Boomerang Festival Returns To Bluesfest In 2017 With Stellar Line-up

The much-loved Boomerang Festival will once again be a vital part of this year's Byron Bay Bluesfest proceedings as a must-see showcase of local and international indigenous culture that is as much about education, healing and reflection as it is about pure entertainment.

Bringing together indigenous peoples from around the country and across the seas, including from Canada, New Zealand and Tibet, Boomerang is curated by revered Bundjalung woman Rhoda Roberts and offers a "safe, family-friendly program of arts and age-old culture and rituals, along with workshops and interactive experiences".

This year's line-up of artists and musicians spearheading the program include — for starters — Anishinaabe MC/singer-songwriter Leonard Sumner, a First Nation man from Manitoba who combines the sounds and styles of hip hop, spoken-word, country and rhythm-and-blues into a singular, inimitable experience; local dance/electronic ensemble OKA, with their inspired take on house, big-beat, reggae/dub, roots, jazz and more; genre-fusion extraordinaire and north-east Arnhem Land man Yirrmal, the grandson of Yothu Yindi frontman Dr Yunupingu; and acclaimed indigenous singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara.

Also on the bill are Airileke & The Rize of The Morning Star, whose eponymous frontman was born locally but also draws on deep roots and experiences in Papua New Guinea; lauded Tibetan-Australian performer Tenzin Choegyal; the spiritual and physical remedies of Te Kopere Maori Healing; ATSI performing-arts collective eXcelsior Contemporary Arts; festival favourites and Sydney natives Jannawi Dance Clan; and the wares of Roberts' own people on show at the Bundjalung weaving workshops.

"Let’s begin the healing together and dance to the new music, listen to the language and witness the ancient and the accessible," she said in a statement. "Now the time is right.

"Boomerang Festival, in conjunction with Bluesfest, knows it’s time to redefine the great experiences of festivals. Come and dip your toe in."

It's a sentiment echoed by Bluesfest director Peter Noble, who said of his belief in Boomerang's necessity not just at Bluesfest but as a standalone festival in future: "More than ever, I [feel] a stronger determination to be a participant in true reconciliation ... I ask you to join me in this quest. I am beyond convinced it is the most important thing each and every one of us can do to produce an even greater Australia."

To help bridge that gap and expose yourself to a fundamental — and all-too-underrepresented — part of the nation's cultural fabric (as well as some incredible acts from around the world), head along to Boomerang Festival at Bluesfest from 13-18 April.

For more information, see the event's website.

Boomerang Festival @ Bluesfest 2017 Line-up

Leonard Sumner
OKA
Yirrmal
Airileke & The Rize Of The Morning Star
Emily Wurramara
Tenzin Choegyal
Te Kopere Maori Healers
eXcelsior
Jannawi Dance Clan
Bundjalung artists and weaving