Thelma Plum, Jessica Mauboy and King Stingray also front the inaugural bill…

Mushroom Group, the Victorian Government, and Bad Apples Music have today (October 5) announced First & Forever; a brand new festival celebrating First Nations culture and music. The inaugural event is set to take over Victoria’s iconic Hanging Rock venue on November 27, and features an all-First Nations lineup curated by rapper, writer and record label owner, Briggs. 

The picnic-style event will run from 1pm, with artists taking to the festival’s one stage well into the evening. Briggs, with special thanks to fellow musician Paul Kelly, has enlisted a range of genre-diverse acts for First & Forever, including rappers Baker Boy and Tasman Keith, singer-songwriters Jessica Mauboy, Thelma Plum and Ziggy Ramo and DJs Dameeeela and Electric Fields.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OEQlhvykAg

Elsewhere, rock acts King Stingay and Dan Sultan will also take to the First & Forever stage, alongside fellow lineup entrants Sycco, Alice Skye, Budjerah, Emma Donovan, Barkaa and Jess Hitchcock. Speaking of First & Forever in a press statement, Briggs said that “for years [he’d] had an idea for a First Nations-led contemporary music festival, something cool and boutique that was really about the music and culture.”

Briggs went on to explain that he “​​had a passionate approach to Melbourne, Victorian music, and amplifying Blakfellas’ stories.” Honouring an additional First Nations legend, First & Forever will host its performances on the newly named ‘Uncle Archie Stage’, in tribute to the late Uncle Archie Roach. Tickets to First & Forever will be available on October 14 here, with Frontier Members gaining pre-sale access from October 11. 

Find more ticketing info for First & Forever’s inaugural festival here, and scroll down for the complete lineup.