Live Review: 1967: Music In The Key Of Yes

The 1967 referendum made history for the ever largest 'yes' vote in a federal referendum. The 90.77% result removed racially discriminative clauses from our Constitution, and provided Australians with a civil rights milestone to remember and reflect upon.

Tonight, 50 years later, a talented collective of young Indigenous artists came together at the Adelaide Festival to commemorate the anniversary and to honour the pioneers of a movement that brought about such an inspiring outcome.

With two large screens providing context from the era with scenes of hardship and racism, the performers provide a moving soundtrack, with a mixture of songs both new and old. Vincent "Jack" Buckskin (2011 Young Australian Of The Year finalist) provided the welcome to country and paid respect to ancestors with a traditional song, before the incredible voice of Arnhem Land singer Yirrmal filled the room in a rousing version of Warumpi Band's My Island Home.

Special guest Adalita provided warmly received covers of Goanna's Solid Rock and Patti Smith's People Have The Power, while William Barton showed his musical prowess - playing didgeridoo and guitar at the same time and making it look much easier than it probably is.

However, it was the powerful voices of the young Indigenous artists that made this night extra special. Rising star Alice Skye provided the highlight with her stunning original song You Are The Mountains and contributions to the cover of Warumpi Band's Blackfella/Whitefella.

The presence of Dan Sultan lifted the vibe to a more a soulful plane, with his song The Drover getting the audience grooving in their seats. The charismatic singer did his best to energise the crowd, but most of them looked old enough to have voted in the referendum and they stayed firmly in their seats for most of the show.

Midnight Oil's The Dead Heart made a welcome appearance (surely this song should be our national anthem), which segued beautifully into Yothu Yindi's signature song Treaty.

Two Beatles songs written circa 1967 - a mournful rendition of With A Little Help From My Friends and a simple acoustic version of Blackbird - formed part of a perfect encore.

Hopefully, showcases of Indigenous talent such as this will become a more regular event. Inspirational.