One week to go! Festival schedule out now
Just over a week to go and Victoria’s new day-long festival, First & Forever, is almost here! Get in quick – final tickets are on sale now at firstandforever.com.au. Curated by Briggs, First & Forever takes place at The Gathering Place, Hanging Rock on Sunday 27 November, and will see some of the country’s most celebrated contemporary First Nations artists converge for a brand new landmark event celebrating Blak excellence.
BAKER BOY ● BUDJERAH ● JESSICA MAUBOY ● KING STINGRAY ● SYCCO ● THELMA PLUM ● ALICE SKYE ● BUSBY MAROU ● CHRISTINE ANU ● DAN SULTAN ● ELECTRIC FIELDS ● EMMA DONOVAN ● MO’JU ● TASMAN KEITH ● ZIGGY RAMO ● BARKAA ● BIRDZ ● DAMEEEELA ● ERIC AVERY ● JESS HITCHCOCK ● JK-47 ● KALYANI ● KARDAJALA KIRRIDARRA ● KOBIE DEE ● DJAARA DANCERS ● DJIRRI WURRUNDJERI WOMEN’S DANCE GROUP ● TAUNGURUNG CHOIR
Now it’s time to start planning your day, with festival schedule and site map revealed. Artists will play short, uninterrupted sets and collaborate on the festival’s single, main stage – the ‘Uncle Archie’ stage. Gates open from 1pm, and with guest appearances and first-ever collaborations taking place throughout the afternoon and evening. Arrive early so you don’t miss out on any special musical surprises!
See festival schedule
See site map
What’s more, Briggs is thrilled to announce three more artists added to the bill:
Mo’Ju (Wiradjuri) is chameleonic. They shapeshift between albums, often several times within the same release: jukebox-rattling, ‘50s rock n roller to swinging soul crooner; pop experimentalist to synthesised funk adventurer.
Using sound, movement and filmic techniques, Eric Avery (Ngiyampaa, Gumbangirr, Bandjalang and Yuin) takes a multi-disciplinary approach to pushing music and culture into new formations. Avery will perform throughout the day in support of several artists, as lead violin in the First & Forever house band.
With an ear keenly tuned to the low-end frequencies of club culture, Kalyani (Trawlwoolway) explores dance music from across the globe. She takes a confident and idiosyncratic approach to her sets, which can traverse bass-heavy genres including booty bass and trap; or transport audiences with gems of Turkish and Hindi pop rarely heard in clubs this side of the equator.
Special performances by the Djaara Dancers, Djirri Wurundjeri Women’s Dance Group and the Taungurung Choir will lead us into tributes to both Aunty Ruby Hunter and Uncle Archie Roach delivered by Dan Sultan, Paul Kelly, Emma Donovan, Jess Hitchcock and Kardajala Kirridarra.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Whet your appetite on the day with a wide range of vendors, from local wineries to First Nations owned and operated foodies, such as Blak Brews and Cooee Café. Other vendors include Melbourne Paella Company, Taco Station, Dum and Dumplings, Route 66, Two Fat Indians, The Kaiser’s Sausage and many more. Being a picnic-style event, everyone can bring their own food, in a supermarket sized cooler bag.
As First & Forever is a licensed event, there is no BYO alcohol. All bars will have EFTPOS available for ease on the day.
WHAT TO BRING
Important: for information about what to bring, and what not to bring, please read the FAQS www.firstandforever.com.au/
TRANSPORT
To best avoid delays, we recommend taking a bus. For info and to pre-purchase your bus ticket, go to melbourneonthemove.com.au or phone 1300 55 86 86. Bookings are essential. A pick-up and drop-off zone for taxis and Ubers and private vehicles is between gates 7 and 8. For trains, check the V/Line train schedule to Woodend here.
We also recommend carpooling. Private vehicles with four or more passengers park at no charge. Arrive early to avoid delays. Parking will be available on the day – $20 cash or card/tap and go. Read the FAQs for all the transport details.
Artists from multiple nations will converge at The Gathering Place for what promises to be an extraordinary and historic live experience. We look forward to celebrating with you.
FIRST & FOREVER
THE GATHERING PLACE, HANGING ROCK
NOVEMBER 2022
Presented by Mushroom Group, the Victorian Government and Bad Apples Music
With thanks to Paul Kelly AO
Hosted by the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung. Supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria.
FINAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW
via firstandforever.com.au
Sunday 27 November
The Gathering Place, Hanging Rock | Macedon Ranges, VIC
Licensed. All Ages – free entry for Under 12s
Ticketmaster.com.au