Every April, a unique art gathering takes place in one of the most remote places in the centre of Australia. Known as “A Festival in Light”, Parrtjima is home to light installations, artworks, workshops, music and talks.
Every year, I promise myself I’ll make it back to the Land Down Under in time for the event. While it hasn’t happened yet, I closely study its program year after year to learn about new artists and educate myself on the topics it highlights.
Here are a few deadly events from the festival’s 2025 edition.
PART 221 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE
When I lived in Australia, I visited the Red Centre (aka the Outback or Central Australia) a couple of times. Both were well-planned and comprehensive trips that helped me better understand the First Nations culture.
The visit to the Arrentre country and its capital, Mparntwe (or Alice Springs in English), was a particularly memorable experience. That evening, we came across a spectacular scene I’ll never forget.
In the middle of the desert, in the vast open space, a set of lights was installed amongst the tall grass. The colours changed every few minutes to paint a new picture while the wind gently moved that natural canvas. Set under a starry sky, it was the definition of “a view to die for”.
Coincidentally, years later, I found out that there is a pretty famous event in Alice Springs called “A Festival in Light”. And I’ve wanted to take part in it ever since.
The event’s name – Parrtjima (pronounced “par-chee-ma”) – means “shedding light and building understanding” in the Arrentre language. The event lasts for 10 nights and is free of charge, only requiring registration to attend. According to its Instagram account, the festival’s mission is to showcase “the oldest continuous culture on earth through the newest technology”.
While it’s not strictly a music event, the programming in that space always has my attention. Influential Aboriginal artists, like country troubadour Troy Cassar-Daley, rapper Jimblah or the pop duo Electric Fields, have been a part of it over the years.
In 2025, Parrtjima’s theme is Timelessness. It’s manifested through “celebrating the enduring connection between generations through music, song, and oral storytelling.”
When I post this write-up on my channels, over half of the events will have already happened in this edition. But I still want to highlight three music events I wouldn’t miss for the world if I were in Mparntwe this coming weekend.
FRIDAY, APRIL 11TH – DEM MOB – HIP HOP
There are many prominent Aboriginal rap acts in Australia. But DEM MOB are the first Hip-Hop group hailing from the part of the world known as the APY Lands (comprised of the Aṉangu, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara regions).
The four members are also the first to rap in the Pitjantjatjara language. They are Jontae Dare, Elisha Umuhuri (born in New Zealand but raised in Australia), Matthew Gully and Basso Edwards.
DEM MOB’s bio mentions they are partially influenced by another artist who raps in his native Aboriginal language – Baker Boy. And they’ve supported other popular Indigenous artists over the years, like BAARKA and J-Milla. “With family roots tying back to Coloured Stone, No Fixed Address and Yothu Yindi, it’s no surprise they are making waves in the industry,” says the band’s description on triple j Unearthed.
The group is on a mission to empower First Nations youth by blending culture and music. They use Hip-Hop as a tool for education and social change. Hence, aside from their artistic trajectory, DEM MOB is also a platform for advocacy.
Their origin story is a testament to that philosophy. The collective was originally formed to keep Jontae engaged in school, leveraging his passion for music. With the help of Matt and Elisha, this journey led Jontae to become the first male student to achieve SACE (the South Australian Certificate of Education, awarded to students who have successfully completed their senior secondary schooling) in the Aboriginal community of Pukatja.
While they’ve been making music for a while, DEM MOB’s breakthrough moment was in 2023. Having previously performed at NAIDOC Week events, WOMADelaide and Wide Open Space festivals, the group took their message globally that year. In turn, their show at Primavera Sound in Barcelona led to the invitation to showcase at BIGSOUND in Brisbane. Winning five South Australian Music Awards, including Best Hip-Hop Act and Best Music Educators, also solidified their position back home.
“Music is the last link we have to our culture. (…) Language is changing because of Western influence, but our song lines are still strong. Music is literally the only reason our culture still exists- the one thing that white people can’t take away from us. Music is everything to us. This is why we do what we do,” Elisha shared in 2022.
Before DEM MOB perform at Parrtjima, they will sit down with a festival rep to talk about “Inspiring Something Different.” That conversation will surely touch on the group’s groundbreaking 2021 song, “Still No Justice.” The release is related to the 2019 shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker. A powerful statement addressing the Black Lives Matter movement, Aboriginal deaths in custody, and racism, it urges First Nations youth in Alice Springs to steer away from crime and grow into cultural leaders.
DEM MOB’s example clearly shows that rapping in both English and Pitjantjatjara languages is helping students improve their literacy skills. So, it will undoubtedly be an insightful yarn on the crossroads of music and activism.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12TH – DARWIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH DESERT DIVAS
When I think of a symphony orchestra performance, I associate it primarily with a grand indoor concert hall like the Sydney Opera House. But I would love to see it in an open-air setting amid Australia’s Red Centre.
Having the Darwin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) at Parrtjima is a pretty big deal, after all.
The ensemble was established in 1989 and is based at Charles Darwin University (CDU). As the leading cultural organisation in the Northern Territory, it presents orchestral music to local, national and international audiences. Simultaneously, it runs education programs celebrating the First Nations artists, stories and the Territory’s unique culture and geography through music, dance, poetry, singing and visual media.
