If anything was going to prove Tony Abbot wrong when he described Australia as ‘unsettled’ before British colonisation, it was the Songlines Naidoc Jam.
Held at the Toff in Town in Melbourne as part of Naidoc Week — a national week celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture — the night highlighted living legends, songs in Indigenous languages and new emerging talent. Together they proved, not only that Indigenous Australians are visible and highly cultured, they have survived colonisation and are thriving.
The showcase-style gig has become the go-to format for organisers of Songlines Aboriginal Music and there are two key elements that make it so successful. First, it offers the opportunity to hear a mix of mature artists such as Richard Frankland, Lee Morgan, James Henry and Robert K Champion (who, full disclose, is my husband) interspersed with musicians who show real potential, such as Brett Lee and Maurial Spearim.
Secondly, the energetic pace keeps the crowd engaged and by the end of the night, up on the dance floor. Hosted by former Miss Naidoc Maurial Spearim, acts at the Naidoc Jam were introduced with humour and aplomb and gig-goers were reminded that they gathered on the land of the Wurundjeri People. Each performer was given a short set — sometimes just one song, and never longer than three — but the camaraderie between artists created a strong sense of cohesion on stage.
The night opened with Maylene Slater-Burns, a singer-songwriter who performs beautiful ballads seated at a keyboard, before shifting gears with Robbie Bundle, who performed his song My Sacred Place. Bundle proved a standout act with his polished and serious performance, showcasing his mature voice and the song's resonating lyrics. Then Carroll Karpany's fusion of mouth-percussion, spoken word and use of Indigenous language emphasised global humanity and used dazzling guitar work.
Following this Jayden Lillyst took to the stage with his cheeky rendition of the Marc Cohn classic Walking in Memphis, adapted for the Melbourne suburb of Preston. Living legend Joe Geia performed his classic Yil Lull and had the crowd either up on the stage with him or in the crowd singing along. Monica Weightman then filled the stage with her powerful presence and husky blues-soaked voice.
Finally the woman responsible for the night's festivities, Songlines CEO Jessie Lloyd, joined super band the Black Jacks to perform Other Side of the Room, the title track off her debut EP which she launched on the night. Supported by the night's fellow musicians, Lloyd was able to convey high emotion and well-rounded musicianship, her vocals richly imbued with soulful tones as she sang about love and life.
Finishing the night on a high, party band the Black Jacks had everyone up on the dance floor as they performed an enduring set of classic Indigenous songs such as We Have Survived, Black Boy and My Island Home along with originals and other classic covers. The night proved a winning formula of old and new, and short and sweet.
