Sometimes you’re lucky enough to be in the room when incredible moments happen.
Usually, this column is for reviews, but you can’t review a show you were a part of. So, for this special column, I’m talking about the recent Amazon Music’s Blak Loud Showcase at Bustard Town in Darwin and my experience being a part of it.
Before diving into the details of the weekend, I want to take a moment to thanks and mention Amazon Music, as well as Chantelle and Adam from the Amazon Music team. Their championing of the Blak Loud playlist last year with myself as the curator and their continued support of the playlist and this showcase has been nothing short of incredible.
They’ve supported showcasing the Blak Music community in a way that’s impactful and deeply meaningful. Without their belief in this project, none of this would have been possible.
For those of you who don’t know me that well, here’s a quick recap. I’m Travis De Vries, I founded Awesome Black a few years back, I curate the Blak Loud playlist for the Amazon Music Australia team, and I used to work on massive shows for the Sydney Opera House during Vivid Live and their year-round program. Some of the big shows and highlights for me that I worked on were: Kraftwerk 2013, Bon Iver’s CERCLE, The National 2014, Rodriguez & Damon Albarn’s Everyday Robot show, a double show where we had to move both shows to the one night because show one was the night of the Lindt Cafe Siege. I put together the HOMEGROUND from 2013 to 2017 and was part of the team that concepted and built DanceRites into the cultural flagship event it is today.
This portfolio of grand scale, high-profile events is great, I was a part of some really cool stuff. However, being a part of curating the playlist for Amazon Music and working with the team on the Blak Loud Showcase has filled my cup in a way that these other shows didn’t.
I’ve been moved by music experiences before. It may even be that I am an easy mark for the euphoria that a live show is made for.
The Milla brothers, J-MILLA and Yung Milla, delivering their new collaborative show, *Same Blood,* on their home turf was electric. The energy in the room was palpable, the kind you can only feel by being there, live, in the moment. It was a proud, raw, and powerful performance that brought the crowd together in a way that reminded everyone why live music is irreplaceable.
Miss Kaninna’s set was almost a spiritual experience for me. Seeing someone so at peace with their body and their role in the music, creative, and political spectrum was inspiring and transcendent. I don’t want to put any pressure on her as an artist or person, but she is huge—she could be the biggest thing in this country. Her DJ partner, Noah, brings such a grounded, humble energy to their collaboration, and together they create something truly magical.
And then there was Jessica Mauboy—an icon and a superstar. Seeing her take her stadium-sized show and bring it into an intimate club setting with just 300 people was wild. She effortlessly shifted gears mid-set to cover *Neon Moon* and invited an aunty from the crowd to join her for another country track. It was an unplanned, heartwarming moment that turned into a highlight of the night. Her band was on point, delivering a performance that was tight, vibrant, and absolutely stunning. The icing on the cake was getting 3% on stage for their collab with Jess right before they had to dash off to their own headline show at the Mayberry, launching their debut album. Moments like that don’t happen every day.
After the Blak Loud Showcase, I literally ran my gear back to the hotel room and cruised over to the Mayberry to catch 3%’s set. Those guys are doing something that captures what it means to be a Blakfulla right now. Nooky, Angus, and Dallas are pushing boundaries with a genre-defying sound that’s as powerful as it is innovative. Their camaraderie is palpable, and it shows in the high-energy, genre-pushing work they’re doing. They’re on to something big, and it was clear from the moment they hit the stage that this is just the beginning for them.
Attending the 20th anniversary of the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) themselves was a fitting end to a weekend steeped in Blak excellence. The sense of community, pride, and celebration was overwhelming. Seeing decades of talent being recognised, and knowing that events like the Blak Loud Showcase are part of that continuum, made me feel like I’m part of something bigger. It’s not just about the music; it’s about being seen, being heard, and lifting each other up. The NIMAs serve as a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we can go.
See full image gallery below.
Looking back, it’s clear that these experiences—whether it’s putting on a show or witnessing the recognition of our artists at the NIMAs—are what it’s all about. It’s about filling your cup with moments that matter, and this weekend, my cup overflowed.
A massive thanks to Amazon Music and Music NT for sponsoring both the Blak Loud Showcase and the NIMAs, making these unforgettable experiences possible.
What to Expect in This Month’s Playlist
Our Blak Loud playlist for Aug 2024 features incredible tracks from the NIMA nominees with other remarkable songs by First Nations artists. Dive into the playlist on Amazon Music and immerse yourself in some great Blak music. Each song is a testament to the bounding creativity of these talented artists, showcasing the vibrant tapestry of First Nations music.
As always, we’re eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions, so feel free to drop us a line at music@awesomeblack.studio
Thanks for joining us for Blak List Vol. 22, and stay tuned for more exciting Blak music discoveries in the next edition. Until then, stay Blak, enjoy the beats and have a wonderful NAIDOC Week!
Listen to the full playlist here.
