March 2025: Beats Round Up
Resident disco advisor Sam Lavers gets down with what’s happening in SA when it comes to hip hop, house and techno.

Image via observation-o.bandcamp.com
You Should Listen To
Observation – ‘Loops3’
Elusive SA-based soundscape architect Observation has created expansive beat tapes on Bandcamp for the last three years. These releases cover a lot of ground, from brutal crunchy works to the most ethereal mediative compositions. loops3 clearly demonstrates the artist's ability to evoke feeling through their production – a handy habit for a budding film scorer, perhaps? (Attn. SA Film Corp!). The album is a rewarding listen for those who dedicate themselves the time and space it deserves. Highlights include ‘breakking’, ‘089.3’ and ‘niteride’.
You Should See
Sanctuary
This illuminated playground on the Torrens continues through March, with plenty more international talent dropping in to grace the sound system. Sanctuary has reached capacity every night so far, so be sure to get down as early as possible. Find your way into hidden areas of the festival site; pay homage to the little Daihatsu that could; bliss out in the silent disco booth; and possibly even spot fragments of an infamous Glenelg landmark. And yes, you should go and discover this for yourself!
March 1–29 | Helen Mayo Park | Tickets
The Presets DJ Set
Stories of The Presets’ performances during Fringe over the last two decades are often paired with the overwhelming memory of huge parties. No doubt, the highly awarded duo will wrangle all those energies and mega-hits into their 2025 performance at The Fantail in Gluttony. Expect hits such as ‘My People’, ‘Talk Like That’, ‘Tools Down’ and ‘Martini’ to thump all night!
March 15 | The Fantail, Gluttony | Ticekts
Four More
Late Night Tuff Guy
The Godfather of Australian Techno – Adelaide’s own LNTG – is putting on a one-night Fringe special at The Fantail stage in Gluttony.
March 14 | Gluttony | Tickets
DJ Spinna (NYC)
Condesa & Inner Tribe Records invite world-renowned DJ Spinna to work the Sugar dancefloor! Prepare to get sweaty at this set that crosses hip-hop, R&B, soulful house, funk and electronica.
March 14 | Sugar | Tickets
Fatboy Slim
No introduction required. A massive party inbound for Peter Lehmann Wines in the Barossa! Be there.
March 21 | Peter Lehmann Wines | Tickets
Franky Wah & Sasha
The Front Room present a huge open-air party with two of the UK’s leading progressive house DJs – Franky Wah and Sasha – at The Cloisters. One for the history books.
March 21 | Cloisters at UniBar ADL | Tickets
Eishan Ensemble are hitting the road in support of their fourth album, Northern Rhapsody.
Teenager comprises Nick Littlemore (PNAU, Empire of the Sun) and Pip Brown (Ladyhawke).
Wade Forster is touring the States before embarking on a run of Australian shows across the summer.
The open day gives secondary school students the chance to discover what the Elder Conservatorium of Music is all about.
Barnesy is playing his iconic sophomore album in its entirety.
Catch Winston Surfshirt performing tracks from his new album WINSTON at Lion Arts Factory in November.
‘Cannibal’ is the latest single from Pendulum’s upcoming new album, Inertia.
Get ready for another four nights of music, madness and good times when Lost Paradise returns over the New Year period.
Country music star Kasey Chambers will take to the stage on the Saturday evening of the three-day festival.
Confidence Man and JADE performed the song live at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
MJDC are one of nine finalists taking part in the Harwyn Rocking the Nation Battle of the Bands competition.
The two bands are performing shows in capital cities and regional towns across Australia this October.
The Sydney leg of this year’s Good Things Festival has found a new home.
The ‘90s alternative act will perform tracks from their seminal sophomore album.
Naarm/Melbourne artist Holly Hebe continues to excite fans with the release of her latest single.
Catch the Canadian hardcore heroes touring Australia across January and February 2026.
The release comes after 3% were awarded Best New Artist at the Rolling Stone Australia Awards 2025.
Catch the UK rockers at Hindley Street Music Hall in January.
The Aussie nu metal pioneers will perform tracks from their acclaimed debut album at The Gov this October.
‘The Chase’ is the first single released by Broken Waves in 2025.
The third edition of the summit comes to South Australia for the very first time next year.
The metalcore masters will be joined on tour by While She Sleeps and The Devil Wears Prada.
An incredible 2,655,826 votes were tallied, marking the countdown triple j’s 4th biggest in Hottest 100 history.
The tour comes in support of Blake.08’s upcoming debut album, From Sydney With Love.
hickey arrives August 22 Via Ourness/Capitol Records.
Two-time BRIT Award winner Jorja Smith delivers another club banger.
The tour comes in support of the folk artist’s latest album, Our Eternal Garden.
Kevin Parker is back with an acid house-inspired banger.
This year’s edition of the annual music fest features sets by Hilltop Hoods, The Cat Empire, Thelma Plum and more.
Liz Stringer is performing two shows in South Australia in October.