Donate now    

This show belongs to the Adelaide Fringe 2026 season. This season is now over.

Two performers joined at the waist, lying horizontal.
8 band members sit on the floor facing the same way hugging each other. Instruments surround them.
8 people performing on a festival stage, baritone ukulele player jumping in the air.
Adelaide Fringe 2026

A Sea Shanty Special

Cult folk act Ukulele Death Squad return to their hometown as unhinged musical pirates aboard the iconic Popeye river boat. 

Armed with ukuleles, brass, and questionable fashion choices, they’ll lead a wild singalong of sea shanties, pirate ballads, and original tunes. Expect sax solos, scandalous surprises, and full audience participation. 

This intimate river cruise promises nautical nonsense, heartfelt storytelling, and a chance to unleash your inner pirate.

 ★★★★½ “Swagger, style and a sense of humour” InDaily.

Winners of Best Musical Act - Adelaide Fringe

Presented by: Ukulele Death Squad

Ukulele is dead. We have killed it and taken its place. Behold the maniacs that wield the ukulele as an instrument of chaos... although they're all actually quite lovely people. Beyond their penchant for the dramatic, this eclectic octet of singers and musicians are pioneers and philosophers, asking their audience the questions that really matter, like what if a classically trained Brazilian guitarist picked up the smallest stringed instrument known to man? What if the saxophone player was forced to play drums and grew another limb to dazzle audiences purely out of spite? What if 3 of Adelaide's most powerful and raunchy singers combined forces to bring you the spectacle of a lifetime? Meet Ukulele Death Squad, the band no-one can define, but everyone wants to see live.
Music • Folk
Australia • SA Premiere

Suitability & warnings

Content rating: M
Coarse Language: Occasional, Strong
Sexual References: Occasional, Mild

Accessibility

 
High audio content
 
Audience members interact from the seated or standing area

Presenter

Presented by: Ukulele Death Squad

Ukulele is dead. We have killed it and taken its place. Behold the maniacs that wield the ukulele as an instrument of chaos... although they're all actually quite lovely people. Beyond their penchant for the dramatic, this eclectic octet of singers and musicians are pioneers and philosophers, asking their audience the questions that really matter, like what if a classically trained Brazilian guitarist picked up the smallest stringed instrument known to man? What if the saxophone player was forced to play drums and grew another limb to dazzle audiences purely out of spite? What if 3 of Adelaide's most powerful and raunchy singers combined forces to bring you the spectacle of a lifetime? Meet Ukulele Death Squad, the band no-one can define, but everyone wants to see live.