Welcome on board!

And with The Lost Quays prepare for the calm and the storm, with shanties and other songs of the sea! The sea shanty was the work song from the days of sail, telling of life on board, and the thoughts and desires of the men who sang them.

Singing both a cappella, and with a sprinkling of guitar, mandolin and concertina, we perform with energy and good humour, and relish a strong audience connection. As well as traditional material, and nautical folk material from around the world, there’s many an original song.

Formed in 2015, the group are regulars at festivals around WA. In 2018, the Quays toured the UK and Europe, and performed at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart in 2019 and 2023. Into 2024, The Lost Quays will be at Canberra’s National Folk Festival and had a couple of a special WA Heritage Festival/National Trust shows at Samson House in Fremantle. Future shows in 2024 include the Old Court House, Fremantle on Friday 23rd August, Guildford Songfest on Saturday 7th September, and Fremantle Port’s Maritime Day on Saturday 2nd November. And look out for the group’s new album ‘Tall Tales, Tall Ships’, now out.

Based in the port of Fremantle, The Lost Quays also host an informal monthly ‘Shanty Club’ at Clancy’s Fish Pub.