Opinion: Royal ambition for Adelaide's music Crown

Music is BIG this Fringe, not by accident but by design. It might surprise you that it’s the second biggest genre after comedy. But, like all things in the colour and madness of March, if it isn’t totally out there it can get lost amongst the noise.

The Garden of Unearthly Delights has traditionally been the main contender for the 'Fringe Music Crown'. It has led the field with contemporary acts, emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists and original productions. However, this year, RCC Fringe is a serious contender with a strong music program with new artistic director David Sefton at the helm. Sefton is the former director of the Adelaide Festival and current director of experimental music festival Unsound.

This was a strategic move by RCC Fringe which has swapped the parklands and pop up venues for the landscaped grounds of the University of Adelaide. To differentiate themselves during festival season, RCC looks set to capture a place between a curated arts festival and the mayhem of the East End.

Sefton’s dedication to pushing musical boundaries is hard to miss. Music was central during his tenure at the Adelaide Festival. His willingness to take risks and stand by them has seen the experimental festival Unsound go from strength to strength. Line-ups of some of the most unusual, unique and creative minds in global music have lifted audience expectations. Other festival programs look almost pedestrian in comparison.

This year’s RCC Fringe music program partners Sefton with RCC Fringe co-founder Stuart Duckworth, teaming him with creative director with a strong reputation in music curation. Duckworth has taken on the challenge of transforming the University of Adelaide campus into a new Fringe venue with relish. He's in tune with the University’s vision to reignite student life and campus culture.

Long term RCC fans won't be disappointed with the line-up of club acts Duckworth has programmed to play the Dusk til Dawn sets on the university’s 2000 capacity Math Lawns. Sefton’s fingerprints are all over the program and those who enjoy his past form will be keen to see Reverend Billy, Penny Arcade and Pussy Riot. RCC Fringe also has a strong family line-up. And local music fans are set with the inclusion of the Adelaide Techno Convention and Scum Haus – an onstage version of Adelaide’s very own micro punk festival ScumFest.

2019 looks set to be a musical high point for the Fringe. Established venues are programming well and newer venues are taking up the challenge to take risks and lift expectations. With seasoned, passionate directors, committed partners, a new location and an ambitious music program, RCC are definitely contenders for the 'Fringe Music Crown'.