SONIC SPIRE: Three D Radio’s Celebration of Community, Connection and Local Music
To celebrate the upgraded Mount Lofty radio tower that broadcasts South Australia’s favourite community station Three D Radio, the crew involved with Three D are throwing the mini-festival, Sonic Spire. Ahead of the event on December 6, The Note spoke with Volunteers Rep Tiff Stodart and Chair Sonia Mir about Three D’s history, Sonic Spire and how to get involved with supporting the station.
Interview Tobias Handke // Image supplied
Tell us about the role Three D Radio plays in the community.
Tiff: Three D Radio has been playing a role for 47 years in the culture of Adelaide. We are unapologetic in our support of progressive, alternative and local music. We amplify lesser heard voices. We contribute, participate and provide a safe space to explore and create. We are inclusive, diverse and committed to capturing the sounds of Adelaide and wider.
What are some of the positive impacts the station has on the community?
Tiff: The station provides a space for people to join and share a love for music and community. It is a place to broadcast, collaborate, elevate, experiment and develop. Many friendships and connections have been formed. Our motivation to share the amazing sounds of South Australian music to as many as possible defines Three D Radio as the place to discover local and emerging talent. We exceed our mandated percentage to play Australian music because we truly believe in its resilience and place in culture.
Talk to us about SONIC SPIRE and the reasons behind the event.
Tiff: The event is to celebrate the updating and upgrading of a vital piece of the broadcast chain equipment. The equipment is shared with our community radio friends, fresh 92.7fm, and was made possible by a federal grant for each station. The project was years in the making, and we thought a celebration marking this significant investment in community broadcasting was something we should share with our listeners, supporters and friends.
Sonia: “What started as a bit of crazy idea to throw a party for our new combiner and tower upgrades, evolved into something really special to celebrate community radio and the Adelaide music scene. And all on the grounds of Carlew, it’s a great pairing for us to be at the home of youth arts for this event. We are really excited to be curating our own mini festival.
You've got some great local acts performing, including local heroes Teenage Joans. You must be thrilled with the bands on the lineup.
Tiff: The lineup is the hardest part! With the breadth and depth of talent in Adelaide, plus our endearing love for progressive music, we know that there are so many deserving artists to include. We have now added in the curation of the second stage, and of course, finalised our headliner. It has been a learning curve for us as we commit to ensuring artists are paid appropriately. We are also committed to this event being something we add to our calendar as an annual event. We love supporting local music and bringing people together. Being outside in the community is another way for us to do that.
What can punters expect from the day?
Sonia: People can expect a really fun, laid-back day with loads of great live music across two stages. Beyond the music, there’ll be food trucks, a bar, plenty of non-alcoholic options and a silent disco. Carclew will be running some arts and craft activities for the younger crowd, too. We’ve also made sure there are quiet zones and relaxed spaces, so everyone feels welcome and included throughout the day.
How important are local events like SONIC SPIRE to the Adelaide music scene?
Sonia: Local events like SONIC SPIRE are hugely important for the Adelaide music scene. They give established and emerging artists a platform to perform in front of new audiences and connect with other musicians, which is how scenes grow and thrive. It’s really about community… bringing people together to celebrate local music in an accessible way. Being an all-ages event was really important to us. And showcasing a range of genres from some of our favourite bands and solo musicians. When you’ve got artists, volunteers, and audiences all sharing the same space, that’s when something special can happen.
How can people get involved with the station or help keep it on the airwaves?
Sonia: There are heaps of ways to get involved with Three D Radio. You can volunteer through the EOI form on our website — we’re always looking for people to help out with production, photography, sound engineering, admin, social media content, all sorts of things. Whether you’re keen to build your skills or get a bit of real-world experience, there’s definitely a place for you here.
To help keep us on the airwaves, you can subscribe any time of year — but especially during Radiothon in August, when you can score some great prizes from our amazing prize donors. You can also make a donation if you’re able, or grab some merch from our online shop to show your love of Three D next time you’re at a gig.
Something I really love about Three D is how people can find their niche. As a volunteer-run community station, we’re such an important connection point — a place to meet like-minded people, make new friends, and pick up new skills. I’m always blown away by how many people tell me that volunteering here has boosted their confidence or even helped shape their career. It’s a pretty special community to be part of.
Three D Radio’s SONIC SPIRE takes place at Carclew on Saturday 6 December. Tickets on sale now via humanitix.com.
