Originally slated for the first day of winter this year, inclement weather forecasts forced the 2024 Blak Day Out to be rescheduled, and the new date is almost here.
Blak Day Out celebrates the end of Open Season, presented by The Tivoli and The Princess Theatre in Brisbane. It’s a free, all-ages street party brought to life by Blak Social. First Night: Blak Day Out now becomes Last Night: Blak Day Out.
Most of the artists from the original line-up have been able to accommodate the date change and the line-up remains mostly intact, with the addition of popular country and blues artist Sue Ray.
Blak Day Out celebrates some of the continents most exciting First Nations artists, alongside some seriously good eats and pop-up bars, food stalls, Indigenous retailers, outdoor music stages and entertainment.
Plus, there’ll be a Silent Disco with DJ Kritty, a live mural painting, and dance activations from The First Creatives.
Kicking things off is Emma Donovan, who has toured and recorded with the likes of Paul Kelly, The Teskey Brothers, Paul Grabowsky, and the late Uncle Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. She’s also known for her work with The Putbacks, and the Black Arm Band project. She’s part of the famed Donovan family of singers of the Gumbaynggirr people on her mother’s side, and the Yamatji people on her father’s.
Rapper and MC Dallas Woods plus triple j Blak Out host and Yuin MC Nooky and Gumbaynggirr singer-songwriter Angus Field make up 3% – a name referencing their people who make up just 3 per cent of the population in Australia. 3%’s debit album ‘Killing The Dead’ is about to drop.
Proud Gamilaraay woman Sue Ray delivers her own unique blend of country and blues, as she wields her harmonica with reckless abandon. Her set moves from catchy, foot-stomping tunes to delicate, heartbreaking tearjerkers.
BADASSMUTHA has a sound inspired by reggae, alt-pop, soul and funk. She weaves her stories through lyrical wit-poetry and catchy melody. The Githabul, Migunberri-Yugumbeh woman is a seasoned multidisciplinary artist and has performed alongside Xavier Rudd, Blue King Brown, Hot Brown Honey and Polytoxic. She’s also made music for children, as Alinta & Waveney.
The Ancient Bloods are a First Nations, youth transitional band, run by Digi Youth Arts. It’s made up of Gara Doolah, Shaiesha Towler, Emelia Stacy and Gillian McInnes, bringing us into 2024 with their first EP ‘Blended’, which stirs up generational hope, resistance and good vibes.
“Blak Day Out is a space for community to come together and celebrate the music being made by this continent’s very First musicians,” Blak Social Creative Director Alethea Beetson says. “The line-up gives audiences a taste of the vast world of Indigenous music which should be celebrated all year round.”
Last Night: Blak Day Out is on at King Street, Bowen Hills (Brisbane/Meanjin) 24 August.
Blak Day Out 2024 Line-Up
Emma Donovan3%
Sue Ray
BADASSMUTHA
The Ancient Bloods
