“The home of original live music in Fremantle” is set to come back swinging post-COVID-19 thanks to the generous support of its punters.
Mojo’s Bar in the port city of Western Australia created a page on for-profit crowdfunding platform GoFundMe on March 22. It has a target of $60,000 to pay overheads and liabilities outstanding.
As of today, the venue has raised $50,315 from 676 donations.
Mojo’s Bar has been an Australian live music staple since the 70s. For close to 50 years, under its previous moniker The Stoned Crow before it was rechristened Mojo’s in the early 90s, the venue has always played host to both national touring acts and local up-and-comers.
Names like Tame Impala, POND, CW Stoneking, Husky, Stella Donnelly, and San Cisco have all graced its stage, however its doors were closed last year after noise complaints forced them to invest in further sound-proofing.
Husky. Photo Credit: Tashi Hall
Ironically, it was Mojo’s Bar’s success which led to the complaints. The venue attracts 1,000 punters a show and because of the increased foot traffic into the area, restaurants and other businesses started to pop up nearby, eventually bringing in residents along with them.
“Having closed last year to invest heavily in sound proofing, Mojo’s Bar, despite essential help from our supportive landlords, is not in a position to weather this storm,” reads the post on the venue’s GoFundMe page.
The music sector has a way of backing its own in times of need. Heck, it has a way of backing anyone in a time of need. During Australia’s bushfire crisis this year the arts community raised tens of millions of dollars for firefighters. And while the Government is yet to bail out the local artists who have lost over $310 million in live revenue thanks to COVID-19, the community is yet again protecting its own.
With its funding goal almost reached, Mojo’s Bar is set to return to its live music glory when this is all over. If you’d like to help get them over the line, you can donate here. All contributions over $75 from those in Australia will earn a one-off pressing “I helped save Mojo’s” T-shirt.
