Emma Knights Productions began exploring the life aquatic in 2013, bringing merriment and melody to the River Torrens with ‘Floating Melodies’ on the Popeye; a concept that has since won three SA Tourism awards.
Another water baby of Emma’s, Aqua Beats, made its debut during the inaugural Umbrella: Winter City Sounds in Adelaide last year. As with everything that Emma does, the idea has evolved into something bigger and better.
It will again be family-friendly fun in the culturally significant meeting place Victoria Square/ Tarntanyangga, but this year will boast a bigger line-up, as Emma explains. “We had it in Victoria Square last year and had four different groups perform. Then I took it to Elder Park for summer. This year, we are going to have a lot more bands and performers."
It will be a diverse line-up that features the grunge rock of Tympano, the funk and soul of Chloe Castledine and emerging singer-songwriter Nataya.
Aqua Beats 2016For those raising young children, the raucous pub-music scene may be a distant memory. Aqua Beats gives weary nurturers an opportunity to partake in live entertainment beyond Peppa Pig and The Wiggles. “There’s loads of stuff there for the kids,” Emma says.
“There’s space to run around whereas if you go to pubs and things like that, it’s a lot harder to sit and listen to local, live music because the kids can be a little crazy sometimes.”
The biggest drawcards for the kids are the water dancers at the top of the square, Emma says. “The thing that the kids love, even though it’s in the middle of winter, is going and dancing in the water and running around. It adds a fun element to it.”
There will be a market and food trucks, while the licensed establishment The Taxpayer is within earshot of festivities. For Emma, the event is aimed at bringing receptive new ears to the wealth of original songwriters who call South Australia home.
“It is all South Australian bands and original music because I believe there’s a lot of stuff there that’s equal to anything else that you can hear on the radio, but it’s not pushed as much. Because it’s a free event as well, it gives the performers a chance to show what’s going on in lots of different genres.”
Aqua Beats takes place at Victoria Square/ Tarntanyangga (Adelaide) 15 July from 5.30pm.
