Mbantua Festival 2013 Lineup Expands With Bernard Fanning & More

The Mbantua Festival 2013 lineup is expanding once more with the addition of two more high-profiled Australian musicians to the Alice Springs-based music festival.

Following on from Missy Higgins being named as one of the Mbantua Festival’s first music selections, esteemed singer-songwriter Bernard Fanning and celebrated Indigenous singer Jessica Mauboy have joined Dan Sultan, Tjintu Desert Band, Djupi Band, Frank Yamma, Archie Roach, Warren H. Williams and many others in an unprecedented line up in the Northern Territory, at the inaugural launch of Mbantua this year.

“Mbantua Festival gives me a chance to have first hand exposure to cultural events that I would never normally see,” said Fanning of being added to the festival lineup. ” I think most Australians would benefit by seeking a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures, and festivals like Mbantua provide the opportunity to do so. It’s also a great chance to play a show right in the heart of the country, with a great artist like Missy, to an audience that would never usually see us play.”

Hosted by the Arrernte peoples of Central Australia, the first-ever launch of the 5-day festival, to be held every two years, showcases and celebrates the culture and heritage of the desert communities. The Festival reunites the huge talents of co-Artistic Directors Nigel Jamieson and Rachel Perkins, who also organized the 2001 Yeperenye Federation Festival in Alice Springs

“It’s been 12 years since the celebration of the Yeperenye Festival”, Maurie Ryan, Chief Minister – Chairperson Central Land Council said at the Alice Springs launch, “The Arrernte people and Arrulka Business Aboriginal Corporation (ABAC) have taken a lead role in creating this event for all Australians. ABA have been the main sponsors with support from the ABA members and the Central Land Council.”

Alice Springs Town Council Deputy Mayor Liz Martin was just as enthusiastic about the festival: “Having a regular festival is a really important step of social inclusion and an appreciation of the diversity of all our cultures.”

The biennial festival will take place in the heart of Alice Springs between 9-13 October 2013, featuring hundreds of Indigenous performers and delivering a world-class Indigenous Australian cultural experience. Five days under the desert stars will take your senses on an exhilarating cultural journey.

For more details and to book Early Bird tickets head to www.mbantuafestival.com.au

Mbantua Festival 2013 Lineup

Missy Higgins
Bernard Fanning
Jessica Mauboy
Dan Sultan
Tjintu Desert Band
Djupi Band
Frank Yamma
Archie Roach
Warren H. Williams