Music in the Square Celebrates 10 Years This Month
Enjoy local food and drink producers while listening to soulful tunes from some of South Australia’s most exciting artists at this inclusive free event.
Image supplied
It’s hard to believe, but homegrown local music project Music in the Square celebrates 10 years in 2026.
Spotlighting emerging local talent in picturesque spaces across the CBD, the first Music in the Square for 2026 takes place in Wellington Square/Kudnartu on Saturday 28 March with an unbeatable mix of live music, yummy food and good vibes.
The March edition has a curated lineup featuring instrumental party-funk band Terry’s Pocket alongside antipodean beat wizard Inkswell with producer, jazz singer and songwriter Lizzie Bradley.
Along with the fantastic soul and funk music, enjoy delicious food and drink options from local Adelaide producers. The gorgeous crew from the Archer Hotel are running the bar, serving local beverages, while snacks come from The Flying Fig Deli, Cottage Kitchen and Fare and Square.
Bring your friends, your family and your best picnic setup for an afternoon of music, community and celebration under the sun.
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Ahead of the first Music In The Square to kick off the event’s tenth anniversary this month, The Note chatted to the Music in the Square team – Alex Dearman, Lily Pitney and Felicity Edwards – to find out how Music in the Square has evolved over the decade, the importance of live music concerts in the CBD and what the future holds for this specular live music production.
How did the initial concept for Music in the Square come about?
It began as a way to activate Adelaide’s city squares with free, original live music and introduce people to the city’s emerging talent. We wanted anyone wandering through to discover a new favourite artist and feel more connected to the local scene.
What role do you believe Music in the Square has played over the past 10 years in helping shape Adelaide’s live music scene?
It’s been a consistent platform for emerging artists, helping new audiences discover original music and strengthening Adelaide’s reputation as a UNESCO City of Music. It’s opened doors for artists while adding vibrancy to the city year-round.
How has the original vision evolved over the journey?
The core focus remains the same, but the curation has become more intentional. With early support from MusicSA and later development within the City of Adelaide team, the program now leans even more into independent sounds and genre diversity.
What are some of the biggest challenges when it comes to curating an event like this?
Outdoor performances always bring unpredictability, especially the weather. Curating artists who can thrive in an open, public setting while keeping the lineup fresh, original and accessible is a balancing act.
Adelaide has plenty of great spaces to host an event like Music in the Square. What do you take into account when choosing a location?
Each square has its own character and its own community. We look at flow, acoustics, comfort, visibility and how the space supports the size and demographics of the expected audiences.
Tell us about the performers featuring on the next bill and why you picked them.
Adelaide’s diverse creative scene is of such talent and quality that selecting an incredible lineup for each iteration of Music in the Square is hardly a difficult task. In fact, limiting each event to two or three artists is the challenge!
2026’s four iterations of MITS have been curated to showcase SA’s talent across its many niche communities, with an aim to bring those thriving on the fringes into mainstream viewership.
Our upcoming MITS in Wellington Square features Terry’s Pocket, an energetic instrumental funk/groove band, as well as Inkswel with Lizzie Bradley from Inner Tribe Records. I guess there’s a bit of a focus on bringing some soul influence with party energy on this one! It’s going to be a great time.
The two remaining MITS dates for 2026 feature guest curators Ricky Albeck and Caps Lock Records, with performances from Ricky Albeck and the Belair Line Band, Ned Baulderstone, Perfect 50, Georgia Oatley and more.
Do you think we need more similar installations like Music in the Square to help push local talent and make the most of Adelaide’s unique city spaces?
Activating public spaces with live original music supports local talent and keeps the city feeling creative, accessible and alive. More opportunities like this help artists grow and audiences connect.
What are some of your highlights of the past ten years? Any artists who have gone on and made an impact outside of SA?
Amongst Music in the Square’s twists, turns and evolution over the years, its core objective has always been to showcase SA’s incredible talent, and looking back, it really does feel like we’ve accomplished that. To us, being a small part of so many amazing musician’s journeys has been a privilege, with too many performance highlights to mention! To see artists such as Swapmeet, Bree Tranter, Teenage Joans, Elsy Wameyo and Ella Ion go on to such incredible careers is lovely to see.
What does the future hold for Music in the Square moving forward?
We’ll keep refining the program to champion emerging artists, explore new sounds, and make the most of Adelaide’s outdoor spaces. The focus stays on free original music for everyone.
Finally, what would you like Music in the Square’s legacy to be?
A legacy of discovery, a place where people first encountered artists who shaped their love of Adelaide music. We hope it’s remembered as a joyful, accessible celebration of the city’s talent.
Music in the Square is a City of Adelaide event that takes place at Wellington Square/Kudnartu on Saturday 28 March from 3pm-6pm. Entry is free and all are welcome. For more information, visit southaustralia.com.
