Jaguar Jonze | Adelaide Festival 2021 review

Brisbane-based Jonze, backed by her great three-piece band, leftnothing in reserve at the new crescent-shaped Summerhouse club.

Jaguar Jonze.

Jaguar Jonze

Contemporary Music / AUS

FESTIVAL

Adelaide Festival Summerhouse

February 25

The Riverbank Palais – that floating stage on the Torrens – wasn’t loved by all.

Those who saw gigs there over recent Adelaide Festivals, however, probably have a soft spot for that rusting hulk of a venue. Well the Palais may now be resting in peace, or perhaps pieces, but fear not – it’s replacement is a beauty.

The Summerhouse is essentially two eccentric circles, or two circles that don’t share a common centre point. The crescent-shaped outside circle is a bar, with views over the river and off to the Oval, and is the perfect place to grab a drink before the main event – the inside.

The centre circle is a stage, with seating in an amphitheatre style thanks to the natural curves of the areas banked lawns. Everyone is seated, spaced, and COVID safe.

There was, of course, no dancing on the opening night but just to be out in a crowd watching live music is a privilege much of the world still doesn’t have.

And the music was very good, thanks to an energetic performance from the singer, guitarist, flautist and dancer that is Jaguar Jonez.

The 29-year-old Brisbane-based artist, backed by her great three-piece band, ripped through tracks like Rabbit Hole, Kill Me With Your Love and Rising Son.

She left nothing in reserve, a fact made all the more remarkable considering she spent 40 days in hospital last year recovering from COVID-19.

It gave her, she tells the crowd, a chance to work on a new song – Murder.

Jonez, born Deena Lynch, has sparkling stage banter and charms the crowd into cheering for a quick encore.

“They told me this is a soft opening,” she says. “We all know it’s a hard opening.”

The night ends with a great cover of Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box and the first musical act of the Festival – and first test of the Summerhouse – is a success.