Photos: City of Adelaide
Music in the Square has quietly become a stepping stone for the city’s emerging artists, offering them a rare chance to perform outside genre bubbles, venue walls and ticket barriers.
Now celebrating ten years since its debut, the free live music series by the City of Adelaide returns to Hindmarsh Square/Mukata on Friday 13 February for a summer evening session.
Headliner George Alice brings her signature blend of indie-pop and atmospheric storytelling, sitting alongside neo-soul jazz artist Praise Mangena and pop R&B talent Nat Luna, each offering distinct sounds within Adelaide’s music scene.
“The mission has always been the same: to embrace local creatives who are already doing the work and give them exposure in a really public setting,” says Alex Dearman, who is one of the City of Adelaide’s Music in the Square team.
“It’s about putting artists in front of the whole community, not just their usual scenes, and saying we see the work you’re doing and we want to share it.”
Alex is a musician who performs in several local bands and curates the Music in the Square lineups, while Lily Pitney, the event manager, has extensive experience producing live events across Adelaide. Together, they are continuously refining the series into a space that celebrates local talent while inviting the wider community to be part of it.
At its core, Music in the Square is about discovery and access, both for artists looking to reach new audiences and for audiences who might not otherwise engage with live music.
“There’s a real focus on high-quality local musicians,” Lily says.
“We have so many amazing musicians based in Adelaide, so it’s really about showcasing the best of what the city has to offer.”
The program also reflects Adelaide’s status as a UNESCO City of Music, a title the city has held for a decade. Supporting emerging artists and ensuring live music remains accessible in public spaces forms a key part of sustaining that cultural identity.
“We’re trying to give that leg up to artists who are in the early stages of their careers, so the scene can continue to grow into the future,” she says.
“Supporting emerging musicians is really at the heart of what Music in the Square is about.”
Rather than centring one sound or scene, the lineup deliberately spans genres and communities, reflecting the depth of Adelaide’s music landscape.
“There are so many different and incredible music scenes in South Australia, all thriving in their own way,” Alex says.
“A big part of our role is trying to represent as much of that as possible, not just one sound or one community.”
Music in the Square also works closely with local businesses, welcoming nearby hospitality traders to be part of the event where possible, with food trucks filling the gaps. For the anniversary gig, Le Pas Sage, The Griffins and Friwi Crêpes & Co will offer dinner and drinks.
For Lily, some of the most memorable moments have come when all the elements align, such as Daniel Isler’s supergroup for Jazz in the Square last year.
“There were about ten of Adelaide’s best jazz musicians all on stage, and it was a packed house. It was completely bricked with people,” Lily explains.
“We had the weather gods in our favour, and it meant the vibe was fantastic. There were fire pits, mulled wine and just an incredible vibe.”
For Alex, the highlight is being part of an artist’s journey, including performers like Ella Ion and Swapmeet.
“Ella Ion is such a legend and has been a really important part of the music community for so long,” Alex says.
“The same goes for another great band, Swapmeet. Seeing them go on to play with Suki Waterhouse is amazing, and there have been so many more.”
Whether stumbling across the gig or making a night of it, Alex and Lily welcome audiences of all ages and communities to connect and leave with a sense of discovery.
“We hope people might find something new that they love, where they may not have had that opportunity before,” Lily says.
“It’s relaxed. It’s fun. It’s free. Hang out on the lawns, have a drink, or don’t, and just come see what Adelaide has to offer.”
Music in the Square: Friday 13 February // Hindmarsh Square / Mukata, Adelaide 5000
