Melody Mania: Banging Music Festivals in Adelaide
Adelaide is certainly a spot that cranks up the volume at epic music festivals. From the wild spectacles of Adelaide Fringe to the global beats of WOMADelaide, our city’s music festival scene is a sick Spotify playlist that came to life!
And if you want to bang your heads and tap your toes with us, this guide has all the info you need. We have the music festival 411 you’re after—locations, schedules, performers, and more!
Adelaide Fringe
Address: Multiple areas in Adelaide
Contact Details: (08) 8100 2000
The Adelaide Fringe, slated between February 16 and March 17, 2024, is a globally acclaimed arts celebration that brings together over 6,000 artists from diverse corners of the planet to South Australia.
Musical offerings here are diverse and plentiful. With elegant piano and violin concerts, energetic rock ‘n roll performances, and even Shakespearean-inspired musicals—there’s a genre for every ear.
And when you need to refuel, there’s an abundance of local favorites like savory pies, fresh seafood grills, and delicious burgers to prepare you for the next gig.
| Tips: With numerous shows and events, plan your schedule to catch your favorites. Allocate a minimum of 30 minutes between each show for a smooth and unhurried festival experience. If you’re with kids, ensure the musical performances you’re going to watch are appropriate for their ages. There are different ticket types. Visit their website to find the deals and prices that suit you or your group best. |
WOMADelaide
Address: Mistletoe Park / Tainmuntilla (Park 11), Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: 1300 496 623
The WOMADelaide festival is all set to go down from Friday, March 8, to Monday, March 11, 2024. This event isn’t your average musical shindig; it’s a blazing open-air celebration where cultures collide, and the beats keep you grooving.
A few artists are already confirmed to grace the stage next year, including Morcheeba, an English electronic band known for their bangers like “Enjoy the Ride” and “The Sea.”
Another big-named band that’ll serenade Adelaide is Three Sacred Souls, a group known for their timeless, sweet soul melodies. You can hear this style in tracks like “It’s Our Love” and “Will I See You Again?”
| Tips: For those with asthma, remember to bring necessary medications due to potential dustiness at Botanic Park/Tainmuntilla during WOMADelaide. Plan your WOMADelaide parking through UPark for hassle-free access. Pre-booking night and weekend parking at UPark Rundle, Frome, or Pirie Flinders ensures convenience and affordability. Parking is limited, so consider carpooling, walking from the city (5 to 10 minutes), biking, using public transport, or sharing a ride with friends to avoid parking complications. Explore KidZone, which offers a variety of daily activities specifically tailored for children, including immersive experiences, science discoveries, storytelling, dress-ups, face painting, and more! |
Groovin the Moo
Address: Adelaide Showground, Goodwood Rd, Wayville, SA 5034
Contact Details: (02) 9699 2454
Groovin the Moo (commonly called “GMT”) is a rad road trip fest that spans three weekends across six Aussie regions, usually rocking out in April. It’s known for epic moments featuring performers from various countries and musical genres.
In fact, GMT’s 2024 promises to be an absolute blast. It has regulars like Ball Park Music, serving up some melancholic pop vibes straight outta Brisbane. There’s also ALT-J, a unique squad from the UK blending folk and electronic beats.
And, of course, Denzel Curry, the hard-hitting US rapper known for his cloud rap style and killer rendition of Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade,” is set to blow the roof off!
| Tips: Check the festival’s FAQs for essential rules, like restrictions on bringing your own food, alcohol, and pets. You can get to the Adelaide Showground via various modes of public transport: Bus: Utilize multiple bus routes along Goodwood Road, choosing Stops 1 or 2 to get to the Adelaide Showground in about 3 to 5 minutes. Tram: Take the tram leaving Victoria Square or Adelaide Railway Station every 20 minutes. The quick journey to Goodwood Road Station, Stop 3, takes about five minutes. From there, it’s a short five-minute walk to the Adelaide Showground. Train: Reach the Adelaide Showground Station by boarding the Seaford, Flinders, or Belair train lines. Once you arrive at the station, walk for about four minutes to get to the Showground. |
Fleurieu Folk Festival
Address: Willunga, SA 5172
Contact Details: (08) 8327 2797
Fans of folk music will have the time of their lives at the Fleurieu Folk Festival. This three-day event from October 25 to 27, 2024 highlights traditional tunes, Celtic melodies, bluesy rhythms, Americana sounds, modern folk, and more.
In the lineup, you’ll find some stellar names like the Adelaide Empire Band, the Chris Finnen Band, and The Timbers, who also rocked the stage in 2023.
Beyond the tunes, this fest brings a plethora of entertainment to the table, from workshops and jam sessions to dancers, blackboard concerts, poetry, spoken word performances, and even games catering to the little ones.
| Tips: Check their website if you’re an aspiring performer looking to showcase your talent at the festival. The festival also hosts market stalls. You can apply here to set up your own stall. |
St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival
Address: Hart’s Mill, Mundy Street, Port Adelaide, SA 5015
The St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival will ignite the scene on February 9, 2024. This head-bopping music feast is famed for cramming big-time performers and local talents into a thrilling and must-see one-day event.
The 2024 lineup is absolutely explosive, headlined by Stormzy, a multi-award-winning UK sensation. Stormzy boasts three chart-topping albums and an infectious mix of grime, gospel, and R&B.
Then there’s Steve Lacy, a Grammy Award winner crafting alternative R&B and soul tunes infused with pop, funk, and indie rock vibes. His music can be heard in tracks of heavy hitters like Tyler the Creator, Solange, Mac Miller, J. Cole, and more.
| Tip: If you want better deals, snag a ticket as early as you can. |
Sounds by the River
Address: Mannum, SA 5238
At Sounds by the River, rock and roll aficionados find their nirvana at a dazzling riverfront music extravaganza.
