Hidden Treasures returns in July to warm Fremantle’s West End with a line-up that celebrates the strength of the WA music scene. In its eighth year, this month-long live music experience is particularly prescient in light of the State Government’s recently announced $3 million Contemporary Music Fund, which saw WAM CEO Mike Harris hail Fremantle as Australia’s music capital.
Hidden Treasures affirms Fremantle’s music capital status, doing so via a carefully-curated glimpse of the known, the unknown and the loved.
It’s a special kind of feeling. It’s in the air as you walk by the venues that attract cheerful queues along High Street in Freo’s West End. Uniquely inviting establishments such as The Buffalo Club, The Navy Club and a new, secret location – hitherto undiscovered rooms for many music lovers, places that speak of Fremantle history whilst opening their doors to make new memories and friends.
PS Art Space serves as the gathering-ground for hip hop, roots-reggae, beats and soul with Hyclass, Downsyde (featuring new member, Beni Bjah), Reef Prince, New Nausea, Feels, and Randa & The Soul Kingdom. Upstairs at the much-beloved National Hotel, the diversity shines with Emlyn Johnson, Turtle Bay Television, Leopard Lake, Jere Sosa, Kopano and more.
The Buffalo Club brings the energy and sonic joy of the Paige McNaught Experience, Debbie Downers, Terrible Signal, Nerve Quakes, Tomas Ford, Axe Girl and The Bible Bashers, with a special performance from The Runarounds (July 26), featuring former-Jam Tarts members and Fremantle-darlings Lucy Lemann and Sophie Gare plus family guests.
The Navy Club teams WAM Song Of The Year-winning-heavy-hitters J.F.K. with The Soul Movers (featuring Perth’s Lizzie McKenzie and former red Wiggle and guitar-wielding hot potato, Murray Cook), then turns the stage over to some of WA’s favourite musical couples (Jill Birt & Alsy McDonald, Joe Kapiteyn & Rachel Dease, Lee Sappho & Wayne Green, plus more) for Because The Night Belongs To Lovers (July 12) where they will talk and sing of many splendoured things.
The Navy Club also plays host on July 26 to the official launch of Freo Groove, Bill Lawrie and Claire Moodie’s book about Fremantle music culture, followed by performances from Lois Olney, Dave Johnston, Jim Fisher, John Wilson and Lucky Oceans, with Abbe May closing the night with a performance of her 2008 album, Howl & Moan, a love-affair all its own, in its entirety.
Hidden Treasures’ secret venue comes to the fold with Last Quokka, Bluenade, Roses For Ghosts, Flossy, Post-Depression Makeout Session and the reformation for Hidden Treasures of legendary Freo party-monsters, Prawns With Horns.
And following its acclaimed 2017 debut, The Fremantle Tram is back. Hosted by Justin Walshe it’s a good-time set on wheels that will pick up punters for a ride through some of Freo’s most picturesque spots, before stopping for acoustic performances from the quality likes of Oosterbanger, Cal Kramer (Southern River Band), David Lawrence and Jay Le Kat.
Tickets to Hidden Treasures are $20 on the night only. Tickets gain you entry to all venues: Navy Club, Buffalo Club, PS Art Space, National Hotel and our new secret venue. Hidden Treasures runs from 7:30pm-midnight on July 5, 12, 19 & 26.
For a full line-up and venue list head to www.hiddentreasuresfreo.com.au
