The Boomerang Festival, a unique celebration of Indigenous culture and music to be held on the long weekend of Friday 4th to Sunday 6th of October at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm – the regular home of Byron Bay’s award-winning Bluesfest – has today announced a ream of high quality acts to its inaugural lineup.

Joining the already impressive array of dance, theatre, comedy, film, visual arts, and a musical lineup that includes Gurrumul with the 24 piece Queensland Virtuoso Symphony Orchestra, Archie Roach with Lou Bennett, The Medics, Thelma Plum, and Wantok SING SING – a one of a kind concert experience, is a selection of bands that will enrich the already diverse Boomerang Festival.

Moana & the Tribe is one of the most distinctive, articulate and significant Maori voices. Moana has taken her often politically conscious music to festivals across the world. Now with a fat new rhythm section all set to dirty up the sweet harmonies and deliver an edgier feel alongside soulful singing and the raw energy of live haka.

From across the Pacific Ocean to Chile and the indigenous Mapuche peoples, comes the number one charismatic icon of Latin Reggae, Quique Neira. Quique Neira’s mellow mix of roots rock reggae and Latin rhythms has drawn enthusiastic audiences of hundreds of thousands to clubs and large festivals throughout South America.

From North East Arnhem Land’s Elcho Island, home to G Yunupingu, comes the YouTube sensation The Chooky Dancers. The world first took notice of The Chooky Dancers with their contemporary dance version of ‘Zorba the Greek’, which has reached over 2.3 million views to date and seen them launch their style of dance internationally. The Chooky Dancers entertain their guests with an extraordinary style of contemporary and traditional performances that will leave you captivated, spellbound and entertained.

From the London Stage Production of The Sapphires, we are proud to announce Casey Donovan will take a spot on stage and Rockhampton’s favourite sons Busby Marou also join the Festival’s eclectic line up.

At dusk catch the Rako Dancers from Rotuman, Fijian and Pacific Islands with their flame, hula, meke and fire dance show.

From the moment hip hop MC Briggs dropped his self-released debut EP, the brilliant and groundbreaking Homemade Bombs, it was obvious to everyone that this marked the arrival of an emerging, powerful and unique voice. Powered by a rapid-fire melodic, direct approach, Briggs is as funny as he is deep.

The Boomerang Festival also brings the International Indigenous Film Festival (IIFF) featuring shorts, documentary and feature films including the award winning Bastardy featuring Jack Charles, filmed over a period of seven years.

A co-founder of Australia’s first Aboriginal theatre company, Uncle Jack joins us in conversation to discuss working with Australia’s most renowned actors (Geoffrey Rush, David Gulpilil and Bill Hunter) and his latest production Jack Charles Versus the Crown. Also featured is the film screening of Butcher Paper, Text, Blackboard and Chalk with more films yet to be announced.

Hailing from Elcho Island Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM joins our speaker program and for a robust conversation relating to the Northern Territory intervention.

You may not be familiar with the band names with some of our artists but it’s a line up that combines many genres across four stages including roots, reggae, folk, R&B and Hip Hop.

A very limited amount of 3 day and single day early bird tickets are now on sale through www.boomerangfestival.com.au or by phoning the Boomerang office on 02 6685 8310. 
Artist playing schedule will be available on www.boomerangfestival.com.au

Boomerang Festival 2013 Lineup Additions

Moana &the Tribe (NZ)
Quique Neira (CHILE)
Rako Dancers (ROTUMAN/FIJI)
The Chooky Dancers (ELCHO ISLAND- NT)
Busby Marou (QLD)
Casey Donovan (NSW)
Briggs (VIC)
Jack Charles in Bastardy (VIC)
Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM (NT)

Boomerang Festival 2013 Lineup

Wantok SING SING
Performing Wan Solwara Pipel at Boomerang on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of October

MUSIC

Gurrumul with the 24 piece Queensland Virtuoso Symphony Orchestra
Archie Roach with Lou Bennett, Emma Donovan & Deline Briscoe 
and a ten-piece ensemble feat. string quartet
Shellie Morris
The Medics
Thelma Plum

DANCE
Arakwal Dancers

SPEAKERS
Ernie Dingo
Larissa Behrendt

COMEDY
Sean Choolburra- 50 Shades of Black

THEATRE
Tammy Anderson’s – I don’t Wanna Play House

FILM
Butcher Paper, Texta, Blackboard and Chalk

Boomerang Festival 2013

FRIDAY 4th OCTOBER – SUNDAY 6th OCTOBER 2013
Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay (the home of Bluesfest)

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