Local Music Content Creator Band Banta Celebrates First Birthday
Join the party at Lion Arts Factory on Saturday, May 3.
Image by Jonte Paxton
Adelaide music content creator Band Banta (known to her friends and family as Dakota Griffiths), is celebrating one year as a creator with a massive birthday bash.
Under her alias Band Banta, Griffiths has interviewed a who's who of emerging Aussie artists, including Holly Hebe, The Dreggs, Normal Behaviour, The Hazys, DICE, Ruby Fields and more for her Insta page. She also shares a weekly gig guide, recommends new music to her followers and uses her platform to discuss major issues impacting the Australian scene.
To commemorate a successful first year, Griffiths is hosting a birthday bash at Lion Arts Factory on Saturday, May 3. Griffiths has assembled a spectacular lineup of Adelaide bands to perform at the all-ages gig, with indie quartet Purée tapped as headliners. Sharing the stage with them on the night are alt-pop rockers Sunsick Daisy, indie quartet Stormy-Lou, punk-inspired tiro Townhouse, emerging act The Fuss and emo rockers St. Loki.
Tickets are on sale now via Moshtix and we suggest getting in early as this event is sure to sell out.
What should music lovers expect from the first birthday celebrations? “Great music, an inclusive atmosphere and a fun night,” Griffiths tells The Note. “I want this to be a celebration of the Adelaide/Kaurna music scene, not just Band Banta, because without the local scene, Band Banta wouldn’t be where it is today.”
Talking about the bands chosen to perform at the birthday, Griffiths is quick to point out that her list of SA musicians was very long, but she managed to get it down to just six acts. “I chose Purée as the headliners because they are the band I have interviewed the most and have been a massive part of the Band Banta journey. They’ve given me an immense amount of support from the beginning and were the first band to agree to an interview!”
Griffiths adds, “I wanted to curate a somewhat diverse lineup; while each band falls into the ‘indie rock’ realm, they all have an individual sound that complements each other well. I also wanted to choose bands that may not have played an all-ages show for a while so that under-18s can experience their music, and the bands can reach a new audience.”
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Griffiths started Band Banta (a name her dad helped come up with) in April 2024 after she found it tough to find out about local bands. “I would discover bands at gigs but then find it really tricky to learn any further information about them on socials,” Griffiths explains.
“Musicians can’t just be musicians; they also need to be ‘influencers’ and have a strong social media presence, which is unrealistic, and not every band has the skills, budget or time to do this. I wanted to help bridge this gap and support Australian artists in any way I could, so I started interviewing bands and making video content that provided musicians with a platform to advertise their creative journey and music. I work full-time in a completely different field, so I truly had no expectations for Band Banta to grow to the level it is now!”
A longtime gig-goer who has been invested in the scene for several years, Griffiths believes Adelaide’s local music scene is “a vibrant community” of artists and fans who continually support each other. “We also have so much talent, not just in the local Adelaide/Karuna music scene but within every local scene across the nation. There is so much variety that I am constantly discovering new artists every day!”
Initially finding it intimidating to reach out to bands and PR folk to tee up interviews, the local scene has been very welcoming, with Griffiths making many close friends thanks to Band Banta. “I am naturally an introvert with social anxiety and can find striking up conversations difficult at times, so I had a lot of self-doubt, but everyone was so patient, kind and welcoming,” she says. “I am incredibly grateful for all the support people have thrown my way!”
Since the inception of Band Banta just under a year ago, Griffiths has interviewed over 50 artists and partnered with the likes of Spin Off Festival, NYE on the Hill and Laneway Festival. This has helped open her network and enabled her to create wholesome content that both musicians and fans appreciate.
As for what the future holds, Griffiths isn’t looking too far ahead. “My biggest goal for this year is to host the first birthday event!” Griffiths says. “It’s the first time I’ve ever hosted a music event, so I’m hoping to really nail this and make sure the night runs smoothly for the artists and punters. If all goes well, I would love to explore hosting more all-age gigs within Adelaide/Kaurna.”
Band Banta’s First Birthday is held at Lion Arts Factory on Saturday, May 3. Tickets are on sale now via Moshtix.
