Going North Joins Forces With YouTube To Launch 'BlakStage'

The Northern Territory-based, Indigenous-owned creative agency Going North has teamed up with YouTube for something special.

Together, they’ve launched BlakStage: a social-first video series starring Jessica Mauboy and Kulkalgal artist Pele Savage, based in Darwin and Yolngu artist Maggie Garawirrtja from Elcho Island.

BlakStage has been launched to coincide with YouTube’s sponsorship of this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs), where Mauboy was inducted into the Hall of Fame and performed her latest single, While I Got Time.

From the first note in rehearsals to applause from audiences, the aim of BlakStage is to take viewers inside the creative process. In the series, viewers will be exposed to honest conversations, cultural threads, and the artistry that goes into intergenerational Blak performances. BlakStage will be airing on YouTube from today.

“Being part of BlakStage has been such a special experience for me,” Mauboy commented in a statement. “It’s not just about celebrating my own journey, but about shining a light on the next wave of incredible First Nations talent.

“Pele Savage brings raw lyricism and soulful storytelling, while Maggie Garawirrtja blends her emerging music career with her role as a community teacher. Together, their voices joined mine in a unique live performance that bridges generations and genres. Sharing the stage with them at the NIMAs was a proud moment - they inspire me as much as I hope I inspire them.”

Leah Ferris, Head of Marketing for YouTube ANZ, added that the mission of YouTube is to offer everyone a voice and amplify their voices to the world.

“Our mission at YouTube is to give everyone a voice and to show them the world. That's why we're so excited and proud to partner with Australian music icon Jess Mauboy on this campaign,” Ferris explained.

“Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the journey of Jess mentoring two incredible up-and-coming female Indigenous artists, which culminated in the joint performance of her new single at the NIMAs. For the first time, Music NT - the peak body for music in the Northern Territory - also live-streamed the NIMAs on YouTube to share some of this incredible First Nations talent with the world.”

Jack Ryan, Agency Lead at Going North, concluded: “BlakStage is about more than music; it’s about cultural expression, legacy, and connection. We wanted to show a side of Jess and these emerging artists that audiences don’t usually get to see, and working with YouTube again was the perfect way to share that story with the world.”