Lime Cordiale just can’t sit still. They’re either recording another potentially chart-topping album, touring the world, collaborating with celebs from overseas or thinking of new ways to “green” the music industry.

It’s that last part that is currently their top priority – the Leimbach brothers are putting on the first battery-powered, large-scale music event in Australia. And they’re giving a local act a chance to join its line-up.

So I thought I’d help them choose that support since I have a few promising SA bands on my radar.

PART 259 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE / SILLY & GREEN

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Remember when Lime Cordiale released 14 Steps to a Better You, which hit the top spot on the ARIA Charts and eventually won them an ARIA award and a J Award? And how about that time when the band had four songs from that album in the triple j Hottest 100 countdown, with the catchy “Robbery” placing at number 7?

Well, time flies, my dear reader. Because all that was already six years ago.

But let’s not forget that the alt-rock musos from Sydney had been releasing music way before finally landing in the industry’s spotlight in 2020. And they haven’t rested on their laurels after “making it”, either. On the contrary, they’ve consistently proven they’re a dynamic, progressive music project, exploring various creative avenues in the most unexpected and entertaining ways (like that 2022 collab with British actor Idris Elba).

Since getting to know the FEAT. initiative (Future Energy Artists), I started following the Leimbach brothers’ sustainability adventures a little more closely.

The band have joined and successfully implemented FEAT.’s “Solar Slice” ticketing program for their gigs. They’ve been trekking through Oz in an electric vehicle. As forward-thinking entrepreneurs, they’ve launched a carbon-neutral beer brand, LARGO. Plus, in 2022, their song “Addicted To The Sunshine” was nominated for the Environmental Music Prize for inspiring action on climate and conservation.

This year, however, Lime Cordiale are taking their sustainability efforts to the next level by organising a fully off-grid, climate action-focused music festival. Fittingly called Lime Green, the event is a bold yet risky experiment that focuses on various sustainability aspects.

As environmentalists, the brothers admitted that they’d had serious doubts about the ecological impact of their music career. But after giving it a good, long thought, they’ve come to the conclusion that, instead of quitting, they’d rather champion doing things differently. “Our aim is to stage the greenest music festival Australia has ever seen – rethinking everything from renewable stage power and transport to how we handle food and human waste,” the brothers shared.

Hence, live performances at Lime Green will run on renewable energy – vegetable oil battery generators. Electricity will also be generated by solar- and bike-powered stations. Upcycled merch will be available for purchase. And organic food leftovers will be donated to charity.

There will also be talks, workshops and activations with climate and environmental activists. Because Lime Cordiale want to leave festivalgoers with solid knowledge of the topic and a keen interest in applying it wherever possible.

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But the band know very well that they can’t do it alone. So they’re taking a few industry peers on that green ride with them, including The Dreggs, Aleksiah and PASH. And they’re also saving a spot on the bill for another act that they hope to “source locally” (pun intended).

For that, they’ve joined forces with triple j Unearthed. And you wouldn’t believe how easy it is to fulfil the competition requirements. The two main ones state that you need to: 1. reside in South Australia (proven by your postal code) and 2. have music published on the discovery platform (regardless of when you uploaded it there).

If you’ve ever browsed Unearthed, you’ll know it’s a goldmine for finding unique emerging artists. Which also makes it quite a challenge to get through everything there’s on offer. So I’ve done a quick search to make it easier on Lime Cordiale. Here are my top 5 picks.

LOLA

If the festival runs out of battery-powered energy, this dynamic punk rock four-piece from Adelaide should be able to restore it in no time by starting a proper mosh pit. It’s something they definitely learned from the acts they look up to: Green Day, NOFX or Dune Rats.

LOLA has been at it since at least 2021, gaining traction in SA, the rest of the country (appearing at Groovin’ The Moo in 2023, for example) and even overseas (they toured Europe a couple of years ago). They were also recognised by the local music industry with several South Australian Music Awards nominations in 2022.

Apparently, the group has a reputation for supporting other emerging projects on their home turf, too. This is first-hand knowledge that another SA-based outfit, Newgate Crowd, shared with me in the podcast episode spotlighting Adelaide.

So if Lime Cordiale were keen on turning things up at the Lime Green Festival, I’m sure LOLA would be delighted to deliver on that energy promise.

