East Arnhem Live 2023
Written by Kris Keogh on August 1, 2023
AUSTRALIA’S MUSICAL HOTSPOT IN THE MIDDLE OF TROPICAL NOWHERE!
WHAT IS EAST ARNHEM LIVE?!?
1000 kilometres by dirt road to Darwin, East Arnhem Land might be isolated geographically, but is a
total musical hotspot. Home to King Stingray and Yothu Yindi, East Arnhem Land is now host to a
100% FREE 4-day music festival.
Yolŋu (Indigenous) bands from across Arnhem Land join with a raft of interstate headliners to create
East Arnhem Live 2023 – a festival that could only happen way out in the bush
WHO’S ON THE LINE UP?!?
Aussie legends REGURGITATOR headline,
Plus Maningrida’s all-female RIPPLE EFFECT
Also coming along from interstate are Sydney’s JULIAN BELBACHIR
And Adelaide’s SLOW MANGO.
Indigenous female rapper KOOTSIE DON will be flying in from Darwin.
MANUEL D, lead singer of Saltwater Band drops in from Galiwin’ku,
While East Arnhem’s hottest property, the ANDREW GURRUWIWI BAND return home after a run of national festival shows.
-Local punks MR CHRISY MERTAS,
Ezy 5’s CEDRICK MARIKA
And DHABANBAL, daughter of Yothu Yindi frontman Mandawuy Yunupiŋu, will hit the stage with her new full band.
Also up are Yirrkala’s own Haitian DJ mastermind VOODOO DRED
And the NT Battle of the School Bands winners, Nhulunbuy’s 7-piece female rock act QWYA.
Finally, local traditional owners, the RIRRATJINGU CLAN, will perform a welcome buŋgul at the main event.
WHEN / WHERE ?!?
OPENING NIGHT – Thursday 24th AUGUST 2023 – Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Stage, Yirrkala
NIGHT #2 – Friday 25th AUGUST 2023 – Gunyaŋara
THE MAIN EVENT – Saturday 26th AUGUST 2023 – Hindle Oval 1, Nhulunbuy
CLOSING PARTY – Sunday 27th AUGUST 2023 – The HOG Shed, Nhulunbuy
WHY?!?
East Arnhem Live is true community music festival, bringing Yolŋu (Indigenous) and Balanda
(Non-Indigenous) people together to celebrate the region’s music and culture. Showcasing local acts
alongside some of Australia’s best bands, East Arnhem Live is one of the most unique Australian
music experiences going.
Get more info –
Festival Coordinators:
Andrew Grimes – arisandgrimes@gmail.com
Kris Keogh – kris@kriskeogh.com