A spectacular mix of traditional and contemporary cultural performances are set to excite fans in the pre-match and half-time entertainment for the 20th anniversary of the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G match between Richmond and Essendon on Saturday, May 25.
The highly anticipated Dreamtime at the ‘G pre-match show will feature a world-class lighting show that will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through movement, sound, smoke and colour.
Narrating the cultural journey of the pre-match entertainment will be proud Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri man and Australian rapper Briggs while new First Nations hip-hop supergroup 3%, Wurundjeri female dance group Djirri Djirri and performers from the Wulumbarra, Koorie Youth Will Shake Spear, Bandok Tati groups and Dreamtime Contemporary Dancers will delight fans as part of the pre-match show.
The Dreamtime at the ‘G match will begin with a Welcome to Country conducted by proud Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr, while the Richmond and Essendon Football Clubs will each perform a Dreamtime ceremony dance prior to the opening bounce.
Half-time entertainment will feature talented multi-instrumentalist DJ and producer Cyril who is set to entertain fans with his signature beats.
Twenty years on since he made his iconic walk to Canberra, AFL great Michael Long will return to the G to lead the annual Long Walk march commencing at Yarra Park and finishing with a lap inside the MCG in front of thousands of fans.
AFL Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch said this year’s entertainment would be the perfect celebration for the AFL’s annual Dreamtime at the ‘G match.
“The AFL is proud to have a host of wonderfully talented First Nations artists and performers join us at the MCG for the annual Dreamtime match as we continue to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round,” Ms Hosch said.
“This year’s theme of Spirit Strong, Game On talks to the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their enduring spirit, and we’re excited to facilitate this celebration through the platform of footy and bring this to life on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people, that is set to excite fans both at the game and at home on the screens.”
Performing for the first time together at the MCG, 3% and Cyril said they were looking forward to the occasion.
“Growing up, I used to watch teams play at the MCG and thought I'd really love to go. Now, I'm playing there for Dreamtime at the ‘G, which is truly something special,” Cyril said.
"From the club war cry performances to the annual Long Walk, the Dreamtime game is one of the biggest events on the mob calendar, bringing all mobs together and showcasing our culture and spirit to the world. It’s such an honour for us to share and perform on this epic stage. All our personal tribes will be watching with pride. See you soon Naarm,” 3% member Dallas Woods said.
To support this year’s celebrations, AFL partner AAMI will provide more than 7,000 tickets to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and community organisations to enjoy the Dreamtime at the ‘G experience as part of the AFL’s Community Ticketing Program.
AAMI’s Executive General Manager, Brand and Customer Experience, Mim Haysom said, “AAMI is proud to extend our support to the community ticketing scheme once again in 2024 and is thrilled to be able to support our First Nations communities and celebrate the immense contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made, and continue to make, to the AFL.”
A select number of gates for the Dreamtime at the ‘G match will open from 2:15pm ahead of the VFL curtain raiser match between Richmond and Essendon at 2:35pm, with the pre-match entertainment to commence at 7pm (EST).
Fans can tune in to watch the Dreamtime at the ‘G entertainment from 7pm (EST) on the Seven Network with the full match broadcast commencing from 7:30pm EST on the Seven Network, Foxtel & Kayo.
KEY TIMINGS:
- 2.15pm: Gates 1,3,6 open
- 2.35pm: VFL match start – Richmond v Essendon
- 5:30pm: Gates 4,5,7 open
- 6.10pm: The Long Walk
- 7.00pm: Pre-match entertainment commences featuring Briggs, 3%, Djirri Djirri and Wulumbarra, Koorie Youth Will Shake Spear and Bandok Tati dance groups and a Welcome to Country conducted by Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr
- 7.15pm: Pre-match entertainment concludes
– 7:15pm: Our Homecoming Hero for Round 11 is Shane Edwards, which is proudly presented by Motorola. Make sure you’re in your seats to welcome back Shedda to the ‘G!
