Adelaide, City of Music, thrives on the passion and talent of its vibrant music community, where world-class artists and institutions help shape the city’s dynamic cultural landscape. This rich heritage of musical excellence is further highlighted as the city celebrates the 10th anniversary of its UNESCO City of Music designation. Home to exceptional talent, Adelaide continues to foster creativity, offering a diverse range of programs dedicated to supporting and developing emerging artists.
One such initiative is Nexus Arts, a pioneering organisation at the forefront of diverse intercultural artistic practice. As the only contemporary arts organisation in South Australia with this as its prime focus, Nexus Arts plays a vital role in presenting and promoting art that celebrates cultural diversity. Through innovative development programs and presentation opportunities, the hardworking team engages audiences with impactful artists who reflect the state’s multicultural identity.
A key program within this initiative is the Nexus Interplay program. This year-long program is supported by the Government of South Australia via the Music Development Office, and offers tailored mentorship, career development, and both individual and group creative intensives. It also provides performance opportunities, fostering intercultural exchange and collaboration. The Interplay program creates a nurturing space where artists can connect, create, and grow.
Through programs like this, our city is able to champion the exceptional work of contemporary musicians from First Nations and culturally diverse backgrounds.
The Adelaide City of Music office would like to extend our congratulations to the six exceptional artists selected for the Nexus 2025 Interplay program. Working with Nexus Arts, ACOM looks forward to amplifying their creativity across the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and beyond.
This year’s cohort represents a dynamic and varied collection of talent, with each artist exploring powerful themes of identity, resilience, and empowerment through their music.
L -R: Katie Aspel (photo: Jacinta Keefe), My Chérie (photo: Clementines Gallery), Nahlla, Sandra Gan (photo: Evie Wonder) & Sonia Smith. Main Image: LENI (photo: Hills Media House).
The selected artists include:
Katie Aspel
A proud Ngarrindjeri and Gunditjmara singer/songwriter, Katie Aspel blends soulful guitar with pop and acoustic sounds to explore her culture and personal experiences. She was awarded the 2021 Adelaide Fringe Emerging Artist Award for her compelling musical storytelling.
LENI
An award winning Indigenous Mapuche, Chilean/Australian songwriter, guitarist, and producer, LENI draws on R&B, folk, and alt-rock influences. Leni has supported the likes of Santana, Dan Sultan, Justin Timberlake & more!
My Chérie
An Afrikaans multi-instrumentalist and solo artist, My Chérie brings ethereal jazz-inspired guitar and vocals to her emotive songwriting. Her music explores themes of self-love and empowerment, and she was named ‘Best Live Act in South Australia’ at the National Live Music Awards in 2020.
Nahlla
Colombian-born singer-songwriter Nahlla blends jazz and Latin rhythms, drawing deeply from her cultural heritage. She has performed at several notable events, including the Adelaide Festival Centre’s 2023 Students Got Talent competition.
Sandra Gan
A Burmese-Chinese artist, Sandra Gan is known for herintrospective lyrics and a powerful message of vulnerability, transformation, and detachment from materialism. Her genre-spanning sound—from soul and R&B to electronica—will be featured at this year’s WOMAD, as part of the WOMAD x Northern Sound System (NSS) Academy.
Sonia Smith
A First Nations Gugada (Kokatha) artist, Sonia Smith blends folk, blues, gospel, country, and rock to share her journey of overcoming addiction and the transformative power of music. She will perform at both this year’s Fringe and Blak Seeds Festival at Carclew.
As the six unique artists embark on their journey, Adelaide City of music looks forward to watching their creative practices flourish throughout the year, culminating in performances and showcases that will undoubtedly inspire and unite audiences from all backgrounds.
Through extensive engagement the Adelaide City of Music office works to identify and support the aspirations of South Australian artists, music organisations and institutions and to promote our music culture across the UNESCO Creative City Network and beyond. Although not a funding body, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network provides unique pathways for those looking to build networks and explore international opportunities. For more information or to share insight, please follow us on social media or attend one of our regular events.