BLAKSOUND, Australia’s self-determined Indigenous music conference is returning to take over ARIA week in 2022 with a with a lineup bursting with First Nations talent and powerful conversations.
Heading up this year’s program will be a keynote speech delivered by musician Tasman Keith. In a presentation entitled ‘Taking control of the narrative’, the beloved muso will speak to navigating false narratives within the music industry, bringing mob with you and strategies for young artists to look after themselves as they speak their truth.
Taking place over three days from Sunday, 20th November til Tuesday, 22nd November, BLAKSOUND will be choc-a-bloc with important conversations featuring panels, keynotes and showcases.
Musician Nardi Simpson will also deliver a keynote speech dubbed “Singing the Crossroads; choosing a path- Upskilling industry or making community.”
“First Nations musicians have a choice to make. Do we save the Australian music industry or empower ourselves and each other? The question is urgent,” she said in a press statement. “The answer will shape the lives and careers of all song women and men to come.”
First Nations heroes Craig Tilmouth, Dallas Woods, Deline Briscoe and among other key voices in the mix for the program of speeches, while showcasing artists across the Koori Radio and Goodwayz events include Akala Newman, Lewis Libran, Alf The Great, DENNI and more.
You can take a peek at the full program below.
BLAKSOUND 2022 Program
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Tasman Keith: “Taking Control of the Narrative”
Nardi Simpson: “Singing the Crossroads; choosing a path- Upskilling industry or
making community.”
DOBBY
SPEAKERS
Craig Tilmouth
Dallas Woods
Deline Briscoe
Eugenia Flynn
Jacob Ridgeway
Kaleena Smith
Lola Forester
Neil Morris
Rhianna Patrick
Zeppelin Hamilton
Alethea Beetson
PANELS + Key-Yarns
‘VIBE CHECK: the past, present and future of Indigenous music’
with Rhianna Patrick, Craig Tilmouth, Dallas Woods and Lola Forester
‘BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE: Succession planning for the day the music industry dies’
with Alethea Beetson, Eugenia Flynn, Kaleena Smith and Neil Morris (DRMNGNOW).
In Sync With The Land that You Come From: in Conversation with Deline Briscoe
With Deline Briscoe and Zeppelin Hamilton (Velvet Trip)
WORKSHOPS
STILL HERE workshop: Baiyiya Dana Garra: Song Path Now – A Sovereign and Self
Determination Cultural Framework for the Now in Song
Spotify for Mob: In this session hosted by Spotify’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Program Lead, Alethea Beetson (Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi + Wiradjuri), community will be able to
meet with the Spotify music team and learn more about Spotify’s First Nations Strategy +
Program.
Spotify x Liveschool workshop: Storytelling with music production using Light and Dark
sounds with Moss.
KOORI RADIO LAUNCH PARTY
Akala Newman
Lewis Libran
Amelia Thompson
DOBBY (keynote address)
GOODWAYZ SHOWCASE
Alf The Great
DENNI
Loren Ryan
+special guest
Dates And Venues
Sunday, 20th November – Tuesday 22nd November – Koori Radio, Sydney NSW
Tickets available here
Further Reading
Mallrat Calls Out ARIA Awards: “Approximately One in Five of the Nominees Are Non-Male”
The Best of Hip Hop at BIGSOUND 2022
Introducing First & Forever: A Celebration Of Blak Excellence At Hanging Rock
