The much loved Boomerang Festival is back at Bluesfest Byron Bay in 2017, holding space at the Juke Joint stage!
Managed and programmed from an Indigenous-led perspective, Boomerang offers a unique point of difference on the Australian festival landscape. Curated by respected Bundjalung woman Rhoda Roberts; Boomerang is the first of its kind. Bluesfest will come alive with the family-friendly Boomerang precinct offering an inspiring, enlivening & diverse program of dance, language, Music, weaving, and traditional healing programs by some of Australia and the world’s foremost masters of their art.
The line-up is filled with gifted artists from Canada, New Zealand, Tibet and of course some fantastic Indigenous talent from Australia!
First Nations artists playing include:
Leonard Sumner is an Anishinaabe MC/Singer/Songwriter from the Little Saskatchewan First Nation, located in Interlake Region of Manitoba. He provides perspective from a voice often unheard and over-looked in the traditional music communities: truthful, insightful, and providing a new sound straight from ‘the Rez’.His music is best described as a fusion of Country and Rhythm and Blues. “He has been called one of the most important, vital new voices of the First Nations roots music scene in Canada. In truth, Sumner could be categorized as one of the most important, vital new voices in the entire Canadian roots music scene.” – Island Music Fest
Australian artist Yirrmal Marika, from North-East Arnhem Land, has made a refreshing entrance into the music scene. Inspired by his Grandfather, Dr Yunupingu, former lead singer of Yothu Yindi, he fuses tradition and contemporary with class and passion. Yirrmal is an inspiring songwriter and guitarist with a beautiful voice, singing songs about his homeland and culture with feeling and depth beyond his years.
Emily Wurramara, is driven by passion for culture, heard through every beat and skip of her deeply engaging and personal songs sung in both English and Anindilyakwa, the traditional language of her home, Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory. With national airplay on ABC local and Triple J, Emily has performed across the country and at festivals including Garma, Woodford Folk Festival, Island Vibes, Bellingen Turtle Fest, Clancestry and with a couple of Queensland Music Award nominations and Triple J Unearthed showcase at Big Sound she is someone to watch.
Plus so much more.
For more information on The Boomerang Festival and Bluesfest go to www.bluesfest.com.au