QPAC

Thursday, 9 November, 7pm

Fresh off their recent festival slots at Dark Mofo and Splendour in the Grass, and with recent nominations at the 2023 NIMAs and finalists at the QMUSIC Awards, Meanjin-based music trio Tjaka are a must-see act.

Tjaka (a shortening of the Fabila brothers' skin name "Tjakamarra" from the Jabirr Jabirr naming system) skilfully merge the rhythmic cadence of hip-hop with the intricate textures and infectious grooves of funk and reggae. Their music style is a fusion of electronic and hip-hop production blended with Aboriginal ancestral influences, showcasing the connection between the old and the new.

Thursday, 9 November, 8pm

Birdz and Fred Leone are cousins by family, but brothers in music, and widely known for their track Bagi-La-m Bargan which reached #30 in Triple J’s 2020 Hottest 100.

Birdz is renowned for his unique brand of hard-hitting hip-hop embodying strong messages of hope and self-determination. Possessing an unwavering passion and commitment to his craft, the Butchulla emcee has perfected an explosive live show and has share the stage with the likes of Briggs, Sampa the Great, Loyle Carner and the Thundamentals.

Songman Fred Leone uses his voice, Didgeridoo (Kuluru in Garrwa language), boomerangs (Bargan in Butchulla language), Emu egg (Ngurunj in Butchulla language), tree branches, sand and other objects from K’gari to form his sound. He blends his love of hip-hop rhyming and his singularly unique vocal style with his adeptness playing traditional instruments to transcend genre and form whilst bringing the true integrity of his life’s calling as a Songman to the forefront of all that he touches.

Friday, 10 November, 6pm

Brisbane-bred rap queen, Kaylah Truth is equipped with robust rhymes that are unapologetically honest. A force that is equally fun and fervently feminine, her time on stage has seen her open for international Hip Hop/R&B sensations TLC, Kid Ink, Nelly, Naughty By Nature, Ciara, Lupe Fiasco and Lady Leshurr. A Meerooni woman of the Gurang nation with ties to the Ngugi people of the Quandamooka region. Kaylah Truth has become a respected community leader touring to remote, regional and inner-city communities as a dancer, emcee, motivational speaker, workshop facilitator and is a talent to be reckoned with.

Friday, 10 November, 7pm

The Andrew Gurruwiwi Band are the next hot musical act to burst out of Arnhem Land, NT. Led by the one and only Andrew Gurruwiwi – a shy-but-extravagant, blind, keytar-wielding Yolngu elder with a passion to make people dance while sharing his culture. A high-energy, 8-piece funk band with a truly fresh sound, the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band write real funk jams in their native tongue, Yolngu Matha.

Saturday, 11 November, 6pm

Keely is a proud Gubbi Gubbi, Gooreng Gooreng and South Sea Islander woman, wearing many hats as a fully independent artist, mother, activist and businesswoman. Coming from a long line of song men and women music is not only her birthright but her legacy – she began writing at just three years old employing her parents to scribe her ideas. Musically Keely is an experienced vocalist and performer devoted to mastering her craft whilst creating pathways for Mob to enact sovereignty. Keely’s sound is genre defying but grounded heavily in R&B, Soul and Jazz, while using other mediums such as film, movement and visual arts to document her personal and shared journey of healing through song.

Saturday, 11 November, 7pm

J-Milla is a proud member of the Marranungu people, who are the traditional landowners of the Litchfield National Park in the NT. Losing himself in music and storytelling was what got him through a hard upbringing and his passion for writing lyrics and telling his own stories began when he noticed the power of narrative and its influence on those around him. His lyrical content swings between deep societal commentary and bangin’ club vibes, and he was named Triple J Unearthed Feature Artist in July 2023.

Saturday, 11 November, 8pm

You’re dancing under the stars, living your best life, and channeling your most favourite girl groups of the 90’s. Think TLC, Destiny’s Child and Salt-N-Pepa, then The Merindas with their infectious energy, strut onto the stage with their soaring vocals, engaging persona with double the amount of swagger and sass. The Merindas are the collective force of Ballardong Whadjuk and Nyoongar woman Kristel Kickett (from Tammin, WA) and Candice Lorrae of Jawoyn and Thursday Island heritage (born in Darwin, NT). These soul sisters are trail-blazing with their innovative style of Indigenous music. Get down to electronic pop with a dance-hall feel, and hip hop and R&B influences.

Sunday, 12 November, 6pm

Originally from Groote Eylandt, NT, Emily grew up with a love for hearing her uncles sing but realising that women from her community rarely sang in public. Wanting to inspire and empower members of her community, especially young Indigenous women, to find their voice, Emily embarked on a musical journey that has touched the hearts and minds of audiences across Australia and internationally. Emily’s debut album received an ARIA nomination and AIR award for Best Blues and Roots Album. She is a six-time Queensland Music Award winner and has toured extensively across Australia, Canada and Ireland.

Sunday, 12 November, 7pm

Sweet, sour, pretty and brash... all at the same time. It's the best way to describe Toowoomba-based artist Cloe Terare. In January 2022 Cloe uploaded “Cadillac” to Unearthed, a country inspired bop written about her grandfather’s Cadillac, which was instantly picked up by Triple J. She went on to be Triple J’s Unearthed Feature Artists as well as the first Feature Artist on The Music.com for 2022. Her brand of genre-hopping pop, is brash, bold but balanced with reflective lyrics that explore universal emotions.

Sunday, 12 November, 8pm

BARKAA is a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman whose roots come from Western New South Wales, living on Gandangara land in South West Sydney. BARKAA’s journey as an artist encompasses her musical prowess, her dedication to addressing important societal issues and celebrating her rich cultural heritage, and passion for truth and issues impacting First Nations people. In 2022, she received ARIA nominations and won the King Brown – Song of the Year category at the National Indigenous Music Awards. She has also delivered powerful performances during the NRL Indigenous round, Groovin The Moo, and continues to be an influential force in shaping our nations music scene.