Melbourne based via Arnhem Land singer/songwriter Gawurra announces his first national tour today, after catapulting onto the music stage nationally in last year. With a slew of festival appearances including Womadelaide, Sydney Festival, Port Fairy Festival and Gathering, Gawurra will also play a string of more intimate theatre shows at Melbourne’s Thornbury Theatre finishing his tour at the Powerhouse in Brisbane.
2016 saw Gawurra release his debut album ‘Ratja Yaliyali’, win four NIMA Awards, The NT Song of the Year Award for the title track, support Peter Garrett at the Darwin Festival, playing key slots at the NIMAs, The Age Music Victoria Awards, Sacred Edge Festival, Federation Square, perform at BIGSOUND and achieve his first ARIAnomination.
A compelling live performer and future Elder in his island community, Stanley GawurraGaykamangu wrote and recorded ‘Ratja Yaliyali’ in Alice Springs, producing a snapshot of remote Australia. Taking from traditional Gupapungu language songs Gawurra’sremarkable contemporary take on them has prompted media and luminaries alike to label him one of Australia’s most important new Indigenous voices.
His culture, songlines, personal journey and musical sensitivity are deeply embedded in his soulful voice and songwriting, and the subtle production of the NT-based artist and producer Broadwing brought an understated electronic influence while creating a sparse soundscape throughout the album that is as organic as it is contemporary.
Gawurra is not just telling an Indigenous story. He’s telling an Australian story.
WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR ‘RATJA YALIYALI’
123 AGENCY AND SONGLINES PRESENT
GAWURRA NATIONAL TOUR DATES 2017
Thursday 26 January
Globe To Globe Festival, Melbourne Vic
FREE entry
Thursday 26 January
Share The Spirit
Treasury Gardens, Spring and Flinders St Melbourne
Onstage 3.30pm
Friday 27 January
Sydney Festival, Sydney NSW
Saturday 11 February
Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs NT
Friday 24 February
Thornbury Theatre, Melbourne Vic
Saturday 25 February
Boyde Education Centre, Illaroo, NSW
Friday 10 March
Womadelaide, Adelaide SA
Sunday 12 March
Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy Vic
Tuesday 28 March
Kew Court House, Melbourne Vic
Wednesday 29 March
Gathering, Brisbane Mall QLD
Saturday 1 April
Powerhouse, Brisbane QLD
All tickets available from gawurra.com/gawurra-national-tour-dates-2017/