Indigenous music group Black Arm Band unveil the fascinating story of their heritage, language and homelands and a side to Australia seldom seen by the world, taking us on a journey of vast landscapes and diverse communities.
Musicians from all over Australia, from rainforests, deserts, coastal towns and inner cities, demonstrate the vibrancy of Indigenous cultures. Singing in eleven languages and featuring the words of author Alexis Wright (Carpentaria) they give a human voice to these stories, as visuals by Melbourne’s Daybreak Films provide an rare opportunity to observe the communities in their own settings. An evocative juxtaposition of music and images; birds soaring alongside rich vocal harmonies, dust clouds swirl as we hear deep hum of a digeridoo, and children play basketball to hip-hop beats.
‘This tells the story of my connection to jagun (country). How I am the country, how I am keeping the heartbeat of my country going.’ - Emma Donovan, singer and Gumbayngirr woman.
‘Profoundly beautiful’ – Theatreview
‘Rich, melodious and undeniably intoxicating’ – Adelaide InDaily
Complementing dirtsong, Barbican Theatre presents The Shadow King by Malthouse Theatre, which also explores themes of land rights and cultural heritage.