Barunga Festival
THE BARUNGA FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS 31ST YEAR with the theme Celebrate Women, Celebrate Community Life – and the line-up is impressive to say the least. Held every year on the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend, the remote Indigenous community of Barunga welcomes the general public, providing a unique insight into traditional community life.
Heading up this year's line-up is ARIA winner and Grammy nominee Courtney Barnett, who will perform a very special set alongside acclaimed singer-songwriter Jen Cloher. Also hitting the stage is children’s author and actor Justine Clarke. Returning to the festival for his 5th year is Australian music royalty Gurrumul, with his exciting new TRIBE2tribe electro show – it’s Gurrumul like you’ve never seen him before, presenting a modern take on traditional songs and sounds, complete with DJs. And the awesomeness just keeps on coming, with Tiwi Islands six-piece band and Territory favourite B2M (Bathurst to Melville), Wildflower Band made up of five young women from Mammadawerre singing pop in Indigenous language, and much, much more.
Throw sports like footy, softball and basketball, and cultural activities including traditional music, dance and food in the mix, and you’ve got one impressive festival. Tickets include camping fees and festival-goers are encouraged to bring along their swimming gear for a nice cool dip in the croc-free river nearby – yes, it’s true!
