Music and performance are universal human social activities, yet their ephemerality means they are often invisible in the material record. Even venues associated with performance are quickly repurposed for other uses.The heritage of music and performance is specifically tied to cities and towns, like Nashville, Memphis, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Hollywood. Likewise, Perth and Fremantle comprise a musical metropolis, albeit much of it underground and existing within specific sub-cultures. Recent archaeological work at the Artillery Drill hall in Fremantle provided a priceless chance to investigate a place with a significant link to music and performance. Although first constructed in 1895 as a military building, the Hall was also used throughout the 20th century as a social space, hosting balls, performances and concerts. The Drill Hall was eventually repurposed as the music venue the Fly-By-Night Musicians Club in the early 1980s, and lasting as such for over 30 years. This seminar investigates the Artillery Drill Hall as a social space specifically linked to music and performance and investigates the importance of the musical heritage of Perth. It also investigates how doing archaeology is a highly performative process.
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