Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival brings together the most impressive local music, visual arts and flavours, alongside some of Australia’s brightest stars, to showcase the incredible talent emerging from the Yarrabah community.
The Festival has grown exponentially into a full day of live music, food stalls, local art, rides and cultural experiences. With some of the best talent Australia has to offer joining us, it’s the perfect mix of music you love and acts you’ll fall in love with. Best of all, the event is free!*
The Festival is built upon the legacy of the Yarrabah Brass Band, which since 1901 has played a pivotal role in the community’s musical identity. Now in its seventh year, the Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival has evolved beyond our wildest imagination and truly showcases all that this wonderful community has to offer.
All ages event. Alcohol-free event.
Until the 1950s, the community of Yarrabah in Far North Queensland was home to one of the best brass bands in the state. Yarrabah has a rich history of instrumental music with the first brass band being formed in 1901, which toured across the state taking the sounds of Yarrabah far and wide. That tradition was dormant for more than 40 years until Greg Fourmile, fifth generation descendant of the Yarrabah Brass Band, helped to bring the band back together in 2013 with support from Queensland Music Festival (QMF). The Band made their debut that same year at the Yarrabah Band Festival, which is now an annual event in the QMF calendar. Led by Greg Fourmile, the band consists of members of all ages from the Yarrabah community who perform together on a regular basis. In 2014, the band performed at the G20 Cultural Celebrations Tropical Jam concert at Fogarty Park and they continue to perform for various community celebrations. The Band has also featured at the Yarrabah Band Festival every year since their debut, and they are excited to return for the 7th year in a row!
Thandi Phoenix possess a voice like no other, channeling her raw, powerful and honest sound to the world. At just 25, the Sydney based singer-songwriter has accomplished so much drawing audiences and attention through her unique voice and sound fusing pop with electronica. She rose to popularity with her 2016 single ‘Tell Me Where All The Lovers Are’ which was added to the Triple J full rotation, as well as hitting #1 on Spotify’s Australian viral charts.
She has also toured with some of Australia’s biggest acts, joining Vera Blue on her tour as well as performing at the Sydney Opera House with Ta-Ku, Wafia and Sampa The Great. Thandi’s talents have been recognised not only domestically but also internationally, with her music endorsed by international artists with the likes of Jhene Aiko, Tinashe, Rudimental and Tinie Tempah, all who she has joined on their Australian tours.
She’s also been played at top-tier festivals like Splendour in the Grass, Soulfest and Bluesfest. Whatever the environment, Thandi brings a powerful performance to all live shows. She is definitely an artist that you can’t afford to miss.
In Arnhem Land they call Baker Boy the ‘fresh new prince’. Raised in the remote NT communities of Yurrwi and Maningrida, 22 year-old Danzal Baker, aka Baker Boy, raps in Yolngu Matha language representing his bloodlines. A strikingly talented artist on an undeniable rise, Baker Boy kick started 2018 with two of his songs – Marryuna and Cloud 9 – winning their place in triple j’s Hottest 100. He has supported the likes of 50 Cent and Dizzee Rascal, played prime festival slots at Splendour in the Grass, Laneway, Golden Plains and WOMADelaide, and sold out his first headline tour in May 2018.
22 year-old Danzal Baker aka Baker Boy is related to rising stars Gawurra and Yirrmal. He is the freshest new Yolngu hip-hop talent from the Top End. Young, strong and proud Baker Boy raps in Yolngu Matha language representing his Arnhem Land bloodlines. He knows his value, his worth and he raps so others get it.
What seems to be a whirlwind of success since the debut of Cloud 9 in May 2017, the young star has manifested into a full-blown Cyclone Baker. After infiltrating the triple j crew with an instant full rotation addition and prospering in their appraisals Baker Boy’s career has dropped into 6th gear with singles Marryuna, Mr La Di Da Di and Black Magic. Baker Boy is known as a multi-talented, multi-lingual artist, working across rap, dance, acting and graffiti, and he hopes to inspire younger generations to embrace their culture and become leaders in their communities.
