Adelaide Ukulele Appreciation Society

“Many hands, four strings, one joyful community!”

 What you expect from a ukulele group is often quaint: a couple of blokes in straw hats, gently strumming somewhere between novelty and nostalgia. What you get with the Adelaide Ukulele Appreciation Society is something far more vibrant, surprising, and quietly brilliant.

Founded in 2007, this informal collective has evolved into a living, breathing musical ecosystem; one where retirees sit beside students, seasoned performers alongside first-time players, all united by the bright, disarming charm of the ukulele (affectionately dubbed “the flea”). There’s no pretension here, just a shared pulse of enthusiasm that turns simple gatherings into genuinely uplifting experiences.

Their show was like musical conversations, with the magic lying in its authenticity.

And then there’s the repertoire. Forget sleepy renditions of old standards, they are there, but this group gleefully dives into modern pop and alternative classics. Hearing the shimmering synth-lines of Eurythmics reimagined on ukuleles is unexpectedly delightful, while Royals by Lorde takes on a stripped-back intimacy that suits the instrument beautifully. Even the punchy energy of Blink-182 gets a playful, acoustic twist – less angst, perhaps, but no less engaging. They also tackled Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony well!!

What stands out most is the atmosphere: warm, inclusive, and quietly infectious. This isn’t about virtuosity or performance pressure; it’s about connection between people, between songs, and between the simple joy of making music together.

In a world that often takes itself too seriously, the Adelaide Ukulele Appreciation Society is a reminder that sometimes the smallest instruments can create the biggest sense of community, and the best kind of “Good Times”.

George Street Press Club

The Gov: The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Port Road

 Get along to The Gov on Wednesday nights and enjoy the genuine passion and skill.

For more information, please see link below.

https://www.thegov.com.au/sessions