TONIX
Electrifying three-piece Tonix take us through Summer Grad Festival, pinch-me moments and new year’s resolutions.
You’re playing Summer Grad Festival this December 2. What can we expect from this event?
December 2 is a very special event for us – we’re graduating from school and will now look to pursue Tonix full-time. We’re putting on a massive party alongside epic sets from Adelaide icons Mums Favourite, WOMAD stars Sons of Zöku, late-night electronic pioneer Lawrence Lewis, and other DJs. We’re looking to put forward our most energetic show yet!
Describe the vibe of a Tonix set.
Energetic. We stop at nothing to keep the crowd bouncing. We’ve learnt a lot from watching shows where you get goosebumps or shed a tear, so in the Tonix set you’ll get the best of both worlds: emotive buildups and epic drops.
How did you curate the lineup of Summer Grad Fest?
I remember looking at Henry in the WOMAD crowd while watching Sons of Zöku and saying, ‘We have to play with them.’ They have a super memorable sound. Mums Favourite are a staple of the Adelaide scene – they’re the parents of blues and indie in Adelaide! After our set, you’ll hear from Lawrence Lewis, who’s debuting a hybrid electronic set. We have no doubt he’ll bring a bit of Electric Circus to UniBar.
How did Tonix get their start?
Henry and I began busking in the mall and outside AFL matches when we were about 14. We’ve played a lot of music from a young age, and by the time we combined saxophone and synth, we knew we had created something infectious. Sammi [Keough] joined the team [in 2022]. She immediately matched our hunger and energy for live performance. Most importantly, her vocals are profoundly commanding.
What’s been your biggest ‘pinch me’ moment in your music journey?
The most incredible moment was driving into Space Jams Festival 2022 and seeing how huge and beautiful it was. When we watched headliners Dojo Rise tear up on stage, we knew that playing after them with a 90-minute set would be unparalleled. It’s still the longest set we’ve performed and arguably the most enjoyable.
What do you hope for Tonix in 2024?
In 2024, we turn our sights away from school and focus on showing the world our sound. We plan to play as many festivals as we can. So, here’s to a year of green room shenanigans, mosh pits, and sing-a-longs!
Catch Tonix play Summer Grad Festival this December 2 at Unibar Adelaide with Mums Friends, Sons of Zöku and Lawerence Lewis.
