The Black Arm Band

Concerts

The Black Arm Band has two performances  is currently touring murundak, its original 2006 creation. Hidden Republic is being unveiled as part of the 2008 Melbourne International Arts Festival, 24th and 25th October.

Hidden Republic

Hidden Republic is the second and partner piece to the highly successful murundak. Where murundak reflected on the music of the Indigenous civil rights struggle of the last 30 years or so, Hidden Republic is a reflection of hope for the future.

Hidden Republic is a collaboration between The Black Arm Band, 33 orchestral musicians from the MSO, and a blistering 7-piece jazz section to reflect the renewed hope and promise of a ‘post-apology’ Australia. Exploring the musical territory between western orchestral traditions and Indigenous songlines stretching thousands of years in to the past, Hidden Republic moves into adventurous musical territory with the indigenous singers of The Black Arm Band performing iconic songs which celebrate identity and understanding.

murundak

Winner of the 2007 Helpmann Award for Best Contemporary Music Concert, murundak — meaning 'alive' in Woiwurrung language — is an historic event that celebrates music as an instrument of identity, resistance and resilience, and a call to freedom. In a sweeping multi-media staging, it brings together The Black Arm Band, a 32-piece ensemble featuring a line-up of exceptional soloists performing works from the inspirational songbook of contemporary Aboriginal life.

The Indigenous musicians performing in murundak are amongst the most respected names in Australian music. These artists are joined by musicians who have added their own unique artistic voices to Indigenous musical history. The soundtrack to Australian Aboriginal life is alive with songs that express joy, hope, struggle and compassion. murundak re-orchestrates many of these anthemic works and couples them with gentle laments and infectious love songs to take audiences on a spiritual journey.

Against a backdrop of lyrical and provocative film images, murundak is a unique festival experience that is a symbolic and tangible step towards mutual recognition between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Both murundak was originally developed by Arts House, a City of Melbourne contemporary arts initiative. Concept Steven Richardson and realisation Kate Ben-Tovim.

“This gathering of stars and styles was like listening to a gathering of Beaz, Dylan, Judy Collins, Eric Clapton and Odetta” John Slavin, The Age Newspaper, 30/10/06

“The concert was a sweaty, powerful, uplifting example of why cities and governments invest in festivals” Corrie Perkin, The Australian Newspaper, 30/10/06

Previous engagements have taken place at the Melbourne International Festival in 2006, and at the Sydney Festival, Perth International Arts Festival, WOMADelaide, Brisbane Festival, London International Film Festival, and Cherbourg QLD in 2008. 

Upcoming Concerts