2026 Band Lineup
DESERT WATER BAND
(FROM AMANTA SINGING IN Pitjantjatjara and English)
Desert Water Band brings together senior and emerging Anangu musicians from Amata in the APY Lands, featuring members of Ilkari Maru, Musgrave Band, UPK and acclaimed solo artist Luke Inkamala. Drawing on one of Central Australia’s most influential musical legacies, the group continues a family tradition that began with pioneering Aboriginal bands of the 1980s. Blending blues, heavy rock, reggae and country with Pitjantjatjara storytelling, Desert Water Band creates a powerful contemporary desert sound. Following years of community performances, they are now sharing their music with wider audiences, including a recent appearance at Ghost Gums Festival 2026.
MAGGIE
(FROM GALIWIN’KU SINGING IN YOLŊU MATHA & ENGLISH)
MAGGIE is an emerging Yolŋu singer-songwriter from Galiwin’ku in North-East Arnhem Land. Blending pop, R&B, folk and singer-songwriter influences, she creates heartfelt music inspired by family, culture and community. Launching her career in 2026, Maggie made her live debut at Yarrapay Festival and is preparing to release her debut EP with support from Break’n Barrierz. Alongside her music, she delivers songwriting, music and dance workshops with young people in remote communities. Through honest storytelling and a soulful voice, Maggie is establishing herself as an exciting new voice in First Nations music.
MALAWURR
(FROM YIRRKALA & BIRRITJIMI, SINGING IN YOLŊU MATHA)
Malawurr share the powerful songlines and healing traditions of Yolŋu culture through a dynamic fusion of traditional Yidaki, song, reggae, dub and contemporary production. Larry, a Galpu Clan leader and internationally acclaimed Yidaki player, continues the legacy of his late father, Djalu Gurruwiwi, bringing the healing power of the Yidaki to audiences worldwide. Together with his family as Malawurr, they have toured internationally and performed at major festivals including WOMADelaide, Darwin Festival and Splendour in the Grass, captivating audiences with music deeply connected to Country, culture and spirit.
MB REGGAE band
(FROM MULGA BORE SINGING IN EASTERN ANMATYERR)
MB Reggae Band is from Mulga Bore, formed in 2016, performing original reggae, country and funk infused with the Eastern Anmatyerr and Alyawarr languages. Renowned for their energetic live shows, they have performed at community sports weekends, Bush Bands Bash and Barunga Festival. Their music celebrates language, culture and community while showcasing the vibrant sounds of Central Australia.
MIWAY
(FROM GARRAMILLA SINGING IN ENGLISH)
MIWAY aka Cassandra Ariuu is a Ngangikurrunggurr, Marramaninjsji and Alawa singer-songwriter whose music is inspired by culture, family and personal growth. Originally from Darwin, she began writing songs in 2012 before returning to music with renewed confidence after years of personal development. While living in Roebourne, Western Australia, she built her live performance experience before opening for Jessica Mauboy at the 2024 Red Earth Arts Festival. In 2025, Cassandra independently released an original song, marking an important milestone as she continues to share her stories and celebrate her First Nations heritage through music.
N-FEJO & TIPPA 44
(FROM MINJILANG SINGING IN IWAIDJA & ENGLISH)
N-Fejo & Tippa44 are an emerging First Nations R&B duo blending smooth vocals with island-inspired pop and reggae. Performing in Iwaidja from West Arnhem Land, Tiwi and English, their music celebrates culture while bringing First Nations languages into contemporary music. With infectious rhythms and feel-good energy, the duo creates uplifting songs that connect audiences through language, storytelling and pride in their heritage
RED SAND BEAT BAND
(FROM MIRLIRRTJARRA SINGING IN NGAANYATJARRA & ENGLISH)
Red Sand Beat Band hails from Mirlirrtjarra (Warburton Community) in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands of Western Australia, blending laid-back desert reggae with songs about Country, community and life in one of Australia’s most remote regions. Led by Grenville Westlake, the band has become a favourite across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, performing at events including the Wilurarra Sand Tracks Tour, Nannup Music Festival and Kalgoorlie NAIDOC. As leaders of Wilurarra Creative’s music program, they mentor emerging musicians, organise community concerts and continue to develop original music from their home studio in Warburton.
