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
The UK folk pop ensemble is also touring Australia in 2026.
Catch Riley Pearce performing at The Grace Emily in February next year.
The Spanish music festival also features performances from Interpol, CMAT, Belle and Sebastian, Paris Paloma and Folk Bitch Trio.
The rising pop star has also shared the new single, ‘Bluffin’.
The global EDM festival hits Melbourne and the Gold Coast next year.
The three artists take home $5,000 cash and $5,000 in Yamaha instruments.
The track is the third single taken from their latest album, Terrorform.
Catch the acclaimed DJ and producer spinning the decks at Electric Circus on Valentine’s Day next year.
The latest track taken from Gorillaz’s upcoming studio album, The Mountain, features Omar Souleyman and Yasiin Bey.
The tour includes support from In Hearts Wake and Redhook.
The global popstar joins fellow headliners Iron & Wine and Arrested Development.
The Sydney rapper is hitting the road next year for four special shows.
The group are playing a special show aboard the iconic Popeye River Boat as part of Adelaide Fringe 2026.
Acclaimed singer Michael Paynter’s upcoming tour is a celebration of Australia’s greatest songs.
High Voltage Anxiety is scheduled for release on March 27 next year.
Metalcore heroes Better Lovers will be joined by Split Chain and Blind Girls.
The Brazilian heavy metal legends are calling it a day with one final Aussie tour.
The Dune Rats will perform at all dates on the tour.
The folk metal act are celebrating the release of their new album Winter Storm and 30 years as a group.
A genre-defying, high-octane sonic experience are playing Tarndanya/Adelaide as part of Adelaide Fringe.
The festival is a collaboration between Asian powerhouse Appelwood and Aussie promoters Untitled Group.
The tour comes in support of their new album, The World Is Not Yours.
Ultra Dundee is the second release from Bad/Dreems’ new record label, Gutto Records.
The indie folk act has announced four special shows in May 2026.
The bill also includes Lambrini Girls, Underworld and Australia’s own Tash Sultana.
This grunge revivalists will be joined on the road by special guests Angel Du$t.
This is your last chance to catch the disco greats live in Australia.
The Swedish post-punkers will be joined by Private Function (All Shows Au) + Mini Skirt (Bris) and The Gnomes (Syd).
The psychedelic jazz trio return down under next year for a run of festival and headline shows.
South Australia’s PASH will be performing at the festival in February 2026.