Baker Boy headlines a line-up of living legends and rising voices of First Nations musical activism in the return of the powerful one night only concert event BLAKTIVISM at Hamer Hall on Friday 22 November, presented by Gaba Musik, ALWAYS LIVE and Arts Centre Melbourne.
Baker Boy will be joined by an incredible lineup of local and interstate First Nations artists including Bart Willoughby, Yirrmal, Deline Briscoe, Yung Warriors, Selwyn Burns, Robbie Thorpe, Kulin Nation Songwomen, Suga Cane Mamas, Tasman Keith, Brothers in Arms along with Sprigga Mek (PNG) and special guests in this self-determined First Nations event.
Now in its fourth year, BLAKTIVISM celebrates and pays tribute to Blak activist movements in this country, bringing together pioneers and emerging voices of First Nations music and art. This year’s theme, Holding Koorie Space, pays tribute to Koorie families who have fought to retain their land and voice over the years. BLAKTIVISM will pay homage to the bravery of these pioneers, keeping their stories alive through song, ceremony, visual art and dance.
“This year I’ve brought together some of my favourite people for BLAKTIVISM 2024. They’re gonna blow the roof off Hamer Hall while celebrating the wins of Koorie Artivists, standing together as one mob in the spirit of Blak Musik!
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,” said BLAKTIVISM Artistic Director and Performer Deline Briscoe.
This year’s concert opens with a special performance by the Kulin Nation Songwomen, whose voices will call out in tribute to their matriarchal ancestors with each clan group sharing the spirit of healing through culture and the richness of ceremonial song.
Co-founder of legendary rock band No Fixed Address Bart Willoughby, renowned Yolngu artist Yirrmal, rapper Tasman Keith, vocal powerhouses Deline Briscoe and Suga Cane Mamas come together for a collaborative set. Standing with them is Yung Warriors, Selwyn Burns, Robbie Thorpe, Brothers in Arms and Sprigga Mek (PNG), performing together as the galvanised chorus of an unstoppable movement.
This will be followed by a headline set from proud Yolngu artist Baker Boy, who has captivated the Australian music scene with his infectious hip-hop and deep cultural roots. The 2017 Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) winner is now one of the nation’s most electric performers and has toured with Yothu Yindi, Dizzee Rascal, A.B. Original and US superstar 50 Cent. His critically acclaimed 2021 debut album Gela rose to No. 3 on the ARIA charts.
BLAKTIVISM first burst onto Arts Centre Melbourne’s stage in 2021. By centring and celebrating Blak Cultures and Blak Artivism in this country, BLAKTIVISM has now become a platform for reconnecting ancient songs across the region in a powerful one-night only special event.
This event is part of ALWAYS LIVE, a 17-day state-wide celebration of contemporary live music exclusive to Victoria supported by the Victoria Government through Visit Victoria.
