It’s always a bittersweet time of year for little ol’ Adelaide as Mad March concludes and the city starts getting its eight hours again every night. You may want to think twice about your sleeping pattern, though, when you have a gander at a few of the artists who’ll be rolling through town in April. With the likes of Groovin the Moo (GTM) and Touch Bass festival gracing our fair city this coming month, there certainly is no rest in store for all you wicked, nocturnal Adelaidian creatures.
Proceedings kick off on Sunday 2nd April with The Waifs celebrating their 25th anniversary at The Gov. The delightful folk duo, sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson, and long-time guitarist Josh Cunningham are set to seduce faithful fans at the historic venue, playing their hits and introducing a very special commemorative album.
Next up it’s Aussie talent turned international super-songstress Jess Mauboy at the Entertainment Centre on Wednesday 5th. The 27-year-old has embarked on her ‘All the Hits Live’ tour where she’ll be showcasing hits from throughout her career as well as covers from her latest album ‘Songs from the Original TV Series – The Secret Daughter’.
Saturday 8th April brings Rickie Lee Jones to town for a night of jaw-dropping jazz and sultry soul at The Gov. Touring as part of Bluesfest, the US singer-songwriter will be performing hits spanning her illustrious, almost four-decade career.
Carlos Santana presents his band and some special guests at Botanic Park on Sunday 9th. One of the world’s most renowned guitarists, Santana is joined by the Doobie Brothers and Russell Morris in the parklands for what will surely be a show to remember.
What’s that? Where’s the electronic stuff, you say? Well, on Friday 14th, all your EDM prayers will be answered as the inaugural Touch Bass festival tears through our collective aural tissue. The Entertainment Centre had better have a reinforced roof, because it could well be blown off by the cyclone of sound emanating from the speakers of Slushii, Snails, JAUZ and LDRU as they shake up Hindmarsh—and probably surrounding suburbs—for the night.
Spiderbait step up the rockin’ vibes at The Gov on the following Thursday and Friday, bringing ‘Ivy and the Big Apples’ their ferocious third studio album from way back in 1996.
If you’d prefer to be serenaded in a more sensuous manner, the 21st April also sees Vera Blue return to Adelaide for Fat Controller’s now-famed All You Can Eat Fridays. The Sydney-based singer-songwriter will showcase her latest single ‘Private’ along with other fresh tunes she’s been working on since the release of her acclaimed 2016 EP ‘Fingertips’. Her emotive lyrics and dulcet vocals laid over future soul-esque synths and punchy percussion create a formidably melancholy yet broodingly triumphant sound. This is definitely one to see, and tickets will go fast, so get in quick!
Dan Sultan rounds out the weekend, blessing The Gov with his superhuman presence on Sunday 23rd. This intimate ‘Pop-Up’ tour comes as a sort of prelude to the Melbourne native’s fourth studio album, where he’ll be showing off some of his new tunes, as well as his impressive back catalogue to date.
Friday 28th brings a festival which needs no introduction. GTM has been a staple of Adelaide’s live music scene since 2014, and though it’s moving to metropolitan Wayville this year, the atmosphere should be just as awe-inspiring. The Moo this year brings with it a host of both local and international acts including The Wombats, Violent Soho, Milky Chance, Dillon Francis and many, many more. There is literally something for everyone this year at Groovin. The rockers will vibe to The Darkness and Against Me! as well as Australia’s own The Smith Street Band and of course Soho. The EDM fans will have a multitude of options, with names like George Maple, Snakehips and PNAU on the bill. Hip-hop heads will be flocking to K.Flay and Thundamentals, while those there simply for the good times should check out Northeast Party House, Methyl Ethel, The Wombats and flamboyant Aussie songstress Montaigne. It’s a ‘come one, come all’ situation in 2017 and it’s set to be one hell of a party.
Image: www.gtm.net.au
So… how’s your April looking?