This year at Parrtjima, the DSO will present a unique performance. 65 musicians (out of more than one hundred volunteers and a small core of paid professional musicians that form the orchestra) will play a 90-minute spectacle. This combination of music and light will include orchestral favourites and an exceptional piece. “Gurrulwa Guligi (Big Wind)” by Bilawara Lee and Netanela Mizrahi is a musical reflection on Cyclone Tracy 50 years on.
Three exceptional female singers will accompany the orchestra on this special night. Catherine Satour, Casii Williams, and Bronwyn Stuart are the 2025 representatives of another notable project sponsored by MusicNT (the Northern Territory’s peak body for music).
Desert Divas has been running annually in Alice Springs since 2010. It aims to uplift First Nations women in music, providing mentoring and other industry connections for emerging Indigenous female singer/songwriters. I love that it promotes the creation of original music by NT artists by supporting women and older girls in developing skills and confidence as performers.
Their collaboration with the DSO at Parrtjime will surely help their cause. But later that evening, the three Desert Divas will take to the stage again in their own show. And all I can say about it is: What a treat!
SUNDAY, APRIL 13TH – DRUMMING WORKSHOP WITH DOBBY
DOBBY has been on my radar for a few years now. So, seeing his name in the programming is no surprise to me.
Real name Rhyan Clapham, the artist proudly identifies as a Filipino and Aboriginal musician. He is a member of the Murrawarri Republic in Brewarrina, NSW. And you can pretty much summarise his music endeavours as an innovative one-man orchestra – quite literally.
He dubs himself a “drapper”. This novelty word is a fusion of his two main occupations within the music industry. He’s a rapper, and he drums for a Sydney band, Jackie Brown Jr.
DOBBY’s musical training kicked off at the age of 7. But before learning the jazz drumkit, the young Rhyan had studied classical piano. He also holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of NSW and an Indigenous Studies Honours (focusing on Aboriginal Hip-Hop music).
As DOBBY, he’s become known as a skilled composer and recipient of the bi-annual Peter Sculthorpe Fellowship in 2017. In 2022, he was also honoured with the NIMA Archie Roach Foundation Award.
Even though he’s only in his twenties, he has already performed at BIGSOUND, Bluesfest, Yabun Festival, Rabbits Eat Lettuce, 4Elements Hip Hop Festival, UNSW corporate and academic functions, Koori Radio events, and numerous NAIDOC celebrations across Australia. Outside his native country, he’s travelled to Europe and the US to showcase his talents.
A few years ago, I chatted with DOBBY about his many projects. Amongst them was working as a tutor for Indigenous Studies at UNSW. He was also facilitating Hip-Hop and drum workshops in community centres and schools throughout Sydney and rural NSW. And that last occupation is directly related to his Parrtjima 2025 appearance.
DOBBY’s high-energy, immersive drumming workshop has become a recurring event at Parrtjima. The artist has been running it since 2022. Participants choose it for the two elements it combines perfectly. This practical rhythm and percussion class explores the powerful blend of traditional Indigenous music and contemporary sound.
It’s also worth noting that DOBBY has collaborated with Parrtjima on other occasions. For instance, in 2021 and 2022, he composed the soundscapes for the festival. This year, he will perform to close out the festival, another must-see event for me.
Fingers crossed, I’ll be able to experience DOBBY’s workshop and other deadly events at Parrtjima in the future. For now, I’ll follow the festival’s official updates on social media.
So, if you’re in Mparntwe between today and April 13th, pop in to see what’s cooking. And send footage my way, please.
Cover photo: Parrtjima’s FB page
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light
When: 4-13 April 2025 (The venue is open from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with speakers and workshop sessions starting at 6:45 pm throughout the week and Live Music every night from 7:30 pm.)
Where: Desert Park, Flynn NT 0875, Australia
Full program here
Free event registration here (valid for multiple nights)
Learn about other events highlighting the First Nations culture and legacy in Australia:
It’s time to sport that fave band merch as Support Act celebrates the inaugural Mobmusic T-Shirt Day
Any day is a good day to support your favourite artists. But every year in November, Australian music fans and the wider industry come together to celebrate a special occasion – Ausmusic T-Shirt Day. This year, for the first time, the campaign is shining a light on its First Nations artists and creatives by simultaneously…
No idea what to do on January 26 in Australia? Visit IndigiTUBE – an online media platform preserving First Nations language and culture for future generations
The debate about “Australia Day” comes back every year like a boomerang. Ironically, this national holiday still divides Australians more than it unites them. Some Aussies enjoy their barbies, while most Aboriginal people mourn their ancestors. There are different approaches to moving forward: from changing the date to abolishing it altogether. But nothing concrete has…
“Music will always survive. Because it has and it will”*. My takeaways from BLAKSOUND 2021
This time of the year, BIGSOUND – the Australian music industry’s annual conference – would normally be taking place in Brisbane. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus developments Down Under in the last couple of months, it was cancelled in mid-July. But it made room for something way more important. BLAKSOUND was a 100% First Nations…
Silly McWiggles blog & podcast 