Perth’s Fly By Night gets new home

With just weeks before its March 11 deadline to vacate its long-time home at the Fremantle Artillery Drill Hall, the iconic Fly By Night Musician’s Club has been offered a lifeline.

The City of Fremantle Strategic and General Services Committee unanimously voted to provide a short-term lease at the city-owned Victoria Hall on High Street in the East End. The lease, effective from March, is initially offered for a year, with an option to extend it by 12 months.

Fremantle Mayor Dr. Brad Pettitt announced, “It’s a tough time for arts organisations so we’re delighted to be able to offer up Victoria Hall to ensure the club will remain in Freo. The Fly has not only been in Fremantle for 28 years, but it has nurtured Fremantle‘s famous music scene for that time with over 150 events a year. We now look forward to seeing how we can make Victoria Hall work for them and for the local music scene more broadly.”

When the not-for-profit Fly By Night first approached City of Fremantle, it asked for a two-year lease with a four-year extension. It also wanted the first six months rent-free, and pay only 50% of the rent usually asked by the Hall.

While assured of a permanent home at least until 2017, the Fly By Night faces challenges. Victoria Hall can only hold 260, compared to the 500 standing room capacity of Drill Hall. It might consider holding larger shows under its name at other venues, like the 1,050-capacity Astor Theatre in Mt. Lawley.

There’s work to be done before it can hold gigs. Dr. Pettitt himself admitted earlier, "It will no doubt take a bit of work to get it right as a live music venue.” It would have to test how appropriate the acoustics of the 1898 building will be for live shows. Victoria Hall has virtually remained empty since Deckchair Theatre closed in October 2012.

Fly By Night also has to find out if its liquor licence can be transferred to Victoria Hall or if it remains with Drill Hall. Obviously the Drill Hall’s new tenant, promoter Sunset Events, will want the licence for the live music club it is starting there. Sunset also plans to use the building as a place where bands can rehearse and where young performing arts groups can build their skills and repertoires.