Mojo's Bar Explained

Mojo's Bar, also known colloquially as Mojos, is a live music venue in North Fremantle, Western Australia. It has been described as "a linchpin of Perth's live music scene",^[1] and is known as a venue where some notable musicians have performed before their careers launched.^[2]

History

The venue was formerly known as the Stoned Crow and the first performances there took place in the 1970s. In 1998, the venue was purchased by Phil Stevens and his wife Anna Chiovitti. They renamed it Mojos and refurbished the interior, installing new staging and red velvet curtains.^[3]

The venue closed for three months in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 900 people donated over $66,000 to help with running costs while it was closed.

In April 2021, there was public backlash against the behaviour of Mojos' co-owner and managing director Andrew Ryan. Multiple artists cancelled gigs at the venue as a result.^[4] The controversy led Mojos to close for a month and Ryan's departure from the company. In August 2021, Triple-1-Three acquired Ryan's majority stake in the venue.

In 2024, Michael Benson, Tony Papa-Adams and Paul Malone purchased the venue from Triple-1-Three. In October 2024, the venue was given a $60,000 grant for acoustic upgrades from the federal government's Revive Live program.^[5]

Notable acts

Some notable past acts known to have performed at the venue include:

• Tame Impala,^[6]
• The Triffids,^[7]
• John Butler,^[8]
• Hard-Ons,^[9]
• Chris Cheney,^[10]
• Body Type,^[11]
• The Murlocs,^[12] and
• Amyl and the Sniffers.^[13]

Awards

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.! |-| 2023| Mojo's Bar| Best Venue in WA | | ^[14] |-

See also

• William Street Bird
• Ellington Jazz Club

Notes and References

1. Web site: Myles . Cameron . Pascual Juanola . Marta . 9 April 2021 . North Freo icon Mojo's closes, owner exits as backlash grows and gigs go elsewhere . WAtoday.
2. Web site: Manfield . Evelyn . 24 June 2020 . The lights were almost switched off at Mojos for good, but now the legendary live music bar is back . 4 November 2024 . Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
3. News: Brennan . Rosamund . 27 April 2024 . ‘There’s history in these walls’: is Mojos in Fremantle Australia’s best music venue? . 4 November 2024 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
4. Web site: 12 April 2021 . Backlash over Mojo co-owner’s alleged behaviour expands to other WA venues . 5 November 2024 . The Music Network.
5. Web site: Collins . Simon . 3 November 2024 . Major changes set to transform popular Freo bar . 5 November 2024 . PerthNow . en.
6. Web site: 24 June 2020 . The lights were almost switched off at Mojos for good, but now the legendary live music bar is back . www.abc.net.au.
7. Web site: 10 February 2016 . Days of the Triffids: WA icons reunite for Perth Festival . 2 June 2023 . The West Australian . en.
8. News: 24 June 2020 . The lights were almost switched off at Mojos for good, but now the legendary live music bar is back . en-AU . ABC News . 2 June 2023.
9. Web site: Rockpit . The . 3 September 2022 . LIVE PHOTOS: The Hard-Ons with special guests Rinehearts and The Shakeys at Mojo's in Fremantle .
10. Web site: Staff Writers . Chris Cheney 2022 Australia Tour . scenestr - Pop Culture & Entertainment.
11. Web site: Gallagher . Alex . 11 February 2022 . Dinosaur City announce Homecoming concert series with Julia Jacklin, Body Type and more . .
12. Web site: 21 March 2016 . The Murlocs Release New Album . Mixdown Magazine.
13. Web site: Gallagher . Alex . 11 August 2022 . Freo.Social apologises after punk band Body Horrors allege member was assaulted by Mojo's employee at venue . .
14. Web site: Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards . The Music. 11 October 2023. 12 October 2023.