Trams are a great way to get around town. But during Umbrella: Winter City Sounds, they’re also a great way to see the freshest, local, musical talent Adelaide has to offer.
After the rolling success of its debut at last year’s festival, Tram Sessions return in 2017 with another batch of musos ready to climb aboard and liven up the dreary winter commute. “It was so beautifully received last year,” Project Co-Ordinator Sharni Honor says.
“It was pretty cool to bring this unique series to the tram system and I think it’s such a bizarre way for people of all different calibres to experience music.”
Transplanted from Melbourne, Tram Sessions brings live music to the people in the most unexpected way. Imagine your surprise when an otherwise mundane tram trip turns into an acoustic sing-along or a foot-tapping set of original music.
“You’re on your way to work and you happen to bump into some incredible local musicians who you would not have known existed otherwise. I love that about what the Tram Sessions represent,” Sharni says.
“The amazing thing about Umbrella last year was that it brought some incredible shows and new concepts to venues, but the thing about Tram Sessions is that whole point about bringing music to people where they least expect it.”
Pursuing that goal again in 2017, Sharni says travellers can expect a lot more from the series this year with a new crop of 100 per cent home-grown artists as well as some returning favourites. “We’ve got an artist called Mane,” Sharni says. “She’s come out of Adelaide and is absolutely killing it. A local, Ollie English, he is an absolute shredder and vocals to die for and then there’s some other very tasty treats that I promise will deliver.
“In terms of the bands themselves, now it’s established in Adelaide people know what to expect. But we’re going a little bit bigger and a little bit better this year in terms of the programming, the line-up and timing of it all.”
Tram Sessions take place throughout Umbrella: Winter City Sounds, which runs in Adelaide 14-30 July.
