Tasman Keith added to BLAKTIVISM line-up plus new dates added to Melbourne Music Bus Tour

Tasman Keith, Selwyn Burns and Sprigga Mek are the latest artists to be added to the BLAKTIVISM concert line-up at Hamer Hall on Thursday 8 December as part of ALWAYS LIVE, the new state-wide celebration of contemporary live music.

BLAKTIVISM is a powerful one-night only special event featuring Yothu Yindi, Bart Willoughby, Lou Bennett, Romaine Moreton, Emma Donovan, Deline Briscoe, Sorong Samarai and Fred Leone as MC to celebrate the galvanised chorus of an unstoppable movement.

Off the back of his highly anticipated debut album, A Colour Undone, a powerful show in his hometown Bowravilleand joining Goanna as part of the AFL grand final half time show, Tasman Keith (Gumbaynggirr) is on the up. The young artist was part of the BLAKTIVISM line-up in 2021 but returns for another set alongside powerful storytellers.

Selwyn Burns is a Melbourne based Yorta Yorta guitarist and songwriter who co-wrote some of the classics of Aboriginal rock music with the band Coloured Stone. He has also performed with No Fixed Address, Mixed Relations and Blackfire.

Sprigga Mek (PNG) is an artist with his people at heart. A vision and plan for his music, Sprigga Mek is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to his live performances where perfection is everything. He is currently working on his first album titled Kanaka Messenjah which is due to be released at the end of 2022.

Mundanai means embrace, a ceremonial opening, an invitation for the many multicultural communities to heal together, in Naarm. Kulin Nations songwomen – Mandy Nicholson (Wurundjeri), Renee Sweetman (Boonwurrung), Corrina Eccles (Wadawurrung), Isobel Paipadjerook (Taungarung) and Aunty Dr. Lou Bennett(Dja Dja Wurrung) – share the spirit of healing through the power of culture and the richness of ceremonial song.

The Melbourne Music Bus Tour returns for its fifth instalment after a long two years away. The music tour is like no other and travels to current venues, iconic laneways, important Indigenous music spots, music video locations and places which have inspired some of our most loved songs.

Due to popular demand, there is a bigger bus which means more tickets are now available for previously announced tours. Six new tour dates are also on sale now with some new and exciting special guests including Deborah Conway, Rebecca Barnard, Kylie Auldist, Billy Miller, Phill Calvert and members of The Ears.

And in honour of Uncle Jack Charles, the Melbourne Music Bus Tour scheduled for Saturday 12 November at 1pm will now be hosted by two incredible elders who will pay tribute to the late, great artist. Robbie Bundle and Bart Willoughby (Pitantjatjara/Mirning) will join music lovers to share stories of their own musical histories and tell tales of the beloved Uncle Jack Charles. Bart Willoughby will then of course be joining the BLAKTIVISM line-up on Thursday 8 December at Hamer Hall for a powerful night of musical storytelling.

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Season Details

Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne
Date: 15 Oct – 10 Dec 2022

For more information click HERE