Live Review: Ziggy Ramo reworks Paul Kelly's ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ on the Sydney Opera House

Ziggy Ramo is becoming one of the most important artists in the country, releasing a new powerful statement, reworking Paul Kelly's ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ on top of the Sydney Opera House. Featuring Kelly's iconic hook, Ramo delivers the perfect remix of the original track, showcasing the invasion of Australia, its genocide and erasure of the history of Australia's First Nations people.

This is literally the most important piece of music that will be released this year. 'From Little Things Big Things Grow’ is one of Australia's most important songs. Originally released in 1991, the same year as the Royal Commission Into Indigenous Deaths in Custody. 30 years on, in 2020 there we are now at 441 Indigenous deaths in custody and 6 months later, another 36 was added to that list. The system is still fundamentally broken.

On Instagram, Ramo described the track, "‘Little Things’ doesn’t fit into a genre, it doesn’t really fit into today’s musical landscape but this art felt urgent and I wanted to share it with the world. Thank you to the Sydney Opera House for believing and understanding my vision. It was a privilege to be able to bring this art to life. Thank you to everyone involved, it would not have been possible without the amazing team who worked tirelessly. Our side of history is often not heard."

Editorial and words on a website can only say and provoke so much, but this moment is truely significant. Having Ziggy stand literally on top of Australia's most iconic monument while unpacking and dismantling our entire colonial system and oppression is more than just powerful, but operates as necessary viewing. Purple Sneakers' acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land which we live and work; the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation/Sydney. We pay our respects to elders - past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Words by PARRY TRITSINIOTIS

Image via Opera House Youtube.

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

WATCH ZIGGY RAMO PERFORM HIS ‘BLACK THOUGHTS’ ALBUM IN FULL AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE