After almost two weeks on the road with Guts Touring 2026, First Nations music act Docker River Band says the experience has reinforced how music can bring communities together while celebrating culture and language.

Hailing from the remote community of Kaltukatjara (Docker River), around three hours west of Kata Tjuta in Central Australia, Docker River Band is a five-member group known for their distinctive desert reggae sound and songs performed in both Pitjantjatjara and English.

Drawing inspiration from Country and everyday life in their community, the band's music also explores themes including incarceration, loneliness and issues affecting young people.

Eight years since the band's formation, they have established themselves as a beloved desert reggae act across remote and regional communities with songs such as 'Lonely Prisoner' and 'Watikutju Nyinangi' off their 2025 debut album 'W.A. Border'.

In May, the five-member band was announced as a late addition to the 2026 Guts Touring lineup, performing at 11 stops across the Northern Territory alongside Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Stella Donnelly and local performers over two weeks.

Following the band's time with Guts Touring, National Indigenous Times spoke with lead singer and guitarist Roy Judadai and drummer Dion Bell about the experience.

"It's been good so far. Having good fun with the Guts crew," Mr Judadai told National Indigenous Times.

"Black and white get together... mixing music, respecting each other," Mr Bell added.

For Docker River Band, the purpose of making music is simple: bringing communities together.

"Music brings everyone together," Mr Judadai said.

"Back at home, we play desert reggae. It's real music from a real place."

Mr Bell echoed the sentiment, saying "music brings joy to the people"—something Mr Judadai said is reflected in the response from their community in Kaltukatjara.

"Back home the whole community comes out... The kids go mad... they kick the footy, play around, and wait for the concert to start.

"To make the locals happy, you know! We just celebrate and all that."

While touring has taken the band across Australia, Mr Judadai said he hopes to see more live music opportunities return to remote communities.

"We want to see more music back in our communities... Because there's not much music happening. Only footy happening back in the lands."

Performing in both Pitjantjatjara and English has also created opportunities to connect with other First Nations communities while on tour.

"It's about knowing other people... Sometimes they ask us which family side we are from back home when they see other Black people coming from different countries. It's just getting to know each other," Mr Bell said.

Sharing the stage with artists from across Australia also allowed the band to experience different musical styles while introducing new audiences to desert reggae.

"We get to see different places and countries, get to know their style and how they play music," Mr Judadai said.

"Like us, we are bringing music from the desert, which is a bit different."

Looking beyond the tour, Mr Judadai hopes the band's journey encourages more young people from remote communities to pursue music.

"We want the kids to follow our steps...Keep growing, keep playing music. And we want to see more bands from the desert go on tour, come out this way, and see a lot of good places."

When asked what the highlight of the tour had been, Mr Judadai said the answer was simple.

"We just love our music. Being around each other, having good jokes, and having a laugh. That's what music is all about."

Their hopes for the next generation are echoed by Bush Music Fund, creator of Guts Touring and a charity that works to support First Nations musicians from remote Australia to overcome barriers within the music industry.

Bush Music Fund co-founder Jack Parsons said many artists from remote communities continue to face challenges accessing opportunities that are often taken for granted elsewhere.

"Bush Music Fund is a charity that helps First Nations musicians from remote parts of the country overcome barriers they face in the music industry," Mr Parsons told National Indigenous Times.

"It's a way for us to put on shows for people who deserve greater access to live shows. It's a way to platform bands in those communities and potentially work with them through Bush Music Fund. It's a way to inspire the next generation of musos."

"For the Australian music industry to be what it claims, it needs to represent First Nations artists from remote parts of the country. Everyone stands to gain from that."

Mr Parsons said music provides a unique platform for cultural exchange while helping preserve First Nations languages and stories.

"Music is an amazing platform for cultural exchange; we have seen it first hand after years of touring bands through remote Australia.

"Music is a wonderful way to preserve and celebrate stories and language. It's long been celebrated when a First Nations artist breaks through the barriers."

While artists including Warumpi Band, Kev Carmody, King Stingray and Baker Boy have brought First Nations music to national audiences, Mr Parsons said there remains a long list of talented First Nations musicians who deserve the same opportunities.

"There are so many more incredible artists that deserve that level of recognition from remote Australia," he said.

"There is a big list of artists who need opportunities to perform, record, better access to instruments, and collaboration—things musicians in the city take for granted."

For Docker River Band, Guts Touring was one step forward in that mission—one they hope will inspire more First Nations musicians from the desert to follow in their footsteps and bring their culture, language and music to broader Australian audiences.