Cate Le Bon

Cate Le Bon and No Bride live at The Naval Store / Arrival Festival | 28 May 2026

Cate Le Bon graced the banks of the Swan River at The Naval Store on a chilly Thursday Night as a part of ARRIVAL Festival, a winter music festival held in the City of Fremantle. Playing alongside No Bride as supports, the venue featured a cavernous space for both acts to fill with their vivacious array of synth and art-rock guitar riffs.

With tables and seats spread around. Some punters sitting and chatting, and a myriad of small groups choosing to stand closer to the stage. It made for a chill and homely atmosphere to kick back to some good music.

No Bridge were the first act to play. Helmed by Hannah Pillinger, her vocals coupled nicely with the synths on display. Her vocals took punters to a live space that felt otherworldly, crafting a soundscape that cascaded across the high-ceiling venue. With each track smoothly transitioning to the next. Their set played out like a rowboat gentling bobbing up and down on a calm lake. Easing punters into a state of hypnogogic bliss. And probably drifting too far away from the shore.

For Cate Le Bon, the 80s were truly back baby. With the speakers on stage covered in what looked like a comfy white velvet and Le Bon’s own guitar lead looking like it was embossed in silk. The crowd seemed to adore Le Bon, who played it cool on stage with her backing band.

There was a spectrum of ages at the show. With two groups respectively showing two different extremes. Where on one hand you saw the Gen Z’s who looked way too young to have listened to Le Bon, but nonetheless were seeking a vicarious 80s nostalgia they never really had. And conversely the boomer folk, who were old enough to dance to such music in their younger days. Showing the wide pull of appreciation of Cate Le Bon’s music from across all ages.

Her sound was bold, and at times brazen. Her vocals carried across the venue superbly, and no inch of venue-space was left in silence. There were emotive, self-reflective ballads, and even wilder guitar solos. It was a maelstrom of 80s rock tunes and ballads.

With Le Bon decked out like an equestrian afficionado. Wearing knee-high heeled boots, and a pale white jumpsuit. Her appearance and stage presence screamed dramatic pantomime. Coolly announcing her Welshness, and playing an encore of ‘Harbour’. There were moments of musical bliss, laced with dramatic lyrical tragedy. And punters loved every minute of it.

Review by Joe Wilson