16 ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY AUGUST 9 2018 Party time as Buried Country opens NIMAs turn 15 AUSTRALIA’S biggest celebration of indigenous music will mark its 15-year anniversary this weekend. festival celebrations The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) will celebrate the mile- LONG before indigenous country music’s greatest hits, “I think you will see some stone with a huge line-up of performers painters and artists were written by the likes of Bob really exciting stuff that is taking to the stage at the George Darwin becoming household names, Randall, Jimmy Little and not seen a lot. Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre. generations of Aboriginal Vic Simms, will take centre- “It’s something that The night will feature sets from Baker musicians were finding their stage complemented by a is really exciting and hard- Boy, Queensland folksters Busby Marou, voice in white Australia video-remix from the orig- hitting.” country legends Kasey Chambers and through country music. inal Buried Country docu- Knox said indigenous Alan Pigram, triple j Unearthed NIMA When author Clinton mentary. Production design, musicians are often drawn winner Alice Skye and many more. Walker began delving into based on artwork by famed to country music due to Leading this year’s finalist list are Baker this forgotten history, he Aboriginal painter the Blak family ties and the genre’s Boy and Gurrumul, with three nomina- could never have expected Douglas, will also feature. storytelling style. tions each. Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan, that the songs and stories he Knox spoke with the NT “I think we can tell a Alice Skye, Kardajala Kirridarra and would uncover would go on News ahead of his perform- really good story, you know, Emily Wurramara have also scored two to form a book that would ance tonight and said he was because our ancestors have nominations each. become an instant cult clas- looking forward to getting been telling the stories for a This year has been one of the strongest sic, which was quickly fol- up on stage. long time,” he said. yet for indigenous music, with chart-top- lowed by a film and album. “It’s good to be back here “It can be a part of healing ping albums, national tours, TV and Euro- Now these same musical again, things have changed,” and social wellbeing as well. vision appearances, Hottest 100 stories are being brought to he said. “I think it is a really “It’s a time when we placements and acts playing at festivals the stage in the Darwin great concept, Buried Coun- can communicate and tell across the country. As the premier plat- Festival’s opening-night try. our stories to the wider form to showcase this success, the NIMAs concert, Buried Country. “I think the documentary community.” will once again bring the Australian music Singers and songwriters should be in every school Darwin’s own Ali Mills community together in a celebration of di- from across generations, library because it tells a will perform a Welcome to versity, innovation and leadership. including iconic elders great story.” Country to get the night NIMA reference group chairman and Roger Knox and L.J. Hill, Knox said the artists on started, before a chorus of musician Warren H. Williams said the legends Warren H. Williams the bill for the night would local community choirs sing growth in this year’s NIMAs has mirrored and Buddy Knox, to younger be more than capable of a tribute to the Territory’s the growth of indigenous music more artists like Leah Flanagan, doing the story justice. indigenous country tradi- generally over the last 15 years. Luke Peacock and James “There are some really tions – including Kathy “As our musicians have continued their Henry, will be backed by an great stories in it and I’m re- Mills’ The Arafura Pearl, a journey of taking their rightful place at the all-star house band, the ally happy and pleased to be song now officially regis- forefront of Australian music, the awards Backtrackers, in a celebra- part of it alongside people tered as a Northern Terri- have been there not just to celebrate their tion at the George Darwin like Warren H. Williams, tory social and cultural successes, but to be a launching pad for Botanic Gardens Amphi- Buddy Knox and James heritage icon. new talent and discovery vehicle for theatre tonight. Henry, who is the grandson The concert is free and musicians, whether they are from Darwin, A selection of Australian of Jimmy Little,” he said. gates open at 5.30pm. Indigenous country singer-songwriter Roger Knox Devonport, Derby, Dubbo or the Daintree,” he said. ~ .lJd.J! 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