Hidden Agenda: This Town Needs

Hidden Agenda began in 2009 when a couple of post-80’s music lovers came up with a crazy idea: transform a band practice room situated in an industrial estate into a venue for live indie music. Within a year it had become a hot spot for local musicians and bands, and even attracted the attention of foreign musicians touring Asia. Unfortunately, the ironically-named “Industrial Building Revitalization” act by our government forced us to evict and terminate the venue. Supporters and musicians at HA wrote their names and messages on the entrance door in a final act of protest. This door was presented to the Art Development Council following a protest by artists against the revilalisation act.

After the closure, a new location was found. Many helped to transform the industrial space into a larger and improved ‘live house’. The new venue has a bigger stage, better sound system and can cater to an audience of up to 300 people. It also features a backstage lounge for performers, a sound engineer/lighting ‘island’, bathrooms and a bar. Hidden Agenda was able to bounce back by organizing more than 60 shows within one year featuring local and international artists with a diverse range of genres such as rock, heavy metal, jazz, folk, punk, post-rock, reggae, visual rock, hip-hop, experimental, noise, techno and more. In the end of 2010, Hidden Agenda was picked by Time Out Magazine (HK) as the best venue in Hong Kong.

Hidden Agenda has since began utilizing its space for other purposes as well as live shows. Some events have included film screenings, classes, workshops, parties, art exhibitions, handicraft markets and private events. However, in this era of commercialized pop, the main focus has always been, and always will be keeping local and indie music alive. Anyone seeking music outside of the mainstream is welcome at Hidden Agenda. We hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.