Free live music on tap at Pirate Life

Jun 07, 2024, updated Nov 07, 2024
Graphic: Mikaela Balacco
Graphic: Mikaela Balacco

Pirate Life Brewing and World Music SA are teaming up to deliver a series of free (yes you read that right) live music performances, with a different band appearing every Friday night throughout June.

Can’t afford to travel to Rio de Janeiro to experience its music and landmarks? Join the club. But while Port Adelaide lacks Christ the Redeemer, it will have four local bands bringing music from around the world (including, you guessed it, Rio) straight to the Pirate Life Brewery this month.

Pirate Life’s head of hospitality Katie Van De Merwe says the collaboration with World Music SA is “all about bringing people together through good vibes and dance”.

“Live music and community will always be core to [Pirate Life’s] identity,” she says.

This is not the first time the brewery has hosted an event like this, having put on a successful Brazilian series last year.

“We know from past experience in the venue that there’s a continued appetite for this style of music amongst Adelaide gig goers.”

So what kind of music can you expect? Katie says “think rhythmic percussion, Latin dance, Samba, reggae, and high-energy Carnivale vibes”.

World Music SA director Chi Thapa says the month will see the kind of music that you may otherwise “only generally see in WOMADelaide”.

“The band members are all talented local musicians. But this event is not just about bands, there will be dancers too,” Thapa says.

“In the end, it’s all about entertainment and dancing and having fun.”

Performances will be on every Friday throughout June, with two-hour sets each week.

Adelaide Afrobeat Collective will be performing on June 7, bringing inspiration from a Nigerian nightclub to the Port Adelaide brewery. With nine members, Nigerian-born Tare Raine leads the collective.

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June 14 will see Latin music on show from Cartel Afinke as they showcase genres that have emerged both from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

Jambu Loco will appear on June 21, bringing the energy of Rio de Janeiro’s streets, with Samba, Samba reggae, Axé and MPB all an influence.

Finally, the month will end with Ah Hum!, who will transport you straight back to the 40s and 50s with music inspired by tunes of the time that migrated to New York City from Cuba and Puerto Rico. Brass, sax, piano and bass are all sure to get you on your feet.

World Music at Pirate Life will be on at Pirate Life Brewery in Port Adelaide on June 7, June 14, June 21 and June 28. Pirate Life say bookings are not essential but are recommended.