Adelaide’s music scene has been on an absolute tear. We’re always stunned at local gigs, watching young band members with skills way beyond their years create music with a distinctly Adelaide identity. Post-pandemic, SA has emerged as a hotbed of experimentalism and craftsmanship. Talented songwriters are banding together, realising the sum of their parts is greater than the whole.

Awnings

With just one single released at the time of publication, it might feel like a stretch to include this budding young band in our list. But if you’ve had the pleasure of catching Awnings support in what felt like 50 per cent of 2025’s local gigs, you’d likely agree with our choice. The incredibly talented band is running circles around seasoned pros, with superb technical know-how in stark contrast to their scrappy, makeshift look. It’s never a dull night with Awnings on the lineup performing their unique blend of improvisational jazz and progressive experimentalism.

Follow Awnings on Instagram: @awningsband

CityMag recommends: ‘Purp’

effie isobel

There’s a fun clique of pop girlies in Adelaide, and CityMag loves them all. Last year, we gave a nod to My Chérie, and avid readers know how much we love aleksiah. effie isobel is another in that exciting scene. She makes rock-infused pop that’s sweeter than maraschino cherries and pinker than a strawberry milkshake. Let effie into your heart this year.

Follow effie isobel on Instagram: @effie.isobel

CityMag recommends: ‘Higher Gear’

You might like

Culture

Leading SA fashion designers set for CBD residency

Sponsored

French cinema’s biggest winners arrive in town

Aloe Vittoria

The enigmatic Aloe Vittoria makes off-kilter electronica that borders on folk but feels too sarcastic to fit that category. It’s jaded music for those of us who spent too much time online growing up, filtered through a smoky, wistful haze. A string of excellent singles through 2025 set up the singer-songwriter-
producer well, and we’re gnawing for more. Expect his debut album, ‘Farm’, later this year.

Follow Aloe Vittoria on Instagram: @aloevittoria

CityMag recommends: ‘Touched by the sender’

You might like

Culture

Leading SA fashion designers set for CBD residency

Sponsored

French cinema’s biggest winners arrive in town

Perfect 50

A couple of months on and Perfect 50’s debut EP – the kids are mean to the cat – is still in constant rotation. Playing in the same folk rock revival space as contemporaries like Girlpool, Nilüfer Yanya and Momma, the band captures a western sincerity that’s still uniquely South Australian. Having been on a killer run of support slots in 2025 – including with Dust and Civic – expect the three-piece to be headlining some big shows soon.

Follow Perfect 50 on Instagram: @perfect50band

CityMag recommends: ‘Cross’

BOUSTA

Bousta might hail from Mparntwe (Alice Springs), but he’s made a quick impact on Adelaide’s local scene. He makes hip-hop about real stories and aims to inspire Indigenous youth through music. Having dominated at WOMAD last year, we reckon 2026 will be his year as he blasts through milestones and gathers a generous following.

Follow Bousta on Instagram: @boustamusic

CityMag recommends: ‘Loved Ones (feat. Bala Muugzy)’

Bromham

Bromham isn’t as much a band as it is a large, freaky family. It’s hard to know exactly how many members there are in the folk outfit, but it’s certainly verging on 20. I’ve never seen a band have as much fun on stage as I have Bromham, whose members bounce around as brass, percussion, strings and vocals come together in a foot-stomping cacophony. Whether they get noticed because of their novel size or their music, we’re sure they’ll stand out this year.

Follow Bromham on Instagram: @bromhammusic

CityMag recommends: ‘We’ve Got Friends’

Ella Ion

Ella Ion makes music for daydreamers. Her vivid lyricism conjures up relatable montages of late-night house parties, a hookup gone awry, before being left on read the very next day. The singer-songwriter enjoyed a busy 2025, and we hear there’s a new album in the works that will take her back overseas so she can break our hearts a bit more.

Follow Ella Ion on Instagram: @ella.ion

CityMag recommends: ‘Blue black crows’

Kurralta Park

It doesn’t matter how you come to love Kurralta Park. Whether it’s the band’s ludicrous social media presence or their tight, emo rock, you’ll stay a diehard fan. The trio – named after the inner-western suburb – have cultivated legions of local fans, and they’ll certainly take the gospel interstate, at the very least, on the back of their debut record released last year: Powell Place.

Follow Kurralta Park on Instagram: @kurraltapark

CityMag recommends: ‘Into my gums’

Nat Luna

She’s not just a big voice; Nat Luna is a proud advocate for disability inclusion in the arts scene. It’s this passion that’s drawn a flock of acolytes her way, who stay for her sensual R&B and cheeky personality. Another of the pop girl crew with effie isobel and aleksiah, this year is looking good for Nat Luna, whose drive will undoubtedly lead to success.

Follow Nat Luna on Instagram: @natlunaaaa

CityMag recommends: ‘off my chest’