Get ready for an unforgettable evening at BLAKTIVISM, the one-night-only concert event at Hamer Hall, Southbank, on Friday, November 22.
Headlined by the dynamic Baker Boy, the lineup is packed with iconic and rising First Nations artists dedicated to musical activism.
Joining Baker Boy on stage will be a stellar mix of local and interstate talent, including Bart Willoughby, Yirrmal, Deline Briscoe, Yung Warriors, Selwyn Burns, Robbie Thorpe, the Kulin Nation Songwomen, Suga Cane Mamas, Tasman Keith, and Brothers in Arms. Special guests like Sprigga Mek from Papua New Guinea will also add their unique voices to this self-determined First Nations event.
Now in its fourth year, BLAKTIVISM celebrates the power and resilience of Blak activist movements, blending established icons with emerging voices in music and art. This year's theme - Holding Koorie Space - honours the Koorie families who have fought tirelessly to protect their land and heritage, with the event serving as a tribute to their courage through song, ceremony, visual art, and dance.
Artistic Director Deline Briscoe said she's united some of her favourite people for BLAKTIVISM 2024.
"This year, I've gathered some of my favourite people for BLAKTIVISM 2024. Together, we're going to blow the roof off Hamer Hall, celebrating Koorie Artivists and standing strong as one mob in the spirit of Blak Musik," she said.
"At the core of our fight is love for people and land. In the spirit of gratitude BLAKTIVISM holds space for the many Koorie families who faced the forces of the frontier wars and held back tyranny for many inland nations."
The evening opens with a powerful performance by the Kulin Nation Songwomen, whose harmonies will honour their matriarchal ancestors. Expect a dynamic chorus that embodies the unyielding spirit of First Nations activism as artists like Bart Willoughby, Yirrmal, Tasman Keith, and the Suga Cane Mamas come together for a collaborative performance.
Co-founder of the iconic rock band No Fixed Address, Bart Willoughby, teams up with the renowned Yolngu artist Yirrmal, rapper Tasman Keith, and the powerful voices of Deline Briscoe and Suga Cane Mamas for an electrifying collaborative performance.
They'll be joined by Yung Warriors, Selwyn Burns, Robbie Thorpe, Brothers in Arms, and Sprigga Mek from Papua New Guinea, creating a dynamic chorus that embodies the unstoppable spirit of the movement.
Baker Boy, the evening's headliner, will close the show with his vibrant hip-hop style, celebrating his profound cultural heritage. Since winning the 2017 Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards, Baker Boy has become one of Australia's most dynamic performers, with his debut album Gela reaching No. 3 on the ARIA charts.
Since its debut in 2021, BLAKTIVISM has grown into a powerful platform that honours Blak Cultures and Activism, reconnecting ancient songs across the region. Don't miss this night of unity, celebration, and cultural pride at BLAKTIVISM 2024.
