Review: Hidden Treasures Week One

The first night of Fremantle’s Winter Music Series got off to a cracking start, with six eclectic venues opening their doors for a programme of almighty gigs.

A rainy night in Freo might not sound like the best setting for a night out, but the winter weather created the perfect atmosphere to offset the eclectic, welcoming venues unearthed at the first night of the Hidden Treasures Winter Music Series.
Five venues (and a tram) up and down the city's High Street threw open their doors to the public, with some unexpected spots transformed into bustling performance hubs for the night.
Tucked away in the unique, intimate interior of the Fremantle Tram, Lucy Peach played an engaging set to a captive audience of the lucky few who made it on board. Her narrative style and gentle, distinctive sound made the performance one of the most exceptional gigs of the evening.
PS Art Space was by far one of most vibrant venues, with the cavernous interior creating an artful, contemporary space buzzing with a party atmosphere. Mister and Sunbird played a blinder of a set, bringing their mix of swing/blues/Latin/New Orleans-oomph to the punters, who were all too willing to jive along to their peppy sound. Barefeet Soujourns were another clever choice for the exhibition space, bringing an unholy amount of energy to the room with their world-music fusion shifting through reggae, ska, Latin, swing, bluegrass, funk and soul.
Over at Bar Orient, Boat Show kept everyone going as the night drew on, blasting through a raucous set packed with their own unique brand of punk rock.
The Navy Club was an unexpectedly rock 'n' roll setting for Perth legends Wayne Green and the Phantoms, who brought their a sharp-shooting sound to the eager crowds.
Expertly programmed and enormously fun, Hidden Treasures is like a game of hide and seek with some seriously awesome performers as the prize. If this first week is anything to go by, then the next three sessions are going to be unmissable.

Hidden Treasures runs Thursday 13, 20, 27 July at various venues in Fremantle from 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 and can be bought on the door at any of the 5 venues.

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