image: Tom Jackson
Legendary British band Pulp have been announced to feature in a spectacular free concert at Elder Park, launching the 2026 Adelaide Festival. Defined by their eclectic blend of glam rock, disco, new wave, and British indie, the group, led by iconic frontman Jarvis Cocker, will perform on Friday, February 27th bringing songs from their most recent album, ‘More’, along with classic hits like ‘Common People’ and ‘Disco 2000’ to Adelaide.
The Adelaide Festival, now in its 41st year, will host an impressive array of 59 separate events including 10 world premieres and 22 Australian premieres, confirming its status as Australia’s pre-eminent arts festival. The South Australian Government has committed an additional $4.3 million to make sure the festival’s continued success and its ability to attract major international acts.
Premier, Peter Malinauskas shared, “Global icons Pulp will perform live – and free – at Elder Park on opening night of the Adelaide Festival. Adelaide Festival delivers real and lasting benefits to our state. It fuels imagination, creativity, and stimulates critical thinking. It drives local employment and visitation to our city and regions, strengthening our economy and reinforcing our proud identity as the Festival State.
“Importantly we are working to make it accessible to as many people as possible. Since coming to Government, we are proud to have invested an additional $4.3 million in the Adelaide Festival to deliver major international drawcards and events.”
For younger audiences and students, the festival has made accessibility a priority, offering $40 tickets to most ticketed performances for individuals below the age of 40 and full-time students. This move hopes to inspire new generations to engage with arts and culture, making it a priority for community inclusion.
Adding to the festival’s lineup is Australian director Simon Stone, celebrated for his previous operatic production ‘Innocence’ in South Australia, who will return with a dynamic interpretation of Chekhov’s ‘The Cherry Orchard’. This fast-paced rendition features acclaimed actors Doyeon Jeon and Haesoo Park, with an all-Korean ensemble, set against a stunning multi-level stage design.
High-profile productions include French actress Isabelle Huppert’s portrayal of Mary Queen of Scots in ‘Mary Said What She Said’ and American soprano Julia Bullock’s tribute to 1920s singer and activist Joséphine Baker in ‘Perle Noire: Meditations for Joséphine’. Both productions focus on influential women from history, blending powerful narratives with captivating performances.
Andrea Michaels, Minister for Arts, added, “Adelaide Festival is beloved in South Australia and we want to make sure that as many people as possible can experience its magic.
“The opening night concert is a call-back to legendary festivals past and next year will see a return to those unforgettable nights when Jarvis Cocker and his longtime bandmates take to the stage. A free concert on our magnificent riverbank is the perfect way to begin what is sure to be an unmissable event.”
Locals are encouraged to mark their calendars for this exciting event, and can now check out the full festival program and ticketing details on the official Adelaide Festival website.
For more information, click here.
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