There was Standing Ovations, Rapturous Applause and Encores for Spinifex Gum at LIVE at the Bowl, Melbourne.. A performance celebrating the passion and talent of Indigenous youth – a show-stopping collaboration of voice, sound, movement and change featuring Marliya Choir, an ensemble of Aboriginal and Torres Strait teenage singers, together with the multitalented Emma Donovan, The Cat Empire’s Felix Riebl, Djirri Djirri Wurundjeri dancers, Allara Briggs Pattison and special guest artists. The night started with Welcome to Country by Boon Wurrung Elder N'arweet Carolyn Briggs and Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Diane Kerr.
Part protest, part celebration, Spinifex Gum is a uniquely modern Australian song cycle. It has the power to disarm, inspire, and speak to us in a way that no individual voice can. This work addresses pervasive issues from the social disparity present in the Pilbara to deaths in custody, disproportionate incarceration, land rights and more.
Marliya Choir – who sing in English and Yindjibarndi – bring a vibrant young voice to the Australian issues in Spinifex Gum through their compelling blend of harmony and protest, while trailblazing a new pop-choir genre.
Spinifex Gum with Marliya Choir have released two acclaimed studio albums and performed at International Arts and Music Festivals across Australia to smiles, tears and standing ovations. Featured artists include Briggs, Peter Garrett and Emma Donovan. Marliya Choir sing proudly in English, Yindjibarndi, and Kala Lagaw Ya, and have made longstanding relationships with families and communities through their music.
Spinifex Gum attracted a large crowd to LATB who were captivated by what they saw, felt, and experienced.
As they say, Do yourself a favour and check them out… https://spinifexgum.com/