Words: Lara Pacillo // Main photo: Joseph Standring
In the peak of summer, Adelaide’s annual riverside dance floor comes alive again. Sanctuary reclaims Helen Mayo Park/Tulya Wardli as a home for electronic music, art, and dancing, opening this weekend and running across eleven Saturdays for its longest run yet.
Sidebyside sits within the season as a one-day festival that concentrates the same spirit into a focused, day-to-night program across two purpose-built stages.
Behind both events is South Australian design and production outfit Company Works, who have spent the past few months shaping a holistic program that platforms both emerging and established artists.
“We’re super excited for the third season of Sanctuary and the sixth instalment of Sidebyside,” says Company Works co-founder Henry Jarman, unfazed by the sweltering five-day heatwave that greeted the team during setup week. “It feels good to be here.”
Sanctuary’s opening party on 17 January is headlined by Berlin-based Melbourne native Merve, alongside Fishermens Friend, Alley O, Wallace & Malone and Musch. The rest of the program will be announced weekly across the season.
Sidebyside lands on 31 January, bringing together a tightly curated lineup spanning disco, house, garage, breaks, electro and techno.
International artists bring a distinct global sound to Adelaide, with UK-based Harrison BDP moving fluidly between deep house and dub techno, and DJ Seinfeld delivering his emotive take on lo-fi house. Suze Ijó and Alex Kassian add melodic sophistication and textured electronic rhythms.
Australian artists are equally celebrated, with Kaytetye producer and DJ RONA making her Sidebyside debut. Roza Terenzi channels femme-forward energy through genre-defying productions, while Melbourne-based DJ and label head Kia crafts immersive, kaleidoscopic sound worlds.
Sam Alfred mixes jazz-tipped house with deep cuts and UK garage, and Pretty Girl balances vulnerability and euphoria. Local acts round out the bill with Elsie Craig, Musch, Tory Kennedy, and Wallace & Malone.
The lineup reflects Company Work’s ongoing commitment to platforming the breadth and depth of electronic music. According to the team — where Henry is joined by Elliott Jamie, Oscar Harding and David Musch — that balance is intentional.
“We wanted to make sure we have a nice blend of artists,” Elliott explains.
“Some personal favourites, some who haven’t come to Adelaide often, and options to excite the more seasoned listener as well.”
Beyond the music, both events place strong emphasis on design and art as active parts of the experience.
This year, Company Works is collaborating with local gallery and curation agency Futurejuice to deliver an experiential art program, spotlighting five artists from Australia and abroad, including France’s Bora, China’s Rundong Zhao, Sydney’s Lisa Meinesz, and Adelaide artists House of Vnholy and David Musch.
“There’ll be a number of container-based installations along the perimeter of the site that people will be able to walk into and experience, as well as larger-scale visual works that are visible from within the venue,” Henry explains.
The site is further shaped as a creative playground through lighting, sculptural elements and site-specific features woven throughout, with familiar elements returning, including cult favourite Rocky the car.
Company Work’s ongoing collaboration with local distillery Pluto Spirits continues this season, with their limited-edition co-branded RTDs returning to the bar at both Sanctuary and Sidebyside.
Two familiar flavours make a comeback, joined by a third addition for 2026.
“It completes the trio of Sanctuary RTDs,” Henry says. “People really go crazy for Berry Yummy, but we have a good feeling about the new flavour too.”
This year also marks a shift in Sidebyside’s ticketing approach, with the festival replacing its traditional tiered releases with a time-based ticketing model. Discounted ‘General Admission before 3PM’ tickets sit alongside ‘General Admission Anytime’ access.
“Often when you’re there for the whole party, you accidentally stumble across a new artist you really love,” Elliott says.
“We have benefitted a lot personally from attending events early and discovering artists who went on to form a big part of our musical education.
“It also lets us offer a cost-accessible option throughout the ticket sale process. Rather than limited first, second and third releases, the time-based model means there is always a more affordable ticket available.
“Ultimately, the focus is on encouraging the full day festival experience.”
Since its debut in 2019, Sidebyside has become a fixture on South Australia’s creative calendar, evolving into a celebration of sonic exploration, immersive design and community.
Despite that growth, Company Works remains focused on maintaining intimacy and intentionality.
“Our deepest value lies in delivering the best possible experience we can, and that value has always come above all else,” Elliott says.
“It’s always been about doing it with friends and keeping it homegrown, and it’s the amazing people in our community who make it possible.”
Sanctuary: Saturday 17 January – Saturday 28 March // Helen Mayo Park, Adelaide 5000 // Instagram
Sidebyside: Saturday 31 January // Helen Mayo Park, Adelaide 5000 // Tickets // Website // Instagram
