The AFL has announced Aboriginal Australian artists Baker Boy, Thelma Plum and Yirrmal will perform at the Dreamtime at the G match between Richmond and Essendon during the 2019 AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round on May 25.
Yirrmal will commence the pre-game celebration with the song ‘Treaty’, followed by Thelma Plum with her new single ‘Better in Blak’, while Baker Boy will close proceedings and perform a collaboration of his songs ‘Black Magic’ and ‘Marryuna’.
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The artists will form part of the official pre-game celebration, which includes a Welcome to Country performed by a traditional owner from the Wurundjeri people as well as a War Cry/Dance conducted by representatives from the Richmond and Essendon Football Clubs.
AFL General Manager of Commercial Kylie Rogers said the pre-game entertainment will be a great celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
“The Sir Doug Nicholls Round will once again acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to our game, and we’re delighted to have three of our country’s best up-and-coming artists be part of the occasion,” Ms Rogers said.
“Baker Boy, Thelma Plum and Yirrmal are proud Aboriginal artists and we’re looking forward to celebrating the Aboriginal cultures with them on one of the biggest nights on the football calendar.”
Growing up in the remote Indigenous communities of Milingimbi and Maningrida in north-east Arnhem Land, Danzal Baker- known professionally as Baker Boy- is a rapper, dancer, actor and visual artist.
Winning the 2019 Young Australian of the Year award, Baker is the first Aboriginal artist to have achieved mainstream success for performing original hip-hop songs incorporating both English and Yolŋu Matha language.
Ahead of the dedicated Round, Baker Boy said that the annual Dreamtime at the G match was the inspiration behind his song ‘Black Magic’.
“Black Magic was written with Dreamtime at the G in mind, being inspired by black excellence and just imagining being centre field at the MCG performing to and representing Indigenous people,” Baker Boy said.
“It is such a privilege to have this opportunity and I can't wait to get out there and make our dreams a reality.”
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Alternative artist and proud Gamilaroi woman Thelma Plum will light up the MCG with her new single ‘Better In Blak’, the latest from her forthcoming debut album due for release later this year.
Recently performing across the country at the Groovin’ the Moo Festival, Thelma is an incredibly talented singer-songwriter, winning National Indigenous Music Awards and having several songs place in the Triple J Hottest 100.
New generation Yolngu artist Yirrmal Marika, from Yirrkala, is an inspiring songwriter and guitarist, singing songs in both English and language.
Making a refreshing entrance in the music scene, Yirrmal fuses traditional and contemporary arrangements and openly shares his identity, spirit and connection to the land.
The Dreamtime at the G pre-game celebration will kick off at 6:30pm, with the match commencing at 7:25pm AEST.
Gates to the MCG will be open from 3:30pm.
Tickets for the Dreamtime at the G match are available here….
PRE-MATCH CELEBRATION SCHEDULE:
- 6:30PM: Long Walkers enter the MCG to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the Long Walk
- 6:44PM: Welcome to Country
- 6:45PM: Yirrmal to perform ‘Treaty’
- 6:47PM: Thelma Plum to perform ‘Better in Blak’
- 6:50PM: Baker Boy to perform ‘Black Magic/Marryuna’
- 7:19PM: Essendon representatives to perform War Dance
- 7:20PM: Richmond representatives to perform War Cry
