Gage Roads Brewery Cancels John Butler Gig, Citing Venue ‘Ambience’ Concerns

Gage Roads Brewery has defended its last-minute decision to cancel a gig headlined by John Butler, denying claims that politics played a role and instead citing concerns about the event’s impact on the ambience of its Fremantle waterfront venue.

The free concert, Freo for a Frack Free Kimberley, was originally scheduled for Thursday at Gage Roads and was set to feature Butler alongside Noah Dillon and Kimberley artist Wil Thomas. However, on February 2nd, it was announced that the event had been relocated to Port Beach Brewery in North Fremantle.

In a since-deleted video posted on his band’s social media pages, Butler suggested the cancellation was politically motivated. “Gage Roads cancelled the event and pulled out saying they didn’t know it was so political and they didn’t do political events,” he said. “Everyone knew the night was an awareness concert. It was pretty obvious what the night was about—the name kinda gave it away.”

Adding fuel to the controversy, Butler pointed out that Gage Roads had hosted an election campaign launch just a day prior for two local State Labor politicians, including Premier Roger Cook. “Oh but wait,” he remarked. “They just launched Simone McGurk’s campaign for election. Featuring our Premier Roger Cook, but Gage Roads don’t do political events. Did someone get a little call from a powerful mate? Just asking for a friend.”

However, Aaron Heary, executive director of Good Drinks Australia (which owns Gage Roads Brewing), insisted that the decision was purely logistical. “The event we agreed to initially was not what was eventually planned and advertised,” Heary told PerthNow.

He explained that the brewery had originally agreed to host a music-only event with some Frack Free merchandise and awareness materials available. “Over the weekend, promotional materials were published, and it came to our attention that the promoters were planning a number of public speakers from community groups that would be delivering speeches. We felt that multiple speeches delivered throughout the venue’s sound system would create a rally-type atmosphere, which would interfere with the ambience on the evening.”

Heary added that concerns about crowd size also influenced the decision. “We also formed a view that the event would likely exceed the capacity of the venue and that many of those who came for the event or for dinner would not be able to get in. For these reasons, we decided it would be best for the organisers to move the event to a venue that was more fit for purpose.”

Heary further defended the brewery’s stance by distinguishing Butler’s gig from the Labor campaign launch. “It was for a short duration using a separate entrance, the venue music and ambience was not disrupted, and there were no concerns about exceeding capacity,” he said.

Despite the controversy, Heary stated that Gage Roads assisted in relocating the event and wished Butler and his team success. “The Port Beach Brewery space will be far more suitable, and we wish John and the organisers all the best for their event.”

Butler, however, made it clear where he stands, calling the new venue a better fit. “Better venue. Better values. See ya, Gage Roads—disappointed but not surprised.”