Image credit: UniBar
As the saying goes, the show must go on – and one of Adelaide’s most beloved live music venues is making sure of that this summer.
The UniBar is highlighting the resilience and innovation of SA’s music industry, letting live music shine in light of the state’s strict COVID-19 restrictions by taking their electric live gigs outdoors.
SA’s current restrictions saw the venue’s capacity shrink to 87 from its usual 500 patron limit. Determined not to cancel upcoming gigs indefinitely, UniBar shaped up to the continuing challenge posed on the industry and joined forces with Novatech to transform the historic Adelaide University cloisters into the place to be this January.
Now, up to 200 punters will be able to listen to and experience the thrill live music brings on several balmy January weekends.
The idea to take the gigs outdoors was sparked after the saddening cancellation of Adelaide’s Homebrewed Festival, where indie heavyweights Bad//Dreams and DJ Luke Million were set to headline.
“We wanted to give just a few of the artists who were due to play there a gig,” says UniBar booker Gareth Lewis.
“We are sick of telling bands they need to reschedule or cancel and sick of our staff not being able to work with no financial support from any tier of government for them.
“We have a beautiful outdoor space so we thought why not give it a crack.”
Playing under the stars will be Arctic Monkey devotees Fluorescent Adolescents alongside Cosmo Thundercat, Mums Favourites and Loose Units at the I can’t believe it’s not Homebrewed gig.
Hey Harriet, Twice Lichen, Clover and Wingfield will also take the outdoor stage to woo crowds with their talented tunes and Ashton Fraser will be launching his highly-anticipated album I Made a Playlist For You.
“We have been playing ball and following the ever-changing rules that affect the live music industry more than any for almost 2 years now and it feels we are in a more hopeless position now than ever before. So we are bloody proud to be able to facilitate some gigs to go on,” says Lewis.
The outdoor COVID-safe performances kicked off on January 14 and will run until January 29. All shows are on sale and open to vaccinated punters only.
Known for supporting Adelaide’s music scene and homegrown artists, the UniBar is making sure another gig doesn’t get added to I Lost My Gig Australia. Since July 1, 2021, over 32,000 gigs Australia wide have been cancelled, and over $94 million was lost in income. Festivals and gigs have had to pull the pin or postpone slated events in South Australia’s silly season, but the innovation of the industry ploughs on – with these outdoor concerts giving another avenue for musicians, sound techs and more to continue doing what they love.
For more details and information on upcoming shows, visit UniBar’s Facebook.
Live Gig Schedule:
Friday | 14/1 – Radix ‘City of Saints’ Single Launch w/ Nocturnal Animals + Down & Out
Saturday | 15/1 – Clover w/ Wingfield + Weekend Rage. Buy tickets here.
Saturday| 22/1 – HomeBrewed Festival Showcase w/ Cosmo Thundercat + Fluorescent Adolescents + Loose Units + Mums Favourite. Buy tickets here.
Friday | 28/1 – Hey Harriett w/ Twice Lichen. Buy tickets here.
Saturday | 29/1 – Ashton Fraser ‘I Made a Playlist For You’ Album Launch w/ Sofia Menguita & Ronan Gallagher. Buy tickets here.
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