There’s something in the air in Adelaide this week….it’s a lingering mix of melancholy for the weekend that’s just been and buzzing anticipation for the next few weeks ahead. There are people in every corner of the city and random bars and eateries popping up in every spare space there was.
You see, everyone, it’s Mad March.
The reason we call it Mad March is because, well….it’s mad. Crazy, crazy mad.
In one weekend alone, the one just gone, we had the V8 Supercars in town for the Clipsal 500 Adelaide race; metal, punk and rock muso’s here for the Soundwave Music Festival; and artists and performers warming up for the two-week Adelaide Festival of Arts. This all on top of the Fringe Festival that has already had the city busting at the seams since mid-February.
It’s mad.
I think it’s a wonderful time to be in Adelaide! Sure, the number of people in the city and the road closures causing traffic nightmares is a tad annoying, but, I think it’s worth it for all that it brings to our otherwise “sleepy” city 
….something to do! And lots of something to do!
The Adelaide Festival of Arts began in 1960 to celebrate art in multiple forms, such as opera, theatre, dance and cabaret. It is one of the world’s largest arts festivals and also encompasses Adelaide Writer’s Week and WomAdelaide. The two weeks before the Festival starts is it’s more alternative cousin, the Fringe Festival, which also began in 1960. The Fringe is getting bigger and better every year, spreading further afield and infiltrating all sorts of nooks and crannies in the CBD.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen street performers, random $1 shows, visited awesome pop-up bars and new Fringe venues. On Friday night, I was lucky enough to witness (another) one of the best concerts I have ever seen, Paul Kelly and Neil Finn, as part of the Festival Opening Concert. Neil Finn and Paul Kelly are two Aussie (Paul)-Kiwi (Neil) icons and amazing performers. It was a brilliant concert and feel so lucky I had the opportunity to see them both perform.
Phew! Are you tired yet? I can tell you I am! So much so, that I’m skipping out-of-town this weekend for a “quiet”er weekend in Sydney 
I need some energy for the next few weeks, you see!
Here’s a clip from Neil Finn and Paul Kelly’s concert in Melbourne (recorded by eckythump74) in February. Due to technical difficulties, the one I recorded of the opening concert didn’t work! Hope you enjoy
What a great few weeks you’ve had! Love your opening photo. It’s Mad March here in Melbourne too. A week of 30+ degrees. Last night I saw KISS! The Grand Prix is about to start, and we got stuck in traffic last weekend as the Air Show was on. Exhausting!
I love Mad March, it’s so much fun, but yes, very exhausting and busy! I think it’s Mad March all around Australia but certainly Melbourne and Adelaide like to cram as much into this month as we can! Are you a Grand Prix fan? KISS played at the Clipsal on Sunday, apparently it was a great show from all reports.
Hi Ali. I can’t stand the Grand Prix! Here in Melbourne it is held on a beautiful lake and park (public land) and local businesses, commuters, homes and schools are thrown into turmoil. It is tax-payer funded and it runs at a massive loss every year! Don’t get me started… I do love classic cars and car sport, but those type of events should be held on dedicated tracks and be privately-funded in my opinion. Sorry, rant over! I was a huge KISS fan in my youth so it was an amazing evening. I’m hoarse from screaming!
Mad March! Sounds exciting, yet very busy! I love all the festivals. So much fun. I can understand the need for a quieter place though!! Enjoy your rest this weekend. Thank you for the video!!
It’s the best time of year to be in Adelaide! I’m not really sure how much quieter my weekend in Sydney will be, but it will be a change of scenery!
Have fun!!
Mad March sounds incredibly fun!
It really is, Eva! So much fun!
Sounds so exciting!!! Great pics!!!
Thank you
It has been a really fun few weeks…another couple to go!
A great time it has been so far. Love the pics
Looks like tons of fun. Certainly the pictures are fun! Thanks for this.
It is the best time of year to be in Adelaide. There is so much going on, and it’s all fun!
Sounds like a fantastic time to be in Adelaide!
I had contemplated the Kelly/Finn concert but in the end just couldn’t justify it with everything else we potentially had coming up (which turned out to be a good thing because the Saturday we would have gone The Sparky ended up working a 12hr day and didn’t get home until 9:30pm!).
We were lucky the performance was a free one for the Festival opening concert, so all it cost was our picnic! I really didn’t do this post justice…lacking lots of information! If you get the chance to see them at a cheaper price, would highly recommend!
This looks like a great event! Ah, I would really love to visit your country. Must make this happen rather sooner than later. Was Neil Finn not part of Crowded House?
Neil Finn was most definitely part of Crowded House. I guess I forgot to mention that…and I believe Crowded House are actually back together!
That really is a lot of things going on! At least it’s all good fun.
It is all fun, Jenny!
Haha Mad March! Sounds like a brilliant festival
Cheers
CCU
It’s a great time here Uru!
All good things happen at once don’t they.I love Paul Kelly, seen him numerous times. Still have not seen Neil Finn though. Enjoy the action while its in your neck of the woods.
That is so true…never rains, but it pours! Neil Finn is great live, too…if you get the chance, you should see him
Wow you’ve had a great week
Didn’t know there was such a fun and ‘CRAZY’ event in Adelaide i’d love to come and visit again!
Oh yes, Adelaide is not called the Festival State for nothing! It’s just a shame that it all happens in the one month. February/March is a great time to visit Adelaide, put it on the list for one day
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