Boomerang, Dark Mofo, announce first round of artists

Image: Boomerang (Kirra Pendergrast)

Two Australian festivals aimed at redefining experiences announced their first round of acts this morning.

The “indigenous festival for all Australians”, Boomerang, returns to the Bluesfest site April 13—17 showcasing artists from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Tibet.

Curated by Bundjalung woman Rhoda Roberts AO, Boomerang’s objective is to make indigenous culture accessible to the wider community. This is achieved through music, dance, workshops, forums and interactive displays.

Roberts said, “Let’s begin the healing together and dance to the new music, listen to the language and witness the ancient and the accessible. 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.”

Bluesfest Director Peter Noble OAM, a long-time activist for reconciliation, recalls a recent visit to the British Museum in London to see an exhibition called First Contact.

One of the displays was the Gweagal Shield, riddled with musket bullets as indigenous people fought to repel the invaders as they arrived at Botany Bay in 1770.

Seeing the musket holes, says Noble, “It became a very emotional moment for me. My thoughts were that someone possibly died who was holding that shield. If they knew the power of the rifles facing them, I could not help but wonder, would they still stand their ground?”

Noble says the shield is a symbol of indigenous survival, and should be returned to Australia as part of the healing process.

The first artists announced for Boomerang are Little Saskatchewan, First Nation singer-songwriter Leonard Sumner, roots, jazz and world music purveyors OKA, North-East Arnhem Land-based Yirrmal Marika (grandson of the late Yothu Yindi frontman Dr. Yunupingu), PNG drummer Airileke & Rize of The Morning Star, and triple j playlisted Emily Wurramara.

Also on the list are Tibetan hailed Australia-based Tenzin Choegyal, the Te Kopere Maori Healers, eXcelsior made up of members of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island descent fusing modern and traditional art, Sydney-based Jannawi Dance Clan and Bundjalung Artists And Weaving.

Tasmania’s Dark Mofo, Mona’s winter festival, has made its first – and only— artist announcement, so far.

Norwegian black metal pioneers Ulver, who’ve sold half a million records and won Album of the Year at the Oslo Awards, will play an exclusive set at the Odeon Theatre in Hobart on Thursday June 15.

Dark Mofo says the band reflects its aim “to delve into centuries-old winter solstice rituals, exploring the links between ancient and contemporary mythologies, humans and nature, religious and secular traditions, darkness and light, and birth, death and renewal.”

Ulver vocalist Kristoffer Rygg said: “Dark Mofo is one strange beast of a festival, and they have really pulled out all the big guns to make it possible to drag a pack of Vikings quite literally to the other side of the world in June.

“We have heard exceptional tales about this midwinter celebration. Considering the overall aesthetic of the festival and the type of art and acts it has featured before, this will be a trip extraordinaire and no doubt a once in a lifetime experience for Ulver.”