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Time is the essence of Adam Page’s 24-hour show

Adelaide multi-instrumentalist Adam Page has taken the unusual step of working with a nutritionist for what might be his toughest gig yet – a 24-hour performance at The Lab which audiences can attend any time of the day or night.

Apr 27, 2021, updated Apr 27, 2021
Adam Page will push the boundaries of live performance with his 24-hour show at The Lab. Photo: Jack Fenby

Adam Page will push the boundaries of live performance with his 24-hour show at The Lab. Photo: Jack Fenby

Starting at 7pm this Thursday, Page will embark on an epic test of mental and physical endurance to dissect the one thing in life that remains constant and unwavering: time.

Over his 24-hour performance at Light Square’s new performance and event space The Lab, he will use almost every instrument he owns – as well as looping pedals and vocals – to create music that resonates with the time of day as well as the emotions he is feeling as he performs.

“I think if I am reacting to the situation in real time then hopefully all the music that flows out of me will be the most honest and poignant music I have ever made,” Page says.

“The preparation that I am doing musically is not coming down to writing notes, it’s about brainstorming scenarios and different vibes for the particular hours. For instance, four o’clock in the morning is traditionally known as the ‘witching hour,’ so I will be creating some pretty dark, occult-type music thinking about witches and demons.”

I invite the audience to step out of their comfort zone and get one of the tickets for four or seven in the morning

Nestled in his studio and surrounded by countless instruments, Page has been playing with synthesisers and keyboards to prepare new sound-sets he can make magic with when he improvises his performance at The Lab.

“As an improviser, I have the power to change my mindset, so if I am feeling down, I will play some upbeat music, or if I am feeling super energetic, I have to be able to pull back a bit and then build it up again.

“I am going to constantly check in with my body and mind to make sure the output that is coming from me musically is in tandem with the sensations going on inside.”

To make the 24-hour performance possible, Page has been working with a nutritionist to ensure he consumes the right number of calories to maintain enough energy throughout the day-long performance.

He says the nutritionist “basically worked out how many calories a musician would burn on average on stage, which is 150 calories an hour, and has thought out a meal plan where I will have a big meal in the early evening to get me through to midnight and then every hour I will be putting in 150 calories along with my electrolyte and water intake”.

Page will break for only a few minutes at a time to consume his 150 calories, use the bathroom and run around barefoot in Light Square to stretch his legs and remember the sensation of sunlight on his skin.

“It’s still going to be an endurance event. I’m not taking any naps and it’s stimulant-free, so I won’t be having any coffee. It’s going to be total brain work.”

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While taking on this challenging task, Page would like the audience to also step out of their comfort zone to experience the performance.

“I like to challenge the audience; I invite the audience to step out of their comfort zone and get one of the tickets for four or seven in the morning.

“I put it [the performance] on a Thursday night on purpose so people can come before work and then during the day on Friday people can kind of come in as part of their normal week instead of just the weekend.

“Anyone can go out at seven or 10 in the evening and see a band, but it’s not often that you can go at five in the morning.”

Inside The Lab. Photo: Jack Fenby

Audiences are invited to experience the show in small blocks of one to three hours, with 12-hour and 24-hour tickets also available.

“I am really looking forward to people being there with me and that’s gonna be a massive part of my motivation to get to the finish line,” Page says.

The Lab is part of the recently opened hub Light, whose artistic director Anne Wiberg says it is excited to work with Page to create the experience: “This work is symbolic of everything that The Lab represents. We want to be known for new works and experiences that are experimental and open the creative mind to what is possible.”

Adam Page – 24 Hours will begin at 7pm on April 29 and continue until 7pm on April 30. Tickets are available for purchase here.

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