2017 Bush Bands Bash Finalists Announced

The biggest celebration of Aboriginal desert music, Bush Bands, received a record-breaking number of entries in 2017 but the list has been whittled down to six acts. 

The selected bands will take part in the intensive Bush Bands Business development camp, before performing in front of thousands at the 14th annual Bush Bands Bash in Alice Springs this September. 

"All 20 bands who applied this year are outstanding, the competition was really tough and the standard just through the roof good," Bush Bands Program coordinator, Laurie May, said.

"I’m excited to see the outcome of the skills development camp, I think there are acts in there who are going to really blow the audience away."

The 2017 Bush Bands are:

• Tjupi Band
• Red Sand Beat Band
• Desert Rain Band
• Moon Band
• Black Rock Band
• Wampana Band

Executive Director of MusicNT, Mark Smith said of the selected acts, "This year's applications came from across the Territory highlighting how strongly sought after a place at Bush Bands has become.

"It’s exciting to see the development of music and bands over the last 14 years and can’t wait to see this years bands at one of the country’s most important events, the Bush Bands Bash."

The 2017 Bush Bands Bash takes place on 10 September; for more details, click here.