Baker Boy has the industry talking, and is fast becoming one of this country’s greatest hip hop stars. Since of his debut song Cloud 9 in May 2017 Baker Boy has won over 21 key awards across the country and played a multitude of prime festival slots (70+ gigs and festivals).
In January 2019 Baker Boy’s next single will be released by Universal Music and he will perform a fresh new show for the festival circuit and his own tours.
Yothu Yindi is the most successful and internationally-recognised Aboriginal band in Australia. Founding members include Stuart Kellaway (bass), Cal Williams (guitar), Andrew Belletty (drums), Witiyana Marika (vocals, bilma – clapsticks, dance), Milkayngu Mununggurr (yidaki – didgeridoo), Dr G Yunupingu (keyboards, guitar, percussion), and leader M Yunupingu (vocals, guitar).
Yothu Yindi (“mother and child”) is a kinship term used by the Yolngu people of the Northern Territory’s Arnham Land. The band merges traditional with contemporary styles, and more broadly, promotes mutual respect and understanding in the coming together of different cultures.
Yothu Yindi’s most widely known song, “Treaty“, peaked at No. 11 on the ARIA singles charts in 1991 and the related album Tribal Voice peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA albums charts. In December 2012 Yothu Yindi were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, with Peter Garrett and Paul Kelly introducing the group.
Yothu Yindi original members will be sharing the stage for the first time since M Yunupingu’s passing in 2013 in a reunion performance at Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival 2019, with Yirrnga Yunupingu stepping into his uncle’s role as lead vocalist.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis vel sapien vitae mauris efficitur consectetur vel nec ex. Cras ultricies enim non leo vestibulum bibendum. Sed blandit mollis nisi nec imperdiet. In nisl ex, cursus non sodales vel, aliquam quis purus. Vivamus sollicitudin, orci sed dignissim tempor, leo nisi ullamcorper orci, quis euismod nisl lorem at urna. Phasellus vel leo velit. Quisque gravida sem sit amet risus accumsan consequat ut vel mi. Nullam eget ex lorem. Curabitur sodales porttitor justo in sollicitudin. Morbi eu tortor cursus, posuere nisi tincidunt, elementum massa.
Elverina Johnson (Bunya Badjil – good woman) is a Kunganji Gurugulu Woman of Yarrabah on her Grandfather’s linage and Idinji Gimuy on her Grandmother’s linage. She is a direct descendant of King Menmuny of the Gunganji Nation of Yarrabah and a direct descendant of King Yinnie of Cairns.
Yarrabah Aboriginal community is located 60km SE of Cairns and situated between the rainforest and the ocean with a population of over 4000 people. Elverina has been involved in the arts and creative industry for over 25 years as an artist in visual and performing arts and as a manager of various projects throughout her community and abroad. She is also a performing artist in her own right and has performed as a singer for various projects including Yarrabah the Musical by Opera Australia, Yarrabah Brass Band Festival by Queensland Music Festival, and many more. She has been instrumental in bringing to life the history of the Yarrabah Brass Bands which became a major exhibition for the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Elverina Johnson is a recipient of major civic awards, such as the Rona Tranby Trust Award for her work recording and preserving the oral histories of Australian Indigenous elders, and the state of Queensland’s Smart Women/Smart State Award for Community Innovation. She has been a strong advocate for her community and for the rights of Indigenous people and over the years has streamed her advocacy through her various art forms.
In 2017 Elverina was awarded the National Naidoc Artist of the Year. And in 2018 she was awarded the Yarrabah International Womens Day Woman of the Year and was a Finalist in the Cairns Business Women’s Award for Indigenous Business Woman of the Year.
Among other achievements Elverina has represented her community at the United Nations highlighting the issues regarding domestic violence and other issues that Indigenous women face.