Source: Debra Thorsen, Festival Co-Ordinator

three days of free concerts at the semaphore music festival

Updated: 27 September 2011

Why pay heaps of money when you can go to three days of fantastic music starting Friday night, and continuing through Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the Semaphore Music Festival?

Interstate artists featuring at Semaphore Music Festival over the October Long Weekend include legendary Dingoes front man, Broderick Smith with guitarist Matt Walker together with alt-country band The Yearlings at the Workers Club on Friday 30th September.  Byron Bay songstress Sara Tindley will launch her new album and begin her national tour at the SMF.  Award winning country music artist Danny Hooper will appear with Melody Feder at the RSL.  Cowpunks Longhorn and the outrageous Fluffy consort at the Semaphore Hotel - and that’s on the first night!

The ‘Semaphore Songs’ project (see below) will feature Adelaide's finest singer/songwriters including Heather Frahn, Don Morrison, John Baker, Soursob Bob, Emily Davis, Cal Williams Jnr, Mick Kidd, Melody Feder, Glenn Skuthorpe, Matt Swayne & Elizabeth Reid (Brillig).  These respected artists will write songs based on stories, incidents, events and memories from this unique area of South Australia.

Semaphore Music Festival hosts three days of free concerts on the Foreshore Reserve and in various clubs and venues with more than 50 live acts on  Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11am – 6pm.  On the Labour Day Holiday Rockabilly Mayhem rules on the Foreshore Reserve with five local acts including the Baskervilles, Saturday’s Army, Dead Lucky, The Saucermen and The Silverados. 

The Foreshore Reserve will have umbrellas painted by local residents on the theme of the Carousel providing a backdrop of design and colour to the event.  There will be APRA singer songwriters’ panels, ukulele workshops, an instrument makers’ exhibition, a record fair at the Masonic Hall as well as Buskers at two locations near Mr V Music store on Semphore Rd. 

The closing event at the Palais on Monday features The Rustlers, Prawnhead and The Satellites.  Go to www.semaphoremusicfestival.com for the full program.

semaphore songs feature at the semaphore music festival

Updated: 17 August 2011

The Semaphore Music Festival is delighted to announce ‘Semaphore Songs’ will feature Adelaide's finest singer/songwriters including Heather Frahn, Don Morrison, John Baker, Soursob Bob, Emily Davis, Cal Williams Jnr, Mick Kidd, Melody Feder, Glenn Skuthorpe, Matt Swayne & Elizabeth Reid (Brillig).  These respected artists will write songs based on stories, incidents, events and memories from this unique area of South Australia.

The Semaphore Songs will feature at the 2011 Semaphore Music Festival providing the opportunity to celebrate local culture through the creation of music and song.  The songwriters will present their compositions at the RSL on Monday 3rd October at 2pm – 4.30pm compered by Eileen Darley, funded by Arts SA and APRA.  

Other artists who will feature at Semaphore Music Festival over the October Long Weekend include singer/songwriter and legendary Dingoes front man, Broderick Smith with guitarist Matt Walker together with alt. country band The Yearlings at the Workers Club on Friday 30th September.  Byron Bay songstress Sara Tindley will launch her new album and begin her national tour at the SMF.  Award winning country music artist Danny Hooper will appear with Melody Feder at the RSL. Cowpunks Longhorn and the outrageous Fluffy consort at the Semaphore Hotel - and that’s on the first night!

Other events featured during the Semaphore Music Festival are three days of free concerts on the Foreshore Reserve featuring the artists previously mentioned and others on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11am – 6pm.  On the Labour Day Holiday Rockabilly Mayhem rules on the Foreshore Reserve with five local acts including the Baskervilles, Saturday’s Army, Dead Lucky, The Saucermen and The Silverados.  There will be delicious healthy food, visual arts and merchandise stalls as well as singer songwriters’ panels, ukulele workshops, an instrument makers exhibition and a record fair.

The closing event at the Palais on Monday features The Rustlers, Prawnhead and The Satellites. 

Click here for the FULL PROGRAMME (PDF) >>

‘This is without a doubt the biggest line-up of South Australian contemporary music artists that the Semaphore Music Festival has ever hosted.  The quality, talent and variety of performers show that Semaphore Music Festival has earned its place on the South Australian and national festival calendar,’ says Debra Thorsen, Event Organiser.  The SMF is proudly supported through the SA Government South Australian Tourism Commission, Arts SA, City of Port Adelaide Enfield and APRA.

2011 semaphore music fest program released

Updated: 2 August 2011

The Semaphore Music Festival showcases South Australian and interstate Live Music acts considered outstanding by  industry professional standards, in an ideal historic seaside village setting.

Located in the Western Suburbs adjacent to Port Adelaide and only 20 minutes from the CBD and the airport, the Semaphore Music Festival gives audiences and bands access to an alternate cultural experience that deepens our appreciation of the vibrant talent performing in the contemporary music sector today.

Held annually (since 2005) over the October Labour Day Long Weekend, the Semaphore Music Festival is a four day state wide event fashioned on music festivals like the Katherine Music Muster and Tamworth.  Over the years the Semaphore Music Festival has developed an underground niche market with its own flavour, texture, and character reflecting the diversity in the independent live music scene.

Singer songwriters are supported through master classes, panel discussions, workshops, forums and performances giving established artists the opportunity to share their creative process with emerging artists and fans.

The Semaphore Music Festival includes a Music Instrument Makers Exhibition and a Luthiers’ Panel.  The panels and forums including The Adelaide Ukulele Appreciation Society workshop give the audience and artists an interactive experience and the opportunity to explore different types of instruments.

Market stalls sell a variety of international food and merchandise on the Foreshore Reserve as well as cafes, pubs and fine dining restaurants on the Esplanade and Semaphore Road.

The Semaphore Music Festival acknowledges generous sponsors for their support including the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, The SA Government through Arts SA and SA Tourism, Derringers, and the Port Community Arts Centre.

The 2011 Program has now been released on the official website.

Guests on the main stage (Foreshore Reserve) include:

JoE mAn MuRpHy
Kelly Menhennett
Cal Williams Jnr
The Baker Suite
Emily Davis
Glenn Skuthorpe
The Bon Scotts (Vic)
Mick Kidd with Dave Blight
Sarah Tindley (NSW)
Broderick Smith & MattWalker (Vic)
Heather Frahn Band
Brillig
Rockabilly Mayhem
The Baskervilles
Saturday’s Army
Dead Lucky
The Saucermen
Self Preservation Society (aka Tristan Newsome)
The Silverados

Plus many more at venues throughout Semaphore!