Yothu Yindi To Headline 2019 Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival

Five original members of legendary Australian group Yothu Yindi will come together for the first time since M Yunupingu’s passing to perform at the 2019 Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival.

They’ll be joined onstage at the 15 June event by the Australian music icon’s nephew, vocalist Yirrnga Yunipingu, while Baker Boy, Thandi Phoenix, Yarrabah Brass Band and more soon-to-be-announced acts also feature on the bill.

“We look forward to bringing Yothu Yindi back to the stage and sharing our culture and music with the people of Far North Queensland,” Yirrnga Yunupingu said. 

“It is time for the messages of Yothu Yindi to be heard again and we couldn’t think of a better cultural platform than the iconic Yarrabah Music and Cultural Festival.”

The free Queensland event (run by Queensland Music Festival and formerly known as the Yarrabah Band Festival) will take place 45 minutes from Cairns, and will also feature market stalls, local art, weaving, spear and shield making workshops and more while celebrating the Gunggandji people and cultures represented in Yarrabah and surrounds.

“Once again we are extremely proud to present the Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival and bring these extraordinary artists to the wonderful Gunggandji community,” QMF Artistic Director Katie Noonan said.

“Not only does Yarrabah enable world-class music to be presented in Far North Queensland and help celebrate awesome local talent, but it is with immense pride that Queensland Music Festival can facilitate a First Nations-run event that will help to build capacity in the community. 

“The festival builds on the community’s generational legacy and will help them build on and celebrate that cultural heritage for decades to come.”

Head to the QMF website for more details on Yarrabah Music & Cultural Festival.

Queensland Music Festival will unveil its full 2019 program next Monday, May 20.