BLAK & BRIGHT
Australia’s night of nights in First Nations music has arrived, with thousands expected to come together to celebrate music and storytelling under the stars.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
THE NATIONAL INDIGENOUS Music Awards (NIMAs) returns to the iconic outdoor setting of Darwin Amphitheatre to celebrate and bring together some of the hottest Indigenous music artists getting around.
Created by the good folk at MusicNT, this year is especially ground-breaking, with YouTube on deck as presenting partner for the first time with a global livestream on YouTube.
“This year’s partnership with YouTube is a significant step to broadening the reach of the event globally and locally,” says MusicNT Executive Director Mark Smith.
“Over the past 21 years, we have seen the NIMAs recognise some of the most incredible music in the country. It is a testament to the resilience of the sector, and the growth of First Nations music in general, that artists being celebrated at the NIMAs are becoming household names, lighting up stages across the country and the globe.
“We are excited … and look forward to celebrating the amazing music and musicians from across the country.”
The longevity and growth of the Awards into the huge spectacle it’s become today attests to our affluence when it comes to the diverse mix of Indigenous music created in Australia. With six major categories spotlighting the richness of Blak sound and storytelling, this year’s NIMAs reflects a powerful and evolving moment in First Nations artistry.
Categories include Artist of the Year presented by YouTube, Best New Talent, Album of the Year, Film Clip of the Year, Community Clip of the Year, and Song of the Year. Among the nominees are 3%, Emily Wurramara, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, King Stingray, BARKAA, Jessica Mauboy, Radical Son, Emma Donovan, Ripple Effect Band, Miss Kaninna, Tjaka, and Drifting Clouds.
The line-up on the night is hot, hot, hot, with performances from Troy Cassar-Daley, Jessica Mauboy, Velvet Trip, Emma Donovan, Barkaa, Kankawa Nagarra, Kobie Dee, and Eleanor Jawurlngali & Mick Turner (Dirty Three).
Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Troy Cassar-Daley is a long-time participant of and in the NIMAs, and says he’s thrilled to return for this year’s ceremony.
“My connection to Larrakia Country has been a long one. First visiting over there at 21, I fell in love with the country and its people,” he says.
“I can’t wait to celebrate our mob’s achievements in Garramilla. I have my guitar at the ready, and songs to sing as we celebrate 21 years of the NIMAs together.”
Round up your mob and settle in for a beautiful night of Blak artistry under the stars.
National Indigenous Music Awards
WHEN SAT 9 AUG | 6-11PM
AT DARWIN AMPHITHEATRE
COST $48 | $44 CONC | FREE CHILD (U12)
INFO nima.musicnt.com.au
Image: Jessica Mauboy. Photo: Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis.
