Sounds of Summer music festival will be a ‘pod party’ in Adelaide’s Bonython Park

SA’s first music festival since the height of COVID-19 kicks off tonight – but it’ll look a little different, with revellers restricted to designated “pods”.

It is beginning to sound a lot like summer, as SA’s first music festival since the height of COVID-19 kicks off in Bonython Park tonight.

Summer Sounds Festival is a series of concerts throughout January, with artists including former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning – who has been given an SA Health exemption to travel from Byron Bay – Spiderbait, Timmy Trumpet and The Advertiser’s own Hans.

But do not expect a moshpit or lengthy line-ups for drinks.

To make things COVID-friendly, revellers will be required to dance and drink in designated “pods”. Bonython Park has been fitted with 400 of the mini fenced areas to accommodate groups of four to six people, each pod spaced 1.5m apart.

COVID-safe ‘party pods’ at Summer Sounds Festival, which kicks off on Friday at Bonython Park. Picture: 7 News

“You have to come with your pod – the idea is that you are already in close contact with those people,” festival co-producer Daniel Michael said.

“There are no bars, but a pick-up point for pre-ordered drinks, and then drinks that are ordered on the day will be delivered by buggy to your pod.”

Mr Daniel told the ABC that as part of the exemption, Fanning would have to self-isolate when not performing in a venue that had no shared facilities or lifts, and wear a mask except when performing.

Ticket-holders will enter in allocated 15-minute waves, with extra lanes in place to allow for the up to 2000 people expected each night.

Towns band manager Rachel Whitford with musicians Aston Valladares and Dan Steinert, who’ll perform at Summer Sounds tonight. Picture: Morgan Sette

Adelaide band Towns will take to tonight’s stage, bumping off Sydney artist Merci, Mercy, who could not make the concert because of border restrictions. The indie rock band will join headliner The Jungle Giants and Allday.

Ticket prices vary according to the act, but a pod for six people in the front, “gold” section of the grounds tonight is $660.

See summersoundsfestival.com