New music festival AdeLOUD promises unapologetically noisy day on campus

On Saturday, 16 November, the University’s iconic UniBar and Cloisters will be home to 10 hours of non-stop music with a diverse lineup curated by the University’s very own electronic music maestro and alum, Motez.

Marking the end of exams and the start of summer, AdeLOUD brings unparallelled energy, cutting edge music, and an unapologetically noisy day on campus for festival goers 18 years old and above.

Turn up the volume

Performing across two stages, the lineup is carefully curated with 11 artists and bands handpicked by Motez, an Iraqi-Australian award-winning music producer and alum of the University of Adelaide. Motez is widely recognised for his boundary-pushing sounds that blend high-octane dancefloor-ready pieces and moments of melodic ambience vignettes. He has nine SAM Awards, an ARIA Platinum single, and over 20 million streams. Motez has remixed for the likes of Disclosure, Sam Smith, Flume and Ellie Goulding and has toured the globe playing at clubs and festivals, including Splendour in the Grass, Womadelaide, Manchester's Warehouse Project and EDC Las Vegas.

Headlining the festival is global sensation Genesis Owusu, known for his genre-defying music. His debut album ‘Smiling With No Teeth’ has been hailed as one of the greatest new albums in Australia. Genesis has earned Triple J’s Album of the Year and four ARIA titles, including Album of the Year, Best Hip Hop Release, Best Independent Release and Best Cover Art.

Sharing the stage is Elsy Wameyo, a Nairobi-born, Adelaide-based singer, rapper and producer. A powerful voice in the Australian music scene with six major wins at the South Australian Music Awards and performances at WOMADelaide and VIVID Sydney, Elsy is known for her unique blend of soul, R&B, gospel, and hip-hop. She is joined on the lineup by Nooriyah, a global DJ, music producer and presenter known for bridging diverse music cultures in dance music. Born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Japan and now based in the UK, Nooriyah is a Boiler Room mainstay with hugely popular online sets. She has been championing sounds from the diaspora, performed at major festivals including Glastonbury and Nitsa, and headlined sold-out shows worldwide. Also hitting the stage is JamesJamesJames, a mysterious figure in electronic music who creates unforgettable sets and is known for their unexpected twists and turns. Joining them is YARD ACT, a UK-based rock band renowned for their high-energy performances and witty, socially conscious lyrics. Fresh from their electrifying set at Glastonbury, YARD ACT is set to bring their unique brand of indie rock to the Australian stage.

Adding to the lineup are CaucasianOpportunities, In2stellar, Willaris. K, Potentially Hugo, Theodore Kittens and Tonix.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to feature so many artists that I love, people who I think are playing and making some of the most exciting music out there,” said Motez.

“I wanted a program that not only looks locally or national, but goes beyond our borders and brings artists from many corners of the world from the UK to the Middle-East. I wanted the line up to not only have music variety, but also reflect the cultural diversity the University has always championed,” he said.

“AdeLOUD serves as the finale to the University’s 150^th celebrations. My role as curator for AdeLOUD is a chance to celebrate my alma mater, recognising its rich history and influence not only in South Australia but also across the nation and the globe. The University has produced a prime minister, a NASA astronaut, and numerous leaders in science and culture, making this celebration all the more meaningful,” said Motez.

Rounding out the lineup is Gryff, an 80s synthwave student band, and winner of UOA’s ‘Opening Act’ student competition, judged by Motez and a panel of UOA music students.

“It wouldn’t be a student-led music festival if students weren’t also part of the lineup, and I’m stoked to have Gryff join us on stage. It’s a fantastic platform for them to gain exposure and take their music to the next level,” Motez added

Alongside live music performances, student exhibition and installations will be on show, presenting unique and progressive student artwork. Food trucks serve up classic festival fare to fuel the high energy, and UniBar will cover drinks while an alcohol-free zone will be set up.

A student-led music festival

AdeLOUD is more than just a music festival; it's a platform for students to showcase their creativity and passion. The name itself was chosen through a student-led where the winning name was determined by popular vote. The winning name perfectly captures the university’s identity and the vibrant energy of a music festival.

A dedicated team of third-year contemporary music students from the University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music is the driving force behind AdeLOUD. These students are engaged in a formal internship with the University’s 150th Special Events team.

In addition, 10 architectural Masters students, with expertise in experiential design, are also designing the stage for the festival, providing an opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting.

Kaitlyn Greatrex and Zac Breheny, student interns and part of AdeLOUD’s organising committee, said that bringing the festival to life has been a unique opportunity to create an event that resonates in their peer group.

“We've poured our hearts and souls into planning this celebration, and we're excited to share our vision with the community. Not only are we contributing to a unique cultural experience, but we're also gaining invaluable experience of the intricacies of planning a music festival of this calibre,” said Greatrex.

The University of Adelaide Director of the Elder Conservatorium of Music, Professor Anna Goldsworthy, said the University is proud to round out its 150^th celebrations with an event that truly reflects the energy and dynamism of the students.

“Student-run festivals like AdeLOUD are a wonderful way to nurture the next generation of music talent. The University’s decision to empower students to plan this event reflects our commitment to fostering student leadership and creativity. It’s also a testament to the incredible talent and passion of our students,” said Professor Goldsworthy.

“AdeLOUD is more than just a festival – it’s a celebration of 150 years of community, creativity and the spirit of our University. Student life is at the heart of our institution, and this festival is the perfect balance of hard work and play.”

Tickets and information

AdeLOUD is offering accessible ticket prices for UOA students ($25) and the general public ($50). All ticket proceeds will go towards the University’s Student Emergency Fund, to support UOA students experiencing unexpected financial hardship, allowing them to stay enrolled and complete their studies.

Tickets go on sale on 6 September for UOA students and 13 September for the general public. Over 2,000 tickets are available, so don’t miss out!

For more information and to book tickets, visit:

https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/events/list/adeloud

To know more about the Student Emergency Fund, visit:

https://scholarships.adelaide.edu.au/Scholarships/undergraduate/all-faculties/student-emergency-fund

About the University of Adelaide:

The University of Adelaide unites and serves those striving to change the world—and themselves—for the better. It’s a place where history is made. Established in 1874, we’re home to over 29,000 students and 3,000 staff, all striving to create progress. For our community. For all. This is a university of outstanding quality—ranked as a top 100 global university—in the heart of the city of Adelaide.

We were our country’s first university to welcome female students. The first to teach science and business. Our alumni have won Nobel Prizes, led the nation, and walked in space. So, what’s next?