In the Green Room: AdeLOUD
AdeLOUD is a one-day festival celebrating the 150th anniversary of the University of Adelaide. We chat with festival curator Motez about the lineup and the importance of the event...
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We’re stoked to see you’re curating AdeLOUD – tell us more about the lineup. How did it come to life?
I was approached by the University a couple of years ago with an idea to bookend its 150th celebrations with a student-facing event. I started thinking about what kind of acts I would love to see that marrie all sorts of music that I listen to and enjoy, but would also fit this sort of “celebratory” feel that we wanted to go for. Based on that I drafted a rather large “dream” list of all the acts that I'd love to see (pretty selfish when you think about it), in my hometown nevertheless, and to my surprise (and the hard work of the team that were also working on it), we were able to get most of those acts.
What shaped your thinking when selecting certain acts?
[The lineup is] merely based on music that I listen to, but I also wanted to approach acts within those criteria that I believe are making and playing some of the most exciting and forward-thinking music out there, and try to make sure we not only look nationally or internationally but also here in SA to try and support an important sector that is going through some real tough times.
You’ve got plenty of SA acts on the bill too – think Theodore Kittens, Potentially Hugo, Tonix etc. Why was this important for you to include?
First and foremost, we didn’t want to have SA-based acts purely to tick a box. I wanted to go out there and seek local musicians who are working hard and making impeccable music. I love what Theo does and his presence in the local house and techno scene is a testament, but also Hugo, who’s making some of the most beautiful music. The same goes for Tonix who I have managed to see play and fell in love with their energy and stage presence. There’s a lot of great music here in SA, we just need to not only be supportive but also smart about how we can all, collectively, support musicians and grassroots events.
How important are events like this for not only Adelaide’s music scene but also in getting young people engaged with live music?
It’s very important not only culturally but also economically. I believe it’s time to invest in grassroots music scenes and events and be smart about how to support them. We’ve seen how hard it has been for festivals and larger events to sustain themselves, but at the same time, we’re seeing people are more interested in novel, bespoke “smaller” events that cater to a more organic approach to curation, music and delivery. The more we see those sorts of events, the inevitability of a new generation of eventgoers getting excited and invested becomes a reality. We just need to listen to people on the ground and what is working on a smaller scale.
You graduated from Uni of Adelaide in 2011. How does it feel to be at the helm of their musical program as they head into their next chapter?
It feels surreal, to be honest. I feel absolutely honoured. I never thought I would curate an event of this size and importance for my alma mater, and [it] turns out I really enjoy it. Hopefully, I get to do it again at some stage in my career.
What’s one act you’re excited to see and why?
That’s very hard to tell, they are all my favourites and have come straight out of my Spotify listening history, but if I had to pick one I would say Nooriyah. Not only because she’s been making waves around the world with her sets, plus it’s her debut in SA, but also as an Iraqi, seeing somebody play Arabic music in a unique and fun context is going to be so incredible to witness and I would love everybody to see that too. She’s been on my shortlist for a while, and the fact that we managed to get her onto the festival is such an honour and a coup.
What’s one act that’ll surprise you and why?
I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I don’t think I’ll be surprised by any of the acts because I know how great they all are, but I reckon stage design will be something that will surprise most. It’s been designed and worked on by the University’s own architecture students, the early drafts look incredible and I cannot wait to see it in action.
On a personal note, what’s next for you musically?
I’m working on a whole heap of new music that I will debut at the festival, so make sure you attend to check it out.
AdeLOUD takes place at UniBar and Cloisters on Saturday, November 16 from 4pm to 2am. Tickets are on sale now via Humanitix.
