happy, it’s the best way to wind down or rev up your weekend in style in the basement.