[MUSIC/Cabaret ~ AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE ~ SA]
by Adrian Miller.
Adelaide Songs is a group of local songwriters who have been writing about aspects of Adelaide life and presenting them collectively at Adelaide Fringe since 2016. This year, however, it appears that with this year’s title things have taken a turn for the worse. We ask guitarist, writer and performer Keith Preston to explain
“We have always cast a critical eye on the city,” he says of his beloved hometown. “Adelaide Songs was never about simply celebrating the city – although we are united in our view that Adelaide is a great (or better place) to live. A tipping edge is the realisation that our city changed overnight from being a festival city to being a tech, subs and nuclear waste city…”
Should we be worried about the way Adelaide is changing? Or are we just catching up with the world?
“Yes we should… We unexpectedly became third most liveable city in the world without seeming trying too hard. But those who are our leaders are trying too hard to capitalise on this and could well throw the baby out with the bathwater…. Adelaide is a great city precisely because we are not like other cities and are not cursed with over-development, corporatisation, overcrowding, alienation, unaffordable housing and traffic chaos among possible outcomes.
The line-up of Adelaide Songs – Trouble In Paradise changes a little from time to time. The year the 6-piece collective features three singer-songwriter/guitarists in Alan Hartley, Paul Roberts and Keith Preston, keyboard player and vocalist Jamie Webster, Satomi Ohnishi on percussion and Pater Franche on bass and accordion. Keith tells us some of the things he feels audiences with most enjoy about the show.
“We have some new songs and a themed presentation. Whose city is it? Adelaide Songs is an exploration that asks the question: ‘Where is Adelaide heading’?”
“This show is suitable for age 12 and over – only in that audiences need to listen closely to the lyrics; we do not dumb things down.”
Is there anything you’d like to add to encourage people to come along to Adelaide Songs – Trouble In Paradise?
“Not many arts/music/Fringe shows really engage with the city we live in, Keith says. “For those who haven’t seen us before we have a solid body of songs. This year’s show has six new songs and a nicely curated selection of many of our contemporary songs. You may come away learning something about Adelaide, update on current news and may start looking at the city in a different way… one of identification with the city as someone with a voice.”
Adelaide Songs – Trouble In Paradise performs at Auditorium at Diverse-City @ West Village, at various times, on Thu 24 Feb until Sun 27 Feb, and at Eliza Hall at Payinthi, Prospect Library, from 8pm from Fri 4 Mar until Sun 6 Mar.
Meal & Show and Show Only tickets available.
Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.
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