Yothu Yindi, Emma Donovan @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 7/7/2023

In a special NAIDOC week celebration, Illuminate Adelaide impressed with a stellar music event in their 2023 program.

For their thirtieth anniversary, Australia’s iconic Yolngu rock band Yothu Yindi graced Hindley Street Music Hall for one night only. In its current iteration, the renewed supergroup included original members plus next-generation new talent. Hailing from far North East Arnhem Land continued to respect the music and movement of its founders and live up to the spirit of the intergenerational kinship of the band’s name (Yolŋu Matha for ‘child and mother’).

Supported by the incomparable Emma Donovan, it was a wonderful night of Indigenous music.
Donovan performed ten songs that were a “little bit of country, little bit of rock, little bit of gospel”. In a special treat, her set comprised predominately of new songs from her upcoming album, some in Gumbaynggirr and Noongar traditional languages, plus a few classics.

Ever the storyteller, she shared many stories allowing us greater insight into her world, Country, and community. She offered a touching tribute to Uncle Archie Roach before performing a moving rendition of his song, Down City Streets. She brought laughter with her tribute to Aunty Ruby Hunter before sharing her song, Women’s Business. She brought emotion when speaking about her grandfather, Micko Donovan, before singing his song The Promised Land.

Donovan offered a soulful performance containing whimsy, sentimentality, and vast musicality.
Mixing tradition with the contemporary, Yothu Yindi are Yolngu rock pioneers. The ARIA Hall of Fame inductees impressed us for ninety minutes with a performance equally joyous and thought-provoking.

In their seventeen-song set, their switched between traditional Aboriginal songs to modern pop and rock songs. In addition to drums, keys, a guitar and bass, they used the yidaki and bilma, enriching sounds that underpin the core of the Yothu Yindi sound.

We heard renditions of songs, including Yolngu Boy, Romance at Garma, Dots on the Shells, Mainstream, and Our Generation, among others. We sang and danced to the hit Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming) and felt the power of Tribal Voice. We were treated to traditional Aboriginal songs and dance. Plus, some slick choreographed dancing too.

It goes without saying a highlight was the chart-topping Treaty. As was the multi-genre Timeless Land. With its rock/ EDM/ traditional undertones and honest lyrics, it will live in my memory rent-free for a long time.
Yothu Yindi is an integral part of the Australian music scene. Together with Emma Donovan, they created an enjoyable celebration of Aboriginal music past and present. An overall uplifting and entertaining experience for NAIDOC week and Illuminate Adelaide.

Live Review By Anita Kertes