SHANA RAY
(FROM DARWIN SINGING IN ENGLISH)
Shana Ray is a singer-songwriter whose heartfelt pop ballads are inspired by personal experiences and resilience. A longtime participant in MusicNT’s Desert Divas program, she has performed at Bush Bands Bash, toured throughout the Northern Territory with the Desert Divas, and featured on the Desert Divas Vol. II album with her original song Flowers Will Bloom. After taking time away to raise her family, Shana has returned to the stage, sharing her music with audiences once again.
WHITE WATER BAND
(FROM WALANGERI SINGING IN NGARINYMAN & ENGLISH)
White Water Band are a Walangeri (Yarralin Community) band from the Northern Territory, sharing stories of culture, Country and community through their music. Formed in 2001, the band spent years developing their sound before recording and releasing their songs in 2023. Their music blends reggae, rock and contemporary influences, featuring powerful storytelling and the voices of their community. With a passion for sharing their culture through performance, White Water Band continue to connect audiences through their unique sound and journey from Yarralin to the wider world.
Jessie K Music
(from Mareeba, singing in English)
Jessie K is a proud Kukudjengan/Mulirijdi woman from North Queensland. Largely self taught, her unique blend of alt-country and folk music is deeply personal, shaped by lived experience and cultural connection. Jessie first joined MusicNT’s Desert Divas program in Mparntwe in 2017 and went on to perform at her first Bush Bands Bash. She’s grown into a Diva’s mentor since returning to her hometown Mareeba, where she’s become a regular on festival stages including Tablelands Folk Festival (2023), Yungaburra Folk Festival, and Shine at Gimuy (2024).
Katrina Connelly
(from Irrunytju, singing in Pitjantjatjara & English)
A proud Pitjantjatjara woman, lifelong musician and gifted storyteller, Katrina Connelly writes and performs songs from the heart – singing in Pitjantjatjara and English about culture, family, and life on the Lands (Ngaanyatjarra ‘NG’ Lands). Whether on stage or behind the keys, her voice is soulful, strong, and grounded in Country. She has performed with Desert Rain Band, Irrunytju Band, Docker River Band and UPK, and is preparing to record her debut solo album in 2025–26, bringing together years of experience and original songs.
Matalja
(from Rubibi, singing in Djugun, Yawurru & English)
Tornina ‘Matalja’ Torres is an independent singer-songwriter, producer, and creative based in Rubibi/Broome, Western Australia. A proud Gurrimba skin woman, she has ancestral ties to the Djugan, Yawuru, Karajarri, Jabirr-Jabirr, Nyul Nyul, Barrd, and Bibulman nations. Her original, self-produced music blends contemporary sounds with traditional influences, speaks to identity, healing, and cultural connection. Her track Malu Mabu Liyan won the WAM Song of the Year – Outstanding Indigenous Category (2021) and features in the Australian feature film Sweet As.
MutitJulu Band
(from Mutitjulu, singing in Pitjantjatjara & English)
The Mutitjulu Band is a Desert Reggae Band from Mutitjulu Community at the base of Uluru in Central Australia. They sing in Pitjantjatjara and English. Their songs are powerful and speak of their land and their culture. They return to Bush Bands Bash after last participating and bringing their reggae sound to the stage in 2019.
*Please note, Mutitjulu Band has replaced Sandridge Band on this year’s lineup.
Moonlight Reggae Band
(From Wanarn, singing in Ngaanyatjarra & English)
Moonlight Reggae Band is a roots reggae group with desert rhythms from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands of Western Australia, led by Isaac Bates. Known for heartfelt harmonies and desert reggae spirit, their lyrics speak to the beauty and challenges of life in remote communities — love for family, pride in culture, and a deep respect for Country. They lit up the Bush Bands Bash stage in 2021, and have since continued to grow in strength and confidence, developing a loyal following across the Lands.
THE WAIT IS OVER!
The time has finally come to announce the incredible lineup for Bush Bands 2026!
The competition this year was fierce, with so many amazing applications coming in from remote communities all across Australia. A huge thank you to every single band and Diva who took the time to apply, the talent out there is unbelievable.
Our judges had a tough job, but they’ve picked this year’s outstanding acts to take the stage.
These legendary musicians will be taking part in Bush Bands Business, a music industry development camp before bringing the heat to the live stage at Bush Bands Bash in front of over 3000 people at Mparntwe’s Telegraph Station!
Keep your eyes peeled on our socials over the coming weeks as we introduce each act one by one!
Huge congratulations to the selected lineup.
