Words: Lara Pacillo // Main photo: Ryan Cantwell
Negronis and a parkland doof might seem like an unlikely pairing, but bringing together the finer and more fun things in life is what Telesonica is all about.
The new mini electronic music festival will head to Bonython Park/Tulya Wardli on Saturday December 16, from 3pm to 11:30pm.
In a collaboration between Inside Out Dance Club and Brighter Later spirits, the lineup features Manchester’s Hidden Spheres and homegrown heroes Templé, Ruby, and Fishermens Friend, with an elevated food and drink offering to go along.
“We wanted to offer something that’s perhaps a little more than your classic four-to-the-floor rave,” explains Brighter Later co-owner Henry Holland.
“We’re trying to pitch it slightly towards somebody who’s not necessarily done with clubbing but doesn’t get the opportunity very often, or appreciates the fancier things.”
Alix Gannon, former chef at Udaberri bar and pop-up food stall Tiger Mountain, will be serving up unlikely festival dishes on the day, with nutritious, fresh, healthy meals on the agenda to “set the mood right and energise you” in the summer heat, Henry says.
Brighter Later will have drinks covered, with Moorak coming on board as the wine partner. Cocktails such as fruity mai tais and negronis, and G&Ts will be made to order, amidst the IDM outdoor setting where you wouldn’t normally find them. Alongside will be a modest light display by David Musch of Mapped creative studio.
“So we’ve got elevated drinks, a good food offering, an amazing music offering, daytime to nighttime, 200 people in the park – that’s kind of where we’re going.”
Telesonica is the brainchild of Henry – who also co-owns Pink Moon Saloon, Clever Little Tailor, and Long Play Bistro – and Inside Out Dance Club owner and Long Play Bistro co-owner Lenin Paunovic.
The mini-festival is the natural progression of parties that Pink Moon Saloon has been throwing most long weekends of the year.
These events initially began as a hospitality hangout where crews would come through post-shift, and the bar would transform into a party with friends and locals on the decks. Lenin later came on board, bringing his Funktion-One sound system into the bar and helping to bring international talent to the lineup, such as Holly Lester and Dewalta.
“All those parties went crazy,” Henry recounts. “And so our next thought was, ‘How do we improve? What’s the next step?’ So we decided that we would try to take it outside of the four walls of Pink Moon Saloon, and expand it.”
Bringing with them to the outdoor space is the long set times that the crew believes are great for live IDM sets. Hidden Spheres will have a three-hour set, while the others on the lineup will get to play for two hours.
“We think that if we’re bringing an artist from somewhere else in the world down to Adelaide, it’s nice for them to have a long platform,” Henry says.
“A lot of the artists really enjoy it and take to it. Three hours seems like a long time, but they rarely get the opportunity to do it. And then when they do they love it.
“I think it’s a great way to give these artists the time and the space that they need to really showcase their talent.”
Henry credits Lenin for this set time choice, as well as his impact on Adelaide’s music scene. Lending his equipment to young party collectives, carting his sound system all around town for events big and small, and propelling live music forward is just a few of his services to local electronic music.
“I can’t understate the impact and dedication that that particular individual has on the Adelaide scene,” Henry says. “His expertise and generosity, in terms of time and assets, is one of the heart beats of keeping Adelaide’s electronic music scene alive. For sure without a doubt.”
Telesonica will be the newest party to join the pulse, delivering far-out music, food, and drink to the city, which Henry hopes will become an annual, if not biannual celebration in Adelaide’s festival calendar.
“Our vision is to focus on the necessary aspects of what makes a good experience, and in terms of culture, we think that a good celebration is a mixture of great music and dance, amazing food, and nice drinks as well.
“We just want to offer something that we’re interested in and put our stamp on it a little bit.”
Telesonica: 3pm-11:30pm Saturday December 16 // Bonython Park/Tulya Wardli, Adelaide 5000