- 7.34pm: Dreamtime Ceremony performance by Essendon & Richmond Football Clubs
- 7.38pm: Coin Toss & cultural gift exchange
- 7.40pm: Match Start
- Half time: Half time performance on Ponsford stage from DJ & Producer Cyril
- Post Game: Presentation of Yiooken Trophy to best on ground by Aunty Pam Pedersen OAM & Michael Long.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Briggs:
Briggs is a Yorta Yorta man and Australian rapper, lyricist, hip-hop artist, writer, presenter, author and actor. Briggs became well-known as a solo rapper before co-founding the hip-hop duo A.B. Original in 2016. The duo have toured with some of the industry’s heavyweights including 50 Cent, The Hilltop Hoods and Paul Kelly and have been recognised with a host of awards including the 2017 ARIA for Best Independent Release and Best Urban Album, Triple J’s J Award for Album of the Year and 2018 APRA Songwriters of the Year. Extending his career beyond music, Briggs has written and starred in a host of TV series including Disenchantment, Black Comedy and more recently, voiced the character of Adam in season seven of Netflix’s Big Mouth and starred as Alex Bermuda in Boy Swallows Universe. Briggs is the chair of the Adam Briggs Foundation, was named the GQ Agenda Setter of the Year in 2017 and released his first children’s book, Our Home, Our Heartbeat in 2020.
3%:
Proud First Nations artists Dallas Woods, Nooky and Angus Field make up 3% - a project which began in 2022 and showcases the extraordinary talents of each individual. Their name is a nod to their people who make up just 3% of the Australian population. The trio have spent much of the past year in the studio and are ready to release their ‘hard-hitting’ debut album which encompasses themes of Indigenous deaths in custody, closing the gap and reclaiming stolen land. Fusing the soaring vocals of Field with the rap and MC songwriting talents of Woods and Nooky – 3% are ready to stand up and be the voice for their people. “We’re not just 3% - we’re 100% black magic.”
DJ Cyril:
Cyril is the Aussie-born artist behind two of the world's hottest records at the moment, "Stumblin' In" and his remix of Grammy-nominated artist Disturbed's "Sound of Silence." Born and raised in the countryside of regional Australia and now based in Darwin, Cyril, the producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist on guitar, piano, and drums, boasts an impressive 250 million+ streams, sits atop the Shazam charts in over 20 different countries, gone Platinum and Gold in numerous different countries, and has amassed more than 800,000+ followers across socials. Despite experiencing a challenging journey growing up, Cyril’s passion has seen him dominate the music scene, with the release of "Stumblin' In," exploding on TikTok and becoming the #1 most played song on air in countries like Germany, Poland, Australia, New Zealand. With a trajectory as clear as it is limitless, expect to hear a lot more from Cyril in 2024 and beyond.
Djirri Djirri Dancers:
Djirri Djirri Dancers are the only Wurundjeri female dance group, and Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne). Djirri Djirri means Willy Wagtail in Woiwurrung, which is the Spirit Bird that gave them dance. They are all connected by blood as grandmothers, aunties, sisters, nieces, grandchildren and cousins. Tonight they invite their Djaara kin for ceremony. You will hear Mandy Nicholson and her daughter Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward singing in Woiwurrung, the language of the Wurundjeri people and watch the language come to life through dance.
Wulumbarra:
Wulumbarra means large communal fire in Yorta Yorta language, we are Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung, a community group that practice traditional ceremony and cultural practices, to learn more find us on instagram Wulumbarra.
Koorie Youth Will Shake Spear:
Koorie Youth Will Shake Spear's (KYWSS) are a traditional Koorie dance group who have been together for 35+ years. They are experts with a wealth of traditional knowledge that has been passed down from our elders.
Bandok Tati:
Bandok Tati is a traditional Wurundjeri men’s dance group. They use their traditional song and dance to tell stories and represent the Woiwurrung lore and the rich ancestral legacies from which they descended from. They dance to make sure they continue the traditions that their ancestors have been practicing for over 2000 generations and to make their old people proud.
