Pic: mickthomas.com
It’s the 10th anniversary of the Semaphore Music Festival, with three days and four nights of original, alt. country, roots & blues, rockabilly and nu-folk live music. Over 60 local acts will appear in various clubs, pubs and venues around Semaphore and the Foreshore Reserve on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday over the Labour Day Long Weekend 3 – 6 October, 2014. One of the acts playing will be Mick Thomas, most known for his work as the singer of Aussie band ‘Weddings, Parties, Anything’, who spoke to Glam Adelaide about the Festival. “ It’s a new part of town to go to and it’s a bunch of great bands- some of whom I know but mostly I don’t. It’s great to be part of this for the first time and check out what’s happening.”
Known for hit’s such as the ARIA Award-winning Father’s Day, Roaring Days and Say The Word, Weddings, Parties, Anything called it quits after 30 years and have been focusing on solo projects among other things. With a strong folk background, Thomas has been around long enough to see the ebbs and flows of what’s consider ‘in’ at the time and the constant presence of this genre of music. ”It’s enduring and easy really, it’s a logical way for people to get their message across. It sort of works because it works!”
Thomas will have solo shows in November to promote his latest album, which is a mix of Christmas themed songs among other cool tunes. As far as what to expect in Semaphore, Thomas will team up with former Weddings, Parties, Anything’s piano accordion player Mark Wallace to give fans and newcomers to Thomas’ eclectic style of music.“Me and ‘Squeeze Box Wally’ as he is called have been playing together for a long time, we were away in Europe a year or two back and we tried to do songs we hadn’t done in a long time to try mix things up, some of the obscure stuff. That’s what we’ll be playing at The Semaphore Music Festival.”
Asked if ‘The Weddo’s’, as fans dubbed them, will ever reform, Thomas has a never say never approach but is more than happy to be taking a hiatus for now. “I think we did really well out of the reformation years, but feel it’s time to call it quits for now. We split up in 1998 for a bunch of reasons but after the reformation those reasons raised their heads again. But, we’d surely consider something if it was viable.”
Great to hear, as Thomas is a talented musician who’s probably forgotten more than a lot of new bands have even done!
Mick Thomas will play Sunday 5th October at the Semaphore Workers Club. 4-8pm $20 entry
There’s an incredible lineup of talent at this event, and ticket prices are ridiculously cheap to enable as many people to be able to attend as possible.
“We have kept the ticket price affordable for families and music lovers and are certain that the community will support this slice of Rock and Roll Heaven in our own backyard as we move into the next decade. Join us at the biggest, most diverse weekend of SA live music on the local arts calendar that heads up the spring festival season in Adelaide”, said festival producer Debra Thorsen.
Here’s what to expect during the October Long Weekend:
SA indigenous artist and national treasure, FRANK YAMMA, will be performing with other local acts on the Foreshore Reserve at this huge celebration of SA music. Tamworth legend, Gleny Rae Virus and Her Playboys, Don Morrison’s Raging Thirst; Charles Jenkins, The Hushes; Mick Thomas & Squeeze Box Wally (of Weddings Parties Anything fame) supported by Junior will all be performing at the Workers Club over the weekend.
Opening Night of the Semaphore Music Festival on Friday 3rd October features The Dirty Roots Band with Snooks La Vie, Nick Kipridis and Billy Bob, at a funky but chic dress up “Blue Ball” supporting beyondblue in the Palais Ballroom, and Gleny Rae Virus at the Semaphore Workers Club.
The Semaphore Songs Project and the participating artists has become the backbone of the Semaphore Music Festival. Mentored by veteran singer/songwriter SA born/Melbourne based Charles Jenkins, this year’s artists are emerging as some of the best new writers and performers around the Adelaide scene. Local musician Kelly Menhennett will join singer/songwriters in composing and performing an original Semaphore Song at the Semaphore RSL on Monday 6 October, 2 – 5pm. This must see show includes indigenous artist Hannah Yates along with Koral, Matt Ward, Fee Brown, Snooks La Vie, Sasha March, Tom Redwood and Brenton Manser.
Saturday and Sunday will see St Bedes Church open for music not only worship. The Gully Wind Elders Choir, Vonda Last, Hannah Yates and Nancy Bates will appear on Saturday, with acoustic singer songwriters A.P D’Antonio, Courtney Robb and Tristen Bird appearing on Sunday afternoon.
The Foreshore Reserve Concerts on Saturday and Sunday will host 30 bands on the weekend including Kaurna Cronin and Sam Brittain who have recently returned from European tours with Koral, Dexter Jones, Filthy Lucre, and The Weeping Willows from Melbourne, amongst others from 12noon to 8pm. Mr V Music will host two stages with 20 local acts performing on Saturday and Sunday 12pm – 5pm, as well as the Semaphore Record Fair at St Bedes Hall on Monday, 10am – 4pm.
Rockabilly Mayhem will return on the Foreshore Stage on Monday 6 October with the Jam Jets; Dead Lucky; The Villenettes; The Saucermen; and The Silverados. Don’t miss the Closing Event Party with The Lincolns and The Satellites in The Palais Ballroom on Monday 6 October from 5 – 8pm. 3D Radio’s Hillbilly Hoot will broadcast live from the Semaphore Workers Club 8 – 9.30pm.
The Foreshore Reserve will have boutique beers and wines alongside a delicious selection of gourmet truck food. There will also be sideshows for kids near the famous carousel and waterslide.
Interviewed by Darren Hassan
Twitter: @DazzHassan
Tix on sale Now! – www.trybooking.com
$10 – 1 day pass
$15 – 2 day pass
$20 – 3 day pass
Children Under 16 – free
http://www.semaphoremusicfestival.com
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