Five Must-See Shows at Adelaide Jazz Festival
Returning for its third year, Adelaide Jazz Festival celebrates the exceptional syncopated rhythms and soulful sounds this city produces
The third year of Adelaide Jazz Festival coincides with the decade anniversary of Adelaide being recognised as Australia’s first and only UNESCO City of Music. To commemorate, the event returns with a special extended program that’ll ignite all corners of our city from April 24 to May 2. Ready to dive in? Here are five must-see shows on our radar.
King of Spain
Image supplied
Soulful yet full of spice, King of Spain have a talent for getting bodies grooving on the dance floor. Their globe-trotting sound is cut from the same cloth as luminaries like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock, combining the essence of jazz with modern funk, neo-soul and glitch beats. You never know what will be served from this “musical hotpot”. But one thing’s for sure: this collective has enough heart and energy that every performance is magnetic.
April 26 | Grace Emily Hotel | Find out more
DJAWBREAKER does Lynchian art-jazz
Photo Isabel Armstrong
David Lynch’s ability to create haunting, twisted worlds through the marriage of sound and film has long been revered by musicians and cinephiles worldwide. SA’s Djawbreaker – an experimental jazz-rock collective – are included in this, and following the passing of the late director, they’ve created an immersive performance that honours the Lynchian element of their craft.
For Adelaide Jazz Festival, the outfit has created a dark, sonic project they’ll perform at The Lab on April 26, pulling from the late visionary’s world to push at the edges of experimental jazz. They’ve also collaborated with digital artist Ryan Sahb, whose visuals will immerse audiences thanks to the venue’s multi-functional, 50 square metre LED screens.
April 26 | The Lab | Find out more
Live Slug Reaction
Live Slug Reaction digest genres like a snack, spitting out a sound that mashes together the plate of noise being served around Australia right now. The deep grooves of jazz-funk? Check. The rippling layers born unearthed from the psych-rock revival? Check. Contemporary sensibilities in their unpredictable compositions? Check. It’s undeniably dance-worthy and a must-see this Adelaide Jazz Fest. Live Slug Reaction will play the Grace Emily Hotel this May 1.
May 1 | Grace Emily Hotel | Find out more
Pulpland
Photo Isabel Armstrong
Hard-hitting jazz and original compositions are what to expect when five-piece Pulpland fill the University of Adelaide’s Hal’s Hall for Adelaide Jazz Festival. An adventurous spirit courses through this quintet – an explorative energy learnt from jazz legend Miles Davis and his innovative sonic streak. Guided by vocalist/composer Chelsea Lee, Pulpland’s synergy is one of their biggest drawcards; the outfit’s ability to communicate via their instruments is mesmerising.
May 1 | Hal’s Hall | Find out more
Silk
Photo Grace Vandals
Silk tumble through genres of house, jungle and jazz-doof to create a sound entirely their own. Finding avenues to blend the digital-led sounds you’d hear in clubs with the melodies and rhythms of jazz, the four-piece leans on live samples, sax and synths to produce an irresistible groove. This will unfold inside the Grace Emily Hotel on May 2 as a cosy conclusion to Adelaide Jazz Festival. Prepare to dance!
May 2 | Grace Emily Hotel | Find out more
Honourable Mentions
Sabor a Cuba
What: This vibrant Afro-Cuban jazz will kick off the 2025 Adelaide Jazz Festival program in an electrifying performance that’ll have you feeling world’s away in Old Havana
Where: Meeting Hall (behind Town Hall)/Paul Kelly Lane | April 24 | 6pm | Find out more
Why: Sabor a Cuba is led by Lazaro Numa, a trumpeting talent who also is part of globe-trotting stars, The Cat Empire. Sabor a Cuba is a creative force that’ll have you up and about in no time.
UNESCO International Jazz Day
What: Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre and Nexus Arts, this boundary-breaking evening celebrates jazz in all forms and is headlined by ARIA-nominated ethno-jazz collective Zela Margossian Quintet.
Where: April 30 | Dunstan Playhouse | 6pm |Find out more
Why: This event is on UNESCO International Jazz Day, celebrated around the world. What better way to celebrate Adelaide’s 10th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Music than by listening to performances by the likes of Ciara Louise Ferguson and the exciting Jazz Relay Composition?
Jazz in the Square
What: A free twilight concert featuring performances by Victoria Katsoulis Quintet, Daniel Isler Quintet and The Collective: Adelaide Jazz Supergroup, presented by the City of Adelaide.
Where: May 2 | Hindmarsh Square/Mukata | 4:30pm | Find out more
Why: If the allure of listening to live soulful sounds from some of SA’s finest performers isn’t enough, the promise of cosy fire pits, local wine and tasty food should be.
Adelaide Jazz Festival is back this autumn, running from April 24 to May 2, coinciding UNESCO International Jazz Day on April 30. Tickets to shows are on sale now. Explore the full program here.
