In the few times I’ve been to Lucy’s Love Shack, I always noticed the avid and dedicated community of alternative and queer patrons that the venue has accrued over the past two years. Many of which contributed towards an atmosphere that imparts a feeling of open doors for both the enthusiastic punter, or a more casual patron such as myself.

On Saturday, November 7th, the celebration of the venue coming into the second year of its existence was commemorated via representation from punk acts, originating in a wide variety of suburbs and areas surrounding the city. Headlining were the hyper-political art-punk legends Last Quokka, with support from False Cobra and Chickspit, the rest of the night being carried by a cover band fronted by Perth promoter Big Tommo.

Lucy’s’ low set stage provides a kinetic and intimate kind of performance, removing barriers between the entertainer and the crowd set the ambient light that refracts off the venue’s iconic disco ball. In the venue’s short lifespan, it has already attained a steady reputation for treating its artists with respect and paying them decent rates. I interviewed a couple of the performers on the night about their experiences with playing gigs at the venue:

How have you found the gigging process here?

Trent, frontman of Last Quokka: They pay the bands so well, there is no venue in Perth that pays anywhere near as well as Lucy’s does. The money doesn’t actually matter; it’s actually just the respect that comes from not exploiting artists.

Ray, bassist of Last Quokka: As someone who’s deliberately tried to organize gigs outside of venues - insert Yardstock or whatever - I spend the majority of my time trying to avoid situations that follow a typical kind of capitalist relationship, where you get paid fuck-all by a venue, and get thrown a couple of Swan Draughts. From what I’ve currently experienced of the venue, they’re trying to do things differently, in terms of supporting the community and supporting the bands. Say what you will about Last Quokka, but at the end of the day, we’re just a stupid punk band, and they’re supporting us.

El, Frontwoman of Chickspit: Lucy’s has been really receptive to us, and have welcomed us….With Chickspit, and the stuff we sing about, we’re not really welcomed into many places. I am indigenous to Singapore, I’m a Malay Singaporean. Historically, all over the world, indigenous people are treated like second-class citizens. It’s no different in Singapore, so I base a lot of the things that a lot of Australian indigenous people face on my own experiences.

Lucy’s has become quite the haven for the queer community, whats’s the perspective like here, as a queer performer?

Sadie: Cherry Bomb has a really good energy, thanks to Georgia. She’s a drag performer and DJ, so she respects you for your time. She’s very cool and chills with all the performers, its definitely the management that’s a part [of the] good vibes. Every performer, amateur or not, is treated with respect, thanks to the management also being performing artists. Regulars are always paid really well and respectfully. I’m really glad my first performance was here, because it helped me feel like I was enveloped in a loving kind of mood.

You’re also a regular here, and came on your own for your first visit. How was that experience for you, as someone who has been quite open about your social anxiety?

Sadie: As someone with anxiety, I get super self-conscious in loud spaces. Because it was a new venue, I felt super comfortable on my own. At any other venue, I would have had similar issues going on my own, but overall Lucy’s helped my anxiety that night, because it’s got a pretty good energy and lots of fun people.

I also got the opinions of some of the bar’s regulars:

Lucy’s Love Shack punters, Hannah and Finlay

So, the bar’s really blown up hasn’t it?

Hannah: Yeah! It’s really like a community, it’s developed almost like this anarchist left-wing following.

Which kind of events do you go to?

Finlay: The indie party with all the drag queens is stunning.

It definitely feels like a really welcoming and respectful place, How’s your experience as a regular here differed to other places?

Finlay: I think this is definitely one of the only bars I’ve been to where you’re not gonna be creeped out or approached by someone when you don’t want to.