Pacific Islander and First Nations artists are taking over Live at the Bowl next month
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02.03.2021

Pacific Islander and First Nations artists are taking over Live at the Bowl next month

NGAIIRE
Words by Arielle Richards

Including Yothu Yindi, Ngaiire, Bart Willoughby, Emma Donovan and more.

In direct response to the worldwide Black Lives Matter movement – and ongoing discourse around Indigenous sovereignty in this country – comes two special multi-act events from First Nations and Pacific Islander musicians, artists and activists.

BLAKTIVISM and PACIFIX will take over the Bowl on April 3 and 10, respectively, celebrating Indigenous and Pacific voices, culture, music and talent. Presented by Gaba Musik, a First Nations owned and operated company, the two events will platform some of this country’s most prolific performers including Yothu Yindi, Bart Willoughby, Tasman Keith, Ngaiire, No Money Enterprise and STNDRD.

What you need to know

  • Two events to celebrate First Nations and Pacific voices, communities and activism are taking over the Sidney Myer Music Bowl this April
  • BLAKTIVISM takes place on April 3, with First Nations artists Yothu Yindi, Bart Willoughby, Tasman Keith and Emma Donovan set to perform
  • Pacific artists Ngaiire, No Money Enterprise and STNDRD will grace the Bowl for PACIFIX on April 10

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Exploring the intersection of activism and music throughout the ongoing movement for Indigenous sovereignty, BLAKTIVISM presents the hallowed legends and emerging voices of First Nations political activism.

The multi-generational lineup includes Deline Brisco, Allara and Kee’Ahn, who will join Sorong Samarai and Ziggy Ramo for an evening spanning generations of Indigenous activism.

A celebration of the voices that have historically and contemporaneously spoken out against the ongoing nature of colonialism and racism in this country, the evening will embrace these artists whose work continues to carve out an important space within the performing arts scene. 

An ode to the immense talent of this country’s Pacific communities, PACIFIX is an all-ages celebration of the region’s distinctive imprint on the Australian music scene.

Led by Arileke, creative director of Gaba Musik, PACIFIX’ curator and important figure in the Pacific music community, the evening’s performances will span genres from hip hop to jazz, to orchestral; representative of the diversity of talent hailing from all corners of the archipelago.

Set to perform are Fijian multi-instrumentalist Kaivili, with their reggae-infused pop, as well as the Pasefika Vitoria Choir and New Zealand’s Drums of the Pacific.

BLAKTIVISM and PACIFIX take place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl this April, find out more here.