On January 24, 2024, the spotlight shines on iconic headliners, including Jimmy Barnes, the Aussie rock legend with an impressive record of 20 number-1 albums, outpacing even The Beatles in this chart race.
Joining the lineup is The Living End, hailed as Australian rock royalty for their electrifying performances. With chart-topping albums and an impressive 27 ARIA Award nominations, the band is a true hitmaker.
| Tip: Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable footwear. There are trees by the main festival ground, but the shade isn’t enough. |
Adelaide Guitar Festival
Address: Adelaide Festival Center, King William Rd, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: +61 8 8216 8600
The Adelaide Guitar Festival, hitting the scene from September 12 to 15 in 2024, is more than just strumming strings; it’s a full-on guitar-fest for casuals and connoisseurs.
During the event, there will be an On the Road series where live performances featuring Australia’s finest guitarists will showcase their talents for free! Stay updated on the locations by visiting their website, Facebook, or Instagram.
But if you want to level up your guitar game, there’s the Guitar Winter School. Whether you’re a newbie who’s into blues or a skilled player dreaming of playing with the Adelaide Guitar Festival Orchestra, this week-long session will refine your skills.
| Tip: Check out the Adelaide International Classical Guitar Competition! It’s where the world’s top guitarists come together for an epic showdown. |
Handpicked Festival Australia
Address: Lake Breeze Wines, 319 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek SA 5255
Nestled among lush vineyards and gum trees, Handpicked Australia is a festival on November 11, 2024, where you can kick back and enjoy picnics on the lawn, sip on fantastic wine, and groove to world-class bops.
Though the 2024 lineup hasn’t dropped yet, the previous acts at Handpicked were absolute fire. We’re talking about Melanie C, famously known as Sporty Spice from the legendary Spice Girls, bringing her pop royalty pizzazz to the stage.
And let’s not forget The Temper Trap, an Aussie indie rock band that knows how to amp up the energy. Adding to the mix is Lime Cordiale, an Australian pop-rock sensation serving up catchy summer melodies with a dash of surf rock!
| Tip: Make sure to grab the festival merchandise and winery souvenirs ahead of time because, from what we’ve seen, the hot-ticket items tend to fly off the shelves fast. |
The Wirrina Bluegrass & Acoustic Roots Festival
Address: Wirrina Cove Holiday Park, 199 Paradise Dr, Wirrina Cove, SA 5204
Contact Details: 0428 263 795
When it comes to toe-tapping bluegrass jams, The Wirrina Bluegrass & Acoustic Roots Festival is almost untouchable. The best part is beyond the bops, this November 24 to 26, 2024 music event throws workshops, campfires, and jam sessions.
If you’re curious about the caliber of performers since the 2024 lineup isn’t out yet, take a peek at past acts that rocked the stage. Think Foghorn String Band, an old-time string band from Portland, Oregon, bringing that authentic American flavor.
And then there’s Tony O’Rourke, an Aussie guitarist and banjo player known for his mastery of traditional Irish music and bluegrass.
| Tip: Aspiring artists can join the Wirrina Young Musicians’ Award for a chance to bag $250. |
uneARTh Festival
Address: Wyhalla, SA 5600
Contact Details: (08) 8645 7900
March is when the award-winning uneARTh Festival grabs the spotlight with a lineup of top-notch events that cater to everyone’s tastes, from cabaret to kid-friendly shows!
One of their beloved events includes Foreshore Fridays at Seaview Café. It’s a free gig where you can chill by the foreshore, dig into delish dinners, and groove to local favorites like Jack Daw and Emma Taylor while enjoying happy hour deals.
Open Mic Nights at the Left Hand Club is also a yearly hit. It’s a chance to witness the raw talent of local artists, from musicians to comedians, or, if you’re feeling bold, grab that mic yourself and steal the show!
| Tips: Given the outdoor nature of the uneARTh Festival, it’s advisable to bring weather-appropriate clothing, considering potential fluctuations in temperature or rain. Pack a light raincoat or umbrella just in case. Get involved in the festival’s interactive elements. Engage with the artists, and participate in workshops! |
Summer Sounds Festival
Address: Bonython Park/Tulya Wodli, Port Road, Adelaide, 5000
Summer Sounds Festival is the ultimate concert series set in a specially designed, SA Health-approved outdoor venue. This event’s musical festivities run from January 9 to 31, 2024.
The lineup will include The Jungle Giants, rocking it with over 150 million streams globally. These indie rock legends bring forth an unstoppable energy, dishing out electrifying live performances fitting for a party like the Summer Sounds Festival.
Dune Rats, a bunch of Brisbane mates who know how to kick it up a notch with their fast, loud tunes and a sprinkle of humor, will also set the stage ablaze. Known for tracks like “Too Tough Terry” and “Bullshit,” their stoner-punk-rock style is the bomb.
| Tips: It’s recommended to purchase tickets now while prices haven’t skyrocketed. If you’re coming with a group of 4 to 6 people, take advantage of their Party Pod deal. Bring your cards. Summer Sounds Festival is completely cashless. |
Port Noarlunga Blues Festival
Address: Multiple areas in Port Noarlunga
Set against the backdrop of the stunning Port Noarlunga coastline from November 24 to 26, the Port Noarlunga Blues Festival is the beachside groove you’ve been craving!
This music festival turns the town’s cafes and restos into vibrant performance hubs made funkier by the finest Australian musicians in the blues and roots scene.
Yearly performers include legends like blues guitarist Chris Finnen, the versatile Mick Kidd on acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, and the iconic singer-songwriter Phil Manning!
| Tip: Familiarize yourself with the festival’s schedule in advance to ensure you catch your favorite performances and plan your day accordingly. You can find the sched on the festival’s official website and social media accounts. |
