Organisers of the Indigenous Boomerang Festival, which takes place as part of Bluesfest, have released this year’s line-up featuring artists from Canada, New Zealand, Tibet, and of course, Australia.
Among the artists are Leonard Sumner, an MC singer/songwriter from the Little Saskatchewan First Nation, located in the heart of the Interlake of Manitoba.
Sumner is renowned for combing various musical styles including Hip-Hop, spoken work, country, and rhythm and blues.
Sunshine Coast band Oka are sure to be a crowd favourite with their blend of house, big beat, reggae-dub, Roots, Jazz and world music, while Yirrmal from North East Arnhem Land will be making an appearance.
Yirrmal, who is inspired by his grandfather Dr Yunupingu, former singer of Yothu Yindi, is an inspiring songwriter and guitarist with a beautiful voice, singing songs about his homeland and culture.
Representing his home country Tibet, Tenzin Choegyal will share his knowledge of mantra singing while the Jannawi Dance Clan will travel from Sydney to perform.
Boomerang diretor Rhoda Roberts said she was excited with the line-up.
‘Let’s begin the healing together and dance to the new music , listen to the language and witnessed the ancient and the accessible,’ Ms Roberts said.
‘Now the time is right. Boomerang festival in conjunction with Bluesfest knows it’s time to redefine the great experiences of festivals. Come and dip your toe in.’
Bluefest director Peter Noble said the festival was a living example of our Indigenous culture.
‘The Boomerang festival is a glimpse into this wonderful culture that exists all around us, and as Australians, within us, even if we consciously are not aware of that,’ Mr Noble said.
‘Rhoda Roberts is its creative director, and I am her proud logistical partner. Bluesfest is Boomerang’s current home, and one day it will be a standalone festival.
‘In these days of zero support from our Government Arts organisations, we have had to dig deep this year to maintain the festival’s continuance.
‘However, just as our original Australians have survived, overcome adversity and flourish, so too will The Boomerang Festival.’
For more information on this year’s line-up go to boomerang festival.com.au, or purchase tickets from bluesfest.com
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