AFTER a one year hiatus, Hidden Treasures is back – with a twist.
The popular winter music festival is no longer part of 10 Nights in Port and is now a standalone event.
It will be held over three nights at three locations – Buffalo Club, North Freo Nook and Hilton Trove – and the line-up has been chosen by local curators including Abbe May, Phaedra Watts and Nelson Mondlane.
The new format was partly down to the parliamentary inquiry into the live music industry, says Freo council creative program lead Ofa Fotu.
As part of the 2024 inquiry, the city consulted with local artists, venues, contractors and managers.
• Some of the bands performing at this year’s Hidden Treasures.
“The 2025 Hidden Treasures model takes into consideration some of the group’s recommendations, including the initiative to have guest curators,” she says.
“This year’s event invites audiences and artists to discover new precincts whilst acknowledging one of its original home venues on High Street – The Buffalo Club.
“The ‘North Freo Nook’ precinct includes the North Freo Bowlo, Community Centre and Social Farm.
“The ‘Hilton Trove’ precinct includes the Hilton Park Bowling Club and Men’s Shed Jam Space, plus introducing the local acts of Hilton Bowls to the Hidden Treasures audience.”
The Chook asked if the budget for the event had changed with the new format, but the council didn’t answer that one.
This year’s lineup is the most diverse yet with everything from relentless death metal (Mariana) to hiphop (And Beyond).
It reflects the curators’ different musical tastes and backgrounds – Mondlane is best known as the MC of SUPEREGO, May is a modern-day troubadour, Watts is the director of The Nannup Music Festival, and Last Quokka are a garage punk band.
The festival features 20 local artists including Papa Feet, Grub, Mayatrix & the Psychics, Stella Gain, and Boox Kid.
The opening night of Hidden Treasures clashes with a new music festival held in Fremantle called ARRIVAL, run by the people behind the Naval Store, but Fotu doesn’t think it will be an issue.
“Hidden Treasures presents a paid opportunity for emerging local bands who have appeared on the scene within the past couple of years,” she says.
“ARRIVAL is showcasing established local, national and international acts. RTRFM’s Fremantle Winter Music Festival provides great exposure and radio play for artists on its lineup.
“All of these event organisers are supportive of one another. The City has provided financial and in-kind sponsorship for this year’s ARRIVAL event.”
The new Hidden Treasures will be an annual event and there could be new venues every year.
“Hidden Treasures has always been about the discovery of new places, for audiences and artists alike,” Fotu says.
Hidden Treasures is on June 5, 12 and 19. For the full line-up and more information see hiddentreasuresfreo.com.au.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK