March | UNESCO City of Music - 10-year anniversary
Key to the City presented to Electric Fields
The City of Adelaide was thrilled to honour Electric Fields with a Key to the City.
Electric Fields is an Australian electronic music duo made up of vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding who sings in Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara and English and keyboard player and producer Michael Ross, combining modern electronic-soul music with Aboriginal culture.
In 2024, they made history as the first duo to represent Australia at Eurovision with ‘One Milkali (One Blood)’, and the first Australian entry to feature an Aboriginal language, spreading a message of unity.
The Key to the City is the highest honour Council can bestow to acknowledge and recognise outstanding contributions to the City of Adelaide.
Read the full story.
Main image: Electric Fields with The Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM receiving the Key to the City.
Yurikurringa Ngadluku Paltrina (Listen to our Songs) - Kaurna Song Book Launch
In March, we saw the celebration of the launch of Yurikurringa Ngadluku Paltrina (Listen to our Songs), a revitalised Kaurna Song Book produced with Kaurna community by the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music, University of Adelaide. The launch took place as part of the University of Adelaide and UniSA’s Kaurna Day Tirkanthi – Ngutu – Taikurrinthi with live music performances by Jamie Goldsmith and Taikurtinna Dance Group, Tilly Tjala Thomas, Katie Aspel, Jaylon Newchurch, Elder Conservatorium of Music Jazz Ensemble, and DEM MOB.
The City of Adelaide is proud to have supported this important and joyful project of language revitalisation through music through our Cultural Strategic Partnerships program. This event was a unique opportunity for everyone to learn more about Kaurna Country, culture and language as part of our 10th year anniversary as a UNESCO City of Music. Check out this video to hear about the development of the Kaurna Song Book Yurikurringa Ngadluku Paltrina Listen to our Songs.
The project focused on revitalising the historic Song Books Narrunga, Kaurna, and Ngarrindjeri Songs (1990) and Kaurna Paltinna: A Kaurna Song Book (1999). The revised book includes 20 compositions featuring award-winning artists Daniel Rankine (AKA Trials from A.B. Original), DEM MOB, Tilly Tjala Thomas, Katie Aspel, Marlon Motlop, and Kaurna community musicians.
Community Concert - Carlo Forlivesi
Adelaide Town Hall hosted a free lunchtime organ concert featuring Italian composer, organist and scholar Carlo Forlivesi, regarded as one of the most original and eclectic artists of his generation. Forlivesi has enjoyed an international career and been the recipient of numerous musical awards, from prestigious institutions including the Yamaha Foundation (Tokyo), the Gaudeamus Foundation (Amsterdam), and the Europe Culture Award. Hailing from fellow UNESCO City of Music, Pesaro in Italy, famous for being the birthplace of Gioachino Rossini and hosting the annual Rossini Opera Festival.
This monthly concert series is one way we celebrate our UNESCO City of Music and is a gift to our city community, see Adelaide Town Hall's Whats On for upcoming free concerts and other events.
Lumina Vocal Ensemble - A Choral Kaleidoscope - Music from Around the World
What do galloping horses, wailing women, bush birds at dawn, an African rainstorm, the Hobbit, and the popular game Civilisation IV have in common? They could all be heard in Lumina Vocal Ensemble's performance A Choral Kaleidoscope. For this brand-new concert, Lumina brought together music from every continent, weaving together stories of love, heartache, desire, reverence and celebration.
Supported by the City of Adelaide through the Arts and Cultural Grants program.
Blak Seeds Fest
A vibrant all ages mini festival hosted by Carclew in North Adelaide showcased the incredible talent of First Nations artists! This engaging event also featured a dynamic exhibition with both emerging and experienced artists, artist stalls, live music, and interactive workshops. Performances by: Sonia Smith, DJ MoZzI, Eskatology, Bousta, Lakinyeri, Tilly Tjala Thomas, Cringetrender and more.
Supported by the City of Adelaide through the Arts and Cultural Grants program.
Image: Blak Yard Picnic 2024, Ben Searcy
WESTBOUND
WESTBOUND was a free West End mini-festival supported by Renew Adelaide and City of Adelaide featuring curated artisan markets with ceramics, yummy things, prints, jewellery, flowers, fashion and more. Live music from Alexander Flood, The Empty Threats, Any Young Mechanic, Live Slug Reaction, Ebony A Million, Wet//Dreems (Bad//Dreems DJs) and Romi. Artist workshops with Kerri Wright, Blip Art School and Lotte Schwerdfeger Ceramics and delicious food and drink from SA’s finest makers and mixers. This event was funded by City of Adelaide's City Activation Program and supported by Adelaide Westend and University of South Australia.
The Heart Beat Club
Party, dance to DJs, hang out with friends, and play arcade games! The Heart Beat Club is a club night run by and for disabled people, their friends and allies. It’s run by the Beats Crew, a group of learning-disabled DJs. This edition of The Heart Beat Club was part of the Adelaide Fringe and was proudly supported by the City of Adelaide’s Cultural Strategic Partnerships.
Gather, Dance & Explore at Whitmore
A free day of fun where families can enjoy live dance performances by local schools, featuring hip-hop, tap, and more. Kids can groove to DJ Bandit's tunes at the ultimate dance party.
Little explorers will love the Nature Play activities, including nature potion making and clay creatures, blending creativity with outdoor fun. It will be a day of dancing, discovery, and community spirit!
Voices of Reconciliation 2
A special one-night-only performance featured ARIA award winning Adrian Eagle, Eskatology Inquest (Ngarrindjeri), Leni, and DJ Sam Paul. Presented by City of Adelaide, Nexus Arts, and Trading Routz, this initiative aims to bring people together through art and music.
Supported by the City of Adelaide through the First Nations Arts and Cultural Grants program.