From humble beginnings in 2002 to hosting tens of thousands attendees, Yabun has been steadily growing to become a major of celebration of Aboriginal culture.
This year is back and arguably bigger than ever with a massive line-up of music including country music legend Troy Cassar Daley and the hottest new Indigenous talent Baker Boy.
Held in Victoria Park, Sydney the event produced by Gadigal Information Service (also home of Koori Radio), is a one-day festival celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, dance and culture, and the survival of First Peoples.
2018 headliner, Troy Cassar Daley may have performed at some of Australia's biggest music festivals, but he tells NITV that Yabun is an important one for him.
"I can’t wait to play Yabun this year and hopefully 'One Day' on a different date. We have so much to learn about this country’s history pre and post colonisation."
"As a Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung man, I am a mere student, even at 48, with an open mind and heart who looks forward to walking forward with everyone once our true past has been acknowledged."
Troy Cassar-Daley will headline Yaban 2018 (Supplied) Source: Troy Cassar-Daley
As a Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung man, I am a mere student, even at 48, with an open mind and heart who looks forward to walking forward with everyone once our true past has been acknowledged.
This year the mainstage will feature some of the most popular up-and-coming talent. Kardajala Kirridarra with their lush electro sounds, Yolgnu hip hop sensation Baker Boy bringing his high energy and infectious enthusiasm and deadly duo Electric Fields (last year's NIMA Awards favourite) will close the show with their magnetic electro/soul and sultry pop.
Speaking to NITV, Baker Boy said that his message is all about having fun and coming together on an important day.
"I'm honoured to be sharing the stage with so many talented Indigenous artists – really looking forward to catching the Street Warriors, their version of Solid Rock, rocks!" Baker said.
He also said he'll have a special guest joining him during his set. "I just bumped into my cousin from Yirrkala, Yirrmal and he just said he will be jumping on stage with me for 'Marryuna'! Which is perfect seeing as my new clip is also out on Friday."
"I don’t see myself as fiercely political - although my views are -, as my brothers AB Original, but my songs carry strong social messages [that young people can relate to] and touch on issues such as substance abuse in the Top End and everyday racism.
Fresh new talent Danzel Baker AKA: Baker Boy (Facebook/Baker Boy) Source: Facebook / Baker Boy
"My music is also about having fun, and if I can make two worlds come together for the sake of having fun and leaving their issues at the door then I know the magic - change is happening," he said.
MC DOBBY who took this year's Bigsound music conference by storm will be joined onstage with DJ Krystel Diola and is anticipating his Yabun performance.
"Yabun is important for our mob to come together in solidarity and reflect on our strength, our culture and our survival. Last year it was fantastic to see such a big turnout of Indigenous and non-Indigenous folks that were here to celebrate our culture," he told NITV.
"It's important on a day like this to be able to come together and feel connected to each-other, be one with mob, feel connected to our land and celebrate who we are as people. As an artist I want to spread positivity and that's exactly what i'm going to do at Yabun festival, so I'm very honoured to be a part of it this year."
Hip hop Drummer/MC DOBBY says that he is honoured to part of an important event such as Yabun on January 26 were mob can come together to reflect and celebrate. Source: Facebook
The mainstage will also feature whole host of established artists including jazz legend Johnny Nicol with Quartet, Street Warriors, Mi-Kaisha and Joe Geia with a deadly 5-piece band.
Other happening on the festival ground include, the Corroborree ground featuring ten dance groups from across the state showcasing dance and song from their respective communities. And the Speak Out tent featuring lively discussion and panels with special guest speakers Co-Chair of National Congress Jackie Huggins, artist/curator Brenda Croft and Kevin Cook is who is the Lecturer on Climate sponsored by SEED.
The mainstage will be hosted by seasoned comedian Sean Choolburra, who was - in fact - the host of the very first Yabun in 2002 when his career was just beginning.
Yabun 2018 features the best established and up and coming Indigenous talent in a day of celebration of culture Source: Facebook
Yabun Festival is on Friday, 26 January 10.00am - 7.00pm at Victoria Park, Camperdown for more information head to their website. Check out the Yabun 2017 highlights On Demand.
Join NITV for a week of programming which showcases the strength, courage and resilence of our people. #AlwaysWillBe starts Monday, 21 January on NITV (Ch. 34)
