Returning to Australia on tour for the first time in eight years, Kiasmos’ one-night-only show has come to Adelaide as part of Illuminate Adelaide 2025. The annual festival is a celebration of art, light, music and technology, and never fails to ignite the city each year, despite being in the middle of winter!
This year, Illuminate Adelaide turns up the volume to boast a stacked lineup for live music lovers, proving that the festival is more than just light shows. It’s always great to see live music thriving in the city. It keeps life flourishing in our venues and reignites the city’s cultural heartbeat.
Last night, techno duo Ólafur Arnalds and Janus Rasmussen, know internationally as Kiasmos, ignited the Hindley Street Music Hall. Together, these boys are considered one of the most acclaimed electronic acts of the 21st century.
All the way from Iceland, this duo has been developing an extensive discography since 2009 with the release of their first EP, Thrown. Their success flourished in 2014 after debuting their self-titled album, which has been acclaimed for its clever blend of techno and orchestrations. Their sound can be described as a combination of minimal techno, electropop and Intelligent Dance Music (IDM).
For their triumphant return show in Adelaide, the venue was packed with Kiasmos fans of all ages, proving their loyal fan base in Australia. Setting the tone of the night was Juno Mamba as the support act. From the outset, he bought the energy: the crowd was pumped, and the tone was set.
Originally from the Philippines, music became an outlet for Juno upon his move to Australia as a child. His electronic sound created an instant escape for everyone in the room. He builds tracks that swell with texture and increase in intensity; a unique combination of his techno and house influences.
Then, Kiasmos began. Facing each other behind their own DJ decks, Ólafur and Janus took the crowd on a cathartic journey through their music. Their recent album, “II” consists of softer sounds and sensations that, when experienced live, evokes both curiosity and escape. Some notes and instruments are recognisable, others, more unfamiliar. But the combination creates a cathartic journey through the art of techno music. The crowd was transfixed.
On stage, Ólafur and Janus bop and thrash to the beat, clearly enjoying every minute. This gave the crowd permission to move however they felt. There was no right or wrong way to express. Crowd engagement is something I always seek when seeing an artist, and these boys delivered on this quality too. At many points in each track, they would look to the crowd and flick their hands up, inviting us to give them more. Their open energy closed the gap between performer and audience, creating an equal space between us all to just enjoy the music and feel whatever came.
In addition, their set boasted an impressive visual and light show that complemented their music. Their second-to-last track, Squared, had the crowd transfixed as the room was swept up in red circulating beams of light, while the backdrop became a flashing red grid. Other times, the lights would mimic a sunrise/sunset in the slower builds or engulf the stage in smoke. Each lighting and technical sequence further transported the audience into their realm of immersive soundscapes and surreal visual storytelling.
Purely instrumental music may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But the cathartic escape felt on a dance floor pulsating with the rhythms and beats of Kiasmos’ unique sound is a feeling worth chasing.
Adelaide is no stranger to embracing a good festival. If the energy of last night’s crowd was anything to go by, it’s clear that this city has a deep appetite for live music. Illuminate Adelaide taps into that craving. I’m confident the festival will continue to deliver these culture-shaping experiences that continue to inject music into the heart of the city.
Kiasmos performed as part of Illuminate Adelaide, running from 2 – 20 July at various locations around Adelaide.
Kiasmos will be heading to Melbourne tonight (sold out) and tomorrow, followed by Auckland and Fuji Rock, Japan. Check their socials for details.
Website: https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/illuminateadelaide/ and https://www.instagram.com/kiasmos_/
Hero image: photo by Kerrie Geier
