Make Music Day Returns This Month with Over 200 Performers Across 40 Venues
One day. 220+ performers. 40 venues. The biggest celebration of local music on the shortest day of the year. Make Music Day returns!
Image Sebastian Ervi
Make Music Day returns to a slew of venues across Adelaide, Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music, on Saturday, June 21.
A celebration of local music scenes and communities first established in Paris under the name Fête de la Musique (Make Music), the free and inclusive event takes place over one day across the City and North Adelaide from 9am to midnight.
A key initiative of the City of Adelaide’s Live and Local program, delivered in partnership with the national Live Music Office and APRA AMCOS, Make Music Day features over 200 performers playing in 40 venues, highlighting South Australia’s grassroots music culture.
The City of Adelaide are pairing musicians with interesting venues, including bars, cafes, galleries, bookstores and city squares.
Developed in response to feedback from last year’s Council’s Live Music Forum, Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith, had this to say about Make Music Day: “We heard that thriving music scenes create opportunities for young people, support original music across a range of genres, promote music venues of all sizes and offer all ages and family friendly events.
“On Make Music Day there are plenty of accessible, all ages and family friendly events to enjoy, and our lineup proudly showcases musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds, young and emerging bands, neurodivergent artists and performers living with disabilities.”
Highlights of this year’s Make Music Day include a French-inspired musical lineup at Adelaide Central Market, the Sun of Africa Drum and Dance Ensemble perfomring at Adelaide Railway Station, Hindmarsh Square/Mukata and Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga turning into music hubs with drums, bagpipes, community bands and more, and the Primary Schools Festival of Music Choir showcasing their voices in the Gawler Place canopy down Rundle Mall.
First held in France in 1982, the concept of Fête de la Musique was the brainchild of Jack Lang and his staff at the Ministry of Culture. Lang and his crew imagined a day when music could be celebrated by communities worldwide, where anyone with a passing interest in playing a musical instrument could join in the festivities.
Fast forward more than four years, and Make Music Day is now held in over 2,000 cities across a dozen countries. This year’s Make Music Day also coincides with the 10th anniversary of SA being named as a UNESCO City of Music, making it an extra special day.
Executive Director of Alliance Française Adelaide Anne-Lise Heynen-Giri had this to say about Adelaide’s take on Fête de la Musique, “We’re thrilled to see this French-born celebration come to life in Adelaide’s streets, boosting the city’s vibrant live music scene”.
Make Music Day takes place on Saturday, June 21, in 40 venues across the City and North Adelaide from 9am to midnight. For the full program visit experienceadelaide.com.au.
