Ocean Alley
- Feb 21
- 2 min read
Ocean Alley, Skeggs, Ruby Fields, Smol Fish live at Esplande Park, Fremantle | 21 February 2026
A warm Fremantle evening set the tone for Ocean Alley’s return to WA, with Fremantle Esplanade Park transforming into a sea of swaying arms and sunlit faces. The atmosphere carried the easy anticipation that defines a summer outdoor show. Friends sprawled across the grass, drinks in hand, as the skyline shifted from light blue to burnt orange and the park filled steadily with eager fans.
Opening the night was Smol Fish, a tight outfit who eased the early crowd into the evening. Their set was energetic and well received, providing a relaxed introduction to the lineup.
Ruby Fields followed with an engaging and confident performance. Her candid lyricism and unfiltered stage presence drew easy comparisons to Stella Donnelly, pairing sharp storytelling with an approachable warmth that resonated across the park.
Skegss raised the energy considerably. The Byron Bay duo were magnetic from the outset, commanding the stage with the kind of chemistry that only years of touring can produce. Their set was loud, loose and full of momentum, with the audience responding in kind. The connection between bandmates was obvious, and that enthusiasm translated effortlessly into the crowd, making their performance one of the most dynamic of the night.
When Ocean Alley took the stage, the response was immediate. Opening with Tangerine, its unmistakable electric guitar riff cutting cleanly through the night air, the band launched straight into their groove-driven sound. Vocally, they were polished and precise, sounding almost indistinguishable from their studio recordings. The crowd sang along word for word, turning the Esplanade into a collective chorus.
A standout moment came during Happy Sad, when a saxophone guest joined the band onstage. The added brass texture elevated the track and gave the live version a renewed depth, drawing one of the strongest reactions of the evening.
The visual production further strengthened the performance. Immersive lighting pulsed and shifted in time with the music, while psychedelic visuals washed across the screens behind the band, offering something more distinctive than a standard concert backdrop. With the Ferris wheel illuminated in the background, the setting felt uniquely Fremantle and well suited to Ocean Alley’s hazy, surf rock aesthetic.
While newer tracks carried clear vitality, some older favourites including Confidence, Knees and Yellow Mellow felt slightly more restrained. There were moments where the band appeared less animated, perhaps an inevitable outcome of performing these songs for close to a decade. Even so, the crowd response remained strong, with enthusiastic singalongs reinforcing their lasting impact.
The night closed with Drenched, a fitting finale that saw fireworks erupt above the park. As the final chorus rang out across the Esplanade, the mood was unified and euphoric. It was a strong conclusion to a show that captured the essence of a Western Australian summer evening.
Ocean Alley may not rely heavily on extended crowd interaction, but their musicianship and atmosphere speak for themselves. On a balmy Fremantle night, that proved more than enough.
Review by Molly Elliot
Photography by Keith Mitchell
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