SESSIONS 2014 – 2-25 Jan – Preview

Following on from a successful 2013 season, Adelaide Festival Centre presents the return of Sessions, an assortment of live music from local, national and international acts over 13 nights in the Space Theatre. From 2– 25 January the Space will become a laid-back live music hub, with cabaret-style seating and plenty of room to dance in the venue and room to relax in the foyer pre and post show. Catch the summer vibe with chilled tunes and cold drinks, with happy hours.

The season kicks off in style with The Basics on 2 January! Kris Schroeder, Wally De Backer (Gotye) and Tim Heath come together after three years for a series of high powered, intimate gigs around the country. The 60s-cast retro rock band trio are set to entertain audiences over the summer season.

International soul phenomenon Lee Fields and the Expressions take to the stage on 3 January. Since the late sixties, the North Carolina native has amassed a prolific catalog of albums and has toured and played with such legends as Kool and the Gang, Sammy Gordon and the Hip-Huggers and Little Royal. With a career spanning 43 years, and having taken his raucous-yet-tender voice across the globe, the music he’s making today with Brooklyn’s own Truth & Soul Records is his best yet.

 Returning to Adelaide after their 2013 Womadelaide debut, The Correspondents aka Mr Bruce and Chucks will strut their stuff on 4 January with a multitude of genres from electro to hip hop and drum and bass. Arranged by Arts Projects Australia, the performance features songs of scats and raps, tales of love, lust and loss, along with a plethora of incredible dance moves. This show is a high octane of shake and pizzazz and is set to hypnotize music lovers.

French musical menagerie, Babylon Circus will rouse the crowd and lift the spirits with their multilingual chicanery, improvised comedy and big-top energy on 10 January.  This epic and infatuating sonic spectacle is full of funk, afro-beat and dancehall reggae, with a healthy dollop of European folklore – their energy will fill you with good humour. This 10-piece big band have been zigzagging the globe with their spirited style, supporting their new album release Never Stop.

Yellow Blue Bus perform on the Ukraine’s New Year’s Eve where east meets everything else in this uplifting performance on 14 January. A unique little known 60 stringed lute comes out of hiding. Revealing joyous music, the Ukrainian bandura adopts styles that are a far cry from traditional Ukrainian folk music. And yet, these new sounds, with violin, bass guitar and pulsing percussion, offer tales of heart and soul and show that exciting, contemporary Australian world fusion music is alive in Adelaide.

French soulful hip-hop artist Féfé, also known as rapper and singer Fe2 renowned for his explosive performance style plays 15 January. A fusion of jazz, funk, soul, blues and rock! The show will guarantee to have audiences jumping out of their seats, prepare to be captivated by his soulful sounds. 

Recently taking home the Best Female Performer of the Year at Les Victories de la Musique, the French equivalent of the Grammys, French model and actress, Lou Doillon is set to enthrall audiences with an intimate, emotional and romantic ensemble. Singing in English and playing guitar with her band on 16 January, Doillon’s performance will be so frenchy yet so chic.

Collaborating with the likes of Sinead O’Connor and having his music featured in the award winning-film Weekend, John Grant originally from the US and now based in Iceland will hypnotise audiences with his Adelaide premiere performance. Staged with gleaming electronica, emotionally raw lyrics and caustically funny songs, Grant will bring his mesmerizing baritone styling and smoky vocals on 17 January.

18 January will see acclaimed local dance troupe Flamenco Areti return to the Space Theatre joined by special guests international dancers, Tomás Arroquero and Rosalie Cocchiaro. A dazzling display of fiery flamenco footwork, vibrant guitar and stirring song will fire up audiences and reveal pure flamenco at its best.

Hot off the 2013 European tour, local act Vincent’s Chair are influenced by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Sting, Paul Simon and Lior, these wonderful musicians play all-original, beautifully crafted songs. Performing on 23 January, the performance will celebrate the launch of their new album, The New Vibe and reveal a dynamic interplay of instruments, Middle-Eastern infected pop and folk ballads.

Pilot Records – Adelaide’s preeminent electronic and experimental record label – teams up with play / pause / play – producers of over 50 podcasts celebrating the best music Adelaide has to offer – for the 2014 edition of PilotFest. Featuring an all-local lineup hand-picked by both organisations from the state’s most exciting beatmakers to psych-rock marvels, PilotFest 2014 offers an audiovisual music and art feast for the senses. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event on 24 January.

Single tickets can be purchased to any Sessions show or people can book to see four or more shows in the same transaction and enjoy great savings.

Under 30s have the opportunity to buy $20 Sessions tickets to select performances by joining Adelaide Festival Centre’s GreenRoom program. Join now at adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/greenroom

For the full Sessions lineup visit adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/