Fremantle’s entry into the worldwide Fête de la Musique was scheduled for 21 June 2009, and was set to totally up the anti for the live music scene of Perth. By simultaneously getting musicians out there through this open forum whilst encouraging public support through accessibility, we hope we have added to the developing reputation of the unique artistic merit of West Australian musicians.
The idea was to create an accessible event that engages the community. Fête is free for members of the public to attend and set up to have something for everyone - from families, to world music fans, to indie rockers, jazz musicians, choirs, beat boys, and beyond! Our goal is to establish it as an annual event in W.A. with future development planned to include other locations around town.
In terms of exposure, community significance and cultural engagement, Fête is unparalleled - by having an open forum, people are encouraged to look outside of the box and open themselves up to new experiences of music and culture that they may not ordinarily seek out. For participating artists this means access to new audiences in new settings, with the Fête stage 2009 encompassing retail stores, pubs, bars, restaurants, and of course the KULCHA stage.
By participating in this collective celebration of music either as a performer or as a spectator, you have the opportunity to become part of an international musical community. The festival of sound that is Fête de La Musique began in France in 1982 as an event dedicated to the appreciation of music and those who make it – the ethos of which includes staging performances not for monetary gain but for the benefit of the cultural community. Snowballing over the last 27 years to include performers and audiences in a global context, Fête De La Musique truly epitomises the universality of music.
Media Release 2009 (PDF download):
03.06.09 The International Day of Music comes to Fremantle
For more information, check out:
The official French website about Fête de la Musique (in English)
The International Community 2009
