Music SA’s Umbrella Presents: GO LIVE platform is proving a resounding success, with figures showing strong participation from the state’s musicians and venues, and the SA public exhibiting a renewed appetite for live music.

Replacing the usual Umbrella Festival in winter, which was unable to go ahead due to COVID-19 restrictions, GO LIVE is an open access program running through to the end of the year, promoting opportunities for local live music.

Following its September launch, the GO LIVE Gig Guide has promoted a wide range of performances spanning venues across South Australia, which accompanies by a statewide marketing campaign.

With over 900 events listed on the platform and rolling gig registrations being accepted, the Music SA initiative delivers the perfect avenue for artists to connect with audiences as pandemic restrictions begin to ease.

Figures attest to participation by more than 160 venues and nearly 500 artists already. And like Umbrella, which has expanded from an Adelaide CBD-focused festival to become a truly South Australian program, this year’s innovation boasts more than 100 non-metropolitan gigs, particularly in regional centres such as Mount Gambier, Whyalla and the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Having been unable to attend live music events for many months of this year, audiences are now enthusiastically taking the opportunity to experience the array of performances on offer.

Two Music SA curated events have seen excellent attendances, with Noise//Nature selling out both nights in the Adelaide Botanical Gardens at a capacity of 560 tickets per show, while Parks and Rockreation Episode 1 attracted a crowd of nearly 400.

Meanwhile, South Australians’ support of their local music scene is evident in the way all tickets were quickly snapped up for this year’s SAM Awards, to be held in the grounds of Adelaide University on Tuesday November 3.

Music SA General Manager, Kim Roberts said: “It is so heartening to see musicians and audiences embracing live music after such a difficult year. As a proud UNESCO City of Music, Adelaide has truly shown up and supported our local musicians.”

Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said: “Our musicians, crews and venues are the beating heart of the local music industry and it’s wonderful to see South Australians rallying around them, participating in GO LIVE and supporting them with such enthusiasm.”

Parks and Rockreation Episode 2 is coming up on November 22 featuring Heaps Good Friends, Glowing, Superdose Gangway and guests. Interest can be registered here.

And celebrating NAIDOC Week, live music showcase Treaty will play at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute on Friday November 13th from 4pm – 10pm featuring some of South Australia’s best emerging and established First Nations artists.

Rapidly rising NT rapper J-MILLA, hip hop groups Sonz of Serpent and DEM MOB, rapper RKM aka Rulla Kelly-Mansell, singer/songwriters Tilly Tjala Thomas, MRLN aka Marlon Motlop and Katie Aspel are on the impressive line up with MC duties jointly handled by J-MILLA and Natasha Wanganeen. Tickets and more information available here.

GO LIVE will continue to promote SA live music events until 31 December, with thanks to support from the State Government’s Music Development Office and South Australian Tourism Commission, and partnerships with The City of Adelaide and the Australian Hotels Association (SA).

Check out the GIG GUIDE