The 19th annual National Indigenous Music Awards will pay tribute to the legacy of the rockers, activists, and traditional song men that are Yothu Yindi on Saturday 12 August.
This year's NIMA is set to be an important celebration of First Nations music. Hosted by iconic duo Fred Leone and Elaine Crombie, the ceremony kicks off at Darwin Amphitheatre under the stars on Larrakia Country.
Presented by Amazon Music and broadcast around Australia from 7.30pm on August 12 on NITV and SBS On Demand, the awards will also be wrapped up on triple j's Blak Out show the following day.
Few musicians have had as profound an impact on Australia's cultural and political knowledge as those in Yothu Yindi. This revolutionary band formed in 1986, bringing together Indigenous musicians from a small Yolŋu town in Northeast Arnhem Land. Along with their non-Indigenous, or balanda, friends who played in a Darwin band called the Swamp Jockeys.
Over multiple decades, the pioneering group have released innovative songs drawing on Yolŋu musical elements and lyrics, as well as traditional pop and rock influences. Each piece breaking new ground with their approach to sharing varied styles, ideas and cultures.
Their influence continues to thrive in bands today, including King Stingray. The four-piece band includes Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu, the nephew of Yothu Yindi frontman Dr Mandawuy Yunupiŋu AO. As well as Roy Kellaway, the son of Yothu Yindi's bass player, Stu Kellaway.
Said to be the first major Indigenous band in Australia, Yothu Yindi earned this title after hitting the top 10 with their album 'Tribal Voice', which features infamous singles 'Treaty', 'Djanapa' (Sunset Dreaming) and 'Tribal Voice'.
As a result of their impressive music-making and storytelling, Yothu Yindi have eight of their 12 ARIA Award nominations. They've also toured the globe, captivating audiences across the US, Europe, South America, Africa and the Pacific, performing alongside Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Neil Young and Santana.
The band have also performed at high-profile global events like the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. As well as at the United Nations building in New York in 1993 to celebrate the International Year of Indigenous Peoples.
Among their successes, Yothu Yindi have helped spread a powerful message through their music. Strong advocates for social justice and Indigenous rights, their song 'Treaty' was indicative of their role as trailblazing advocates. The tune directly contributed to popularising calls for the Australian government to negotiate a treaty with our First Nation peoples in recognition of their human rights and unceded sovereignty.
Having now lost members Dr Mandawuy Yunupiŋu OA, a founding member, and Dr Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupiŋu, Yothu Yindi still carries their legacy proudly, with talented new frontman Yirringa Yunupiŋu taking in his uncle Mandawuy's footsteps. There is only a small pool of people with the right lineage, voice, traditional knowledge and skills to take centre stage with Yothu Yindi, so it is an honourable feat.
The Hall of Fame spot will be awarded to Yothu Yindi for their long and powerful contributions to Indigenous and Australian music. They will be honoured at the ceremony, among performances from Budjerah, Thelma Plum, Barkaa, and more top tier talent.
Winners from Artist of the Year, which is sponsored by Amazon Music, New Talent of the Year, Film Clip of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Community Clip of the Year categories will also be announced on the night.
Tickets to the Darwin Amphitheatre ceremony this Saturday on August 12 are available from darwinfestival.org.au.
NITV and SBS On Demand will broadcast the festivities from Larrakia Country the following night, on Sunday 13 August at 7.30pm. The NIMAs will also broadcast on SBS Viceland on Friday 18 August at 11.05pm and on SBS on Saturday 19 August at 9am.