ELLA ION

Something tells me that the festival’s historical location, adorned by trees, would be the perfect backdrop to the music of this Adelaide-based indie folk singer-songwriter. Think Phoebe Bridgers, Portishead or Julia Jacklin if you need another musical reference.

Ella Ion would also fit the bill because of her vulnerable yet playful lyricism. She draws listeners in with moments of quiet reflection and unfiltered, raw emotion, anchored by grit and heart – things well aligned with talking about protecting the environment.

She demonstrated that delicate country-folk can be paired with post-rock arrangements, and that music can shift effortlessly between intimacy and intensity at her unforgettable BIGSOUND performance last year. And it shouldn’t really come as a surprise to anyone. After all, she picked up the guitar when she was 10 years old, so she’s had plenty of time to experiment with her now signature sound.

So, Lime Cordiale – don’t sleep on this talented artist whose music cuts deep to the core. Just like the discussions about environmental protection and conservation should.

THE TULLAMARINES

The title of one of the songs from their Safety Blankets EP from 2025 is “Running On Empty”. But I can assure you that’s not the case with this Adelaide-based indie pop/rock band.

I dare say they’re going at a decent speed with a rather full tank, metaphorically and literally speaking. The Tullamarines have been sharing music pretty regularly for nearly four years, presenting it live at some of the most beloved Aussie festivals (i.e. Laneway or New Year’s Eve on the Hill) and sharing stages with more established acts like Alex Lahey, Ball Park Music and Teenage Joans.

Their songs are fun, playful, yet emotive. Just like the tracks of the bands listed as their influences: Spacey Jane, The Jungle Giants, and Middle Kids. But there’s another aspect to the band – the members come from different music backgrounds and respect each other’s artistic sensibilities. They claim their project is an amalgamation of four distinct voices that have come together to craft a unique, yet shared perspective.

And because environmentalism is also about respect and finding a shared approach, I reckon they would be an interesting addition to Lime Green’s line-up. Right, Oli and Louis?

KANADA THE LOOP

Back at the end of 2022, I had his laid-back track “Cali4nia” on repeat for a good few weeks. And while this artist, blending hip-hop with punk-pop, appeared on my playlist out of the blue, in a way, he’s definitely not a newcomer to the Adelaide music scene.

Before KANADA THE LOOP solo act, he was a member of the local indie group, Pinkish Blu. It’s there where he honed those lyrical and songwriting skills. And before that, he developed an interest in multi-instrumentation… watching church bands as a child. If that’s not an interesting fusion of influences, then I don’t know what else is.

I’m not sure what KANDA THE LOOP is up to these days – he seems to have dropped out of the music scene in the last few years. Fingers crossed, it’s because he’s working on new music.

So here’s a thought, Lime Cordiale… Maybe recruiting him for your festival could be the reason for his comeback? After all, your festival aims to convince punters to return to the basics, too.

NAT LUNA

How about adding an artist who has previously been featured on the triple j Unearthed platform? And especially one who looks up to global divas, like SZA, Ariana Grande, or Victoria Monet?

I reckon that R&B vibe and Nat Luna‘s musical charisma would resonate with Lime Green’s audience. My claim is backed up by the praise for her magical lyricism and vocal finesse, which have won her acclaim both in Australia and overseas.

As an artist with physical disability, she also challenges stereotypes and conventions through her bold visual depictions. Her goal is to redefine the narrative of what a successful musician is or looks like.

It seems that empowerment through music is Nat Luna’s motto. That’s the definition of what Lime Green Festival is trying to achieve, wouldn’t you agree?

The competition to join Lime Green’s line-up is open until March 8th. So there’s still plenty of time to upload a song to the Unearthed platform if you are or know of an artist from South Australia who could fit the bill.

I’ll definitely keep an eye out for the results. And even if it’s not one of my picks, I have no doubt that opening the festival will be an amazing opportunity for the winner (winners?).

Fingers crossed, Lime Green will also become a recurring event on the Australian festival landscape. Most of us, conscious music fans, know that live performances and touring can negatively impact the environment. So we urgently need more artists, organisers and activists willing to experiment with and implement innovative ways of staging concerts.

Because the world without gigs is simply not an option.

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Lime Green – A Music and Climate Action Festival (presented by Chugg Music, Lime Cordiale, and triple j)

Where: Adelaide University Cloisters, Adelaide, SA, Australia

When: Saturday, 18 April 2026, from 2:00 PM

An all-ages event

Tix: here

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