Bush Bands 2024 – CELEBRATING 20 Years!
MusicNT’s iconic Bush Bands Bash is back and celebrating its 20th Anniversary.
Band Lineup
Blackstone Daylight Band
(from Papulankutju singing in Ngaanyatjarra & English)
A musical force that originates from the vibrant Blackstone (Papulankutju) community nestled near the Western Australia border. Enchanting audiences with a harmonious blend of Ngaanyatjarra language and English lyrics, their music is a powerful expression of their deep connection to their land and heritage.
‘Bubalo’ Bronwyn Stuart
(from Ntaria, singing in English)
A Western Arrernte country music singer-songwriter, Bronwyn first got involved with MusicNT’s Desert Divas program in 2014 and got hooked on recording her own music. A relative of Warren H Williams, Daryl Kantawarra and Herbie Laughton, Bronwyn’s no stranger to the music scene. Her single, Me & My Guitar, featured on the Desert Divas Vol. 2
Desert Melody Makers
(from Yuendumu, singing in Walpiri & English)
The brainchild of Lance ‘LT The Soundman’ Turner, Desert Melody Makers explores the sound and soul of bush reggae. They have performed and won prizes at multiple sports weekends and jump on any opportunity to perform and share their love of music, driving crowds into joyous frenzies all over the Central Desert.
Drifting Clouds
(from Gapuwiyak, singing in Djambarrpuyngu & English)
Hailing from North East Arnhem Land, Terry Guyula creates ethereal spaces and infectious melodies drawn from Songlines, Dreamtime stories and life in community. The band’s unique style blends synth-pop, reggae, country and rock, stitched together by Terry’s uplifting songwriting and dreamy voice.
Family Shoveller Band
(from Bidyadanga, singing in Karajarri)
The Shoveller Family Band (a.k.a FSB) plays a fusion of pop, rock and reggae, coming all the way from Bidyadanga, 180km south of Broome in WA. Making their Bush Bands Bash debut, FSB has played massive stages across Australia, including SOTA Festival, and the Cocos and Christmas islands.
James Range Band
(from Utju, singing in Pitjantjatjara & English)
Officially formed in 2022, this 8-piece played their first big gig at the Ghost Gum Festival in Mparntwe in 2023. It’s exciting times for James Range Band, having since supported Paul Kelly and Floodlights, played the 2024 Wide Open Spaces festival, and taken home a Northern Territory Music Award – Rock Song of the Year for their self-titled single.
Jessica LA
(Australian/Western Arrernte/Luritja woman from Awabakal country, singing in
English)
Jessica writes from heart-consciousness connections, creating collaborative soundscapes through personal renditions of pop and R’n’B. A part of the Desert Divas program for many years, featuring on Desert Divas Vol 1, Jessica returns to BBB to share CAAMA Radio release ‘Feeling This’, and new unreleased music.
BOUSTA
(from Mparntwe, singing in English & Arrernte)
With a deep appreciation for Hip Hop and the power of storytelling, BOUSTA uses thought provoking lyrics and his traditional language as a powerful tool to inspire Arrernte kids to chase their dreams. BOUSTA most recently performed at WOMAD and has opened for DEM MOB at The Lab and Lil Mase in Alice Springs.
Newboys Band
(From Arlparra, singing in Alyawarr & English)
Following the success of their self-titled debut release, this explosive Alyawarr collective effortlessly fused desert reggae, rock, and pop influences for their second EP, Cheater, which saw their tunes rocketing hundreds of kilometres across the Barkly region and out into the hearts and ears of the nation.
Tjupi Band
(From Papunya, singing in Luritja & English)
Legends of Central Australian desert reggae, Tjupi Band continues to craft songs about country, love and culture, inspired by the music and family members of Warumpi Band that mentored them. Tjupi (honey ant) Band has played all over Australia and overseas, supporting Jessica Mauboy, Lucky Dube, Youth Yindi and John Butler.
MusicNT is thrilled to announce a diverse line up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bands and artists that have been selected to join the Bush Bands Business artist development program and grace the stage at the highly anticipated 20th year of:
Bush Bands Bash 2024
(showcase concert)
September 15, 2024
Mparntwe – Alice Springs Telegraph Station
Bush Bands Business 2024
(artist development program)
11–14 September, 2024
Ross River Resort – Hale
This unique event celebrates the richness of First Nations music, language and culture from across some of Australia’s remotest regions. Artists and industry mentors come together in the Central Desert for an annual development program and concert in front of a keen audience in Mparntwe, Alice Springs – and an even wider audience online via a recorded broadcast on ICTV and through CAAMA Radio.