Hidden Treasures in Hilton

Gayle O’Leary reports on Hidden Treasures at Hilton Bowlo

“I can’t believe how nice it is here”, I remark more than once to my friend, twisting in my seat to look around. We’re in the Hilton Bowling Club and Hidden Treasures is on.

This is the second year of the famed winter music festival hitting the suburbs, after a proud fifteen years rocking out of the West End of Fremantle. The Thursday before saw Hidden Treasures artists playing at the North Freo Bowlo, which I am told went down very well.

Although some would rather watch the game while bands play in the background.

We wandered around room to room, sipping on a winter warmer, discovering both seasoned and emerging talent, buying a record or two, and dancing our pants off.

For a much needed cool off, then return to spasmodic dancing, we ventured out to the Men’s Shed which hosted a series of DJs for the night. It may have been a chilly night but we returned to the indoors sans several clothing layers after that!

I have a few new favourites and plenty of cool artists to look into now.

Ones that stuck are for us are:

Elianie – who has just released her debut album! A lovely voice and smiling face, a joy to watch on the stage

The Satisfaction – there’s a few bands this trio remind me of but none of them compare to their energy, convulsing dance moves, or their proficiency with a tambourine. Just bloody good fun.

Lightnin Jack – I don’t generally beeline for the blues but after all that toetapping and shimmying I am SOLD!

Zukhuta & Friends – another music genre I wouldn’t normally think to seek out. We nearly went outside to listen to another DJ but were halted in our tracks upon hearing the opening of this band. The dynamism! The dazzling funk! And the cherry on top: THE DANCING! No wonder our hero in orange track pants for the night “collapsed” after shaking his tailfeather so vigorously for so long.

What a brilliant time! We’ll have to do it again next year. And I really must get over to the Hilton Bowling Club more often. I hear it takes off on a Friday night and there’s usually music.

Good.