Looking for shows where music takes the lead? From powerhouse vocals and piano journeys to genre-bending storytelling, these Fringe picks put sound centre stage. Whether you’re after raw emotion, playful interaction, or pure sonic beauty, these shows prove music can carry a story just as powerfully as words.
From Norse gods body-slamming their way through myth to raw solo performances exploring trauma and resilience, these five shows defy easy categorisation. They’re bold, unexpected, and ready to take you places.
DRIVING IN CIRCLES
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower, McIntosh 30th July–24th August (excluding 5th, 12th, 18th August)
Driving in Circles looks at the aftershocks of intimate partner violence. Using dark humour and music, it maps the journey towards recovery. This hybrid solo act blends song and theatre, dipping toes in pop, western, disco, dance, and rock to bring a thoughtful and raw reflective piece on love and pain.
http://edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/driving-in-circles
SINK OR SING!
Bothie at Gilded Balloon Patter House 30th Jul–25th August (excluding 11th and 18th August)
Attention all bathroom belters and car-karaoke kings and queens! Gather your crew for the ultimate interactive singing party with one of Adelaide’s most sought after vocal coaches. Laugh, vibe, and sing your heart out as awardwinning performer Amelie Peters spills vocal secrets and relatable life lessons in a show that makes everyone the star.
http://edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sink-or-sing
GARDEN PARTY
thespace @ Symposium Hall 1st–9th August
Truman Capote remains a controversial figure, and to that extent he achieved his greatest life goal. Using original music, Kulturscio’k International Live Art Collective from France perform a new work inspired by Capote’s life. The show promises to be multi-disciplinary and expressionistic, so should appeal to the more avant garde.
http://edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/garden-party-truman-capote-s-black-and-white-celebration
AROUND THE WORLD ON A PIANO
C ARTS, C venues – C aurora 4th–10th August
Dutch composer/pianist Hermane composes beautiful songs with intricate harmonies. Before settling in Andalusia, he spent thirty years in Latin America, Asia and Africa, soaking up the traditional music of each country. A meticulous composer, his goal is to create virtuoso pieces, endowed with a fragility that moves the listener. While drawing inspiration from classical grandmasters, his compositions are palpably twentyfirst century, offering an intricate kaleidoscope of colourful musical landscapes bearing Latin, soul, tango and flamenco influences.
http://edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/around-the-world-on-a-piano
MYTHOS: RAGNARÖK
Udderbelly, The Lafayette, The Meadows 1st–23rd August (excluding 11th and 18th August)
Back for their fourth consecutive year and ready to make a dent on the Fringe, Mythos: Ragnarök brings the tales of the Norse gods to Udderbelly. Told through the medium of wrestling, this is an hour and ten minutes of body-slams, giggles, and fun.
