Alexander Flood to headline new west end mini festival
Westbound, an artisan market with workshops and a live music lineup of emerging and established Adelaide bands, is happening this March.
Flood will be joined by post-punk band The Empty Threats, folk-rockers Any Young Mechanic (formerly Wake in Fright) and “slug groove” band Live Slug Reaction for the free event.
They’re joined by indie pop artist Ebony A Million and DJ sets from WET//DREEMS (DJs from rock band Bad//Dreems) and Romi.
Westbound is a creation of not-for-profit Renew Adelaide, supported by the City of Adelaide’s city activation program, and will fill the Lion Arts Precinct with a curated artisan market, free artist workshops, food and drink as well as the music lineup.
The lineup was programmed by Renew Head of Property Harry Evans, who also fronts the post-punk band Coldwave and is heavily involved in the city’s music community.
“Westbound’s live music programming features artists that we’re excited about, and are mainstays of the city’s west end,” Harry says.
“It’s an organically very creative precinct, and we wanted to capture the energy of its venues like Jive, Lion Arts Factory, ILA, Hindley Street Music Hall and Ancient World – all in one place.”
Harry is about to take off on a UK tour with Coldwave at the end of February. This picture: Renew Adelaide
Differing from the typical acoustics you might hear in the background of a market, it was important to Harry and the Renew team to celebrate the music as well as the ceramics, jewellery, fashion and wares being made in SA.
“There’s no background music or acoustic covers, because we wanted our local artists and their original music to be front and centre, as they should be,” he says.
Subscribe for updates
“There’s a sense interstate that there’s ‘something in the water’ with our music community, and it’s true. We want everyone to see it for themselves.”
Harry told CityMag he’s most excited to see Alexander Flood; “he’s probably the best drummer in the world right now”.
Alexander Flood grew up in Adelaide, has played WOMAD and toured internationally.
The market will feature ceramics, prints, jewellery, flowers, fashion and more from local makers and workshops with printmaker Kerri Wright, ceramicist Lotte Schwerdtfeger and Blip Art School for kids.
There’ll be a pop-up wine bar from Unico Zelo, a gin bar from McGregor & Young and Bowden Brewing beer station with food vendors serving porchetta, pizza, vegan options, ice cream and more.
Westbound will be on Saturday, March 15 from 12pm ‘til 6pm at the Lion Arts Precinct. Find out more on the Renew Adelaide website.
Get to know the bands on Spotify before attending the free festival.
