January | UNESCO City of Music - 10-year anniversary

10th Year UNESCO Creative City of Music Civic Event

Queen Adelaide Room, Adelaide Town Hall
29 January

The Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM hosted a Civic Reception to celebrate Adelaide’s 10th anniversary as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.

The event was attended by Minister Andrea Michaels, Council Members, the Chair and General Manager of the Adelaide City of Music Office, and members of the music community.

2025 marks a decade since Adelaide was officially recognised as Australia’s first, and only, UNESCO Creative City of Music.

Since 2015, Adelaide has been proudly part of this global network of creative cities that celebrate, prioritise and leverage culture for sustainable development.

Elder Conservatorium of Music graduates, Ciara Ferguson (piano) and Tasha Stevens (double bass), entertained our guests.

A Vision of City Sounds

ART POD
16 February to 28 March

To celebrate the ten-year anniversary of Adelaide as a UNESCO City of Music, South Australian visual artist and muralist Alex Bellas presented A Vision of City Sounds, a mixed media installation within the City of Adelaide ART POD.

With the ambition of showcasing diversity across musical genres and cultural influences Alex created a space filled with colourful characters in a celebration of the City of Music designation.

Alex was in residence from the 6 of January to 16 February. A Vision of City Sounds was on display and viewable to the public until 28 March 2025.

Rundle Mall City Sessions

Rundle Mall
January (to June)

The City of Adelaide is investing $100,000 in live music presentation in Rundle Mall between July 2024 and June 2025. Discover the sounds of beats, tunes, and melodies, taking over Rundle Mall with a line-up of incredible musicians from around the world! 

Explore the program: Rundle Mall City Sessions.

Announcing the next City of Music Laneway – The Angels Lane

Laneway off Hindley and Morphett streets

The Angels Lane is currently in the planning and development stages with a location in the City's West End announced by Council. The City of Adelaide looks forward to launching the laneway and celebrating one of SA's most beloved bands in 2025.

Each Adelaide City of Music Laneway honours our musical trailblazers who got their start in the city, became local legends and won fans around the world.

The Angels were inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 1998 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008. They are the only popular music band other than The Beatles to have been granted a Lord Mayoral reception at the Adelaide Town Hall (2010). The Angels have been cited as an influence by the likes of Guns N' Roses, and Seattle grunge bands Pearl Jam and Nirvana.

The Angels Lane will expand upon the existing City of Music Laneways such as Sia Furler Lane, Cold Chisel Lane, Paul Kelly Lane, and No Fixed Address Lane. This initiative aligns with commemorating the 10th anniversary of Adelaide's designation as a UNESCO City of Music in 2025.

Revisit the January edition of Art in the City for more information and to find out how we support arts, culture and live music in Adelaide.

You can sign up to our monthly e-newsletter here.