The Bleach* Festival program is now available for us all to greedily peruse. And we're excited about, well, pretty much all of it. But for now, we are going to take a sneak peek at the powerful opening and closing events of Gold Coast’s flagship arts festival.

First Light and Last Light epitomise the Bleach* Festival experience. Deeply connected to place, and featuring a multi-disciplinary lineup of art, music and storytelling, these bookend ceremonies are definitely among the not-to-be-missed events at this year’s festival. And guess what? They’re totally free.

Let’s put these events in the spotlight.

FIRST LIGHT: HEARTLAND

Held at North Burleigh on 3 August, heartland is a moving blend of traditional songlines, poetry and didgeridoo, featuring the talents of Kalkadunga man William Barton and violinist Véronique Serret.

As the sun rises over the water, the musical duo will transport audiences to a meditative sound world, inspired by the Australian landscape.

Featuring poetry by William’s mother, Aunty Delmae Barton, Heartland will wake up Bleach* Festival with soaring violin, melodic vocals and haunting didgeridoo. 

Described by Limelight magazine as a “work of deep spirit”, Heartland explores the land upon which we work and play, from the peaks of its mountains to the depths of its seas. Wind, fire, rain, animals and birds all feature in this poignant and authentic tribute to Country. 

LAST LIGHT: TOWER DIVAS

As the sky turns from burnished gold to deep twinkling purple on the final day of Bleach*, audiences are invited to come and surrender themselves to the mesmerising frequencies of the Tower Divas.

This electrifying world premiere is part ritual, part sound healing, and all heart. 

Led by Yolgnu songstress Gambirra Illume, Maori sonic weaver Whaia, and Korean-born vocalist Sunny Kim, Tower Divas uses an original composition by internationally-recognised Gold Coast composer Corrina Bonshek to open the hearts and stir the souls of all present.

Be awed by the beauty of sound, the grandeur of nature and the passion of the artists on 13 August, as this heartfelt event gives Bleach* Festival a truly memorable send off for 2023.

About the artists:

VÉRONIQUE SERRET

Véronique is a violinist, vocalist and composer effortlessly bridging the divide between classical and contemporary art forms. Folk, rock, experimental jazz, dance and improvisation all contribute to her musical palette.

One of Australias most versatile musicians, Véronique is equally at home on the concert hall platform and the rock n roll stage. The ‘Girl from Guildford’ carving a niche for herself directing string sections for rock bands, indie artists, feature films and studio sessions.

WILLIAM BARTON

Composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, William is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading didgeridoo players and composers.

For two decades, William Barton has forged a peerless profile as a performer and composer in the classical musical world, from the Philharmonic Orchestras of London and Berlin to historic events at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day 2019, Anzac Cove and the Beijing Olympics. With his prodigious musicality and the quiet conviction of his Kalkadunga heritage, he has vastly expanded the horizons of the didgeridoo — and the culture and landscape that it represents.

GAMBIRRA ILLUME

Yolngu woman Gambirra Illume is a powerful singer-songwriter, producer and visual artist who uses her craft as a tool to unite and heal people. Drawing inspiration from a long lineage of ceremonial painters, healers and the natural world, Gambirra’s work is steeped in spirituality, passion and heart.

WHAIA

A Ngati Kahungunu woman from Aotearoa, Whaia was raised on Yindjibarndi country in the Pilbara, far North Western Australia with her Aboriginal grandmother shaping her story from the age of 6. Working with an array of Taonga Puoro/Traditional First Nation instruments and Crystal Singing Bowls, when Whaia lays down her vocal signatory sonics, you surely feel as if you've stepped into another dimension and taken off into other worlds.

SUNNY KIM

Korean-born vocalist, improviser and composer, Sunny Kim is a global nomad, taking her magic to stages in Seoul, Bangkok, New York, Melbourne—and now, BLEACH*. Sunny’s artistry seeks to find meaningful connections to people, culture and place through deep listening and collaboration. The result? Performances that will truly transform you.

CORRINA BONSHEK

With 20 years of composing across concert halls, and festivals to her name, Gold Coast artistic director Corrina Bonshek has a deep passion for crafting music-led works that provoke wonder at the beauty of nature, the cosmos and each other. With a PhD in Contemporary Arts, Corrina’s talent for connecting artists and producing performances that transcend time is unmatched.

BLEACH* Festival runs across the Gold Coast from 3 to 13 August 2023. Visit the website for the full program and tickets.