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Hidden Agenda’s relaunch sparks hope for Hong Kong’s underground indie clubs

A first look inside indie club’s new venue in Kwun Tong as it reopens with tuck shop to avoid further licensing disputes

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Hidden Agenda’s new venue at the Hung To Industrial Building, where the first gig will be performed on December 15. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Rachel Blundy

The organisers of revived indie club Hidden Agenda say they are “cautiously optimistic” about the future of the underground music scene in Hong Kong as they prepare to relaunch at a new venue.

The music showcase was forced to move out of its former venue at the Winful Industrial Building, Kwun Tong, in mid-October because it had been operating illegally.

Founded in 2009, it has previously been forced to relocate over similar battles with the Lands Department for operating without a commercial licence.

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But on December 15, it will relaunch at the Hung To Industrial Building, also in Kwun Tong, with a headline set from American punk rock band Anti Flag, after crowdfunding more than HK$500,000.
Inside the club’s new venue. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Inside the club’s new venue. Photo: SCMP Pictures
And in a bid to avoid further licensing issues, it hopes to legally host music acts alongside a food trading business. It will reopen as a “tuck shop” serving international cuisine by obtaining a Food Factory licence. The venue is planning a soft launch for the takeout service on November 16.
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Kakei Ng, Hidden Agenda’s media spokeswoman, said she was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm from the club’s supporters.

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