Words: Lara Pacillo // Main photo: Daniel Marks
It’s a unique experience in Adelaide — playing underground music over water.
But it’s something that’s becoming a staple in Endless Grooves’s yearly calendar as a part of Adelaide Fringe.
“It’s pretty different,” Endless Grooves director Nick Gencarelli says.
“I don’t know many other people that do parties on boats like that.”
The independent Adelaide-based music promotion agency will be bringing Dream Boat to the Popeye on River Torrens Karrawirra Parri for its fourth season in 2023.
There’ll be 30 sessions that go for 1.5 hours between Friday February 17 and Sunday March 5. Refreshments of beer, wine, and spirits will be on deck the iconic heritage riverboat, while the views from it will be extra special.
“It’s a pretty cool way to view Adelaide, especially if people are coming from out of town for the Fringe,” Nick says.
“To be able to see the Riverbank Precinct and all around the Torrens from that perspective on the boat — you can’t really get that any other way.”
While the lineup of DJs is yet to be announced, Nick says people can expect “music that makes you want to shake your hips basically”.
There’ll be a mixture of local and interstate acts bringing summery tropical sounds, where each session will have a different DJ and unique vibe.
“It’s kind of like first in, best dressed,” Nick says.
“Once the lineup is announced in mid-Jan, you pick a cruise and go along for the ride.
“Overall, it stays true to our roots in the soulful domain.”
Endless Grooves was born in 2017 out of a passion for sharing under-appreciated music and bringing people together.
Starting out with monthly sessions at Sugar nightclub and CBD basement disco nights, the agency has grown over the years.
It’s hosted events such as residencies at Roxie’s bar, winter grooves at Oddio wine bar, and regional festivals, where they bring local, interstate and international touring artists.
Nick says Dream Boat is especially different from Endless Grooves’s usual antics, in welcoming a larger variety of people to have a boogie.
“It always seems to get a really good response from people because of its appeal to a much wider demographic than just people that would come to nightclubs,” he says.
“There’s a broader appeal.
“People are able to hear some interesting music and sample some local beverages, while enjoying the views and natural splendour of the Popeye.”
Dream Boat: Popeye will pick up passengers from Elder Park Landing // Friday February 17 to Sunday March 5
