Tunes for Trees
Description
Mount Barker District Council is proudly partnering with unique Adelaide Hills arts venue The Cheese Factory to present Tunes For Trees - two days of incredible live music, where every ticket sold contributes to restoring our beautiful local environment.
Running from 12pm-6pm on both Saturday and Sunday, Saturday's lineup has a 'modern folk' feeling to it, with the award-winning talents of Naomi Keyte and Loren Kate. Sunday leans into sophisticated jazz vibes, with Dave McEvoy and Mélange Latino. There's also a chance for Saturday's attendees to join a Pop-Up Choir in the bar led by the amazing Natalie Ermer, while Sunday's barflies can soak up the sounds of local piano prodigy, 17-year-old Jed Oster-Ives.
Every ticket sold includes a native tree sapling for the purchaser which can either be collected from the venue and planted at home or donated to Council's community tree planting program. Additional native trees and plants will also be for sale on the day and there will be plenty of time to wander the gorgeous gardens of the Cheese Factory perusing the plant life on offer!
Tunes for Trees is part of the inaugural statewide climate action festival Adelaide Climate Action Week which runs from Monday 27 July until Sunday 2 August.
On the weekend before this event, Council is holding its annual planting event for National Tree Day at Springs Wetland, Mount Barker. We’d love to see you there! Click here for further info.
Saturday - Lineup
Naomi Keyte 1.00 pm - 2.30 pm
Naomi Keyte is an Adelaide based singer and songwriter who uses the vehicle of contemporary folk music to explore multiple ways of connecting; connection to self, connection with others, and connection to personal and collective narratives. Naomi will be performing a special set that centres on connection to nature and place. She has recently used her music as a vehicle for environmental advocacy in the Art for Takanya Residency facilitated by the Bob Brown Foundation.
Loren Kate 3.30 pm - 5.00 pm
Multi Award Winning Singer- Songwriter Loren Kate has earned a reputation as a brilliant storyteller and captivating performer. With a voice both haunting and intimate, Loren draws listeners into her stories of longing, grief, love and survival, carried by rich lyrical imagery and fearless vulnerability. Loren’s performances are deeply human experiences; quiet moments of truth that linger long after the final note.
Sunday - Lineup
Dave McEvoy Trio 1.00 pm - 2.30 pm
Pianist and composer Dave McEvoy leads an outstanding trio featuring vocalist Lauren Henderson and double bassist Tasha Stevens, presenting Dave’s original music shaped by a deep connection to nature and a commitment to climate action. Drawing inspiration from McEvoy's work as a climate advocate, as well as his 2025 Bob Brown Foundation arts residency performing a grand piano in Tasmania's Takayna rainforest, the trio creates music that is lyrical and thought provoking. Blending improvisation and contemporary storytelling, the trio invites audiences on a journey through rainforests to the place in one’s heart that is connected to the infinite beauty of our natural world.
Mélange Latino 3.30 pm - 5.00 pm
Mélange Latino is a joyous French–Latino fusion band, bringing together the romance of France and the irresistible rhythms of Latin America. The smooth vocals of chanteuse Sunitra Martinelli (of Mélange à Trois) blend seamlessly with the infectious Latin harmonies and vibrant energy of acclaimed Cuban trumpeter Lazaro Numa, Colombian guitarist Juan Muñoz and Salvadorian percussionist Mario Vasquez. Ooh là là... Arriba!
Jed Oster-Ives
Jedd Oster-Ives has played the piano since he was 8. Largely self-taught, Jedd mostly likes to play just for fun and for others. He has dabbled with piano and multi tracking computerised compositions. Jedd has performed in public at markets, small festivals, charity fundraisers and is a regular pianist at Foodland Pasadena and Frewville.
Pop Up Choir - SATURDAY ONLY
Pop-Up Choir with Natalie Ermer 2.30 pm - 3.30 pm
Natalie Ermer is Adelaide born with Italian and Ukrainian migrant parents, and has performed in choirs, bands, and currently fronts her 9pce soul band, 'Love Soul Deep. Nat will tour Australia in September with Eclipse Pink Floyd Orchestrated. Natalie loves being in nature, and reveres trees, mycelium, dirt and the balance required for life force energy to thrive. She looks forward to singing with attendees at 'Tunes For Trees'. Expect members of her singing friends to be among you, guiding through the songs. Please bring all your voices and put all your heart and soul into what we sing to the trees!
Gallery
FAQs
- If I'm coming on the Saturday, do I have to join in with the Pop-Up Choir?
No, you don't have to join in the pop-up choir - it's entirely optional. But we think you'll love it if you do! If you choose not to participate, you can just hang out at the bar while they sing, or you can head outside to the beautiful Cheese Factory gardens.
- Will there be food and drinks available to buy at the event?
Yes! The Cheese Factory bar will be open all day, serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as coffee, hot chocolate, and tea. There will also be grazing boxes for sale, which you can either order here with your ticket, or purchase over the bar. Recommended to PRE-BOOK now, as numbers on the day will be limited.
- Do I have to take my native sapling home, if I don't have anywhere to plant a tree?
Everyone receives a native tree sapling with their ticket - but if you don't want to take it home (or give it to someone else to plant), you can choose to donate your tree to Council's Community Planting Program instead. You will be asked about this when you check out after purchasing your ticket.
- Is the venue accessible?
Yes! The Cheese Factory is an accessible venue, and we will have accessible toilets on the day.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
