Located on Ramindjeri land in the picturesque Inman Vally in the heart of the Fleurieu Peninsula, Alma’s Hem is a beautiful background of the local festival, Space Jams.

This festival lives up to its goal of being the ambassador of the local South Australian music scene. With the lineup consisting of some of the biggest, and most loved South Australian bands and artists, and some unknown, this festival is a celebration of what is local, which sometimes feels like it is not showcased on a large-scale platform enough.  

Highlights to note were afrobeat band Shaolin Afronauts, the ten-piece band bringing together some of the most talented artists in Adelaide, indie-pop Adelaide local Tushar and the feel-good instrumental party band, Terrys Pocket, who saw the little Tipi Stage heaving under their beats, these bands kicked the crowd off for the party that pushed well into the night.

Space Jams encompasses community, which is evident from the well-crafted local line-up and the range of attendees that descend on the natural amphitheatre for the weekend. As Children run throughout the space during the day, the adults come out into the night. This festival is for all, and with a range of additional activities throughout the space, this is one for families and friends of all ages.

Starting as a one-off Instagram live-stream music festival during lockdown in 2020, the local festival has evolved from an online festival into a multi-mini-fest at Jive and a South Coast Tour, showcasing local artists across the state. This little festival has previously won the 2021 SA Music Award for ‘Best Small Festival.’

You can tell that the event organisers are dedicated to the delivery of what South Australia does best, and festival attendees gave back as much as the artists and festival threw them, with the dance-floor amphitheatre and smaller Tipi Stage constantly flooded with a dedicated crowd and the yells for encores for all bands on stage. This is a festival to see your local favourites and find new artists you have never seen.

Festivals and events like Space Jams are so important to the ecology of the South Australian music scene, and it’s always a gem when you find an event that is delivered as well as this one; I recommend this is one to follow; Space Jams is only going to get bigger – and better.