Adelaide Festival: Floods of Fire

Floods of Fire

Conceived and directed by Airan Berg, led by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, presented in collaboration with Adelaide Festival and The University of Adelaide in celebration of our 150th anniversary, and over 100 South Australian partner organisations. 

Floods of Fire is a two-day festival within a festival, which celebrates the creativity and stories of people living in South Australia and finds our collective voice to confront one of the most significant challenges we all face today: climate change.  

Floods of Fire connects our different cultural stories of creation to our natural world and extreme weather events. It marks one of the largest collaborations in South Australia’s history between citizens, artists, scientists, communities and partner organisations. 

It is an invitation to collaborate and participate.  

It is a space to share our concerns, dreams and realities.  

It is a collective, citizen-led call to empowerment, hope and action.

Chapter 1: Our Voices, Our Dreams 

For one afternoon, Floods of Fire will take over the University of Adelaide campus with music, stories and art in a fun-filled free event for young and old. 

In Floods of Fire, students and alumni of the Elder Conservatory of Music will populate these spaces presenting short artistic interventions responding to the Floods of Fire theme. 

Artistic interventions will include songs, theatre, dance, creative writing, storytelling, workshops and artistic surprises. Move freely through the campus to experience this myriad of voices, stories and experiences. 

Where: The University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus

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When: Sat 16 Mar, 2pm – 6pm

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Tickets: FREE

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Chapter 2: Our Citizens’ Orchestra

After the success at the opening of the 2023 Adelaide Festival, the Citizens’ Orchestra is back. Take part in an inclusive, joyous and empowering musical experience by becoming one of the Citizens’ Orchestra or coming to this free performance.  

The Citizens’ Orchestra is an intercultural and intergenerational orchestra and chorus that embraces professional musicians, people without any previous musical experience and everyone in between, as well as those who love to sing. You can register your interest in being part of the Citizens’ Orchestra.

Through a series of workshops, participants will collaborate with Music Directors Tim Steiner (UK) and Ricardo Baptista (Portugal), Adelaide Symphony Orchestra players and local musicians to create music and songs that reflect South Australian experiences and our climate reality.  

The Citizens’ Orchestra presents these original works in a one-night-only performance for audiences of all ages.  

Where: Maths Lawns, The University of Adelaide

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When: Sat 16 Mar, 7:30pm
Tickets: FREE

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Chapter 3: Our Celebration with Electric Fields & the ASO 

Award-winning electronic music duo Electric Fields joins the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in a program featuring new music created for Floods of Fire. 

The first half of the concert marks the collaboration between South Australian composers, musicians and the ASO and includes the world premiere of the Floods of Fire Symphony. 

In the second half, the orchestra is joined by Electric Fields as they perform their groundbreaking music, including a new song commissioned for Floods of Fire.  

The pair behind Electric Fields – Zaachariaha Fielding (vocals) and Michael Ross (keyboard/producer) – is known for blending pop, soul and intimate storytelling. Zaachariaha Fielding’s vocals often include the traditional languages of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara people. 

With star turns at huge festivals including Splendour in The Grass, Golden Plains and VIVID, Electric Fields have won six National Live Music Awards and been nominated for another five in 2023. This is your chance to see their live performance on the Festival Theatre stage, amplified by the full might of the ASO. 

You won’t want to miss this dazzling finale to Floods of Fire and the 2024 Adelaide Festival. 

Where: Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
When: Sun 17 Mar, 7:30pm
Tickets: $30 - $119

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