Fremantle’s Hidden Treasures Winter Music Series returns on Thursdays this July with huge mix of some of WA and the Port City’s finest music in a number of historical venues and… a musical tram. Hidden Treasures gives WA music fans a rare peak inside the tucked away, incredibly evocative old venues that dot Fremantle’s West End such as the Buffalo and Navy Clubs.
Now a staple of the local music calendar, Treasures has developed a reputation as a taste-making showcase of WA’s hottest young acts while also celebrating specially-reformed cult bands from the state’s rich musical past.
The reformed acts this year are particular cause for excitement. In week one Wayne Green & The Phantoms, sweaty ‘70s sungods of the Scarborough Beach Hotel, reform to play a one-in-a-blue-moon Freo engagement. Likewise, surf titans The Neptunes resurface from Atlantis to play a 30th Anniversary show. Elsewhere cult psychobilly quintet The Automasters restart their well-primed engine. But not before we drag one of Australia’s most accomplished ‘sidemen’ – two time Grammy-award winning pedal steel player Lucky Oceans – to finally take centre stage in a career retrospective entitled Lucky Oceans & Friends.
Much more than just a walk down memory lane. Venues such as The Orient, Buffalo Club, National Hotel and Packenham Street Art Space (PSAS) have been programmed as the ultimate, up-to-the-minute WA playlist on shuffle with hot-right-now acts like Rag N Bone (pictured), Boat Show, The Love Junkies, Childsaint, Galloping Foxleys, Foam, The Tommyhawks, Felicity Groom, Ralway Bell, The Chlorines, Marmion Shoelace, Grievous Bodily Calm, Demon Days and Crucial Rockers are just some of the highlights of this four-week local love in.
In 2017 Hidden Treasures will also welcome its first ever roving, ever-changing, venue – the Fremantle Tram. The local tourist shuttle will regularly pick up punters before stopping at picturesque locations such as the North Mole Lighthouse for stripped-back acoustic concerts by artists including Lucy Peach, Timothy Nelson and Steve Parkin.
The good times will also continue at the National Hotel with our ever-popular Freonality Afterparty DJ Sets where guest DJs include ex-Docker Peter Bell, Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt and Lucky Oceans. Mayor Pettitt said he’s excited about dusting off his record collection for a DJ set at The National and taking part in this celebration of WA music.
“I love the way Hidden Treasures draws together such a diverse range of music lovers from all over Western Australia,” he said. “Veteran music fans are exposed to brand new acts and younger punters get to experience the local heroes of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. This community-building element alone makes Hidden Treasures an incredibly valuable part of Fremantle’s cultural calendar.”
Hidden Treasures runs from 7:30pm-midnight on Thursdays July 6, 13, 20 & 27. Tickets to Hidden Treasures are $20 on the night only. Tickets gain you entry to all venues: The Navy Club, Buffalo Club, Packenham St Art Space, The Orient and National Hotel. Full line-up and timetable at www.hiddentreasuresfreo.com.au
