Goya Dmytryshchak
Music outfit The Hackkets are gearing up to launch their new single ‘I Love To Travel’ at Hotel Westwood as part of next month’s West Set Festival.
Celebrating a post-COVID return of live music, Footscray will host the festival with more than 50 free events from August 19-29.
There’s something for everyone with indie, hip hop, alternative country, glam rock, grunge, Irish fiddle, gypsy swing, jazz, folk, pop, post punk, grunge, guitar heavy blues, traditional African drumming and contemporary music.
Made up of members with and without disability, The Hackkets are part of Footscray Community Arts Centre’s ArtLife program, supporting artists with disability for 30 years.
Seasoned performers at events such as the Adelaide Fringe Festival and Seddon Festival, The Hackkets are set to play their first live show for the year on August 25.
The band comprises Peter Tolhurst (guitar/vocals), Stuart Flenley (guitar/vocals), Victoria Cini (keys/vocals), Tim Reid (guitar), Joe Vella (bass) and Andrew Paganella (drums).
“We’ve been a band for nearly 30 years,” Tolhurst said.
“We were struggling with finding a name for the first performance and they decided on The Hackketts because they hacked at the instruments.”
He said the band started out playing covers but now did all originals, traversing a wide range of genres.
“Victoria’s more of your Pink and your Robbie Williams type of thing – in your face, pop type of thing,” Tolhurst said.
“Stuart’s more your Frank Sinatra and Elvis, and I’m into just about anything really but I like writing love songs.”
Festival-goers can enjoy multiple acts in one night as all participating venues are within walking distance of each other and Footscray train station.
Five minutes from the station, Baby Snakes bar at 30 Chambers Street is this year’s official West Set Festival Club and a perfect spot to meet before a night out on the West Set circuit.
For the full festival program, visit
